Moon-ing Over Virginia!

I've spent the last two nights in Moon, Virginia, staying with Sandy! Her house is on an ISLAND of all things.....you have to cross this little wooden one lane bridge to get onto her property. Crossing that bridge at night when you are not sure of what is below you or on the other side was a bit daunting, but I am up for an adventure.

Her house is wonderful, and guarded by her guardian cat angel "Annabelle". I've got pics of her and the house on my camera, but since I am traveling with my laptop, some pics are going to have to wait until I get home to post them all!

Yesterday was my "day of rest"!! I didn't do anything but meet up with a couple gals for lunch. I was able to do laundry, catch up on email, book stuff, and even get a bunch of hand quilting in! It was really relaxing last night, Sandy and I had taken charge of the two recliners and caught up on a DVR'd recording of "Saving Grace" while we both hand quilted our fingers sore. WONDERFUL!

Today I'm en route to Hampton where I am staying with Susan. I haven't met her before, but I've been told she is a fabulous longarmer and we are going to have a bunch of fun.

I've checked in on the home front daily. So far things in Winston Salem are holding their own. People and Pets getting fed, watered, and taken care of. Sometimes I feel guilty that I'm running around like this, but it doesn't make sense to go home in between gigs with the way gas prices are. I could have gone home yesterday, only to have to return back up here tomorrow...and it's somewhere around a 6 hour drive (X2) and I think I would be MORE TIRED for my programs this weekend than if I just stay put. But still....I know there is a bunch of stuff at home that needs doing.

The weather has been extremely hot and humid. I've been going out walking every morning. I've walked past fields and farms and old tumble down farm houses, and some that are being restored...it's like stepping back in time. I've learned to stay towards the center of the deserted roads, away from trees and bushes where the bugs are thick. I've pulled a tick or two out of my hair...ewww....

I'm trying to be as healthy as I can with all the "feeding of the visiting quilter" that goes on when I travel somewhere. Lots of salads and fresh fruits and veggies, staying away from too much bread and deep fried things, and no deserts. We'll see how that does.

I'll report back in again when I can!

Tonya & Bonnie's Fungly Challenge!

Laugh yourself out of the box with us!

Do you have fabrics in your stash you SWEAR you never bought? Too ugly to look at, but you can't bear to part with them? Then this is the challenge for you!

This silly quilt came about when Tonya sent me some pics of some blocks she was working on with the most unlikely combinations she could come up with. She wanted them LARGE (9-1/2") and fast, and didn't care if units wer turned wrong, or if points were cut off in haphazard jubilation. WEEE! It sounded so fun I thought I could cast my uglies into the wind and see what I could come up with too! Just look at her sample her.....Cow Print Cornerstones? Lovely! *hehehehehe* FUN + UGLY = FUNGLY!



Just look at tlese lovelies!! I bet they'd make you stop and look twice if you passed them in a shop window! Tonya's block pattern is Jacks on Six, but any block pattern will do. Most blocks have 2 fabrics, some have 3. Go through your books of basic blocks and pick one you've always wanted to play with. The quilt pattern is up to your inspiration, you are just going to do it with the most WEIRDLY PAIRED FABRICS YOU HAVE!

Here's my challenge! My colors don't look as bold, and that's okay. These are *MY* ugly fabrics, and I'm not trying to make it look just like Tonya's. Your Fungly quilt will be a reflection of your silly fabrics in YOUR stash. It's okay if the pallette is different. What you want is to come up with the ODDEST combinations possible! Look at these for more examples:


Many of these fabrics were given to me in the ugly housewarming Tonya organized (Yeah, right, a likely story that keeps me from admitting they were MINE to begin with !) I laughed so hard as I was putting these oddities together. I think I want to name mine "Strange Bedfellows" *hehee*. I changed the block unit layout from Tonya's just a bit so it was a block I hadn't done before. Really, ANY block would work, even if you wanted to do plain ugly 9 patches. These two blocks each have a strong diagonal so you can twist and turn them with or without sashing or put them on point for a different look.




