While away on a quilting retreat last weekend, we lucked out to have the Minnesota Quilt Show going on at the same time.

This was the Best in Show quilt for the large quilt category, made by Diana Napier.

There were so many gorgeous elements on this quilt, so here is a close-up of one small area.

I loved the wide variety of quilts at this show, including a couple of beautiful whole cloth quilts. If you click on the photo below of the saffron quilt, you will see the loops look like they were made from, a very clever effect.

This quilt was appropriately titled “Hell Freezes Over,” which I really loved.

The placement of fabrics in this quilt, the use of machine applique, paper piecing and machine quilting all created the feeling of fire and ice.

I love star blocks, so I loved the way the quilter incorporated various star blocks into this medallion quilt.

I was impressed with the arrangement of fabrics on this next quilt, giving it fantastic movement, spilling into the borders.

There were even several mini quilts entered, which I loved to see.

I took A LOT more pictures, but you get the idea.

The piecing and the quilting on these entries were amazing. I don’t go to many quilt shows, but I thought this one was very inspiring, motivating me to quilt more.

The Wisconsin Quilt Expo is scheduled for Sept. 9-11 in Madison, in case anyone wants to go with me! (pssst, Nancy Zieman will be there!)