Gratitude from Home!

My heart is full this morning.

Last evening a text finally came through from my aunt Joy that she had heard from uncle Tony and aunt Gail in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

We’d been worried about them for days because there is just no communication. 

They had chosen to stay in Puerto Rico during hurricane Maria because Tony’s elderly parents and his aunts and other family were all there as well.  Family is family.

They made a call through a ham radio operator in North Carolina patched to Joy's cell phone in Minnesota. They are both fine, as are his parents and other relatives. They think they have enough food and water stored.

No electricity, no running water, no cell service. They will let us know when they're back in the states.

This beautiful ((??)) Iguana photo was taken by Gail just days before the storm hit.

Read More»

A Bit of Boca Show & Share!

If you want something done, give it to the Boca Raton quilters!

These wonderful folks are busy with challenges, mysteries and heart-felt giving to organizations like Quilts of Valor and more.

I had such a great time seeing the quilts that they had brought to share at the monthly Gold Coast Quilters guild meeting – I was SURROUNDED by beautiful Smoky Mountain Stars tops and quilts, all from a recent guild 3 part mystery!

I can honestly say that I have never seen so many Smoky Mountain Stars (From the free patterns tab!) quilts in ONE ROOM!

I arrived home yesterday afternoon, and as I go through these photos this morning to make them ready, I am already missing these wonderful ladies who treated me like royalty and showed me the best time.

Read More»

It’s September Quilty Box Drawing Time!

Hello, Hello, Hello, Hello!

I am happily at home, suitcases unpacked, puttering has commenced!

I’m home until October 9th – and I’m ready for a couple of quilty weeks ahead!

Let’s kick off my at-home time by drawing for this month’s Quilty Box winner, shall we?

Did you get a good look at the goodies in this sweet box?

Oh my goodness!

Read More»

Roll, Roll Here. Roll, Roll There. Roll, Roll Everywhere!

Gold Coast Quilters-  You were an absolute joy to spend 4 days with!

Our time flew by so quickly, I can hardly believe that it is Saturday already and time to head on  home.

I am so grateful that things here in Boca Raton were stable enough that our visit could go on as planned.  I know it was a close call.  The hotel didn’t open up until the day before I arrived.  It was iffy whether the Community Center where our workshops and lecture were held would be open as well.

There are so many trucks and service personnel working around the city daily – removing downed trees and limbs, uprooted bushes and other vegetation.  Fixing sidewalks that were overturned when trees came up, root ball and all – their evidence is everywhere.

What’s even better is seeing all of the different states represented on the truck logos and license plates of working vehicles as you drive by.

Florida, you are so loved and in such good hands!

Read More»

Discover Boca!

This is the beautiful view from the balcony walk-way outside of my room on the 3rd floor of the Boca Plaza.

I am so happy to see that there are more trees left standing than had fallen in last week’s Hurricane Irma.

Still keenly aware of what nature’s unpredictability can do, I’ve been keeping my eyes on these clouds to see what they will bring, and of course we are all still watching the path of Hurricane Maria, making sure she stays far far away from the recovering Florida coastline.

Still no word from Uncle Tony and Aunt Gail in Puerto Rico.  Power could be out for days, and that goes for cell service too.

Yesterday was a “FREE” day for me – and we filled it full!

Read More»

A Jamestown Landing Day to Play!

What a fun and lively group we had yesterday for our Jamestown Landing workshop from String Fling!

Our time flew by so quickly, and we really did make the most of it.

Several quilters had never tried string piecing before, and I think we’ve got them hooked!

The neutral strings in both of our workshop days while here with the Gold Coast Quilters in Boca Raton play such an integral role in the quilts!  We are learning to combine a variety of neutrals into a pleasing whole that adds so much more texture to the quilt than one big piece of yardage could never accomplish. 

We are looking at things a bit differently and sewing with reckless abandon! 

My favorite part?  The swapping and sharing going on.  The best!

Read More»

Sharing Some Boca Love!

Florida is still standing!

My flights were on time, uneventful and all luggage was not only accounted for, but arrived first off the belt.

Things are looking up!

And while Texans may be Texas Tough in the face of hurricane aftermath, Floridians stand Florida Fabulous and pull out all the stops to get back on track.

I wasn’t sure what I was going to see when I arrived.  My hotel, after all had just re-opened on Monday and here I was flying in on Tuesday.  But all systems are go in this area and getting better every day, one step at a time.

And when the going gets tough, the quilters get quilting and that is what we are here to do!

Read More»

September Quilty Box Gift-Away!

Good morning!  Things are hustling and bustling in Wallburg NC this morning as I load the trunk show bags and my suitcase and all else in the van for my ride to the airport.

I’m on my way to FLORIDA!  I’ve been home for more than a month this go round, and that’s the longest time home I can remember in many years other than Decembers – it feels good to get back in the saddle and go have some fun with some quilty folks.

I thought this morning would be the best time to put up a Quilty Box for grabs!

And you are going to love what is in the September box.

Here are some highlights to keep in mind:

Read More»

Quilt-Cam Sunday! 9/17/2017

Yesterday was a Quilt-Cam Sunday from the basement studio at Quiltville!

I’m not sure how long it has been since we were able to do a Sunday afternoon sew-in together, but this was most needed and so much fun.  I loved that those in Europe were able to join in as it wasn’t the usual middle-of-the-night occurrence in their time zone.

This may have meant that those Down Under missed it, but that’s what re-runs are for!

Isn’t this photo adorable!  This is in from Home Ec with Mel!

She writes:

Read More»