FOQ Inspiration

I have just spent two full-on wonderful days at the NEC and I eventually arrived home in Devon yesterday evening after a 5+ hour journey on the M5 - all 3 lanes were a slow trickle, both directions.  Sheer volume of traffic said the lady on the radio, so nothing to do except think about the beautiful work I had seen and the glorious stalls full of temptation!
First of all I want to congratulate Jo from Cowslip Workshops.  Not only was her stall a delight to the eyes:

 but her quilt was placed 3rd in the Group Quilt category:

I am just so thrilled for her - she puts so much effort and enthusiasm into Cowslip and her work, so this result - in my opinion - was well deserved.
The stalls were as always full of beautiful fabrics and so much temptation:
Here is Lynnette Anderson's stall: (thanks for letting me take a photo Lynette!):

and of course Kaffe Fassett's quilts looked amazing on The Cotton Patch stand:

here he is signing his latest book for an unknown quilter, and of course I just had to have a copy also for the sheer delight of colour and ideas on every page!
Also one of the loveliest designers is Nel Whatmore:  I bought one of her kits last year and was back again this year for some of her latest fabrics, she is such a sweetie:

This year there seemed to be far more quilts in the Art, Contemporary and Pictorial categories:  not the sort of work I would ever attempt, but I can appreciate the hundreds of hours that has gone into each and every design.
This is so clever, a different picture each way you look::

These miniatures are breath-taking:

And I loved some of the clothes:

This cuckoo clock is great:

And here is just a random selection of  the more traditional patchwork quilts which caught my eye, always my favourites:

And those of you who are regular readers of my blog will know of my love of Noah's Ark, so I have to finish off with this gorgeous quilt:

Another great Festival and it is just wonderful to see so many beautiful quilts exhibited under one roof.
I hope the above photos have given you just a small idea of what was on show:  there are so many amazingly talented quilters out there.  Congratulations to each and every one of you and thank you for sharing your work.  You are pure inspiration.
Have a great weekend everyone.