Scrappy Trips in Rose Hill!

What a vibrant bunch of quilters gathered yesterday in Wichita – It was our Tuesday "Scrappy Trips Around The World" workshop with the Country Rose Quilters of Rose Hill, Kansas!

These gals provided quite the welcome….even a poster for me! I think the blush says it all. I loved the “Wizard of Oz” fabrics ((Yes, I got to keep them!)) and the little ruby slippers pin.

You guys went ALL OUT to make me feel so welcome in your midst. And what a fun day we had.

I’ve said it over and over and over…….how much I enjoy seeing what fabrics get dug up from the depths of your scrap bins…..we wear our oldies and our uglies with PRIDE! The laughter over each “dog” fabric is infectious, and we prove again and again and again that these fabrics can STILL look great in a quilt, and make things so fun to look at!

Black and white cats with Christmas hats next to a prissy civil war? OH YES!! 1970’s or 80’s cutesy calico next to a wild African print with gold metallic do-dads on it! OH YES!

We just had the best time! Our focus was on color, contrast and value....

And this picture is ESPECIALLY for Jessica’s doubting friends ---- I am SO honored that you drove all the way from Denver to come spend a couple days with me! You are a hoot, and I’m so happy to call you friend! ((Do you think they will believe you now? You are on the blog, girl! LOL!))

		Scrappy Trips, Kansas 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We just had the best time….and this class moves so fast! Be sure to check out the picture of the one Quilter who had 12 blocks together by the time we packed up at 4pm!

One thing that was learned by experience by one Quilter ---You can't do light/dark/light/dark with this pattern, or you end up with just a "checkerboard" effect, not the diagonal rows of color as desired. Sometimes we need to allow ourselves to make mistakes so we know how to fix them in the future.

Today I’m being picked up and driven to Holton, KS, where I have a lecture with the Holton guild tonight..and a Smith Mountain Morning workshop at “Quilting On The Square” tomorrow!

Today the temps are quite a bit cooler than they have been. Could it be that fall is finally sneaking in? It’s about a 3 hour drive, and I think it will be fun to watch the countryside out of my passenger side window.

I plan on FINALLY finishing that binding that has ben following me around still undone. 1 1/2 sides to go….some hexagons maybe too?

Time to pack up the luggage cart and get myself down to the lobby!

Happy Wednesday, Everyone!

Early Morning Edition, And Free Kindle Book Too!

I’m back in Wichita!

Yesterday was SO busy with a 1pm lecture/trunkshow…dinner out with the guild ladies, and another lecture at 7pm. Show and tell was WONDERFUL, and it was a very very fun and fulfilling day!

But alas, not a lot of pictures or other activities to share with anyone this morning….

A highlight for me was a visit from a dear friend, Elsie Campbell, who drove up for the festivities! This used to be her guild, so there was lots of reminiscing going on. I also have to thank her for hijacking me in between time for a Sonic Run. It was happy hour, you know? Route 44 Diet Cherry Limeade…..oh, that was so good going down!

After packing up the bags of quilts, and moving my suit cases and the quit bags from one car to another…we drove through the country darkness where I was promptly tucked into my new digs and off to bed I went..I was exhausted!

What a boring post that makes!

I’ve got about 40 minutes to pull myself together before being picked up for today’s “Scrappy Trips” workshop with the Rose Hill Guild.

Did I finish that binding? Well…3 sides? Does that count? LOL! Best laid plans and no time to complete them. It’s the story of my life.

Those of you ready to throw your lives into football season – Here’s a freebie cookbook chock full of great recipes for your get togethers!

Tailgating Cookbook by Gooseberry Patch is free today from the Amazon Kindle store.Here is the book’s description from the Amazon website:

Get a taste of Gooseberry Patch in this collection of over 20 favorite game-day recipes! From high-school homecoming to the big bowl, parked at the stadium or right in front of your TV, Gooseberry Patch Tailgating will help you throw the winning-est party of the season! Tackle those appetites with Touchdown Taco Dip, Running-Back Stuffed Mushrooms and more!

Sounds like some good eats in there! Enjoy!

And with that, I’m of to grab a quick breakfast and get this day going!

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

It’s Bluegrass, Baby!

