A Bit of Show & Share Back Trackin’!

I wanted to take this morning to reflect upon my time with the Napa Valley Quilters – and the WONDERFUL Quiltville Show & Share they brought to our events.

You know that is my favorite part of any group gathering – seeing what you have made, the colors and fabrics you’ve selected, the twists and turns and detours you’ve taken to make each project your own.

And of course it is even better when your outfit matches your quilt – part of the whole “I am ONE with the QUILT!” experience!

It’s been long enough since these photos were taken that many of the names have been forgotten, but the faces and smiles I will never forget!

Isn’t this variation of Orca Bay from String Fling just wonderful?

I was sitting in the front row after my presentation when quilters brought their own Show & Share up and I was able to enjoy up close and personal.

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Rainy Mondays & Etc.!

Before the rain started yesterday, when my body clock was shouting loudly “But it’s only 4:30am!” at 7:30am East Coast time, Sadie and I headed out to check what had happened during the 10 days I was in California.

GREEN!

So much more green.

And green is the color I really miss the most during the long winter days, weeks….MONTHS.  To see this verdant green make a reappearance just brings joy to my soul. 

“Welcome back!” I sing to my favorite neighborhood gnarly tree. We’ve missed you!

This tree also boasts my favorite section of fence for quilt photo ops.  Add an old tumble down shed or two and you’ve got the makings for a scene that just makes my heart breathe.

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April Quilty Box Gift-Away!

Good Monday Morning, everyone!

I’ve arrived back home in North Carolina to find a WONDERFUL Quilty Box patiently waiting for me – it was the first thing I opened up this morning.

While I play catch up after 10 days on the road, I thought we’d jump right in and offer this little goodie up for grabs – sound like a good idea?

Upon opening this box I was so excited to see the NEW color for the Olfa Splash rotary cutter – FLAMING HOT PINK!  YAY!

I love this rotary cutter with its quick-change blade..and now the pink one can join my purple and aqua ones to suit my mood.  It goes hand in hand with the Olfa frosted rulers I love so much (available in the Quiltville Store) as there are no yellow lines, no green bubbles, no huge black and white circles to obscure my view, and the non glare surface makes reading the numbers and lines even better on any fabric.

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Jamestown Landing at Thimble Towne!

See this handsome fella in the red shirt?

This is Jeremy, the owner of Thimble Towne in both Visalia, and Bakersfield California.

More than just a quilt store –serving quilters is a way of life at Thimble Towne.

For over 20 years, Thimble Towne has been promoting high quality products, and services, and supplying the sewing community with everything they need to create stunning projects.

In addition to two wonderful quilt stores, the Thimble Towne Bakersfield location also offers an amazing 5,500 square foot event center! Open for public use and rental, this is the perfect space for events, retreats, and more!  

And this is where I have been for the past 4 days of events.

Yesterday we gathered for the last workshop of this California visit to spend our time making Jamestown Landing from my book String Fling.

Of all the quilts in that book, I would have to say Jamestown Landing has been a favorite – and what’s not to love – simple string units and half square triangles all the way!

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My Blue Heaven with the Cotton Patch Quilters!

Palm trees against a blue southern California sky?  That IS a Blue Heaven!

And I love this My Blue Heaven class so much, I think it’s time to make a new sample…maybe in a different color way?  Maybe using a different size of strip?

Every time I teach this, new ideas come –if only there was time to stitch them all up!

We met yesterday morning at wonderful, wonderful Thimble Towne who has been so gracious to host all of our events this week.  It’s been a dynamic duo of 2 workshops and a morning lecture for the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County, and an evening lecture and today’s Jamestown Landing workshop as a shop event.

What’s been lovely is those who are staying for more than one workshop can leave their stuff in place and not have to move it in or out.

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Yes, There IS a Woolworths!

There is still a functioning Woolworth’s Luncheonette counter in the old Woolworth’s building in downtown Bakersfield, California!

Yesterday was a double duty lecture day – one for the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County during their morning meeting, and one hosted by Thimble Towne quilts in the evening, which gave time for 4 of us to bustle around town in between.

These girls KNOW me!  An afternoon of lunch out at the Woolworth’s counter, and antiquing before going to the evening event?  I’m ALL IN!

Five & Dime Antique Mall is in the building!

Our feet on the historic entrance!

It’s like stepping back in time!

And yes, cherry cokes are on the menu.

