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Friday, January 29, 2016

Hello, Stitchin’ Heaven!

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Do you see this?

Sunshine and blue blue Texas skies!

And most of all --

Temps above 60 and NO SNOW!

And yes, just my favorite traveling quilter’s uniform – a tshirt with a simple denim shirt thrown over the top.

Denim shirts, the all purpose cover up!

Perfect for women of a certain age dying of hot flashes.  Off the shirt goes, then on again, then off again, then on again, lather, rinse, repeat as needed!

No muss, no fuss, no fancy for me.

I told the family they can bury me in my denim shirt, it’s how I am most comfortable!


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Sadie on the way to the airport!

This girl LOVES to go Bye-Bye and it was super cold yesterday morning –no worries, her favorite Spongebob quilt goes where Sadie goes. 

Just look at that face.  She is not happy – yes, Mama is on the road again.  I’ll see you in a week, baby girl!

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MORE hexies!

As I was doing the last of my “get ready” stuff on Wednesday evening, I cut some more neutral hexies to replace the ones that were left on the plane the LAST time Io flew to Dallas over New Years.  I also have to thank Gayle for being such a good friend, she ALSO came to my rescue with cutting a bunch that I can now add in with mine to build my variety back up.

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Even the Millennials come to play!

I am extra happy to say that THIS fill in corner is now DONE!!

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This goes on ONE corner of the Hexagon medallion!

3 more to go.

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It’s going to take a lot for this to grow big enough!

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Big Smith’s BBQ in Sulphur Springs!

We moved from Burley, Idaho to Sulphur Springs, Texas in June of 1999.  It really doesn’t feel like that long ago, and as they say, my how time flies!  But it all comes flooding back the moment you step into Big Smith’s BBQ for this:

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BBQ Beef ribs!  Oh my!

Beef ribs are something I can’t get in North Carolina.  And it is really fun to go to dinner with a quilty group to celebrate my connection with this place from my past…my boys LOVED this place when they were growing up, so of course I was torturing them with photos.  Jealous, aren’t you??  Yummy.

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This is for you, boys!!

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I’ll be HERE for the next FOUR DAYS!

This is the Stitchin’ Heaven retreat bunkhouse!  My 4 days of workshops are being hosted here, out in the beautiful country side in Quitman, Texas where I first stayed as a retreater myself in 2000!

I went back searching through blog archives and look what I found:

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Who is this youing  Bonnie?
I was 36!
And many pounds lighter.  LOL

August 20th, 2000 I AM FINISHED!!! Well, the top is anyway....that's what I love about retreats.

I finished my Dear Jane top while at another retreat in Quitman, Texas!

There is nothing like 3 days away from home and life stress to throw yourself into completing a project!

I finished sewing that last border on the quilt top just minutes before having to pack up and leave!

Hello, Bonnie from my past!  It’s moments like this that I am so grateful that I have journaled my journey in this way!

Today we start with a Talkin’ Turkey workshop – I am so excited to be back in the classroom again. I have missed teaching, but also so happy to have been home for my birthday and enjoy time with my family.

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Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Have you ever noticed how successful people are resented or even cut down by those around them because they are standing too tall above their peers? We see it in the media all of the time.  Someone works hard, is extra talented or genuinely successful, and people start pecking at them, digging for some scrap of dirt to be used against them and there by “cut them down to size.”

This is a phenomenon known as "Tall Poppy Syndrome." If you witness this, know that you need to stand tall over the rest - as tall as you can - no matter how much the world tries to bring you down.

It's the only way to really enjoy the sunshine you worked so hard for!

When you witness this happening to others, stand up for them! Dare to be a tall poppy!

Antique applique poppy quilt found in Pennsylvania.

In other news –registration is still open for my 6 week Online course – Scrap Quilting with Bonnie Hunter!  I wrote more about it and linked to all the significant bits in yesterday’s Quiltmaker Magazine giveaway post HERE.  So if you missed that giveaway, you can go enter, read about the workshop, and sign up for that too!  Drawing will be happening on Monday evening.

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Are you coming??

While I’m sorry to say that my workshops all sold out within minutes for the upcoming Needle Arts Seminar at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, there are STILL some slots available at our Quilting Cocoon happening in Naperville, Illinois in April! This is happening the 4 days before the big quilt show happens in Chicago, so you can come take our workshops and stay for the show!

Click the Quilting Cocoon tab at the top of the blog for more info.  I would love to see you there!

And if you are local, or didn’t want to stay at the hotel with us, you can still attend at a discount!  Check it out, and register.  It’s going to be a blast!

Much love from Texas,


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!!

23 comments:

  1. I've had very good luck with the list and found system for United Airlines. I've used their on-line report system twice and both times they've returned my item to me. You might check to see if the Airline in which you lost your hexes can help you recover them.

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  2. So fun to get a closeup of your neutral hexies. I love the one with the little birdhouses. And thanks for the words of wisdom each day. I'm taking them to heart. Have fun in Texas!

