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Tuesday, April 03, 2012

Scrappy Mountains in Moline!

Day 3 of workshops with the Mississippi Valley Quilters ----This has been such a great visit ---several of the ladies are INSANE enough to tackle 3 consecutive days of workshops, willingly adding not just one, but THREE UFOs to their long lists of current projects and challenges --- you just gotta LOVE that kind of determination!

Today we also had several quilters who were new ----they quickly set up their machines in the empty spaces left by those who had to go back to work on Monday morning –it was like changing of the quilt –guard!

Some of the" new" arrivals are SO dedicated --they were at a Quilt Retreat all weekend....but came to join us on Monday! I wonder if they even unpacked their cars? LOL! Now THAT is some dedication too!

It gave me a chance to meet some new faces, and to reconnect with some familiar ones who I’ve spent time with elsewhere in other parts of the country ---they traveled in to spend time with us!

And then there are the workshop-crashers! LOL! ((Okay, Michele, just so you know that I am a big tease, and sometimes I tease and want you to know I am because I don’t want you mad at me!))

Here, let Michele tell you her story herself! It’s priceless!

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So now I’m hoping I’ll get to pop in on Dan and Michele during breakfast at the hotel this morning because I’m not being picked up until 11am for my first of 2 lectures today ---I get time to PLAY in the morning! ((I already feel a walk along the river in my future for tomorrow morning as well ---))

And then there was Shirley, who brought along her sister --- Shirley came to my classes in Venice, FL in January! And she brought me a picture of the two of us together that I get to keep. Now this is funny—pay attention ---

Look at my outfit above…..this is what I wore yesterday. Now look at my picture with Shirley in January ---

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The woman must think that I never change my clothes! LOL!! And it’s true when I say that I get home and wash the contents of my suitcase and pack it right back up again…what works on the road works on the road, and it only changes when the seasons get hot or cold…I think it’s time to go shopping for some more variety in my teaching attire!

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Here I am with the two sweet sisters ((In the same outfit I wore in January in Venice FL!)) who also spirited me away for an impromtu tour of the magnificent Butterworth house! So now I can say that I saw more than just the “Garage!”

Oh, I have laughed so much over the past 3 days that my cheek muscles hurt!

So let’s talk about a more serious thing. PLEASE be careful when rotary cutting. I know during class time that cutting space can be limited. Table heights vary, and lighting can be different than what we are used to in our own work spaces.

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We had one Oopsie that ended up with a quilter having to be run to the emergency room after a rotary cutter got the better of her finger.

The other quilters around her were quick on their feet! There WAS no bleeding on the quilt! And a strip of muslin was found to wrap her finger which impressed the medical staff at the hospital to no end…do NOT wrap a cut with a tissue or paper towel – you’ll get paper debris in the wound…..grab a strip of muslin….. much cleaner than tissue!

4 stitches later, she was back in class. What a trooper! And this mishap does have its upside --- seems she MUST refrain from washing dishes for at LEAST a week……poor thing! :c)

Come along and see how we busied ourselves all day ---

I’m really looking forward to the two trunkshows today ---I expect this guild to continue to be a lively bunch and I’ve really enjoyed being a part of things here.

In between the two meetings we have some time to run around ----I’ve been told a stop at Whitey’s for ice cream is a MUST when in Moline ---so that is on the agenda, and I think I need to hit the John Deere Pavilion to see all the vintage tractors, don’t you? I need a picture by some good ole John Deere Green!

Happy Tuesday, Everyone!

18 comments:

  1. I have the body of mine done, Have to get to the BOTTOM Bin in the closet to get the backing and border fabric, Bonnie I have three of your patterns going at the same time. CRAZY that's what one of my quilting friends calls me CRAZY I say YES about Bonnie's Pattens!

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  2. Anonymous9:12 AM EDT

    I'm just recovering from my first major rotary cut! The worst part was that I cut it on the upswing if you can believe it. I tend to have that first finger sticking up and got a little dramatic on the "end of the cut, swing up the rotary cutter" move. I have a whole new respect for these things now(and I keep all finger down).

