Roadtrip to Houston for the Texas QAL! Plus a giveaway.

Texas QAL
It's my turn to host the "Deep in the Heart of Texas QAL Roadtrip." So glad you stopped by.

Today the roadtrip takes us to the great city of Houston!

If you're new to my blog... I'm Teresa, a native Texan. I grew up in Houston riding horses and lovin' football! We just can't help it, it's what we do. I've been quilting for a long time, blogging for a couple years and I'm in the process of writing a book on Japanese quilts. So, that's me.

Cristina at Pretty Little Quilts and Melissa at My Fabric Relish are Texas QAL Roadtrip organizers.

Here's the rundown on what you'll find in this post.

First - my art quilt of the Texas sub-surface: "Texas Rocks!"
Second - a couple fun facts you need to know about Houston!
Third - the block and pattern for Houston for the QAL.
Fourth - the Aurifil give away!

First
The Texas QAL is a really cool pattern... and as I stared at it, a new idea started to form. Eventually, this idea took hold... you know how that happens... it was simply calling me: do the sub-surface (you know, below ground - the rocks), make it abstract, use interesting fabrics and quilt it to resemble the 3D seismic lines that geologists love so much. You see, I spent many years working in oil and gas (left a year ago). I'm not a geologist, not even close. But you spend that much time around petroleum engineers and geologists, and some of this stuff starts to wear off on you.

I found this vintage geologic map of Texas, loved it, and set out to reinterpret it.
Vintage geology map of Texas.
Here's what I came up with.

"Texas Rocks!" by Teresa Duryea Wong.
The Texas sub-surface based on a vintage geology map.
Machine quilted.
Clearly, this is a departure from the pattern everyone is making for the QAL... I felt compelled to make an alternate version, and I have to say, it was quite fun to make.


Detail: "Texas Rocks!" by Teresa Duryea Wong.
The quilted lines and fabric shapes resemble the markings from a seismic survey - these point out fault lines, anti-clines, underground 'rivers'... even a couple 'hot spots' in the layers of rock.

To do this right, I used at least half of my Aurifil thread collection! Here's the resting spot for each spool as it went on and off the Bernina. Isn't that just a thing of beauty, all those beautiful spools?



Second
Here's what you need to know about Houston. It's big! Six million people and counting - and you can drive for about 100 miles from one end to another - pretty darn close, anyway. We have a lot of freeways and very little mass transit. Driving a car here is practically a God-given right.

Houston is hot, but we love it anyway. It is home to the Port of Houston (one of the world's largest ports, by the way)... NASA's Johnson Space Center is here... we have a huge medical center with over 60 institutions... and of course, we are the epicenter of the world's oil and gas industry.

But, best of all, Houston is the host of the International Quilt Festival (and Market) every fall. This year will mark the 40th anniversary of the festival. It is truly an event not-to-be missed, as I am sure you know.

Thinking of moving here? Well, you should know... we're in the middle of a massive real estate boom! The average time it takes to sell a house in Houston, Katy or The Woodlands? One to three days! Crazy, right? Put your house on the market at noon, have 5 offers by 5 pm! Totally true. Remember those things called newspapers? Read 'em and you'll see!

We divide the city according the Loop 610 boundary (kinda like Washington's DC's beltway). There's life 'inside the loop' and 'outside the loop.' Sadly, inside the loop, there is only one brick and mortar quilt store left standing (that I know of anyway - not counting JoAnn's or High Fashion Fabrics). Luckily it is a darling little place: Tea Time Quilting, on 11th Street at Tulane (in the Heights). It's tucked behind Jana's Flowers... and if the door's locked, just pop in the flower shop and they'll open up the quilt store for you. That's the way they roll in the Heights.
Tea Time Quilting, Houston's last quilt store in the inner city.
Besides quilting, if I were to recommend you do only one thing in Houston - it would be to visit to The Menil Collection! This is our finest art museum, and frankly one of the best private museums anywhere. It was founded by John and Dominique DeMenil and originally housed much of their amazing art collection. You must see the large Rene Magritte collection!


Like Beer? Well, then you're gonna want to stop by the Beer Can House. That's right. This quirky little house is covered in beer cans, what else? The artist/ beer drinker and his wife drank all this beer, and then started putting those cans all over the house. Only open weekends.


The other thing you must do while in Houston is eat! BBQ of course, and fajitas are our favorites. BBQ, or barbecue, is not what a lot of Yankees think it is... BBQ is not throwing raw meat on an open flame. People, that's grilling! BBQ is a slow cooked or smoked beef brisket, pork loin, whole chicken or sausage. And right before we eat it, we douse it in BBQ sauce. There's lots of choices... I recommend Goode Company BBQ. For your TexMex, there's about a million choices. The best fajitas are at El Tiempo on Washington - a Houston staple for the past 50 years.

Last but not least, you must head south to the water! Either Clear Lake or Galveston Bay and go sailing, or just go to Kemah, or Galveston. Both of those places have theme parks now. Or better yet, hook up with one of the yacht clubs and go for a sail!

Third
Which brings us to the QAL block for Houston. A sailboat!