Do you want to play? I hope you will! I hope you will share your photos on your blog or via email! This is NOT a mystery, there will be no other steps, there will not be a deadline or a finish date. This is simply our way of standing up and saying NO to overly matched Jelly Rolls and Layer Cakes and doing something out of the box (or bin or basket) that we can sometimes find ourselves in.

Have a giggle, and sew something FUNGLY today!

Some quickies about my block:

It's called "split 9 patch" and I found it in block base. There are a bunch of great easy patterns on the web and in books and everywhere. Pick one you've always wanted to try.

I don't know how I'm setting them yet, or how many I'll make. I never plan it out from start to finish, I just go with the flow and I'll know when it's done after I play with it for a while.

Sashings, alternate blocks, borders, setting triangles put on point? Up to you!

I cut my block pieces out of 3.5" strips using the easy angle ruler to cut the triangle pairs. The block finishes at 9" square, so each unit finishes at 3". The method you use to construct the triangles units is up to you :c) Most of all, have FUN! Find a girlfriend who wants to play, and each of you make pairs of blocks and trade with each other....Oh man, I can't wait for the quilt police to SEE THESE BEAUTIES!!!

Colonial Piecemakers, Williamsburg, VA

What a PERFECT day we had! Don't get me wrong, it was hot hot hot and humid as heck by 9am....but we were inside and the fans and the a/c were whirring....

It's so funny to travel from guild to guild. So many things are always the same....the welcome committee, the people willing to help, the quilters carrying in their show and tell, projects, challenges, lots of committees, people mulling together discussing the latest thing, or giving hugs over cares and concerns.

Quilting is community! I don't know how anyone could quilt in a vacuum by themselves. Quilting is a lifestyle! And wherever I go, I feel such a connection to these women and all the common threads that we share through our lives, young and old and in between. Short, Tall, Thin, Fluffy....we are sisters bound by stitches.

I arrived at Our Saviours Lutheran Church where the meeting was held. Talk about picturesque! It was built in 1898 and is exactly what you think of when you think of an old white country church, just like going back in time! The community hall or whatever they call it is off to the side of the church, just out of the picture. We had a packed house...over 100 of us gathered! I was tickled too, to see some quilting men there! (If I had to share my stash with MY hubby.....hmmmmm.......!!! He might know exactly what I have then! Maybe not a good idea.....)

It was a whirlwind day. After the meeting and trunk show, we had a quick lunch (turkey and swiss on a whole wheat wrap...yummm!) and we set up for class!

These ladies were so fun......has anyone heard of the Janome Hello Kitty Machine? It's adorable and GREEN!!! (Not only that, it seems to be a great class machine) I had the most fun doing demos on this green Hello Kitty!

What I would really love is a RED BETTY BOOP machine....and if they come up with one, I'll be first in line. I want a red machine (like I need another machine, not! But still....fun, right?)

The picture of me demo-ing is courtesy of Shirley! You can check her report on the day HERE! She took several pictures throughout the day and reading her comments will give you an idea how fun this guild is!

So from NOW until Monday evening I've been LET LOOSE! Carrie should be calling me sometime today and we'll arrange a meet-up. I get to play tourist today and tomorrow....whoooooeeee! And so far...no sewing going on, other than I nearly finished the basket quilt binding during yesterday's business meeting. It is really looking good!

I also want to give you a HEADS UP on a challenge that Tonya and I are working on. We wanted to do something FUN with the UGLIEST fabrics we can find. It's a hilarious bit of fun, and I'm sure you will want to join in! I'll see about posting that tonight. We have nicknamed this the FUNGLY (Fun + Ugly) Challenge! What a hoot!

I also lucked out....because they had a scrap giveaway-for-a-small-donation table at the guild meeting! Ohhh....Tonya, wait til you see these lovelies! (evil laugh) I scored BIG TIME! *LOL* Don't these two fabrics just LOOK like they belong together? NO??? Well, just wait and see!

That's it for now! It's just past 9am and colonial Williamsburg is WAITING!!

Colonial Williamsburg!

