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Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Cathedral of St Helena


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Extreme  peace and beauty in unexpected places!

I would expect to find a Cathedral such as this in Europe – it’s expected there.  I’ve got visiting Cathedrals and historical buildings on my brain, I’m going to ROME and VENICE amongst other places in just a few weeks.

It was a pleasant surprise to find such a beautiful Cathedral on the hill overlooking Helena, Montana this past week.

This photo was from my first evening in Helena, during a driving tour past the state capitol building and around town to show me a bit of the city.

It was such a glorious evening (Oh yes, temps do cool down to blissful in Montana in the summer!) that I begged Kerri and Bryl to please pull over so I could get some photos.

The spires on the Cathedral are so tall that it is nearly impossible to fit the whole thing in the camera unless you are farther away, so across the street I went.

Saturday, July 30, 2016

The Cutest Little Quilt Shop in Helena!

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I loved my time in Montana!  From Bozeman to Helena and the drive in between.

Even the time spent stuck with a plane that never left the ground turned into something memorable!

One of the perks of our time in Helena was the location of our workshop – we were in the conference room of the Holiday Inn, which is right on the walking mall with cute shops and even picnic areas where we could sit, enjoy our lunches, chat amongst ourselves and enjoy the beautiful July weather.

Does it get hot in Montana?  Yes! But to coin a phrase “It is a dry heat!” and that makes it lovely in the shade.  It makes it bearable in a breeze.  And it cools down at night to the point where sleeping with the windows open is blissful!

Friday, July 29, 2016

Machines, Cruises and Cabin Time...

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This was a fun introductory photo to a group I’m with – avid vintage sewing machine collectors and users. 

There are more than just quilters in the group, which is fun because I love hearing what ELSE  people make – from clothing to awnings to boat seat covers and even sails.

When it comes to the heavy duty sewing, there is nothing that can beat the vintage machine.

In preparation for Quilt-Cam last night (That went bust because the sound cut out after 8 minutes…but you can catch those 8 minutes and then try to read my lips for the NEXT 8 minutes after it died HERE)

I had pulled out my green Electro-Hygiene machine with the caption of “always wash your hands before you sew!” 

The words on my photo?

Thursday, July 28, 2016

Quilt-Cam & Give-Away! 7/28/2016

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While Quilt-Cam was a bust due to no audio tonight, we still have a Quiltmaker Giveaway going on!

When I arrived home on Tuesday night, there was a HUGE pile of mail to go through and in amongst the envelopes, mailers and boxes were my sample copies of the September/October issue of Quiltmaker!  One for me to keep, and a spare to give away to one of our lucky readers.

In it I found ALL kinds of autumn pleasure.  Could it be that cooler temps are just around the corner?

I certainly hope so.  Here in North Carolina the car thermometer said 103 as I was out running errands. 

That is way to hot for ANYONE in their right mind, and I’ve been holing up in the basement with some pattern writing in an attempt to stay cool!

Take a look at what you’ll find inside this issue:

Old Governor’s Mansion, Helena!

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After my last workshop day with the Helena Quilt Guild, we had some free time and when it was suggested that Bobi give us a private behind the scenes tour of the old Governor’s mansion (because she works there!) I jumped at the chance!

Touring old homes and buildings is a favorite thing to do when traveling. 

We had passed the mansion while riding the tour train the night before and I couldn’t wait to see what was waiting for us inside!

The Queen Anne home was built in 1888 by Helena entrepreneur William Chessman as a symbol of his wealth and influence throughout the Helena community. The next two owners, the Larsons and the Conrads, continued the pattern of affluent living. In 1913 the State of Montana acquired this handsome brick mansion as the first official governor's residence for nearly half a century.

Between 1913 and 1959, it was home to nine Montana governors and their families.

Wednesday, July 27, 2016

Off to 3rd Grade! And Show & Share!

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I can’t believe that just yesterday morning I was sitting on the front steps at my sister’s house in South Jordan, Utah posing with my nieces for the first day of school photos!

Taylor started 3rd grade yesterday.

How can that be possible?  I remember making her baby quilt!

There are photos of her here with it as an infant.  Isn’t blogging wonderful? It’s all HERE!