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  3. My denim shirt will be 15 this year, Yes it has a few holes, paint smudges and thread bare parts, but it is so soft and cozy, I'll keep wearing it until it disintegrates. Enjoyed seeing your picture from "the past". Each time I glimpse the Dear Jane quilt behind your Long Arm I try to see/imagine it as a whole, now I can.

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  4. Have a great time in TX. Standing at 5'9", I'm a Tall Poppy literally and physically too! LOL!

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  5. Oh! I LOVE Burley ID~ home of "The Gathering Place!"~ one of the nicest quilt shops I've been in! We stop there every year when we drive from Phoenix to Boise to visit our son and his family! Have fun in Texas!

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  6. Some of my quilt friends make two trips yearly. One to the 1890 House in Cedar Hill, Texas and one to The Compass Centre in Mt. Calm, Texas. Each trip includes a quilt shop stop at Stitchin Heaven and Needleworks in the adjoining building. Love both of these shops and the friendly staff. Have fun and post lots of pictures.

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  7. I had to laugh when you said you wanted to be buried in your denim shirt. My MIL has always said she wants to be buried in her nightgown, slippers, and NO bra!

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  8. Great Throwback picture. I didn't know you then. You've come a long way baby! I would come to the Coocoon, but I already have my Midnight Flight quilt made. You're teaching the Plano New Year Mystery for Alaska, right? Still trying to convince DH to take me. It's really tempting.

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  9. Great Throwback picture. I didn't know you then. You've come a long way baby! I would come to the Coocoon, but I already have my Midnight Flight quilt made. You're teaching the Plano New Year Mystery for Alaska, right? Still trying to convince DH to take me. It's really tempting.

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  10. Very jealous (but in a good way) feeling now. Beef ribs and Stitchin Heaven, with sunny warm weather, how wonderful! I've never been to SH, but I've been a customer for awhile now, doing several of their BOMs. Love their stuff and especially the great customer service. I'm taking your 6week course at Craft U and just starting my homework. Lots of wishes for everyone there to have a great class in Texas! Cynthia from cold and wet Northern CA.

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  11. The other nice thing about denim shirts is that they shed threads quicker than knits. I find the threads just work their way into sweatshirts and sweaters but come right off of denim.

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  12. Anonymous1:36 PM EST

    My denim shirt just turned 28 year old. I know that because I have been married 28 years and my husband bought it for me. The great thing about it is it still fits after all these years.

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  13. Love my denim shirt. Has some pretty machine embroidery along the top front. Most comfy shirt ever

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  14. I will be joining you at the Cocoon in April. Close enough for me to drive, so I can also bring my Grand Illusion and Garden Party (Las Vegas) to share. Looking forward to seeing you again. Love the inspiration you always provide.

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  15. OH BONNIE GIRL -- I am headed your way to dig-nap Sadie. Such a sweet face and endearing eyes. Better get home quick :)

    Smilies
    JulieinTN

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  16. My five-year old grandson, Henry, saw the picture of Sadie looking so very sad
    and said he would babysit Sadie while you are gone! How sweet!

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  17. Poppies!
    My experience (garden to prove it) is that those small poppies hide between the weeds and make you surprisingly happy too!
    Hope you'll have a lovely retreat/dip into the pool of friendship ;^}

    Love from a windy Witmarsum,
    Irene

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  18. Welcome back to Texas! Seems even if folks aren't from here, they want to go straight for the BBQ! Me, I head for the Tex-Mex when I get back in town, since it's not good anywhere but here. Howdy from Houston!

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  19. Anonymous4:56 AM EST

    Thanks for fixing the pinterest "pin" on your wise words! Those ribs look down right scrumptious!! (drool, drool). Have fun and safe travels.

    Kathy D

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  20. Sew glad you are back in Texas again! Your throwback is great!! Didn't realize you'd been blogging that long. I know it started with your friend Tanya to keep in touch and grew from there. Great quote from Soren Kierkgaard (Danish Philosopher) "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Have a great day out in the country with those fun gals!! Hugs, Allison in Plano, Texas USA

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  21. If you are sever in waynesville or dillsboro North Carolina, get the brisket (or anything! Beef ribs included) at Haywood smokehouse.

    Yes, I've noticed this... All of my life.
    And,
    I'm glad trump is a poppy. :)

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  22. I am amazed how much color you use in your neutral fabrics and it still looks off white. I would choose one background fabric or white on white type things. I am inspired and think my upcoming paper piecing project is going to stretch me to do more like yours. Thanks. Can't wait til our cruise to Alaska!

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  23. It seems that so many people just can't play nice with others! I don't get it - in my opinion, it's a lot easier to just be nice! Looks like you are having a great time in TX - I've never been there, but we will be vending at the Dallas Quilt Show next month (next month...YIKES!!!!!).

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