I am here in Williamsburg! I've never been here before, and I tell you, from what little I've seen so far, I love it!

I really love historical places and can't see enough of the sites. I taught a pineapple blossom class today, and then was treated to a visit to a quilt shop, and then out to dinner.

When I got back to the hotel, the evening was still so nice that I threw on my shorts and tennis shoes and went for a 4 mile power walk. That's my whole day! And it was a long one. No stitching for me so far, even though I brought a hand quilting project, the baskets quilt to finish binding, and my featherweight with another project.

I'm too pooped to sew tonight...but I guess at least I have everything just IN CASE!

I had Kansas City Star send my quilts for the book back to me here, so I can show them as part of my trunk show now. The only dumb thing is that all the sleeves are "flapping"....they have you leave the bottom edge of the sleeve free for hanging for photography. I guess they edit the sleeve "out" of the pic, and it hangs flatter if the quilt hangs below the rod or something. So I now have 12 quilts that need the sleeves sewn back down on. Bleeech. Talk about unmotivating!

Tomorrow is the first lecture/trunkshow and then a half day (4 hour) star struck class. It's going to be another busy day.

I feel like this is just a travelogue lately. But this is what my life has fallen into! I am just afraid it won't be very interesting reading. Oh! That pic I showed in the slide shows below....of the ladder hung over the cutting table with baskets and little quilts? I found a LADDER today at Ps & Qs Primitives! $8.99 what a bargain! Not sure where it is going to go yet, but it is going to be so cute.

I also found a glass wash board at a shop on the way from Winston Salem to here...The wall by my laundry room I want to decorate cute with a collection of wash boards and a peg rack with old vintage aprons. My boys think it is too girly, but hey...I think it will be cute! So I've picked up some cute vintage aprons here and there.

And the big tada I wish I could show you, but I can't do a self portrait right now....I went in last evening and had 5" whacked off the bottom of my hair. It's just a bit past my shoulders now...all the dead ends are gone and it looks so much BETTER! Still long enough to tie back, but short enough that it won't get caught in the car seatbelt roller-upper :c)

The plan for the rest of the week? Sunday I'm off and I'm planning on spending most of the day in Colonial Williamsburg, starting with services at the historic Bruton Parish Episcopal church. I'm planning on meeting up with Carrie-the-mischief-maker at some point, she and her hubby are going to be spending the week down here. We've talked on the phone and exchanged emails, but have never met in person. That should be fun.

Monday I am planning on doing more touristy stuff, and then heading to Deltaville for a lecture/trunkshow monday evening. The rest of my time will be spent in Grafton/Hampton.

Think I'll get some SEWING TIME in there somewhere?? I hope so, but even if I don't, I'm having a wonderful time.

What's Up With Yahoo Mail?!? (*@&#$(*&!

What's up with YAHOO MAIL!?? Every time I click to reply to an email, write my reply and click send, I am sent back to the sign in page asking for my password to be supplied. When I fill it in, check to see if the mail has sent...it's disappeared! I'm switching to GMAIL for a while to see if it works better. You can reach me at Quiltville@Gmail.com! I'm still keeping the yahoo email open, and will check there daily....but sheesh.

Of course, all this happens AFTER I just picked up my new business cards that have quiltville@yahoo.com written all over them :c|

Fun with little videos!

Here is a quicky video filmed LIVE from Tomorrow's Heirlooms in Westminster, Colorado last Sunday!:c) we had a blast. And I have to say this was the nicest classroom I've seen in a shop....the tables and space for cutting were phenominal!


A couple days before I taught in the "Double Eagle" Casino in Cripple Creek, and that was fun too, great lighting, good table space. Casinos aren't as bad as they used to be, they are non-smoking now, at least in Colorado. The air there is thin enough with the high elevation not to have to worry about also breathing second hand smoke.


