Saturday, April 22, 2006

Like a well-oiled machine

Isn't it nice to be part of a group that works well together—like a well-oiled machine?

When our small quilt group went on a retreat weekend to Cannon Beach, Oregon back in January we were offered the opportunity to hang a show at the Cannon Beach Historical Society museum. We've never had a show before—never even thought about it—but we got kind of excited about the prospect. Today we went over to Cannon Beach and hung our show.

After pondering the ways to do this, it seemed like the best option was simply to load up a bunch of quilts then figure out which pieces would work in the space once we got there. It is a small room with log walls half way up and windows all around—not the easiest room to fit quilts into. But after laying everything out on the floor, we started working our way around the room, anchoring it with Beth Nimmo's traditional wedding ring quilt on one of the longest walls.

It went surprisingly well and we found it to be a lot of fun to piece it all together, working to make the unrelated pieces relate and the varied colors flow. There was nary a disagreement, nor a cross word. There was a lot of laughter and kudos—"wow! That looks great there!"

We packed that little room with quilts, but I don't think they look too crowded and I think we have given them a nice variety of work. Beth's big wedding ring sort of represents the historic aspect of quilting and the other quilts show how far it has come.

We couldn't leave the coast without a visit to the beach. It was a perfectly gorgeous day and there were lots of people out enjoying the weather. This is a shot of Cannon Beach's most recognizable landmark, Haystack Rock.

The quilts will be at the Cannon Beach Historical Society until July 22. If you are visiting the Oregon Coast be sure to stop and take a look, then let me know what you think.

6 comments:

  1. It looks wonderful. The quilts sure did brighten up the room. Looks like everyone was having a good time. Nice weather at the beach to boot, who could ask for more.

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  2. Wow! It looks really great. Hopefully, we can get over to the beach in the next month to take a look.

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  3. Anonymous12:30 PM

    Glad it went so well, Terry. I love the excess, the overflowing bounty, of the stacked art. It's perhaps the opposite of the precious single piece on a wide expanse of wall, and it makes for its own pleasure.

    Thanks for sharing. June

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  4. Wow, I just happen to be planning a trip to Oregon the end of July, but unfortunately I'll be there after your show comes down. Too bad! I love the photos of the Beach though, and maybe we'll have time to drive out there. The show looks great and congratulations. Sounds like you did just what my group does, load up the quilts, and get it done! Atta girls -- good job!

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  5. Anonymous2:21 PM

    It's a great show, Terry, and your work stood out as the best of the lot. (Loved the washers.) Pamdora, come on over, Larkin and I are hanging her work in the same room the day after Terry's group's show comes down, so there'll still be something to see. The Cannon Beach History Center is worth taking a look through as well. Van Van Horn

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  6. It looks like a great show, and great that you could agree on where to hang everything. Since I won't be able to attend, thanks for sharing the pics.

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