There are 2 pieces of fabric for the background - water and sky. Then applique the sailboat pieces on top using whatever your preferred method is. I used the machine and the satin stitch. Here are 2 images with the pattern. Print these on 8.5 x 11 inch paper.


While this image is fairly simple, my favorite part is the front sail - called the spinnaker. These sails are usually very colorful, so have fun with it.

Fourth - the Fabulous Aurifil Give Away
One name will be drawn from comments left on this post. In order to enter the drawing, please leave a comment here. If you follow me on Google or Bloglovin, or you start following me, please leave a second comment here telling me so. Your name will be entered in the drawing twice.

Here's the give away. Aurifil has generously offered a pack of designer thread (like the one pictured, but not this exact thread set). Plus, the winner will receive a sample pack of thread (5 weights, one color) and an Aurifil color chart!



Winner will be drawn at random on Friday, July 11. Winner will be announced on Saturday July 12.

Thanks to Melissa and Cristina for inviting me on the Texas Roadtrip. And thanks to all the great sponsors.

Texas Roadtrip QAL


Comments

  1. Thanks for your wonderful information! I am headed to the Quilt Festival this fall with a friend and we can't wait!

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  2. I have added your blog to my Bloglovin list!

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  3. So happy to discover your blog! My childhood friend moved to Houston over 35 years ago and never looked back - she loves it! When I visited her, she introduced me to BBQ, Brisket to be exact - amazing!!!

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  4. Thank you for this fabulous post! Your Texas quilt is amazing!

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  5. Aurifil on facebook gave us the heads up about this post! So glad I found you!

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  6. I am a new follower via bloglovin! :)

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  7. I love you interpreted the map into a quilt! My inner naturalist totally wants to go make a New Mexico version, though our state has such a boring shape.

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  8. I follow you via feedly! (fingers crossed!)

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  9. Your Texas quilt absolutely blows my mind! What creative genius

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  10. Love your Texas map quilt!!!!!! Thanks for the giveaway.

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  11. Love the Texas quilt! Very creative! Would love to win the thread!

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  12. Love your TX Quilt, gives me an idea to do one for my Birth state (Mich) and my home state(TN)

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  13. Your Texas quilt is beautiful.

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  14. Love that Texas map quilt... The binding on it must have been a real challenge! Great design!

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  15. Thanks for sponsoring the Aurifil thread giveaway!

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  16. Great post. Wonderful info.... but... wow... the quilt! Love It!

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  17. I was last in your area Sept 2001. Reading this has reminded me that I need to RETURN. Trying to explain to my fellow Californians where 'it's at' is dictated by being recognized as inside or outside the loop was hysterical. I recently sent a finished quilt to a young friend, HER name is Dallas (born in Calif.) who just got married. I actually wrote on the quilt "...deep in the heart of Texas" That makes 2 of my quilts living in the awesome state of Texas. Thanks for the memory!

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  18. This would be awesome to win, I love Aurifil Thread! Love your blog too What a fun way to quilt!!! One of these days I am going to try to make something as fun as the Texas Map. maybe I'll do Pennsylvania :)

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  19. i love your little texas map..very creative

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  20. Thanks for the great info, loved your Texas map quilt! I hope to be in Houston this fall. I was there last year, and loved it!

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  21. Aurifil is a constant companion for me....love those colors!

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  22. I have been to Houston twice back in the late 70s/early 80s. Both times it was to attend national art educators conferences. The art at the galleries and museums we toured was impressive and I had a great time! I am much older now and don't get around as well. Glad I have the memories of my visits to Houston and glad I have my quilting hobby to keep me busy! It is also good to know the city is booming once again!

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  23. I love Texas! I lived in Austin for several years in the 80's. This quilt is really beautiful!

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  24. Thanks for the giveaway! I enjoy Goode Company BBQ too, I'll have to try El Tiempo the next time I am in the area!

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  25. love the texas map, very clever.

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  26. I'll have to show my geologist husband that quilt. Love it! From a fellow Houstonian, who lives outside of both loops!

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  27. If I were going to Houston for the International Quilt Festival and Market, I would visit a different BBQ restaurant everyday!! Yum!! Thanks for the awesome give away!

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  28. I am a new follower via Bloglovin.

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  29. I really really love the Texas quilt! What a fabulous idea. Map quilts in general intrigue me, but yours is just outstanding! Such fabulous colors but with underlying relation to the physical characteristics of the state! Yum!

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  30. HAPPY TO FOLLOW ON BLOG LOVIN'

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  31. HI,neat project! Great BBQ in your area too! Thanks for sharing!

    msstitcher1214@gmail.com

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  32. I love your take on the QAL! What a great idea!

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  33. What a fun take on the QAL. That binding must have been crazy! I follow via feedly.

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  34. I have fond memories of Texas when there in high school and college. Love your Texas quilt and your genius use of a geologic map. Would love to win some of my favorite thread.

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  35. Started following you on Bloglovin'. Nice blog. Beautiful work. Look forward to going back and reading previous entries.

