Houston we have landed.

The next morning we all travelled to the Chicago O'Hare airport to fly to Houston the flight took 3 hours, it was quite amusing too see how much luggage was accumulated by the group, by this time most of the group had 2-3 suitcases,  barr a few, excess luggage may have to be paid before our flight.

We arrived into our hotel just after 4 pm, had lunch settled in and had a little rest before we all walked to the George R Brown convention centre for preview night. 

This being my third visit to Houston it was the first time that I had been to preview night, here was myself thinking we will get to see quilts etc, but I did not expect all the booths to be opened and we could spend money, such a shame that I left my money back at the hotel and DH was no where in sight. 

A silent little plea to self, I will be good and not spend anything, but after spotting DH, money acquired and a few purchases made, so much for will power.

It was all go.

This actually bought a smile to my face, great head gear.

Some fancy wind charms made and hung just before entry to the quilt exhibition.

As you can imagine there are a lot of quilts on display, so I have photographed the winners and put up a few of my favourites as well.

This quilt won the grand prize of $12,500.

A lot of winners from Japan, this quilt won the Founders award $7,500

Another Japan winner, World of Beauty award $7,500, the detail in this quilt was very detailed and quite amazing.

Australian quilt artist Helen Godden won third place.

Helen's other entry was of her daughter, I love the assemetry of this quilt.

Explanation

Another Australian winner was Linda Couch for her miniature.

There was also another couple of Australian winners, but I did not get to see their quilts.

This is Judith Ross from Christchurch in NZ, who had the pleasure of having her quilt accepted to be hung at the Houston show, all made of silk. Judith was part of our tour group.

The many quilts hanging, were a lot of art quilts with some modern and pieced works.

I thought this was very clever.

Being a nurse, great quilt of a heart, clever as well.

This was a Van Gogh challenge, amazing works.

Dear Jane in white, yellow and gray, first quilt made by Christine, I had the pleasure to talk to her, this quilt did not take her long to make, great work for a first time quilter.

Explanation 

Frida small quilt 

Hilary Clinton

I absolutely adored this quilt, the eyes have it and reminded me of our girl at home.

There was a Frida doll challenge, much to my delight.

Great work.

Frida mermaid.

This quilt also impressed me.

These are a few of my favourite pieced quilts.

Log cabin, so many different variations.

Interesting quilt.

Also interesting dressed people, they were happy to pose for photo, I saw them the next day and they had different 1920's gear on.

Jesters, happy to pose

This concludes my quilt show visit, I have been fortunate to visit Houston Quilt Festival three times now and I feel that it is one of best shows and the largest display of quilts. I had two days at the festival and really did not get to see everything, but was very happy with what I did see.

Will return soon with news of our visit to La Grange and the Texas Quilt museum.

More of Chicago, Art Institute, Frank Lloyd Wrights house and a quilt studio visit.

This morning the group walked through the park, had a photo stop at Cloud gate, hot chocolates and waited for the art gallery to open, We had a guided tour through the gallery and explanations were given by an expert art enthusiast.

I must say it was a great tour and to see originals of Renoir, Van Gogh and Monet, hanging on the gallery wall was exciting. Being also allowed to take photos and get up close to these masterpieces was awe inspiring.

This greeted us in the entry to the institute.

A great painting also at the entry.

This masterpiece was very large, but what was unique about this painting was all the small dots put together made a painting.

Van Gogh

Explanation of Van Gogh portrait.

Monet paintings

Monet Irises, 1914/17

We were privileged to be able to see some wonderful vintage and modern quilts on display at the art Institute.

I just 

Crazy quilt, great embroidery 

Flag quilt

Another version of a crazy quilt

Appliqué quilt, lovely work

Quilt depicting the Oregon Trail

Chris Jurd standing near the Garfield and Arthur quilt, explanation below, Chris made her version of this quilt in 2009.

I would like to add, Chris made this quilt in 2009 and I have owned it for a few years now, after purchasing it of Chris, about five years ago at the Springwood quilt show.

Friendship quilt.

There were many other quilts, and a delightful hour was spent drooling over them.

After our visit we had lunch, back to the hotel for lunch. In the afternoon we drove 1 hour out to a quilt shop, not much purchased at this shop, but there was a hobby lobby which most of us were happy to visit and some more money was spent to help the American economy.

The next day was an excursion out to Oakpark to visit Frank Lloyd Wright house, 

Frank Lloyd Wright was born in 1867, Wisconsin, he lived in Oakpark from 1889 until 1909. Wright created a wholly new form of American architecture known as the Prairie style, because it reflects the landscape of the mid western plains. The house was amazing with imaginative genius, he was forward thinking with his design.

Frank Lloyd Wrights home.

Beautiful Art Deco lead light.

This entry loggia columns are capped by plaster castings, the colour of bronze, incorporating the book of knowledge issues from the tree of life, an architectural scroll, the storks represent wisdom and fertility. The house was mainly made of American oak and had painted murals in many of the areas.

After the house tour we had lunch the visited the studio of Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, who showed us his modern quilts.

Bill Kerr house in Oakpark 

Bill Kerr showing us his quilts.

Weeks and Bill also have their own fabric range, which of course I had to purchase some.

This concludes our time in Chicago, tomorrow we are off to Houston for quilt festival.

Of course as with tradition DH had to have his steak, this time we dined at Ruby Rose steakhouse and the steak was 24ounces, enjoyed by himself.

More to follow with our Houston visit.

DH's steak for dinner.