Rest and Restore, They Said!

Have I introduced you to my nap patrol?

They set a good example several times a day reminding me to get that leg elevated and "Take a Load Off!"

While Zoey loves to wiggle her way up into the pillows, Mabel prefers to be at the foot of the bed - SIDEWAYS.

I honestly don't know how I would have survived all of this without them.

And now that I am getting around better, it's wonderful to see their excited faces when I come through the door after welcoming new arrivals to Quiltville Inn!

The Naughty Room Quilters of Illinois are in the house, and we have a great week planned ahead!

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Out at Grace Haven Farm!

Over the weekend I took a little 2 hour getaway -

I was kidnapped by friend Martha to Grace Haven Farm just a few miles up the road, known for their rows and rows and rows of beautiful flowers and more.

How often do we put little things on the way back burner because we think "Oh, some day, but not today?"

With the running of the inn, I've done that a lot over the past 3 retreat seasons, cramming everything I need to do or want to do for myself into the one day in-between a group leaving and the next one arriving.

Somehow Martha knew I needed some sunshine for my soul - so off we went.  The retreaters could handle themselves for just a couple of hours!

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TaDa Quilters & TaDa Moments!

This was Saturday evening - and oh, what a fun day Saturday was!

So much happened over the weekend (And then there was the PDF pattern release and gift-Away for Crazie Mazie YESTERDAY) that it will take me another couple of days to post it all!

The weather had been phenomenally cool - and I am so happy that quilters were able to get out and do either road hikes or take my park pass up to the park to see the ponies without me.

And the Hubster's plan to shoot in an archery tournament on Saturday freed me up to invite myself to dinner on the porch, and some early evening photo ops with the sun filtered behind the clouds - 

The quilts and ladies photographed so well!

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Crazie Mazie PDF Pattern Gift-Away!

Happy Mid-August, Quiltvillians!

It's finally time - Crazie Mazie PDF Pattern release time, that is!

If you have followed along with me even part of the 17 years this blog has been active, you will know of my unabashed and never ending love of string quilts and all of the wonderful things you can do with small scraps many folks find too small to bother with.

I say - bring it on!  There are so many wonderful ways to stitch up your strings into beautiful one-of-a-kind creations.

And what better way to kick off some Crazie Mazie fun than with a pattern and fabric roll gift-away!

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What's Sewing On?

Hello, weekend!

Why is it that some weeks fly by in an instant, and others feel like they've lasted a month?

I swear the best medicine is the gift of being able to hang out with like-minded, like-aged makers who are all going through the same thing.

Forget needing a 12-step program or support group - I've got it daily, with a different group each week just for the variety of it all.

These are all things I never even considered when figuring out if we could really make having a retreat facility work.

There are so many side bonuses that I never considered!

And through it all, I get to sneak next door from time to time and lose myself in my own projects with Lola keeping me company and letting me know whether she likes this fabric combo, or that one, or an immediately no on the other option.

Doesn't she look like she has the wisdom of the world in her eyes? LOL

Either that, or she is giving the entire world the stink-eye.  I get it!

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Embracing Some Shirt Plaid Love!

I spent some time at the cutting table yesterday afternoon!

These simple sawtooth star blocks have been calling my name since last week when they were re-discovered hanging out in a basket nested under another basket full of scraps.

You know how it goes! I'm sure you do!

After the August Quiltvillians headed out with their shirt hauls after shopping my creepy cellar shirt stash last week, all I can think about is getting back to these.

Now that there are six sets cut and ready to go, I am hoping I can spend some time at the machine later today while the TaDa girls head out to Wytheville for some quilt shop stash enhancement.

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