In Utah the elementary schools go year round in blocks, so I was just thrilled at how my “Bonus Day” in Utah panned out.

Not only was I there for an impromptu family BBQ complete with fireworks on a state holiday for Pioneer Day, but I got to go with Taylor to the school to drop her off for her first day of 3rd grade.

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

A Happy Snafu!

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How cute is the helena Montana airport at 4:30am?

This was my view as I stepped through security, climbed up the stairs to the second level where gates 3 and 4 are located, one for United and one for Delta.

We thought all was right for my 5:10 boarding and my 5:50am departure for Minneapolis which would get me further on to La Guardia and then home to Greensboro by dinner time.

We even boarded and were ready to go until….

“Ladies and gentleman, we have a maintenance issue…please retrieve your belongings and proceed back into the gate waiting area..”

Oh boy.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Smith Mountain Morning in Helena!

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Say hello to two Sneaky Quilty Canadians!

Pauline and Darlene made their way from Calgary, Alberta Canada on a road trip, hitting quilt shops all along the way to take yesterday's workshop in Helena, Montana!

And they did so WITHOUT letting their guild buddies know ANYTHING about it.

You see,  when they were contacted after inquiring about openings in the workshops, they were told that there were only TWO spots available.

And they took them, keeping silent about the whole road trip until we posted this photo yesterday afternoon to Instagram and Facebook.

Oh, the responses!!

Sunday, July 24, 2016

July Quilty Box Winner!



Hello from beautiful Helena, Montana!

We finished our last workshop with a bang this afternoon, and thanks to the kindness of the guild hostesses, I was treated to a personal guided tour of the old Governor’s mansion in a very historic area of town!  This place is so rich with history, my history loving soul is so happy to have had a chance to experience Montana this way.

I DID set the alarm on the phone to remind me that tonight I needed to do this drawing thing – and it went off right in the middle of dinner.

We did some more talking and show and sharing of hexie projects and applique projects and a returning of a borrowed featherweight in the lobby before I came up here to my room.

I’ve got to get everything packed and ready for my 4:15 am journey to the airport, so it will be early to bed for me.

In other words…let’s DO this drawing thing!

Texas Tumbleweed Day, Montana Style!

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The smiles and the laughter, the conversations, the connectivity!

These are the best parts of coming together to learn some new things in a workshop!

Could we all sew this at home? Certainly – but being together makes it all that much more of a rewarding experience, don’t you agree?

Why quilt alone when you can quilt with friends who make life such a joy?

We gathered together in the conference room at the Holiday Inn in Helena Montana for a Texas Tumbleweed workshop from my book MORE Adventures with Leaders & Enders.

The fabrics and projects were so varied and it was great to see the progress bring these quilt visions to fruition.

Saturday, July 23, 2016

Talkin' Turkey in Helena, Montana!

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Quilter’s’ uniforms out to play!

Do you see these?  It’s a superman shield with a sewing machine in the center instead of an S!  SO CUTE!

No, I don’t know where you can get them, in fact I think they made them themselves.  This was the extra fun set of sisters that came to my Talkin’ Turkey workshop in Helena, Montana yesterday, and what a day we had!

Our venue is the conference room at the Holiday Inn, and they are spoiling us rotten with coffee, tea, lemonade and iced tea, fresh sliced fruit and hot baked cookies while we sew.  We are in heaven!

Friday, July 22, 2016

Star Struck in Bozeman, Montana!

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Yesterday’s Star Struck workshop with the Gallatin Quilters and visiting friends in Bozeman, Montana was a bang up bundle of fun!

We had folks visiting from all over the state as well as Minnesota!

It made for an extra fun mix of scrap-happiness.

I haven’t taught this class in a while, and it’s a great one for getting a good hold of stitch & flip corners, and don’t forget those bonus units!

To see what I mean, click the tips & techniques tab and scroll down to B for “Bonus Triangle Bonanza!”

This quilt makes OODLES of them that will be fun either as a boarder for this quilt, or to use in future projects down the road.

The best part of the day?  Seeing all of the fabrics that everyone had chosen come to life in their own renditions!

Thursday, July 21, 2016

A My Blue Heaven Day, Montana Style!



