Patience Quilters Show

I went to the Patience Quilters Show this morning.  What a nice show!  There were about 60 or so quilts, I imagine, because I took over 100 pictures and I know I missed a few.  Rather than wait for others to move, I simply skip over the quilt and come back later.  Of course, doing this means that there surely are a few that I didn't get back to.  

I did walk back through the entire show to get a second look at some of my favorites.  I've found that viewing quilts is a bit like viewing fine art, it takes more than one opportunity to really appreciate the beauty and the nuances of the piece.  The little details that we tend to miss on the first viewing are much easier to notice on the second or third time.  I assume it's because we aren't focusing on the big picture or trying to figure out the artist's meaning.

 

As always, I apologize for the poor quality of my photos.  You'd think I'd get the hang of it eventually, but no, it's just not happening.  These are all mine, all enhanced, and all about the best I can do.  Sorry. 

You know what's really nice about getting to a local show?  You recognize names on some of the quilts!  Many of the Patience Quilters are Cotton Quilters and so I get to see them and their work on those rare occasions that I actually get to attend a Cotton Quilters meeting. 

So here's a shout out to Brenda, Ruby and Annette and whomever else I saw or spoke to today.  It was very enjoyable, but don't expect that I'll remember everyone....I may have spoken to too many!

Cause, ya know, I talk a little bit.  To just about anyone.  And especially to people I might know.  And about almost anything.  But especially quilting.  Imagine me at a quilt show with other quilters!  That IS fun!
Happy talking and quilting,
Mary

Hypolite Bordelon House (Museum)

A couple of days ago I was in Marksville for a meeting and happened to drive past an old home that I've seen many, many times.  I don't know why the house caught my eye, but it did, so after the meeting I returned to take a look.  Unfortunately I arrived after 5 o'clock, but the very nice lady who was closing up gave me a few minutes to take some pictures of the outbuilding.   Listed on the National Historic Register and the Louisiana National Register of Historic Places, it has the original "bousillage walls, the front and rear chamfered columns and the French doors." 

Marksville Chamber of Commerce photograph

From the Chamber website: The Hypolite Bordelon house was built five miles from Marksville on the Red River in the early Louisiana Creole Style of architecture.

Some members of the Bordelon family lived in the house until 1941 when Pierre Bordelon died. The house is furnished with articles from 1820 - 1940 period.

In 1979 the house was given to the city of Marksville and moved to its present location on Tunica Drive West, in the center of town. The house was restored and is listed on the National Historic Register because of its architectural and historical significance.

The map, which is from the Louisiana Register of Historic Places, shows the location of the home in Marksville.  It's one of the few items available online.

I enjoyed my few minutes at the site and hope to return for more pictures and information and, if I'm lucky, a tour of the home.  If you're ever in the area, it's well worth some of your time to stop by.

Pin It Wednesday #35

Happy Hump Day!  How about some pretty, colorful quilts from my "heart, quilts" board?  You'll love these!

And you'll love these quilts with no color at all.  Some black and white (and maybe a little color) quilts.  

Happy Quilting,
Mary

Movie Review: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

Last weekend we sat down to dinner and a movie.  I was able to convince Rich to give The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel a try since I'd wanted to see it since it came out.  It's a lovely movie about a group of aging Brits who, for various reasons, choose to retire to a small independent hotel "for the elderly and beautiful" in Jaipur, India, after being lured by the photographs online.  Once there, they come to realize that the aging hotel is far from the luxury promised.  Still, they are (almost all) charmed by the beauty and simplicity of India.  

With a cast that includes Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Tom Wilkinson, Bill Nighy, it's expected that the acting will be outstanding, and it is.  However there are a few youthful actors whose performances are equally wonderful, such as Dev Patel and Tena Desae.  

Director John Madden and writers Ol Parker and Deborah Moggach obviously know how to tell a story.  We meet the Brits in their element as they each prepare to leave the comforts of England.  We discover their individual stories and problems and then, as expected, we see how they handle the first shock of this new clime.  Although the story moves slowly at times, it's an opportunity to savor the atmosphere and identify with the characters learning to navigate the exotic region.

With time they adjust or readjust, discover things about themselves that they likely would never have discovered in England, and reevaluate their decisions.  Probably the best theme of the movie is the idea that life should be lived no matter how close to death we may be.  My favorite line comes from Sonny Kapur, who reiterates his mantra several times, "Everything will be all right in the end and if it's not all right, then it's not yet the end."
Now isn't that a mantra for most of us? 

Additional reviews by Roger Ebert, NY Times, Rotten Tomatoes  

Sunday Quilt Inspiration: Cuppa

Who would think that coffee could inspire art?  Well, a few artists did, actually.

For example, Gert Lavsen considers coffee worthy of photography, and why not?  Whether life imitates art or art is a form of flattery these photos show interesting ways to present a subject while forming a story.  

And Benjamin Yeager's coffee in the foreground photo certainly is an interesting concept.  Wish I knew the photographer of this next one.  I love the interesting shapes and colors.

Maybe the quilters who put together these sweet cups were inspired by one of the artworks above.  Of course, they are not all coffee pots, some are teapots and they are all from my "coffee, tea quilt" board along with about 20 other pins, including some paper piecing patterns.

Have a great cup of your favorite beverage and 
Happy Quilting,
Mary