Pictured is Marianne Williamson, who came to the museum to see her quilt "Ponderosa Pines," a part of our exhibit "Land of Enchantment: Art Quilts of New Mexico."

Marianne treated the museum visitors with an impromptu talk about her quilt and her techniques as well as answered questions from the audience.

It was an international day at the museum today with visitors from Brazil, England, Russia/Italy and Germany.

In this photo, left to right:

Angela Bardelli (Italy/Russia)
Marly Domingues (Brazil)
Vanessa Lott (Brazil)
Maria Helena Peters (Brazil)
Teresa Holmes (Brazil)
Mila Leslie (Brazil)
Giscene Campos (Brazil)
Grit Kovacs (Germany)
Brigitte Mesecke (Germany, docent at museum)

The group agreed, "After seeing so many stars (in the "My Stars!" exhibit), we feel in heaven !"

Janita Griggs, docent from Bayou Bend museum in Houston, visited the museum to see the current My Stars! Exhibit of anitque star quilts.

She was excited about the striking design similarities between her beautiful contemporary Pucci scarf and teh 1925 quilt "Ocean Waves with Stars." Proof of the point, quilters ARE artists.

Janita said of her visit, "Fabulous museum, beautiful building and lovely garden! Nice people!"

Mairi and Erik Lindquist in front of Melody Randol's quilt The Elegance of Water.

The Lindquists are originally from Sweden and are now living in Austin.

"This museum is the one we have been looking for a long time. The quilts exhibited are covering a long time period from old days to today. The skill is shown at a very high level and the artists' skills in design and workmanship are outstanding."

Visitor of the day:

Carolyn Groseclose

Carolyn is from Zambia. We have now welcomed visitors from 34 countries around the world. Every continent but Antarctica!

Olive J. Schetinger and son Mark

In 1978, I took quilting lessons from Mrs. Patterson (Museum co-founder Karey Bresenhan's mother) at "Great Expectations" in Town and Country, located in west the Spring Branch-Memorial area of Houston, near I-10 and West Belt.  Now that I am 91 years old and don't quilt anymore, I remember that she was a wonderful teacher and taught us hand quilting, using the block method.  She taught us how to quilt each block and how to join each block to the next without there being any ridges.  Also, it was interesting to learn how to make and sew on the binding, all by hand.  I've sewn all my life, and what Mrs. Patterson taught us was very detailed and engaging.

I have used all of the methods Mrs. Patterson taught us to make six, hand sewn quilts for my children and their families.  I could never have made any of them without the lessons I learned from Mrs. Patterson.  She was a lovely lady, and a wonderful teacher.  I was lucky to have learned so much from her.

Left to right: Ruth Polanco, Julianna Faith Polanco, James Polanco, Rebecca Grace Polanco

Ruth said, "It was wonderful. My experience couldn't be any better than to have all my girls together while Karey (Bresenhan, Co-founder of the museum) was here. We were last here for the Opening--"it's 'oh man'--it's gorgeous!"

This little girl is showing off her quilt composition. We keep an educational basket on hand in the museum for kids who want to try for themselves.

Joe and Mary

This Bowtie quilt was made from Joe's father's neckties. "This is our second visit."

Posing in front of Barbara Confer's quilt "Peaceful Giant" is Antonia Balli Cristobal Ramirez, and Cristina Balli, from Austin.

Cristina is with Texas Folk Life Resources, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of the various cultures which contribute to the rich diversity of Texas.

Here's what Cristobal thought of the museum, "I thought this was going to be boring but this is awesome. From far away it's a picture. From up close it's amazing."

Kathrine Atwell came to our exhibit "America the Beautiful" dressed from head to toe in red, white, and blue, even down to her socks!

"The museum is always a joy to visit. Today was an impulse visit and a true boost to my spirit. Kay, who I called 'the white glove lad' ...a treasure of information."

Members of the Blue Triangle Group of Houston visiting the museum.