Echo Valley Ranch, Colorado 2008
There are SO many pictures of the Colorado trip, that the best way for you to see them is to flip over to my webshots, or view the little slide show! I have entitled this one "Echo Valley Ranch" as most of the photos are of the ranch we stayed at with Arlan and Ken. As I look through these, the memories are still so vivid. Quilters are the most generous people I know. I am constantly amazed that people would open their homes to complete strangers, simply because that stranger is a quilter!




And on the quilty side of things....I finished the hand quilting of Charlotte's Baskets on the plane from Detroit to Greensboro! I got the binding and sleeve sewn on yesterday and did a bit of hand stitching down one side while watching "Nancy Drew" on HBO last night with the family. It was CUTE! (I remember wearing knee socks with skirts, and wearing headbands like that...and peter pan collars..oh my!!) Definately a fun family movie.

I hope you can see that I quilted the outer border just following the diagonal of the print in the fabric. It was such a busy print that not a lot would show anyway, and It has a very traditional feel to it. These kinds of prints are called "foulard" prints, where the design is printed so it follows a diagonal pattern. It makes it very easy to follow the pattern!

Today I am off to have copies made of class instruction sheets. Tomorrow I leave for Williamsburg! Here is the schedule:

August 1 -2:

* Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild, Williamsburg, VA
o Fri, August 1: Full Day Workshop: Pineapple Blossom
o Sat, Aug 2: Lecture & Trunkshow, half day workshop: Star Struck

August 4:

* Stingray Stitchers, Deltaville, VA
o Mon, Aug 4: Lecture, Trunkshow (7pm)

August 8-12:

* Peninsula Piecemakers, Grafton/Hampton VA
o Fri, August 8: Day Guild Meeting lecture/trunkshow
o Sat, August 9: Pineapple Blossom Workshop
o Mon, August 11: My Blue Heaven Workshop
o Tues, August 12: Happy Scrappy Houses Workshop
o Tues, August 12: Night Guild Meeting lecture/trunkshow

Right now I'm not sure if I am going to come home between the 4th and 8th at all. If I were to come home, it wouldn't be until the morning of the 5th, and then I'd have to turn right around on the 7th. It's the gas thing that gets me I guess. And travel tiredness. It's about a 5 to 7 hour drive I think. I think I'll play it by ear and see what happens!

Denver and Golden!

How can I break a travelogue down into parts and not overload you? I have so many pictures that I've uploaded them to webshots so you can view my slideshow. :c) Those of you using a 'reader' instead of my actual blog will probably have to click over to the "real" page to view.



Golden/Denver 2008

I met up with my friend Randy at the Denver airport. What fun! We went to the rental car place, got our car (A red jeep!) and headed out. Randy is awesome when it comes to researching places and finding the most fun places to eat, stay, etc. The first thing we did was drive to Spinelli's Market...home of the BEST deli sandwhiches ever. I kid you not...they were SO yummy we went back again on our way back to the airport when the trip was over.

From there we went to Golden to see the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum. I have to tell you, it was smaller than I thought it would be. Barely two rooms. And the little gift shop was closed. It was kind of a disapointment really because I had heard so much about it. But we were not to be daunted! There were more quilt shops to be found, and restaurants to discover. Isn't this terrible? I can't even remember WHERE we ate the first night, or what we had!

The next morning we took a hike, intending to go higher than we actually did, but I am just not used to that thin air of high elevations, and we didn't go off the road into the brush. Still, it was a gorgeous morning and so much to see.

We stayed at Table Mountain Inn....and I do remember breakfast ;c) We then met up with the staff of Quiltmaker Magazine. What a hoot! I've been dealing with these gals via email and phone for some time, but to meet them in person and see how the wheels turn at Quiltmaker was a real treat. We all went to lunch together at a little Italian joint...the calzones were HUGE, and even the salad (a SIDE SALAD!?) was huge. Yummy. And fun! Another fun thing....Quiltmaker's Editor, June (what a great gal, I love her in person, so easy to talk to and get along with!) presented me with the newest Quiltmaker just about to hit the news stands! My quilt "Patches & Pinwheels" is on page 30. How's that for a treat! Thanks, June!

