Sunday workshops are often an afternoon affair – especially when using a church fellowship hall for classroom space.
And it’s understandable! And even desirable because it gives me a quiet morning to myself before the hubbub of the afternoon sets in.
In this case, I had plenty of time to head on over to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for a long morning wander, and it was the perfect way to recharge my batteries for what was to be workshop day number 4 of 7 on this whirlwind trip to Alabama.
My half day sessions are 4 hours, not 3. 3 is just NOT enough time to even get thread on yourself, so we work for 4 hours, snacks at our own stations and pass on a lunch break. And believe it or not, you can get quite a bit done in a 4 hour workshop as compared to a 6 hour full day with lunch break.
We may be shorter on time, but not on productivity!
Carolina Chain blocks – just like potato chips!
You can’t make just one!
Workshops are more about technique and skill building, and less about the quilt itself – and we had students learning to think of assembly in an inside-out manner that allowed these asymmetrical blocks to be chain pieced from the middle row out. It takes some thinking, but pretty soon they caught on, piecing was continuous and we were having fun mixing and matching and watching these cute little blocks come together.
STACKS!
In so many different color ways!
Great fabrics!
Everyone is oh, so busy!
I loved making this quilt for many reasons – for the stories that the fabrics brought back to memory, for the fact that each block quarter only takes small amounts of fabric for total scrap clean out – for the riotous colors and crazy combos you can play with.
You’ll find the rest of our workshop day in the slide show below:
Wasn’t that fun?
The pattern for Carolina Chain is found in the Addicted to Scraps book.
Thanks for all of the fun, ladies!
I made a little video clip of what I saw at the Botanical Gardens – there will be a better video coming later, but this will give you an idea of what a beautiful morning it was:
BLISS!
I’m off this morning for a guild presentation to the Birmingham Quilters at their location across town. likely to be battling traffic all the way so we are getting an early start.
This afternoon is our time to play! I am hoping to see some of the historical areas and must-see touristy bits around town. Maybe some antiquing! And definitely good food.
Tonight we’ll be drawing for our Quiltmaker Bundle winner! Did you enter to win ON THAT PAGE?!
Quiltville Quote of the Day!
Sometimes you don't feel the weight of something you've been carrying until you feel the weight of its release.
Smith Mountain morning quilt found in my book Scraps & Shirttails II.
Have a great Monday, everyone!
You pan of the gardens is wonderful.... looking forward to what ever you show next. Spring is the time of year to do gardens....
ReplyDeletenot sure why it was six screens of mountains to verify. Usually when the process is more than one step I don't bother with a comment. Remember not all eyes see things as you do.... or the program does.
This is one of my favorite of your patterns, and I am so glad you all had a blast making it!!!
ReplyDeletePerfect quote for today, Bonnie! I have been cutting out my Carolina Chain quilt as I cut up my scraps using your scrap management system, the blocks will be my next leaders and enders. Loved seeing all of the amazing color combinations in your class.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your workshop adventures!
Your workshops have to be such a fun time. Maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteThank You, Bonnie!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you got time to visit the Botanical Gardens. I love to visit them in different cities, countries. They are so peaceful, relaxing and tranquil. I Love communing with Nature, and I hoped it helped recharge your batteries.
Donna
Kasilof, AK