Left to Right: Patty Anderson, Jeanie Smith, Carole English, Karen Darling, Wendy Wylie, Linda Schoiber

These ladies love the museum website, especially the Visitor of the Day section on the home page. They came in to the museum and asked if they could please be our Visitors of the Day. So here they are!

Here's what they said about their visit:

"Great time had by all. Staff was wonderful. Quilts beautiful. Thanks!"

Left to Right: Pam Kifer, San Antonio; Mary Powell, Dallas; Pat Stock, Dallas

Pam, Mary, and Pat are standing in front of artist Kathleen McCabe's quilt "Protea." Pat is Kathleen's aunt. Pam and Mary are Kathleen's cousins. They were all extremely proud to see Kathleen's work on display in the current museum exhibit "America the Beautiful."

Some Comments:

"The museum is fantastic!"
"The quilts are fabulous!"

Jim & Cynthia Collier

"Always inspiring to visit the museum. One of our favorite day trips from Houston area."

Wharton Elementary 5th graders in the Gifted and Talented Program. They are each doing a story quilt so they came to the museum to learn about quilts and get ideas.

To sum up their visit, they said, "Awesome!"

"The Original Vickery Girls", 5 sisters who spend one weekend together every year.  This year they're celebrating their 26th annual Sister Weekend and enjoying a visit to the Quilt Museum.

Left to right: Gayle Becker (nickname Doll), Pat Balfanz (nickname Songbird), Kay Teague (nickname Bashful), Wanda Byars (nickname Blondie), Belinda Keeling (nickname Weasel)

Monument Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas

Left to right: Pat Topping, Barbara Wetjen, Bobbie Stevens, Betty Hill, Pat Kleinert, Joyce M. Stancik, JoAnn Vasina, Elva Keilers.

Some of the group's comments:

"Awesome Talent"

"Eye Candy"

"La Grange's latest treasure."

"Loved all the colors and creativity.  I will be back with friends."

Left to right: Mike McCrady (Ft. Worth), Eileen McCrady (Ft. Worth), Nancy Jessee (Briggs), Kathleen Holland McCrady (Austin), Well-known quilter Kathleen Holland McCrady (Austin), Jesse McCrady (Austin), Karol Ann McCrady Hopkins (Round Rock), Patti Ayres (Austin)

"I come for every exhibit and it is still just as wonderful as though it was the first time.  It is so pretty the way the quilts look hanging from the old walls and balcony." -Kathleen

Margo And Steve Allen, Beaverton, Co; Jean and Jim Hinman, Auburn, WA

"Amazing quilts, accommodating facility and hospitable docents."

Marilyn and Don Locke. Don quilted The Supper, which appears in LSIII.

"Karey and Nancy, Thank you for the wonderful museum.  It is beautiful."

Les and Glenda Stephens of Burleson, TX with their 1932 Ford two door sedan.

Here's what they had to say about the museum:

"The buildings are wonderful and the quilts are awesome.  We drove down from the Ft. Worth area to see the museum.  It was certainly worth the trip."

Klein United Methodist Church Piece makers tour the museum.

One of our quilt artists, whose work is currently on display as part of the "In The American Tradition" exhibit,  dropped in today to see her work.

The artist, Joanne Johnson, along with Kim Norton (who could not make it to the museum), quilted "Birds in My YoYo Garden", currently on exhibit in Gallery II.

Left to Right: Nutti Dooneheefver (Holland), Gisela Manning (Born Germany, now in Sugar Land), Joanne Johnson (Sugar Land), Janet gouveia (Houston), Janice Poormam (Meadowsplace, TX)

Here are some of their comments on the museum:

"Beautiful museum, building, quilts, docent talk all splendid.  Also loved looking at the new library.  
All folks so friendly." -Joanne

"I thoroughly enjoyed the visit." -Gisela

"I have been quilting for 10 years and am especially interested in the history of quilting in America." -Nutti

"What a beautiful museum.  I am a new quilter and these quilts are so inspiring.  I will be coming back!" -Janet

"It is great to see all the beautiful quilts and study the many techniques to make these quilts." -Janice

Left to Right: Mary Gammon and Liz Hughes. Both from College Station.