You just gotta love the “quilters attire” that shows up everywhere we go, bringing smiles and laughter and a nod of heads.

This is the uniform of my people!  This is what I relate to!

Eat Sleep Quilt Repeat!  Is there anything better?

It’s always fun to meet folks who AREN’T quilters.  “What else do you like to do for fun?” they ask.  As if there is anything else we’d really like to be doing?

Oh, I love to hike and walk and watch good movies, read a good book now and then, visit historic sites and beautiful landmarks and usually there is quilting accompanying me as I go.

And I found myself in the company of very like minded folks yesterday in Bozeman, Montana with the Gallatin Quilters Guild, and friends who had traveled in from outside areas to spend the day with us in a My Blue Heaven workshop!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Meet Me in Montana!

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This is the first time I flew into Bozeman, Montana -

And I bet I’ll never fly this way again!

It was one of those early early 3am alarm awakenings.  Stumble to the bathroom to start a shower. Glance at the phone to discover that messages have been coming in all night long (what night there is in 4 hours of sleep.) to find that my flights have been jacked around from a 2 hour delay, to a 4 hour delay, to now leaving in EVENING time, getting me into Bozeman aft4er midnight, via La Guardia and Indianapolis to Minneapolis to Bozeman.

WHAT!?

I was instantly awake and calling the Delta hotline.

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

July Quilty Box Give-Away!

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I am off to Montana!

So to keep you busy while I’m winging my way westward (Greensboro to LaGuardia to Minneapolis to Bozeman?!?!) I’m holding up the July Quilty Box for ONE lucky winner to grab!

There are such great goodies in here from patterns to fabric to thread and a binding tool….someone is going to be VERY happy with this haul!

What is a Quilty Box?
  • Quilty Box is a monthly subscription box of fun quilting supplies. We offer plans from $44-48/mo.
  • 5% of the profits of multi-month subscriptions are donated to Quilts for Kids - a non-profit which donates quilts for children in need
  • Each month we have 4 or more products (Fabric, patterns, thread, or notions)
  • Our retail value of the products in the box is always more than $50
  • August's Quilty Box Featured Artist will be Amy Barickman with IndygoJunction.com
  • The next Quilty Box will ship around August 11th. Subscribers will need to purchase before August 10th to receive this shipment.
  • We will be using the hashtags #QuiltyBox and #GetQuilty
Your support is appreciated. If you have any questions or comments don't hesitate to contact me.
Get Quilty!
Patrick Claytor, CEO
Quilty Box

Subscribe today at Quiltybox.com
 
I LOVE the fact that 5% of the profits go to Quilts for Kids!  It’s a win win all the way around!
Let’s look closer at this box:

Monday, July 18, 2016

Scrap Quilts Course is Up and Running!


 

We are off and stitching up a scrappy storm with this repeat series of Scrap Quilts on CraftU!

It’s not too late to join in….the series runs for 6 weeks!

Join other students as they follow through my lesson segments featuring 6 blocks from my Addicted to Scraps Column.  Make more than just blocks, turn them into fabulous quilts while learning all of the tips tricks and techniques I have to show you!

Put your scraps to better use by learning how to not only save them, but use them to their full potential. This course focuses on block construction, with the final quilt being up to the imagination of the maker. Courses were inspired by Bonnie’s favorite blocks found in her Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker Magazine.
You'll love this course if you are:
  • A beginning quilter who wants to learn tips and techniques that will make your quilting experience successful
  • A quilter who wants to learn to work with recycled fabrics and scraps of fabric from other projects

Hourglass Leader & Ender Challenge!

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It’s time!

And I am so grateful for your patience with me!

Starting a new challenge is something I need to be home for, and the past more-than-a-month has been so super busy. 

I am VERY excited about this year’s challenge and I hope you will join me!

I loved the freedom of last year’s Tumbler Leader & Ender challenge so much, and it worked so well allowing you to choose how big to make your quilt, what size your units would be, what colors you wanted to work with, and I wanted to stick with that again this year!

The plan is:  Make HOURGLASS units using any method you want, in any size you want to make the quilt you want to make with them.

