We spent 24 hours in Central Oregon over the weekend and I learned the difference between a ground squirrel (left) and a chipmunk (right).  They both have stripes on their bodies, but the chipmunk also has stripes on its face.

The main focus of the trip was the 35th Annual Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show.  I read Susan Beal‘s post about her trip to the show last year. Last year was our first full summer in Oregon and I had not even finished my first quilt project, the Doll Quilt I had started earlier in the spring at a class at Bolt, but I knew I wanted to go the show  in 2010.

It was a very slow morning getting out the door and after a lunch picnic on the road, we finally pulled into Sisters at 4pm.  The show ended at 5pm.  I set out to take pictures of as many quilts as possible.  I quickly refined my goal and only took pictures of the quilts that really drew me in.  Rob and Henrik tagged along and also entertained themselves by visiting the local bike shop and a fountain.

There were beautiful quilts

and beautiful patterns everywhere.

And then I came upon Jean and Valori Wells’ quilts.  I first saw this one by Valori.

When I saw it from a distance I wasn’t really very inspired by the colors, but I was so drawn by the quilt’s composition.   I kept walking closer and closer and taking more photos.  When I got close enough I realized why I was so entranced.  It had been expertly crafted by a skilled quilter.

I then saw a couple of Jean’s quilts.

I had seen the Landscape Quilt (above) in Jean Well’s Intuitive Color & Design.  It was great to see it in person.  The New York City Scape Quilt (below) is also in the book and it was stunning in person.  It was so blustery in Sisters during the show that all of the quilts were in constant motion.  This quilt was so narrow that it was had to get a good photo as it was whipped around by the wind.

We finally made it to the Stitchin’ Post around the next corner right as the fire engine rolled up at 5pm to start taking the quilts off the side of the Stitchin’ Post Building.

I tried to capture a few of the beautiful “Employee Challenge” quilts before the firefighters got to them.

I spent the next hour inside the Stitchin’ Post and Henrik drove the fire engine

and watched Jean Wells (in the distance) watch the firefighters take down the quilts.

All the quilts were down when I finally emerged from the store.  I used huge amounts of self restraint and only bought a few fat quarters.  I picked out one from Valori Wells and a couple from Laura Gunn.  It was a whirlwind tour and I had fun.  I hope to spend more time enjoying the quilts next year.

We spent the night in Bend and went to the High Desert Museum the next day.

Henrik really enjoyed exploring

 

 

and trying to catch fish

and playing Hoops at the Homestead Ranch.

E.O. Wilson shared some wise words.

It was quite auspicious that there was also a Pioneer Quilts Exhibit.  I found the book Quilts of the Oregon Trail in the gift shop afterward.  It includes more information about quilts from the exhibit.  I just requested it from the library.

Quilt themes are continually recycled.  This was such a nice companion exhibit to the Outdoor Quilt Show the day before.  Here are some of my favorites.  Flash photography was prohibited so some of the photos are a little dark.

Churn Dash Piecework Quilt–Circa 1875-1900

Rose of Sharon Applique Quilt–Circa 1950-1900

Double Nine Patch Piecework Quilt–Circa 1850-1875

Patchwork Quilt–Circa 1850-1900

Pineapple Block Quilt–Circa 1875

We stopped off for rest area break at Government Camp and were drawn on a quick hike a short way up the mountain.  Mt. Hood was absolutely beautiful in the distance.

We saw beauty up close also.

Henrik did some dryland training

and some machine maintenance.

We had limited time and finances for this trip, but we made the most of it and we all had fun.  I hope you are also able to squeeze some fun into your schedule and budget this summer.