Some of the pics might be hard to understand without reading the captions I've put on webshots. I had to giggle at ALL the rotary cutters all over the workroom. Want to make sure we don't run out, right?! :cD


Woodland Park, CO 2008

From there we quilt shop hopped our way down to Woodland Park. Our host and hostess were Arlan and Ken. They have a lovely home in a very remote area. You actually have to drive through the national park/forest/woods to get to their road....which isn't paved. It was BLISS, it really was. they have 35 acres of peaceful surroundings, two great shelties and 6 horses. We had a perfect view of Pikes Peak!

Arlan showed me how to sew on her treadle machine. So...the thread kept breaking on me, but I guess I just need practice! Ken rebuilds pipe organs, and gave us a little mini concert.

I can honestly say that this was the most original teaching venue I've ever taught at.....the class was held in Cripple Creek, CO....in a CASINO! *LOL* What fun! We met in a conference room, great lighting, plenty of space, and lots of fun.

The next day Arlan and I hiked a bit while Randy and Ken took off on the horses. We arranged to meet at this one place where the red rocks stand. It was AWESOME! I wanted to ride too, but I don't have horse experience, and Arlan was afraid if I broke my leg or neck we'd be out a speaker for the guild meeting that afternoon :c)

After the guild meeting we headed up towards Evergreen so I would be ready to do my stint with that guild....and I'll post that adventure tomorrow!

Legendary Quilters Interview!

Hi Y'all!

I'm back from Denver as of midnight....and guess what? One of my bags of quilts got left behind in Detroit! :c( But according to the Northwest Airlines agent, it should be here today.

I had a great time in Denver, and want to write more about it. I've got pictures to upload, even some little videos to upload...but it's going to take some time.

So to keep you entertained for a bit, here is an interview I did with Cinea Dallinger of Legendary Quilters. She called from Australia, and recorded our conversation. I had a great time sitting on the front porch swing with a glass of lemonade and talking about quilting, from one side of the world to the other.

I have uploaded it HERE. It's in WMA format and it should open up in your windows media program.

Thanks Cinea! It was great meeting you via the phone line!

Off Again!

Hey everyone! I have resurfaced! I returned from Durham NC where I have spent the most FUN 3 days with the Durham Orange Quilter's Guild! Three consecutive days of workshops....Crumbs, Star Struck & Pineapple Blossom!

I've got loads of pics, but no time to upload them, I'm off in the morning to Denver, meeting with the Quilters Above The Clouds in Florrisant, and then off to the Colorado Quilt Council State guild weekend in Evergreen!

Not only that, but I've got ZERO VOICE. I can barely squeak.

I'll be back home late on the 28th....I hope to catch up with you all then.

Thanks for the Shout Out, Mark!

I am so tickled to get a Shout Out in the July/August issue of Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home Magazine! I love this magazine, I find the articles fun and informative, brash and splashy, what a great read! Who can resist articles titled things like "Bankrupt For Cotton" or "When Good Longarmers Go Bad" *LOL*

My blurb is found on page 46 of "Free, Fun and Fabulous Freebies on page 46.

It says:

I love Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville website and lost myself for hours, looking at all her great stuff. In addition to lots of free patterns and clearly written instructions, I love-love-love her pointers on managing your scraps and your stash. You'll find this info in her Tips and Techniques section. Bonnie also has lots of great strip piecing quilts, tips and patterns, many of which are perfect for charity projects.

When I read stuff like this, how trivial does a dress size become? Extremely!

Quilter's Home is published by CKMedia, and I am going there next week to meet everyone! Weeeeee! I can't wait. That and the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum are really going to be highlights of my trip I think. As well as meeting everyone in my classes.

Oh, and just for fun....last night before going to bed I was playing with some blocks on the floor. I turned around and lo and behold, Chloe had plopped herself smack dab in the middle of the blocks. They'd only been on the floor for 3 minutes! I guess I am in good company down here, we are both fluffy girls! I couldn't resist trying to get her to talk to you on camera :c)

Does this dress make me look fat????