There are a myriad of ways to make them, including dies for cutting machines in a variety of sizes.  Choose your favorite!

I will be cutting with specialty rulers.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

A Visit to Hatley Castle, Victoria BC!

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After we left the Butchart Gardens, we had time to see a bit more of Victoria!

Our first stop after the gardens was to the Cloth Castle for fabric fondling, stash enhancement and license-plate obtaining.

And then we headed to a Castle of the more traditional kind. 

Hatley Castle originally named Hatley Park, is now a Classified Federal Heritage Building. Since 1995, the mansion and estate have been used for the public Royal Roads University.

From the 1940s to 1995, it was used for the Royal Roads Military College, a naval training facility.

Doesn’t it look like a fortress?

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As seen from one side!
This superb example of an Edwardian park was laid out for James and Laura Dunsmuir in the early 20th century. At its center stands a Tudor Revival mansion, whose picturesque design is enhanced by a rich array of decoration and fine craftsmanship. The grounds, featuring a variety of native and exotic vegetation, unfold from formal gardens to recreational spaces, farmlands and forests. Acquired by the Canadian armed forces in 1940, Hatley Park evolved to meet the needs of Royal Roads Military College in a manner that has preserved its essential Edwardian character. [source] 
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We’d like to call this the Quilt Retreat Castle!

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And the gardens were in bloom!

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A beautiful giant dahlia!

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Garden along the croquet lawn.

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Mama bird chirping madly in her nest above the front door!

Interesting thing about the faces on either side of the door.  Can you see that on the left is a woman’s head, on the right, a man’s?

In Edwardian times this was to signify that women would enter on the left and take the left staircase up.  The men would enter on the right and take the right staircase. So very very formal!

We didn’t have time to tour the inside, but the resourceful girl that I am – I went to YouTube and found a video showing everything that is inside so I could see it.  I thought I’d pop it in here for you as well!


Caption:
On the grounds of Hatley Park – one of Canada’s National Historic Sites – lies Royal Roads University’s Hatley Castle. Surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, this Victorian style castle was originally built in 1908, and is now the centre of the Royal Roads University campus. Join this guided tour, and not only will you see a piece of Canadian history, but you’ll also experience movie history, as Hatley Castle is where Hugh Jackman made his debut as Wolverine in the X-Men films.
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Such an amazing place!

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So glad we got to see it!

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In Memoriam.

NEXT TIME!  I hope to be able to visit the inside of the Castle.  It all felt so Downton-esque if you know what I mean!

Back home in NC – this is going on:

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Working with my new tools!

Some behind-the-scenes cutting with a very special tool available soon! I am working on an exciting project that will also be revealed very very soon! Stay tuned!

There will also be a nap today. I just need to stop and take a nap.

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Quiltville Quote of the Day.

Hold your loved ones extra close, this world is a crazy place, and there is much sadness happening right now. But we who love can shine the light!

Carolina chain quilt from my new book Addicted to Scraps! Pre-orders available for the book, and the Essential Triangle Tool on my website September 1st!

Have a peaceful Sunday, everyone -


Click Here to like our Quiltville Friends Page on Facebook for more fun!


Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Butchart Gardens with Friends!

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Hello, everyone!

I’m home, all luggage accounted for.

Sadie was waiting for me when I walked in the front door, travel weary and ready for bed at nearly midnight, North Carolina time.

I slept the sleep of the dead, only to awaken at after 9am!

I was astounded, but when my brain kicked in I realized that my body was still on Seattle time, so all told, it wasn’t that bad.

Still, this is going out a bit late today because I forced myself to have a leisurely Saturday morning, catching up with my son before he went to work, and then toodling down here to the studio where my desk is to start to make sense of everything that has come in since I’ve been gone.

Today’s post is a leisurely walking tour through Butchart Gardens in Victoria, BC.

And let me tell you, my photos don’t do this place justice.  It has to be experienced first hand!

Friday, July 15, 2016

From Victoria with Love!

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There was a little bit of stash enhancement yesterday during our stop in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada!

It was a crazy last minute idea.

But sometimes those turn out to be the best ones!

