Quilty Inspiration on Vacation

...hey, that rhymes!

 At the Kennedy Center (see the bottom of this post)... it was a bit sunny! I don't usually carry that squinty look :)

I'm on the train back from Washington, D.C.! I was there for the weekend visiting my uncle, who has a condo - where, if you stand in the middle of the next street, you can see the Washington Monument! Being a history nerd, the nation's capital is totally of my favorite cities, as you can imagine! I'm also one of those quilters (like my friend Ashley) who will take pictures on the Metrobus just for quilty inspiration - example A:

See the windows?! See? Totally want to make that quilt. I'll let you know when I do.

I've been lucky enough to visit Washington a whole bunch of times before. I've been visiting my uncle every July for the last three years or so - and last year, I was even able to volunteer and help set up the AIDS Quilt on the National Mall. I've done pretty much all the "top 30 things you should do in D.C" by now  - although I wouldn't be opposed to doing them again, it's always fun to do something different, right?

 I was looking for fabric shops online (DUH!) (sidenote: you won't really find anything in the city, which is a tragedy within itself) and stumbled upon the website for the National Textile Museum. Having never been, I convinced my uncle to be dragged along to come with me (lol). He was really interested in the house - it was on Embassy Row, and had absolutely gorgeous gardens and details.

Um, hello, totally quilty gate, mind if I copy you for a quilt? K thanks :)

The museum is moving this winter to join George Washington University. This is good because all the gorgeous textiles need state-of-the-art storage and temperature control for preservation (some of them are ancient) - but it's sad because right now, it's in the beautiful, old house it was intended for. I couldn't take pictures in the exhibit but it was about Southeast Asian textiles and how artists have modernized the techniques - hey, that sounds familiar!! :D

There was even some hand-stitching, reverse applique, and batik use, which I was totally into. I was completely overwhelmed by the colors and patterns in the exhibit. If you get a chance to go now, I highly recommend it! AKA, this museum is modern quilter approved ;) I even met a fellow crafter - she makes pottery (hi, Vesper!)! Also, the museum tour guide mentioned she was a hobby quilter at the end and my uncle and I exchanged a look - so I talked with her, too. Aren't crafters just the best people around? Although, I already knew that, with all of you lovely people around :)

 A gate at the National Arboretum. Yet another sketch for the quilt sketchbook. I just love the tiny squares hanging n in the middle of the big squares! Also, this one has a different pattern every time you look at it!

 Okay, this isn't quilty but it's history - these are the original columns from the U.S. Capitol. How cool is that? Also in the National Arboretum. It was so beautiful out there - another place I'd love to go back with my walking shoes.

Okay, you'll laugh at me for this one - my uncle didn't even know I took this! This is the inside of his building's elevator - the cover on the walls was captivating! For real! Okay, I don't care what anyone thinks - just watch me make a quilt out of those diamonds. Just watch. :)

It was great to spend some time with my uncle. We are both musical theater nerds, so we had tickets to see Book of Mormon at the Kennedy Center. It was fabulously hilarious and inappropriate :D

Expect the second lantern post up late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Thanks for your patience!

Linking up to Let's Get Acquainted.