Yes, I've been under a lot of stress with this move since October of last year. My hormones are fluctuating. I have entered the land of hot flashes and night sweats. I'm on medication for this,that and the other thing. I left a strenuous physical job of massage therapy where I burned so many calories a day....to starting a life of traveling and teaching where people feed you and you feel like you want to partake so you don't offend anyone. I admit that part.

I've put on about 20 lbs. I admit that. But what really hurts is when someone has to comment about it in my guestbook? What's that about? "I didn't know you gained so much weight, WOW!" Is this something you say to someone to their face?

The whole weight issue has me so depressed as it is, and this is supposed to help me...how?

Why are we so judgemental about weight? I have a good friend who's daughter is dealing with anorexia. Her whole self esteem is wrapped around her size and weight. She took her scale on vacation. She eats lettuce with ketchup. I don't know exactly why, but is our weight so important, a number or size so important, that we can look past the person inside to judge them by their outside? We judge people if they are too skinny. We judge people if they are too fat.

How about we judge people for being cruel for judging others. In other words, I might be able to change my weight, but to the person(s) who commented on it, can you change your personality?

I love Tricia Yearwood. She has a song that rings so true to me:

don't buy the lines in magazines
That tell me what I've gotta be
Don't base my life on a movie screen
Don't fit the mold society
Has Planned

I don't need to be 19 years old
Or starve myself for some weight I'm told
Will turn men's heads, been down that road
And I thank God I finally know
Just who I am

I ain't a movie star
May never see the view from where they are
And this old town may be as far as I'm goin'
But what he'll hold tonight in his hands
He swears is so much better than
Anything this old world
Can show him

Cause I'm a real live woman
In love with this man I see lyin' here next to me
Lost in the way that he's holdin'
This real live woman
In the arms of a man where I'll fall asleep knowin' there's
Nothin' on earth he loves more than
This real live woman

I work 9-5 and I can't relate
To millionaires who somehow fate
Has smiled upon and fortune made their
Common lives a better place to be

And I no longer justify
Reasons for the way that I behave
I offer no apologies
For the things that I believe and say
And I like it that way

Cause I'm a real live woman
In love with this man I see lyin' here next to me
Lost in the way that he's holdin'
This real live woman
In the arms of a man where I'll fall asleep knowin' there's
Nothin' on earth he loves more than
This real live woman

How Many is Enough?

I'm trying to figure out how many books I should start with when the book is released from the publisher in September. I want enough on hand to travel with, and enough to sign and mail to you if you want them direct from me.

I have put a poll in the side bar, just to help me with an idea of a count, would you mind clicking?

Thanks!

Time Zone Challenged

My body clock still says I am on West Coast time. It is so stupid! I feel like a zombie all morning..and then can't get to bed at night at a decent hour. I suppose that's okay...I leave for Denver on tuesday, and that is half way back to the west coast, I may as well stay screwed up until I get back?

Lori sent this funny picture of Lucy and I after the quilt show. We'd taken her whole family to the swimming pool in Sun River and went swimming, and lounged around. (Oh get this, I didn't have a swim suit, so we ran into Ross and I bought one off the rack without trying it on. It looked fine, until I tried it on at the house, and the cleavage went WAY down. I wore a tank top over it..*LOL*)

So tell me why Lucy looks so gorgeous and refreshed and glamorous in her silk dress, and I look like road kill?




Here are a couple favorite photos from the show. This was about 8am and the sun was just coming in from the east. Look how the quilting detail shows up when the light is just right. Yummy textures! Lots and lots of baptist fans caught my eye. Just never get tired of them. EVER.

Isn't this the most WEIRD feathered star you've ever seen? I'd love to figure this block out. It's one of those things I'm in love with but will probably never do. Being a scrappy girl, I think I would die if I had to piece a whole quilt of just red and muslin. Seriously. Please don't make me, don't make me, I can't do it! But I love them. That and blue and white. Classic.

Today I have GOT to stop running around and clean house. Top to bottom. What day is it anyway..thursday? Sheesh..I leave tomorrow evening for Durham. I've got to get myself together!