Mom, Aunt Gail and Aunt Joy had purchased an excursion called “Taste of Victoria” including a panoramic tour of the city, a stop at Buchart Gardens, and lunch at the Gardens and some other goodies.

Irene and I were unable to sign up because there was a waiting list.

And then we didn’t get called at all because the waiting list was too long.

In the end, it worked out great because I took Kathy and Dale up on their offer of driving us to Buchart themselves!

Those of you who were reading me during my last Alaskan Cruise might remember the time they gave us a ride in their 1954 Caddie Limo!  Read that post HERE.

While we didn’t have a limo this time, we did have a guided tour through parts of Victoria I hadn’t seen before, including a quilt shop!

Thursday, July 14, 2016

Sew Many Friends!

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These quilty people just keep on making life SO much fun!

I think that is the BEST part of what I do, this crazy traveling quilty life.

My journey is so enriched when it crosses the paths of others and our circle grows as we connect with their journeys as well!

And it is such a small small world when we think of it!

These lovely ladies are from Whidbey Island, Washington.  They actually KNOW Irene’s mom because she lives on Whidbey!

I have always wanted to visit Whidbey, and we are plotting and planning to make it happen!

It has been an absolute pleasure to get to know these girls and I look forward to seeing them in the future!

If they are in the midst, you can just bet there will be chuckling and right out peels of laughter!

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Fjords, Fabric & Fun!

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6am and we were already pulling up to the Sawyer glacier at the end of the Tracy Arm Fjord!

When I awoke, I pulled back the window drapes to find chunks of blue ice n a calm silver-aqua sea, made opaque by the glacier run off.

When you reach this far away place, it really makes you think about those who first discovered it.

What in blue blazes were they doing out here in the first place?

Whatever the reason or result, I’m glad they put this wonder on the map.

And I’m grateful that I’ve had a chance to view it not once, but on two separate occasions, this latest one with family by my side.

I made a little video.  If you listen closely you can hear the waterfall, and perhaps even the ice cracking as it floats in the water.  The sound is effervescent!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Beautiful Skagway, AK!



 We docked in Skagway yesterday early enough in the morning that we were able to make a beeline to town and see what there was to see!

Okay, Irene really wanted to make a run to Starbucks, and I was eager to accompany her.  We had both been here before, so unlike first time tourists, we had an agenda.

That agenda included a visit to the knife shop for a couple of really nice ULU knives and bowls (Love the one I got her last time so much that I want one at home as well as the cabin.) and of course, a visit to the local quilt shop, The Rushin’ Tailor!

It wasn’t a surprise that we found a good portion of my 49 students ALREADY with arms full to bursting with the goodies that the Rushin Tailor had to offer. 

Monday, July 11, 2016

Joyful in Juneau!

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We had a noon arrival in Juneau, Alaska yesterday. 

It was a no-workshop day, we were free to spend the time as we wanted all the way up until sit-n-sew free time that began at 8pm!

A whole day to play, explore, discover!

Mom, Joy, Gail, Irene and I enjoyed a beautiful leisurely breakfast at the best table in the Windjammer.  We were right above the ship’s wake and we chatted about the excursions we had planned for the day.

This was the day we were going on a whale watching adventure that also included a salmon cookout for lunch, and a stop at the Mendenhall glacier.

This was an 8 hour bite of Juneau, and it didn’t disappoint!

But we had a few hours to spare before disembarking the ship for our bus to the whale boat…what are we to do?

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Razzle Dazzle Day #1!



Don’t these ladies look like they are having a great time?

WE ARE!

They may look like they’ve been friends for a long time, but in fact they just met, sitting at the same table for our first all day sewing event on our Quiltville Alaskan Cruise Adventure!

On the left is Silva and she is from Southern California.

On the right is Gail, and she hails from Michigan!

The most fun thing for me to watch yesterday was the forming of new friendships.  People I know from one area of the country are meeting people I know from another area of the country, and they are not forming relationships and having a wonderful time. 

This quilty web we weave is a wonderful thing!

Saturday, July 09, 2016

Let’s Set Sail!



 And here we are, boarding the Explorer of the Seas in Seattle, a lovely view of the city from the deck of the ship!

Irene and I had a leisurely morning in Seattle. 