    It must be a sewer thing. No way was a drop of blood getting on my material. Yes, my husband was truly grossed out when I made my way downstairs and tried to tell him I need some help with my finger in my mouth.

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  3. I love the red and white blocks. Can hardly wait to see them "come to life". Happy Quilting...and be careful!

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  4. This is such a great technique for making these blocks--I love the series of design layouts shown in the red/white blocks.
    My almost severed the tip of her finger once with a rotary cutter. I gained a healthy respect for the little things after her experience.

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  5. Such beautiful work! I want to crash your next workshop too. Maybe we can get you to come to Wisconsin some time. Tell the lady with the cut finger I hope she heals quick and be very careful from here aon out...

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  6. from stalkers to the ER and its all about quilting!
    great post. :>)

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  7. Anonymous11:11 AM EDT

    I soooo know the power of the rotary cutter!! When putting together a quilt for my sister a few years ago, I had a run in with a dull blade and it cost me 10 stitches in the left index finger and a corner off the middle finger. I spilled NO blood on the fabric, but it was 4 months before I could actually press the ruler down well enough to cut decently. I am now used in classes as a good example of a BAD example!! Love the Scrappy Mountain quilts, just gorgeous.
    Faye in Maine

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  8. Hi Bonnie......I read your blog daily and have to tell you how much I enjoy it. I, too, would be a groupy if I didn't live so far away (Canada)....I look at all you do and I am exhausted just reading about your travels and all you do!!
    From another Bonnie

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  9. Bonnie Bonnie Bonnie!!! YOU ALWAYS CRACK ME UP!!! Love it!

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  10. Anonymous12:24 PM EDT

    If you hadn't pointed it out, nobody would notice that you were wearing the same thing. Sorry to tell you that we are looking at the quilts, not the quilter! lol I rotate the same 2 or 3 outfits all the time. Saves on folding laundry if you just put it back on when you take it out of the drier!

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  11. Hi Bonnie!! Congratulation on the Quilter's AwardS...the Oscar of the year for Quilters...and YOU really cleaned up!! Check out Sew Cal Gal's Blog for details!! Couldn't happen to a better quilter!! Well deserved!
    P

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  12. Anonymous2:47 PM EDT

    Love those mountain majesties !

    Patty in Ca

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  13. Anonymous5:02 PM EDT

    I've got Scrappy Mountains on my to do list. And I was never a fan of cheddar until I started reading your blog. Now I see how versatile it is and I'm always on the lookout for more.

    Carole

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  14. Anonymous6:11 PM EDT

    Loved your presentation today at Mississippi Valley Quilter Guild....your quilts are beautiful and I'm already so inspired to get up to my quilt studio and start cutting up all those scraps and put them in labeled bins! I usually give my small scraps to my girlfriend for her English Paper Piecing but I'm rethinking that! Enjoy your Whiteys Ice Cream....it is simply the best:) Safe travels!

    Nancy in Iowa!

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  15. I so sorry we missed you @ breakfast!!! We ate at 6:30 because Dan gets up so early. tomorrow will be the same. Kind of a strange offering there. The eggs were eatable but the ham looked more like SPAM. I'm going t try the waffle tomorrow. We have a tour of the John Deere Harvester plant at 8am. We did go to Antique Archeology in Le Claire. That's the American Pickers place. Not that impressive. We are then headed to Kalona where I understand that is a mecca for quilters. It was so fun meeting you. You can crash my quilting anytime!! My spare bedroom is organized now!! Yeah Heather!!

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  16. Anonymous9:01 PM EDT

    That makes me want to make that quilt now. They are lovely.
    Maryella

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  17. Gee, no washing dishes for a week? Talk about suffering for your art! ) I'll be looking for that shirt in May.

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  18. Scrappy Mountains look greata. No mountain high enough and no rotary sharp enough to keep that quilter down. lol

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