This is Mary's 4th visit.  "I have come to each exhibit thinking how could the new exhibit possibly be as good as the last.  Well, every time the new exhibit is my new favorite exhibit."

"I was 'gobsmacked'. True art. An inspiration. I will be back." - Liz

"Bumpy" is an engineer and great grandfather who loves the museum.

"This museum is a delightful use of an old building.  It has been re-purposed very well."

As for the quilts, "They're magnificent.  I am so pleased they have been preserved and taken care of so well."

"I'm also glad you're 'switching the deck' (changing exhibits) every three months.  We'll be back."

Left to right: Deb Shine, Gayle Fickbohm, Dawn Wilson, Elaine Ditmore, Edie Robertson, Barbara Sztobosik

Deb and Gayle are on a cross country bike ride from San Diego, CA to St. Augustine Florida.

Here are a few of their comments about the museum:

"Amazing...the visit exceeded my expectations." -Elaine

"Mind-boggling -- what effort!" -Barbara

Hazel Canny's daughter Rebecca came in yesterday. She is going to try to bring Hazel to the museum on May 31. She will confirm the date with us.

Left to Right: Judy Veale, Joyce Harris, Rebecca Schwartz, Carroll Duffy, and Nadine Ely

"Thank you so much for th beautiful display of my mother's quilts. Her family really appreciates this honor to her."

"To imagine the women from 1880-1940 that could create such beauty with so little."

"Hazel's work is amazing."

April 2013 - The Gonzales Group Home came to visit the Museum today. They thoroughly enjoyed the quilts and the garden. They spent over an hour looking at the quilts, then went outside to enjoy the beautiful garden and mural.

Left to Right: Sonia Flores Ruiz, Textile Artist, Monterrey, Mexico; Martha Tsishlas, Featured Artist: Lone Stars, Volume III, Quilts: “Texas DNA, Big on Texas”

“What an inspirational place to visit! So many beautiful quilts. I wish there were comfy sofas (versus the museum’s benches) so I can just sit back and enjoy the artistry.” - Sonia Flores

“If you want to brighten your day and be inspired to create, a visit to this beautiful museum is a must. I would love to stay here all day just looking at the quilts.” - Martha Tsishlas

Left to Right: Nelly Fraga (Ecuador), Esther Delgado (Colombia), Cecilia Espinoza Ludwig (Ecuador), and Martha Cruz (Mexico).

They all thoroughly enjoyed the Museum. They appreciated the artistic imagination and expert work done to make these quilts. Their favorite quilt, seen in the background is Floral Embroidered Quilt. They love the elaborate embroidery. They say they “will definitely be back.”

Left to Right: Theresa Ostic - Oxnard, CA; Mary Lou Oxley - San Marcos, TX; Georgia Gonzales - Yucca Valley, CA

Mary is a quilter and repeat visitor. She “just had to bring her friends from CA” to see the museum. Theresa and Georgia say the museum is “very inspirational.” They plan to come back next year to see the museum and attend Festival in Houston. They said “keep up the good work!”

Left to Right: Marjorie Stark and Diane Blatchley of Brenham

“We’re so glad the Museum is here. It’s a very authentic setting for quilts. And we love the gift store (they’re holding up handmade ornaments purchased in the store today).”

Avery is two years old. She’s from Crockett, Texas, from a fourth generation quilting family, and her Mama is hoping she becomes the fifth.

Avery enjoyed the museum and was a very, very good girl. She didn’t touch anything, was quiet, and didn’t run. The rest of the family says the museum is “amazing” and will definitely be back.

Alexis is 11 years old. She is learning to quilt and has 4 quilts under her belt. She just started on a nine patch.
Grandma is teaching her.

She’s from Austin, Texas. She says the museum is “soooo cool and she likes the older quilts because she learns
history too.”