We took a morning walk, found a fun diner for breakfast.  Don’t you just love places that say “Breakfast served all day!”?  There is just something about breakfast out.  I love it!

We even stopped at Ross and Walgreens for some last minute shopping before heading back to the hotel, grabbing our bags and heading out to hail a cab to the docks.

Ross was open at 8am in downtown Seattle!  And I found some good bargains.  That is always fun.

Fighting the crowds boarding the ship, not so much…but we were soon on board, looking for a quiet place to sit and do some stitching while waiting for my mom and my aunts to arrive.

Friday, July 08, 2016

A Seattle Kind of Day!

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This was yesterday’s sun rise as we descended into Atlanta.

Flights that take off at 5:15am should be banned!  Or at least delayed a couple of hours.

Such an early early start to be leaving the house at just before 4am to get to the airport when the check in counters open at 4:30am to board a flight and get started on our journey.

But you know what? The truth of the matter is – we are so excited that I doubt we would have been able to sleep through the whole night anyway.  Like kids on their first trip to Disneyland, we are headed out on a week long Alaskan Cruise Adventure!

Thursday, July 07, 2016

From Greensboro to Seattle to Alaska!

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This was Sadie last night as I was packing my bags getting ready to leave for Seattle, and on to our Quiltville Alaskan Cruise with Craftours!

Yep.

She knows what suitcases mean.

And this look just seems to say “Oh, but Mama!  You just got home a couple of days ago!  Do you HAVE to leave again?!”

Not only that, but I am taking her new best friend Irene with me.

Thanks to Robin, who sent Sadie a post-surgery Lamb Chop present, Sadie will be just fine until I get back.

Hold down the fort, Sister!

We got the results of her biopsy back.  They weren’t good.  They did find cancer cells in the lump tissue.  The margins are not as clear as they’d like them to be, but they THINK we will be good.  We just have to watch her very closely, and it is good that we got her in when we did.

Thank you to everyone who sent notes and messages, and cards in the mail!  You made a difficult time that much less stressful.

Wednesday, July 06, 2016

Antique Quilts from GA to TN!

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Moby needs a bumper sticker that says “I brake for Antique Malls!”

There were a few days on this last long trip through Georgia and into Tennessee that all I needed to do during that day was get from one place to another and be ready to teach the NEXT day.  These in between days gave me ample time to find Antique Malls off the beaten path to wander and ponder.

How do these items end up in an antique mall? 

Who originally owned and used these items? 

Would they be happy that I have loved this item enough to bring it into my home and into my life adding my memories to theirs?

I would like to think so!

When traveling deep down into South Georgia, you can find many quilts that are barely held together by threads.  These quilts I refer to as “Hard times” quilts.  Quilts that were made with whatever scraps were on hand.  Sometimes the workmanship was not the main focus, but color and pattern kept the maker happy while making something WARM for cold winters to come.

Tuesday, July 05, 2016

Quiltmaker Bundle Drawing Time!



I’m home from Georgia and Tennessee and a short little jaunt to the cabin on our way to spend the 4th!

It feels so great to be home, but it’s going to be shortly lived as Thursday morning Irene and I will be heading to Seattle and joining 50 other quilters on our Craftours Alaskan Cruise. 

Also on board: My mom and her two sisters, my Auntie Gail and Auntie Joy! 

The three of them have always wanted to do a “Sister cruise” together, and how fortunate that they decided to come along with ME too!

Those of you also coming along, I look forward to seeing you in just a couple of days!

This evening I REMEMBERED I needed to do this drawing –and I’m anxious to see who the random number generator picks for these two incredible Quiltmaker bundles!

A Happy Abundance of Show & Share Quilts!

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I saved all of the photos of show & share quilts from our lunch breaks during workshops with the 3 Georgia guilds and the one Tennessee guild to post them all together in one big show & share extravaganza for your enjoyment today!

I didn’t realize until I was putting them all up and choosing the music for it just how many there were.

These quilters have done a fabulous amount of work!  What if we counted all of the pieces in all of the quilts, added up the number of quilting hours, and the length of binding from end to end to bind them all?

I am just astounded at how productive quilters are, and the things that we can accomplish just one piece at a time.