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  36. And I've been following you on bloglovin' since the AMB tour :-)

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  37. Not sure my first attempt at commenting went through, but I LOVE your Texas seismic quilt! My dad's a geologist, and (if it's all right with you), I may have to imitate your quilt to make a version for him!! Awesome job!!

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  38. Hello Teresa, Thank-you for your love of Texas & Quilting.

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  39. Thank you for sharing your creativity on your quilt. It is very inspiring!

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  40. I am just learning about threads but I do know that my Bernina loves it. I only piece with

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  41. I absolutely *love* your Texas geologic quilt! I'm "Texas born, Texas proud" and missing my home state. Thanks for hosting a giveaway, too.

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  42. I miss Texas and I don't even live there, but my Son, Grandkids, and a good neighbor that moved back to Texas live there, so part of my heart is there.

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  43. Awesome work, and thanks for the chance!

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  44. Hi Teresa, I love your Texas Rocks quilt and the expertise that went into creating it (and all those gorgeous Aurifil threads). Also loved your comments on Houston, now you've made me hungry for some genuine BBQ beef brisket. Thanks for the opportunity to compete.

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  45. Awesome block! Thanks for sharing!

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  46. You have convinced me! I need to visit Houston!!!
    I am in AWE of your map-quilt!!!
    Esther

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  47. I am now follwing you through Bloglovin!

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  48. Following you thru bloglovin

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  49. I love your Texas Rocks quilt! It does Rock! Thanks so much for sharing Houston with us. One of my very best friend is from there and I've visited once (well actually I was traveling on a buddy pass and was having trouble getting out.) and most of what I remember is the heat and the plants everywhere. Thanks!

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  50. I had no idea that Houston was that big - 100 miles is rather impressive!

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  51. Houston looks like a place that I would love to visit! Thanks!

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  52. I follow with Bloglovin.

    Please click on the delaineelliott above for my email link.

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  53. I love your interpretation of the geological survey map. Very pretty interpretation, not something that I would have thought of creating.

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  54. I started following you!

    Your Texas quilt is great! I am having so much fun with the quilt along.

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  55. Thanks for the history lesson! I live in Austin and your quilt is really neat. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  56. I can't wait to make the sailboat. What a great block! As a fellow Houston quilter, I love Teatime Quilts too. It's a cute and cozy shop. I follow on bloglovin and can't wait to see what you make next!

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  57. Love your Texas quilt so original!

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  58. Wow, your Texas quilt is awesome!

    jachelno at gmail dot com

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  59. I follow your blog via Bloglovin

    jachelno at gmail dot com

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  60. I enjoyed reading about Houston! I'm always curious about other places. Thank you. And thanks for sharing your awesome Texas quilt. What a great piece of art! Binding that must have been an adventure. Your sailboat is also beautiful, especially with your perfect fabric choices. And thanks for the giveaway too. I love your Southern hospitality!

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  61. I am now following your inspiring blog via Bloglovin. Thanks again!

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  62. I loved the post - love history!!

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  63. I am a new follower on bloglovn!

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  64. I follow you on your blog. Your Texas quilt is outstanding. Beautiful work

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  65. I could really use thread for my kids' charity quilts! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

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  66. I love your Texas art quilt. As a native Californian (now living in the Pacific NW), I am toying with the idea of making a CA version, maybe a seismic map of some sort...

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  67. I'm following you via email.

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  68. One day I'll make it to Texas....

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  69. Great post! I love your Texas quilt! I have two friends who live in Texas, and they'd love your quilt too!

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  70. You are so creative. Your state map turned out so neat.

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  71. That Texas quilt is AMAZING! Wow! thanks for sharing!

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  72. Wow! I never knew Houston was so big. Thanks for sharing. Your Texas quilt is amazing. Great job!

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  73. Ooh I want to make a quilt of my state, that's great! Thank you for the giveaway and for reminding me I have an Aurifil thread card, I'm not very organized this year :)

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  74. I just love the quilt of Texas! We are actually planning a trip to Texas for next year on our motorcycles so I appreciate all the info!

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  75. Replies
    1. Jo: You are the winner of the Aurifil thread giveaway! Your comment number was drawn at random. Congratulations. Please send me a private email with your mailing address and we will ship the thread package to you. my email is teresa at third floor quilts dot com

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  76. your TX quilt is so cool! I love it!!
    ksmith8@emich.edu

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  77. i just started following your blog thru Bloglovin-karrie smith

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  78. Your art quilt of Texas is amazing (and expensive with all the Aurifil you used)! Thanks for the mini-tour of Houston. notwendy gmail

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  79. I just subscribed to your blog via email - I don't have an art quilter on my list yet (Collect Them All!!!!). : ) That is what I enjoy most about the hops - getting introduced to new blogs & bloggers. Thanks! notwendy gmail

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  80. I follow via bloglovin. sarah@forrussia.org

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  81. I love, love, love, love LOVE your Texas quilt!!!!!!! sarah@forrussia.org

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  82. Really interesting post about Texas - I learnt a lot - and I note the difference in BBQ and grilling! The Texas quilt is a great idea.

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