We left Lincoln in plenty of time to get to arrive in Kearney for lunch… we had our priorities right? Our hotel let us check in a bit early and I was ready to head over to the Convention Center at three. I wanted to get all set up and ready to start promptly at 8.30 on Friday morning. When I discovered that students would be coming in to the class room at 7.30 I was very happy to know I would be ready…
Quilt Nebraska is an annual event put on by the Nebraska State Quilt Guild and attracts participants from all over the state. A new committee is put in place each year, and it all runs like a very well oiled machine. Three national instructors are invited to join the faculty, along with a whole slew of local teachers. Each student can choose from the classes on offer. If any are oversubscribed there is a lottery for places. I was in town to teach Walking Foot Quilting – Beyond the Ditch on Friday and Free motion Quilting – Steps to Success on Saturday.
The other national teachers were Sheila Frampton-Cooper and Candyce Grisham. They also arrived on Thursday afternoon and we were able to join some of the organizing committee for dinner before retiring for the night.
I set my alarm and was back in the classroom at 7.30, just as the first students arrived to get set up. I had a full class and we started promptly at 8.30. I managed to get a few pictures. Here’s everybody at the front for the introductory chat that started the day.
And then everyone got to stitching…
We had a good day, finishing with the always popular super spirals!
The theme for the dinner was “Garden Party”… I managed a dress with flowers but I hadn’t got the hat memo (or maybe I chose to ignore it?) Sheila managed to fit her hat in her suitcase!
I sat at a table with members of the Blue Valley Quilt Guild from Seward. They let me into their group photo.
I was back in the class room at 7.30 on Saturday morning. Another full class!
Time flies when you are having fun, we finished the class with some fabulous feathers. I hope everyone left feeling ready to practice 🙂
Saturday evening was “Bee Attire”, wear black, white and gold. After dinner ribbons were awarded for the quilt challenge. Susan was the very happy first place award winner!
Every year new inductees are announced for the Nebraska State Quilt Guild Hall of Fame. Michael James was there to accept his award. Carolyn Ducey was unfortunately unable to attend to receive hers. Here’s Michael James making a lovely acceptance speech. I’m a fan!
All weekend the committee members were identifiable by their antennae… Even better when viewed en masse?
Such a fun event! Every detail was well organized. And now I know where Kearney is…
There was just time to do a little sight seeing on Sunday morning before we headed back to Omaha to fly home. We needed to visit the Archway. Follow the link to the website to find out more.
We went through the whole museum and listened to the entire self guided tour. Here’s the view from the center of the arch! 
Our flight home was uneventful. Our luggage came through quickly and we were soon home. Steve’s first experience of a Catherine style business trip. I’m not sure he’ll be in a rush to come with me again!! Always an adventure?
