In the Binding Zone!

This is large quilt binding job number 3 over the last two cabin visits during April.

I’m about utterly BOUND OUT.

Seriously.

And every time I get this way, with the last finish in sight – I tell myself “The next quilt will be smaller.”

And it never is.

I can turn a lap quilt to 80” X 80” in nothing flat – it’s just me.  The quilt needs THAT MANY block repeats for the pattern to look right, and small quilts and I have never had a long-lasting relationship.

I do have some small wall hangings, and I love looking at small quilts that other people make, and I think….I could get a whole lot more done if things were place mat sized!

As of yet…it hasn’t happened.

No, this is likely heading to bed sized status as well!

I may be just as addicted to these Diamond Tile blocks as I am to wasabi peas! (Yes, I love those little horse-radishy devils!)

I spent some time yesterday kitting up another set of blocks that will be traveling to Georgia with me on Sunday.  It’s going to be a cram packed week with 3 guilds in the mix – there are some “one night stands” involved  - One guild was squeezed in with just one workshop day, no lecture – so I arrive Sunday night, teach Monday, and Monday afternoon I’ve a long drive to the next location.

I’m not sure how much sewing I’ll get done, but I love driving trips through Georgia in the spring!

Virginia Highland Splendor!

With no one behind me on this quietly empty and winding road, I parked the van and took this photo.  More green.  “Brigadoon” fog and cloud cover.  More ridges in the distance. Breathtaking.

When necessity arises, a short 2 mile drive from the cabin (that takes longer than you would think over winding mountain roads with incredible long range views) will take me to Grayson Highlands General Store.

It's like stepping back in to Walton's mountain, but it has all of the necessities one would need including a full Amish style deli, homemade breads, jellies, jams, pickles and fresh items like milk, eggs, butter, cheese and yesterday's big need - fresh carrots for last night’s chicken vegetable soup.

In talking to Dennis, the owner - I learned that the outdoor Sunday afternoon Bluegrass on Wilson Creek behind the store begins May 20th at 2:00 p.m. Food and adult beverages available.

During the summer months, there is yoga on Saturday and Sunday mornings also along the creek in the backyard of the store.

Dennis is also full of information as far as who has what equipment for rent, who does contracting, who can do electrical or plumbing – Going to the general store is just like going to the old mill or post office back in the day.  All of the gossip and info swapping happens here.

“How’s that long drive way of yours holding up after the snow and rain?” he asks.  I replied that things were “Just fine, but it will need grading at some point.”  

"Well just let me know and I’ll put you in touch with someone who does a good job.”  Perfect.  Just perfect.

This is my kind of local social media!

I love this small mountain community more and more every time I come up here. One of these days, I will come up here and never leave.

Going brainless.

Small bin of cut-off triangles, larger bin of strings and crumbs. 

I didn’t want to stitch up the Diamond Tile blocks I’ve just kitted up – those are for busy travel (I’ll be flying to Seattle right after returning home from Georgia) and I dug in late yesterday afternoon back to some easy small string blocks.

Just a handful.  But so cute!

Other “must do” projects pre-empted my current string block project, but this is just what I needed to do.  No matching of points.  No intricate cutting.  Just sew and go.

I’ll likely be back here today.  I’d love to get in a long walk with Sadie but more rain is expected so we’ll see how that goes.  I know April is for April showers, but I’m getting just a bit of cabin fever with the muddiness of this rainy spell!

Quiltville Quote of the Day.

Vintage quilt found in Bakersfield, California last week.

Telling myself not to create more mountains than I can handle right now!

Some behind the scenes timelines are having to be readjusted, causing a ripple effect and much inconvenience.  But there isn’t anything I can do about it right now – and getting all upset is going to put an emotional mountain right in my path.

I’m breathing in, breathing out and telling myself to just “GO WITH THE FLOW.”

It will all come out right in the end, and I can’t wait to share with you just what all this is about – in due time!