Reruns Lecture, Antique Quilts and Outings

I had a whirlwind trip to Washington state to present my lecture, Reruns; Quilts Inspired by the Past. 

I had checked out my map earlier to see what was on the way to my SIL's that I could stop and get a bit of exercise. 

I ended up about 15 minutes away from where I was staying. I stopped at the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. Of course, the middle of the day, at 85 degrees,  isn't the best time to see wildlife, but there was a nice breeze blowing off the Puget Sound. This was an estuary where the fresh water creeks meet the salty sound. 

 The tide was out and I brought my binoculars and saw blue heron, bald eagles, and salmon. It was right off the freeway and worth the stop if you are ever in the area. Be forewarned, it is a 4 mile out and back to the end of the boardwalk overlooking the Puget Sound.

  This was more of the refuge off the water. 

The next morning I got in a quick urban run before heading to Gig Harbor for lunch and my first lecture. It looks nice and cool but it was warm and humid at 8AM!

I asked guild members to bring antique/ vintage quilts to share and we had a lot! So much fun for them to be able to share these lovely quilts with others! (and me!) It goes right along with the lecture.

I loved this setting and had never seen anything like it. It was beautiful!

 I give a guesstimate on the age of the quilt and assure them I'm not an appraiser or a certified expert.
The quilt above, the quilt below were the oldest ones. Look at the quilting!

Look at this amazing border!!

The quilt was enormous! Also an indicator of age. 

The solide color blocks had corners on them that once made the snowball block. I'm not quite sure why we cannot see any color. 

 This was very sweet. The blocks were found in the woman's MIL's house so she set them into this charming quilt.

This courthouse steps block had lots of 40's prints. I'm not sure what to think of the lime sashing- other than I love it!

 My favorite. A man brought this in and said he got it from his grandmother's estate. They lived very primitively in Tennessee and were tobacco farmers. He remembers they used an outhouse for a long time and didn't have electricity until the mid- 50's. (please correct me if I have the story wrong!) I'm trying to wrap my head around where she would have gotten all that cheddar..... AND

 The backing is this lovely print. I suggested maybe she traded work for fabric. His cousins (or siblings) have 2 more quilts and he is anxious to see them- I'd love to see them too!!

These may have been 4" blocks. There is quite a variety of prints and the large fan stitching looks very primitive compared to the blocks. 

If quilts could talk.......

Then I was off to Port Orchard. I had a little time so went to the harbor and had a snack. 

 How beautiful is this??

 Right across the inlet is the Puget Sound Navy ship yard in Bremerton. 

Here is the lovely group who assembled in Port Orchard!! 

Thank you all for your warm welcome and kind comments!!