Step into the Five & Dime Antique Mall in Bakersfield, California, and that rarity becomes reality. There, in the back corner at the ground-floor level of the four-story building, is a fully functioning former Woolworth luncheonette counter, complete with 22 counter seats, formica tables ringing the room, and an open kitchen for griddling burgers and making milkshakes. 

But this well-protected bit of ephemera isn’t cordoned off with Do Not Touch signs — it’s still a real, thriving luncheonette counter called the Woolworth Diner, serving police officers, antiquers, and locals daily.

This is the last Woolworth luncheonette counter in America.[source]

It was just too much fun, pulling up a table, being served our lunches, oldies playing on the overhead sound system.  And all around us – a huge antique mall beckoned for us to finish our meals and come take a wander.

Oh yeah, I could be here for days – and there are 3 floors!

There were quilts tucked in and around – keep your eyes peeled!

Treadle lamp, anyone?

Actually, this was so cute I’d probably have bought it if it wouldn’t have cost a fortune to ship it home.  it would be great near a sewing chair…

Wooden straight legged treadle and singer 15!

I’ve come across the straight legged machines with metal legs before – but wood?  I didn’t know they made such a thing!  This may have been on the take home list too, but again, I’m in California so was able to show much restraint.  Though missing its bobbin plate – that is easily replaceable- This is an AWESOME machine for anyone near Bakersfield who is looking for one.  This machine is 1940-1950 vintage and has reverse.  I think the black spoked hand wheel is so classic!

There were beautiful quilts on beds.

And more tucked under tables in baskets.

This one – SO interesting!

Lovely scrappy stars -

And oh, my!  Turkey reds so vibrant!

Flour sacks on the back!

We had the best time just poking around and wandering.  It’s fun to go with other folks and see just what it is that catches their eye that I might not even have noticed.

No longer Kit-less!!

Times TWO!

My thanks to the lovely ladies who brought me more Diamond Tile block kits from their own stashes to keep me sewing while I am still on the road.  I am just blown away by their generosity – you ladies just MADE MY DAY! Thought I was too worn out after last night’s event was over – you can bet I’ll be sewing these up tonight after our Friday class is done.  Aren’t quilters just THE BEST!?

And my thanks to  A & E Signature!

Signature thread has so graciously gifted Signature 60 wt thread for each of my students here in Bakersfield.  I am so in love with this thread for both my handwork and my machine piecing.

Processed in my home state of North Carolina, USA!

There are still two workshop days ahead.  Today we’ve got My Blue Heaven up on deck, followed by tomorrow’s Jamestown Landing.

It’s time for me to get a move on!

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Quilt found in Woolworths, Bakersfield!

What are you giving power to that you shouldn't be?

Make up your mind how this day is going to go before your feet even hit the floor and accomplish it!

Happy Friday, friends!

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Wonky Wishes Day At Thimble Towne!

If you’ve never been to Thimble Towne, YOU MUST GO!

This is no ordinary quilt shop, it’s also a wonderful event center right here in Bakersfield, with a second location in near by Visalia.  Just awesome beyond words!

And I came face to face with the poster that has been announcing my arrival over the past many months as we have had this on the calendar for more than 4 years.  4 years, and I am finally here!

And so is the quilt in this photo, as it was a Wonky Workshop Day yesterday, hosted by the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County.

I learned many things yesterday – this area was also big in cotton growing for many years, though citrus and nut trees and vineyards have slowly taken over.

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Bakersfield or Bust!

I left this idyllic location yesterday morning as Linda’s SUV rumbled up the long drive and toward Betty Ann’s guest cottage ---

I had been getting some steps in walking up and down the vineyard road, knowing they  would HAVE to pass by me to get to the cottage – there was a whole day (or the better part of it anyway) of car sitting ahead of me and I needed that leg stretch while I could get it.

Cool morning amongst the vines?  Beautiful! 

And if you peek closely, you’ll spy an old farm house tucked in between those trees.  And the mountains in the distance?  Lovely!

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A Talkin’ Turkey Monday!

Our Monday started with a stop at the renowned Butter Cream bakery and diner in Napa to pick up goodies for our burgeoning class of 50 assembling for our Talking Turkey workshop.

“What? You’ve never been to Butter Cream?” was the cry.  So in we went.  It can’t be missed – this pink and white striped building.

Parking is ALWAYS a problem, and there can be a wait to be seated for breakfast – I understand their blueberry pancakes are not to be missed – a thing of beauty!

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