Quilting, Stitches & Craft Expo, Reno 2011

Reno - The Biggest Little City in the World, - was host to the Quilting, Stitches and Crafts Expo at the Grand Sierra Resort.  The Midwest Ya Ya Sisters performed a hilarious gig with Midwest practicality, sewing know-how and lots of laughs.  Rita is the master of the t-shirt make-over especially with zebra stripes while Mary cleverly repurposes shrunken wool sweaters. 

Rita and Mary each taught separate classes earlier in the day.  Rita, author of Life is Not a Dress Size, talked about "feeling like Cher and looking like Rosanne", in other words, living in the fat lane with a positive outlook regardless of body type.  Rita says, "Be comfortable with your body and let your love of sewing dress you well."

Find comfort and confidence in great looking jackets.
Rita and an enthusiast student.

Mary, the Sweatshirt and Applique Goddess inspired students with her latest clever ideas for fashionable cooks, nontraditional zipper uses and sew green makeovers. 

Mary teaching from her books and patterns.

Don't miss a chance to see the dueling Midwest Ya Ya Sisters.  Laughter will keep you rolling in the aisle, while wit will sneak up with useful "a ha" moments.

Mary and Rita with a Midwest Ya Ya fan!

One of the pleasures of doing a consumer show is seeing creative outfits.  This is one of my favorites.

Love the black and white floral pin which...

relates to the black and white dots on the back.  Great use of color blocking to show off quilt motifs!

Another delight was meeting Cindy Walter, author of Snippet Sensations.  Cindy is a master at pictorial quilts.  She taught a class Pictorial Snippet Sensations using her fusible technique that makes complex landscape quilts not only accessible, but a snap.  Cindy's favorite needle is SCHMETZ Topstitch size 90.

Cindy and Snippet Sensations

Cindy has a new book coming out soon on fabric painting and I got to see the cover quilt.  Colorful and ...... I look forward to seeing this new book.

Cindy with the cover quilt of her new book, Fabric Painting 

 Check dates for more upcoming QSC Expos this fall in Cincinnati, Lincoln and Oklahoma City.  http://www.qscexpos.com/

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