Holiday Happenings

This weekend was our annual cookie party. We make "gingerbread houses" (aka foam kits) as well as decorating cookies. Later the girls go upstairs to the dress up chest and come down as princesses. A good time for all!

In the 70s, I made my niece, Diane a bed quilt. It has disintegrated-time for a new one. I used Blanche Young's Blooming 9-Patch pattern and had it longarm quilted. It looks so good on our bed, I may have to do one in green and peach for me.

Busy in La Veta

I haven't posted here in awhile. I have joined Facebook and have been posting there. Here's what I've been up to this week.

On Saturady I drove to La Veta to help Ricky Tims organize his new studio. Here is Ricky with one of his "kids"- Raisin. The new studio is what used to be the attached garage. It is now killer! We filmed the whole process, so watch for the video on www.thequiltshow.com. and possibly an article in The Quilt Life magazine.

Sunday Ricky, Justin and I met some of their friends at the Main Street Diner in La Veta. It was just as good as it looks. Two days we had lunch at the new Next Door Deli, which featured gourmet sandwiches. Justin cooked delicious dinners as well.Who knew La Veta was such a food paradise??



On the way back to the house from the Ricky Tims Gallery, we passed this herd of 14 deer. Definitely not a sight I see in Houston, but an everyday occurence here.

Today I'll be driving the rest of the way home. This afternoon and tomorrow will be spent decorating for Christmas. Go Ho, Ho Ho!

2 for 1 Threadplay

This is just one of the tables in Saturday's class. I teach again tomorrow, then it's home to Houston for awhile.
Lester callled last night and told me one of my quilts is in the latest Texas Monthly magazine. Cn't wait to see that when I get home. Tried the Barnes & Noble here in Cedar Rapids ast night, but they don't carry it. Guess Iowans don't really care all that much about what happend in TX :)

I'm back1

So sorry I haven't posted in awhile. I have joined the facebook nation and have been trying to learn how to use it. I still don't have the knack of posting pics easily. I think my resolution is too high.
I have been working on a traditional Blooming Nine Patch for my neice. I gave her a quilt in the 70s which is now in tatters. Rather than repair it, it's time for a new one. I'll post a pic later (it's a surprise).

This weekend I'm teaching at Pine Needles in Cedar Rapids, IA. This is a terrific shop if you're ever in the area. They have tons of stuff and Jill, Henry and their staff are super people. You'll love it- I know I do!

Super Seminar Bettendorf, IA

We're in the middle of the Ricky Tims Super Seminar in Bettendorf, IA. Here's Ricky with our great volunteers. Woo-hoo!

3x5 Folded Card

Topsy Turvy Thanks Thank You 3x5 folded card

Turn your photos into thank you cards at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

I just ordered these after seeing another quilter's cards. It was easy. I'll report back after they arrive.

My New Car

Yesterday I bacame the proud owner of a new GMC Terrain. I loved my Rendezvous, but they don't make them anymore (story of my life). I've driven it home from the dealership and to the Museum of Fine Arts. So far, I'm very pleased. I'm not hard on a car (my 2003 Rendezvous had 67,500 miles on it) so we'll be together for awhile.  My next long road trip will be to Fort Worth in July to hear Ricky Tims sing in the Donald B Cowan Legacy Choir. I'll report back then...

Last Weekend at POC

Last weekend Lester and I went to our beach house at Port O'Connor, better known as POC. This is the sunrise, taken from our deck. I just got home from NC on Friday, so didn't get down until Sat. afternoon. We went to a party that night, then to dinner with friends Sunday evening. Other than that, I worked a jigsaw puzzle and relaxed. All in all, a wonderful way to spend Memorial Day weekend.



The Kindness of Quilters

Yesterday's class was in New Bern, NC at New Bern Fabric Center. This bear was in front of the Hampton. I have taught in Bern, Switzerland, whose city mascot is the bear. Last year was New Bern's 300th anniversary, and businesses in town bought and decorated these "new" bears. Full circle!

Now about the kindenesses. While setting up, I dropped my projector and broke off two cords. Karen immediately left to shop for them. After going to 3 shops, she finally found them. Talk about going above and beyond! Carole had prepard homemade chicken salad for lunch and made me a picnic dinner to take with me. Sure was nice to have a homemade meal on the road.  Thanks to you all.

Finally, when I arrived at my hotel in Chapel Hill, I was greeted by this welcome basket full of goodies. Thanks, Thimble Pleasures. The lemon cookies and gourmet tea bags were a real treat! I'm coming to class today, armed with new cords and a full tummy.

Accent Sewing

Yesterday I taught Sheer Delights in Murrels Inlet. They were enthusiastic and talented. Sheyl and her staff are very helpful-these students are spoiled! That's Sheryl threading the 830 (love that machine).

Today I'm still on the Atlantic Coast, this time in New Bern, NC. It is unseasonably hot-feels like home!

Blockheads

 Yesterday I drove to Beaumont to take pictures for my Nov. lecture at IQF in Houston featuring TX quilters. Here is Karen Stone in her home with just a few of her fabrics.

Renella then drove us to Orange and the home of Laverne Mathews. Laverne is the one in the middle in brown. The rest of the gang are all Blockheads, a bee that has been meeting for 30 years. We had a fun day looking at quilts, talking about quilts, and EATING! Thanks, Blockheads, for a great time.

Revising AQS Classes

Since the AQS classes had to move to the First Baptist Church, we can't use any irons. This prompted a fusing party in our bedroom last night. How many students can say their sample was prepared by me, Sue Nickels and Katie Pasquini Masopust?

Goings on in Paducah

The Ohio River is on the rise! Mayor Paxton gave the word to put up the floodgates Sunday. That meant the annual AQS Quilt Show had to move since the Convention Center was built on the wrong side of the levee (who thought that one up??) Local Paducahans brought their lawn chairs to watch the spectacle.

On a happier note, The National Quilt Museum celebrated their 20th Anniversary last night with a party for its patrons. Isn't this a great cake?

AQS Show-Chapter One

Friday Katie Pasquini Masopust and I flew to Nahville, then drove to Paducah. Donna Wilder drove down from PA with her sister, Susan. Here we are at Cynthia's, a great restaurant in downtown Paducah. After dinner, we went to Wal-Mart for groceries in two cars. When Katie and I drove up we heard a loud siren noise and locked doors. Turned out we were in a tornado warning. We tried to call Donna and Susan, only to find out that they were locked INSIDE the store. They ended up staying that way for 45 minutes. Luckily, no tornado came close.

Today we started juding at 8:30. Early in the afternoon, darned if we didn't get another siren warning. We moved to an inside room to wait it out. Klaudeen Hansen, our intrepid leader, didn't miss a beat. She simpy moved the miniature quilts to the room and we continued our judging. Quilters always find a way!

3 Million milestone

 

Well, it happened this weekend. While bobbin drawing on Lucid Moments III, I made my 3 millionth stitch on my Bernina 830! Did I mention I love that machine???

I've now completed 4 quilts in my latest series, Lucid Moments. I started this with my entry for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative, which will be auctioned off in October at the Houston International Quilt Festival. These three are up for sale as soon as I post them on my website. I had a productive weekend!

Lucid Moments II  16" square  $600



Lucid Moments III   16" square   $600



Lucid Moments IV   16" square   $600

Empty Spools Seminar

This week I'm teaching at Asilomar, close to Monterey, CA. The class is full at 24, but we have a great large room. How many classrooms can you iron fireside?