There are some projects that are still in progress:

Monday, July 04, 2016

Happy Independence Day, 2016!

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Happy 4th of July, America!

Irene and I arrived home on the mountain to a wagging tail and a panting smiley face!

Sadie was being lead on a walk down the road when we were coming UP the road.  Such a happy girl! 

She is doing so very well, though I admit I cringed a bit when I saw the length of her incision and all of those stitches holding it together.  POOR BABY!

She is not giving it much attention at all, and we settled in with unloading the van, fixing up grilled steaks, potatoes, corn on the cob and salad for dinner….finishing it all off with some quiet hand stitching and a couple episodes of Leverage on TV before calling it a VERY LONG DAY and heading off to bed.

Sunday, July 03, 2016

Bricks in the Barnyard, Oh Sew Fun!

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We had a great day to play with some simple blocks that have SO MUCH BANG to them when we put them together.

I love workshop days like this. There are only a few demos for basic units such as triangles from strings with specialty rulers, doing test units to make sure that seams are falling where they should, and a whole lot of continuous piecing to increase productivity.

And of course loads of visiting and chatting and laughing when there are 41 students all from surrounding states as well as Tennessee –it was a scrap quilting PARTY!

While I made my Bricks in the Barnyard using recycled fabrics, this one works up beautifully in fabrics of all kinds from modern greys and yellows to patriotic shades of red while and blue perfect for the 4th of July holiday to Christmas fabrics that have been saved for years, as well as novelties, batiks, civil war reproductions and everything else under the sun.

The possibilities are truly endless!

Saturday, July 02, 2016

Quiltmaker Row Quilts Giveaway!

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Row quilts are ALL the rage!

Have you been wanting to make one?

ROW QUILTS are the bomb!

A row quilt is a quilt set together in horizontal or vertical rows.

These quilts are easy to design and put together.

They're the perfect project to showcase a variety of block designs, or to try out a number of different block designs to see which types you enjoy making.

Now there is even more inspiration for fabulous row quilts in the new special edition issue of Quiltmaker Magazine just hitting shops and news stands near you.

Take a peek inside and you will find many wonderful row quilts to inspire you within the full color pages of this issue.

Boxy Stars Workshop in Smyrna, TN!

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We gathered in the beautiful town of Smyrna, Tennessee yesterday for a Boxy Stars 1/2 day workshop with the Friendship Quilt Guild and friends from surrounding states!

We were able to use the middle school library as our meeting place, and I think we ALL felt like we were going back in time when we took our places around library tables surrounded by stacks of books, student paraphernalia and artwork still on the walls from the school year just ended.

There was plenty of light for sewing, as there would be for reading and we had a great time stitching up blocks during the 4 hours of class time fun.

My friend Diane is the program person who pulled this together behind the scenes.  I’ve stayed with her before, she is a partner in vintage sewing machine crime!  She is the one that turned me on to hand crank machines and really got me into using my treadles instead of just using them for home decor.

What a slippery slope you have lead me down, Diane!

Friday, July 01, 2016

Registration Time!

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 Happy July everyone!

My Scrap Quilts workshop series with Craft Online University (Craft U for short!) produced by Quiltmaker Magazine & F+W Media was SUCH a success they have asked if I wanted to “Play it Again!”

And I said YES! This course will run again in JULY!
 
The response has been so overwhelmingly positive, and the interaction so great, and I am THRILLED that they are opening registration right now for the course that will run from July18th to August 29th 2016.
 
I’m extremely pleased with how this course turned out, and I’ve packed it full of all of the hints, helps, tips and tricks that I could – things I use in my every day scrappy quilt life.

It’s like being here with me in my own studio!
 
((We had so much fun doing this that I am headed to Golden Colorado again in August to film another workshop series!))
 
In Scrap Quilts with Bonnie Hunter I’ll talk to you one on one about how to best manage your scraps, how to put the Easy Angle Ruler and Companion Angle Ruler to good use, and how to create the blocks featured in my  Addicted to Scraps column-easily, quickly, and oh so scrappily using the fabrics and scraps you already have on hand.
 
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There is a gallery section where you can share your progress and converse with other class mates!
 
