Our lives are like quilts – bits and pieces, joy and sorrow, stitched with love.

Debbie and I went to Paducah Kentucky this week for 2 days of AQS Quiltweek, along with approximately 30,000 other people.  We last went in 2014 and previous to that in 2009. It is a week filled with lectures, classes, 128 vendors (this year), and award winning quilts. Over $127,000 in prizes were awarded in 2024 and there are quilt entries from all over the world. It's always fun to meet other quilters and see the sites of Paducah. Not a quilter? I think everyone would appreciated the varied quilt-art displayed, whether it's large or small quilts, contemporary or traditional. They are just beautiful! 

Of course it was really nice to catch up with friends from Palmyra. I even got to see  Texas neighbor!

Best of Show winner, "Serenity," received  $20,000.

Best Hand Workmanship Award, "Fullness"

"Presidents" exhibit 

A 20x20" textile challenge

The National Quilt museum opened in 1989. It houses quilts from all over the World and has special exhibits.

A wooden quilt carving hangs in the entry.

"Roaring 20's" exhibit

Dr. Nyberg talked about NASA and her life-long love of quilting. During her 6 month stay in 2013, she became famous for quilting in the space station.  While she quilted her block in space, NASA requested quilt blocks from people on earth. 30 quilts were made with those blocks with several on exhibit at the museum. She now has her own line of fabric.

Dr. Nyberg's square she quilted in space.

Dr. Nyberg's husband, Doug Hurley, was the pilot on the last space shuttle flight. 

In the past we had had taken a class. With so much to see and do, this time we just went to one lecture and an evening program.

We attended a lecture entitled Convergence and Cool Kaleidoscope by Ricky Tims, a musician and contemporary quilt maker. 

Thursday night we attended a program hosted by Alex Anderson, Fabric, Friends & Fun Night. In groups of 8 we had a lot of fun with a trivia challenge. We were treated to a candy and popcorn smorgasbord. 

We took a shuttle to Hancocks, a massive store of fabric, precuts, patterns, and notions. It was packed.

Friday evening in Palmyra.

Where are the Piepers now? Grain Valley, MO.

Kansas City is the birthplace of the candy coating on M & M's.

Kansas City is known for its BBQ!

We are on a short stop in Lee's Summit for Doctor visits. Not much time to do touristy things, however...

Kansas City's Parade of Hearts is a non-profit organization that brings a unique art experience that celebrates diversity, unites communities, and supports local non-profits. They have provided 5' heart sculptures for local artists to create an art experience.  From April to August of 2024 these hearts will be displayed throughout Kansas City to show the world why KC is known as America's Heartland.

The big reveal was Saturday where, for one day, you could view all 100 hearts in one place before they place them out in the community.  Besides the hearts you could visit with the artists with some having artwork for sale. Live entertainment, interactive activities, and lots of people made for a nice morning.  

As much as I like to drive around and search for sculptures this appeared to be a much more expedient way to see them in a short time. Check out some pictures and some views of KC below. All 100 hearts (they had designs on the front and back) were amazing. The following link has pictures of the hearts and if you click on each heart you will find links to the artist who created them, as well as the inspiration for their design: Parade of Hearts.

I can't imagine someone actually designing this. 

One night we stayed at a Harvest Host in Peck, KS.

Elderberry Concentrate (just a teaspoon a day I think) is suppose to help with your health. We'll see.

It was almost dark when I went for a walk in Grain Valley Friday. We stayed in Trailside RV Park for the first 3 months 5 years ago. 

This was one of my favorites just because there was an older lady (yes older than me) who was SO excited to tell me about how she rode this trolley.

The artist had 3-D glasses for this design. So cool!

Every year we stop at Hawg Jaw Que and Brew, one of our favorite BBQ joints. We also stock up on enough of our favorite BBQ sauce to get us through another year.

Another yearly stop to check on what we have left of our former life in our 5 x 10' (Pat insists that because of the door its only 4 1/2 x 10') storage unit. It doesn't seem to have as much in it as I remember although as you can see it's pretty full. I wonder, when we get a place again, how much of it we will actually want. I also wonder if I will be surprised at things I've forgotten about. We got rid of a couple of things Sat. and had a few things that we've carried around unused for 5 years to add. 

Where are the Piepers now? Grain Valley, MO