Laffin it up in Lafayette!

Don't you love this shirt slogan? One of the quilters came walking in with this and it just cracked me up! It is the story of my life -- I couldn't resist taking a picture, but how do you ask some one "Do you mind standing still so I can get a picture of your chest?" I did it anyway!

Yesterday’s Texas Braid Workshop in Lafayette was just a ball! I love the regional differences of teaching in different areas. I learned such things today as “There is a huge difference between Northern Louisiana and Southern Louisiana, it’s like a different country.” Really? I never knew this before, but when I asked where the dividing line was, several ladies popped up at the same time to chime “ALEXANDRIA!!” I just NEVER knew! I guess it is akin to South Carolina thinking that North Carolina is too far north, and not really considered SOUTH at all It was all in good fun, and no one from Alexandria was around to defend themselves…

And there was a FIRST for me….

This, my friends, is a Louisiana Oyster Po’ Boy! I’d never had one before! And..it was REALLY good. So good in fact, that I told myself that it was good I only ordered the half size, because had the full size showed up, I would have eaten every bit of it too!

One of the fun things for me in teaching classes is to get to see the nifty items that quilters bring to haul their stuff around. I want you to get a look at this adorable featherweight case cover!

Featherweight case cover, 1-26-2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

This was just the cutest thing! Supposedly the pattern was in a 2010 issue of Quilters Home magazine. I stopped getting the magazine after Mark Lipinski wasn’t writing for them anymore, so I missed this issue. I just thought it was so CUTE and would protect the vintage case inside. I could see it loaded with pockets on the sides to also help carry notions, etc….and if I were to make it, I can see adding a heavy duty handle or shoulder strap. Those featherweight case handles can break off on old cases, and I’d rather not be swinging my machine around by that handle if I was still hauling it around in the case.

My preferred method of featherweight hauling is in a soft sided cooler! And look what I found wandering around the Walmart near my hotel in Baton Rouge:

LSU stuff VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

See that purple cooler on the far right?! Yep..that would fit a featherweight, and show your team spirit! I love being places where school team spirit is really strong, and I believe everyone out here bleeds purple and gold

Some other fun things from class today:

One of the gals had this ADORABLE folksy purse that she had rug-hooked! There is a horse, a tiger, a rooster, a bunny, a deer, a cat and a dog! I WANT ONE OF THESE!! But I don’t think I want it bad enough to start a new hobby that would also require me to have a whole ‘nuther stash to make it Isn’t it great?

Here are the pics from today, even though it is a repeat of the braid class I taught just a few days ago, I can’t resist posting more --- the ladies were So enthusiastic and we had such a super time sewing!

		Texas Braid Workshop, 1-26-2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

After yesterday’s workshop I was driven to Baton Rouge, thanks to my chauffer Charlene and her granddaughter! I’m so glad they are taking care of my transport from place to place. I just sat in the front seat and sewed hexagons, looked out at the scenery ((Today was filled with sunshine and blue skies!)) and enjoyed the music on the radio.

Today I am meeting with the River City Quilters of Baton Rouge, for a Cathedral Stars Workshop, and an evening lecture/trunkshow! Tomorrow will be filled with a Pineapple Blossom workshop, two of my favorites to teach. Time is flying fast, and I’m counting the days until I can be home again ---