You can sew and view at any hour of the day, work it in to your schedule as it fits!
 
If you are busy during this time? No worries!  Simply download the videos to your own computer.  You own them!  FOREVER!  So even after the course has completed, you can go back again and again and again to view the videos as many times are you want because they are YOURS once you download them.
 
I was talking to some students just this week who LOVE this feature because they are on slower internet and streaming isn’t always possible.  Download the sessions to your computer and you can watch them any time you want, even when not connected to the internet.  Save your data plan!
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2016 is a great year to GET SCRAPPY!

I want to share with you some of the experiences of former students, because they say it ALL!
Kristie writes: 
Hey Bonnie!
I have to say thank you once again for your craft online university classes.  I have been working on Clue One and here is what I have found out I can make half square triangles that measure out correctly without adjustments and I think that is the difference in what you taught about line on the fabric when cutting and a seam allowance that is marked perfectly with a guide in place.
Using your yellow machine seam ruler allows me to remove the guide if need be and still re-position perfectly to start again.

The biggest improvement is in how I see neutrals, I really grew in that department and you covered it in several of the classes so it stuck in my brain.  Now that my confidence is up and I am comfortable with accuracy going to leader ender some Joyeaux blocks so I can make a table runner.

I was shying away from triangles because I never was good at them.  I am still struggling with the border or Roll Roll cotton boll but think I will take the units apart re cut a few triangles and try again fresh.
When I sew the units together I nest the seams and that seems fine, but when I open there is not a quarter inch seam allowance to sew the borders to which I think means I cut wrong.  So that is the plan for that one.

Just wanted to tell you that I was hesitant to do what I considered to be a “beginner” level course, I found that going back to basics and unlearning what I thought I knew made the difference in being successful.

Best Wishes,
Kristie J
Linda writes:
Hi Bonnie,
I joined your class at CraftU and I am one of those who had to download everything and watch everything first.  Must be my age!!

I do have the Easy Angle rulers, both sizes, but as I DON'T like math it was a pleasure to learn how to do it and also I am a visual person.  Your teaching/instructions are off the wall and I "get it".
I have been quilting for almost 15 years and watching your videos has opened another world for me.  "Who Says You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks???".
Although I might not see you in Canada I certainly hope to see you in Rochester in 2017 with a few more quilters to bring along.  I also enjoyed taking your cruise "in my dreams" on line.  Perhaps a cruise with you will be in my future.
Thank you Bonnie for all your hard work but remember to stop and smell the roses along the way.  Each day I look forward to your Quiltville emails and I especially like Quilt Cam.
Stay safe and healthy,
Linda R
And there are many many more!  I have loved interacting with my students through the forum on the class website and sharing in the photos they have uploaded of their projects in progress.

You can be a part of this too!



  Come Get Scrappy with Me!
 
The regular retail price of this 6 segment course is $129.00 But I have a special deal for you, perfect for summer!
 
Register now through THIS LINK and enter the code BHSCRAP in the coupon box at checkout when registering.  You will get all 6 workshop segments covering 6 block designs, all of my hints, tips and tricks for $99.00.  That’s just $16.50 per workshop segment.  You just can’t beat that!
 
Remember to use the code to get the discount!

**Note** This is not the NEW series, I won't be filming that until August.  This is the one that started running last November.  If you've already taken it, you already own these videos :)
 
I'll be seeing YOU at Craft U in July!


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Click Here to join our sister group, Quiltville's Open Studio on Facebook, a place to Sew, Share & Grow!!

A Visit to 979 Crescent Ave NE, Atlanta!

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Atlanta traffic is never fun.

I approached the busy city right about noon, and figuring I was going to need lunch, gas, a restroom break and a leg stretch….I set the GPS to take me to 979 Crescent Ave NE, the home of Margaret Mitchell.

I have been a huge fan of Gone with the Wind since I was 14 and in the 8th grade.

To have the opportunity to stand in these very small rooms in a rented apartment where Gone with the Wind came to life was just amazing to me.

Even more wonderful was the opportunity to learn more about the woman behind the novel.

As I was driving these crazy big city freeways and dealing with tall modern buildings, I was really struck by the “Old meets New” within the area.