And I’m so sad I’m not going to be here long enough to fully experience this….but I want to come back!

Last night some Quilty friends arranged for me to get a pass into the fairgrounds to walk around and witness for myself the fun going on there.

Musicians gather from all over the world to celebrate and share their love of Bluegrass music. Jam sessions are plenty! You can simply walk area to area to area, and find people gathering with friends and strangers to make a joyful noise!

I saw hammered dulcimers, mountain dulcimers, autoharps, guitars and mandolins of so many different varieties!

There were other instruments too...

String bass, flutes...you name it! And if you don't have an instrument to play with your hands, there is always your voice, the instrument you were born with!

Tents are decorated with lights, the late summer night was warm and welcoming, and we couldn’t help but stop to listen, and soon found ourselves tapping toes and humming along! There was a gospel music session going on here..and soon, one of the girls wanted to practice her hand at Orange Blossom Special!

I took this from y phone! With no extra lighting, so I was amazed at how well it turned out.and it’s just a short excerpt, my phone was about out of battery!

See the decorations? They go all out, I wish I could have shown you more. We had a whole group playing on autoharps here….wonderful!

The night was really settling in her….so this picture isn’t great, but you should have heard the music coming out of this group….I LOVED IT!!

That’s it. When I get home, I’m going to look up local Bluegrass Fests and find a way to go …take my chair, a cooler, some bug spray..and surround myself with some of that old tyme ((and new time!)) music to fill my soul!

If you have a chance to make it to Winfield Kansas in September….do NOT miss this event! Had I known, I would have changed my flights and flown home SUNDAY instead of FRIDAY…I’m missing all the good stuff!!

A Little Bit of Winfield, Kansas!

Hello Everyone!

It’s a beautiful September morning in Winfield Kansas! I flew into Wichita on Saturday, and was promptly picked up by Carolyn and Diane…who happily fed me at Panera and off we went quilt shop hopping! I did just a bit of damage-- Just a few FQ’s and some aurifil thread I was in need of….I’m behaving myself! So far, that is!

What was funny was the REASON we were shop hopping. These shops had been told I would be in town and they were eager to have me stop by and sign the books they had in their store. So we got there…only to find that we were TOO LATE! The books had already sold out WITHOUT signatures! I was happy and sad all at the same time--More are on order, but they won’t get in before I leave….so I’ll have to catch them next time around!

I’ve never been to this side of Kansas before, and not knowing a whole lot about Blue Grass music, was soaking up all I could info wise as I was informed about this being the 40th anniversary year of the Walnut Valley Blue Grass Festival! Very fun stuff! We even drove by the location at the fair grounds. The festival is this coming weekend and the place is filling up with campers and tents and the sound of music being played everywhere you turn…but we’ll get to more of that later.

Binding happened Saturday evening while watching some NCIS in my room! I’m about 1/2 done, but should get it finished today.

Yesterday, Sunday afternoon, was our half-day Star Struck workshop. I had the morning to myself as we were meeting in the afternoon. A funny thing happens when you travel and forget that the clock on your laptop reflects the time at HOME, not the time zone you are actually in! I had more time on my hands than I thought I did….so on with the running shoes, and out for a walk down some peaceful country roads near the hotel--

I love autumn! And autumn in the Midwest just smells so good. I love seeing the big round bales of hay in fields!

Quail Valley Fun Barn!? Doesn’t this look like an interesting entrance way? I have no idea what it lead to, but I couldn’t resist taking a pic! Toto, I don’t think we are in the Caribbean any more!

Gorgeous morning on a lonely empty road! And it’s not exactly COOL TEMPS out there yet either..but fall is just around the corner, I can feel it!

We had a full class with 26 students for our workshop! It was fun to meet with ladies I’ve emailed back and forth with over the past 3 years we’ve been waiting for this date to arrive!

		Star Struck, Winfield KS 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Everyone’s blocks turned out SO great and SO different! We really had a great time, and the 4 hours flew by like no body’s business.

Today? I’ve got two trunkshows with this guild..the day time one at 1pm, and the evening one at 7pm. Of course, I’ll be treated out to lunch AND dinner before those…I have a feeling I ought to throw on my running shoes and head back out to pre-burn off some calories before tying on yet another feed bag!

Happy Monday everyone!