On Wings to Washington!

Flying over snow capped mountains is always a “stop, pay attention, and reflect” kind of thing.

The magnificence of this world we live in – the vastness. 

It’s times like this when I realize what a small little speck of dust I am on the face of this planet, and in its history.

And I am grateful for the opportunity to witness such beauty.

It is at this point that the captain comes on the overhead announcing “Ladies & gentlemen, we have started our descent into the Seattle area – flight attendants, please make the cabin ready for our arrival….”

We are almost there!

I quickly packaged up what remains of my hexie project – 1 1/2 rosettes is all that remains until border #4 is complete and ready to attach to the mothership – another spot on the timeline of my life.
Click to play:

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on May 7, 2018 at 1:40pm PDT

It was a rush of getting bags – Dianna was there to meet me at baggage claim and when we were at the curb, we texted Patsy who was waiting in the cell phone lot to swing by and get us.

What did I want to do?  Was I hungry? (not really – I try to get onto local time and habits as quickly as possible) Was there anything I wanted to see?  Oh yes – everything!  And off we went.

Downtown Seattle Drive-by!

The camera image is greatly zoomed in at this point, but it was still a miracle photo as we were driving pretty fast as I was snapping away.

What a gorgeous day!  Let’s make the most of it!

Down along the shore.

Over to see the pier!

I love the smell of the salty briny air – and the sunshine felt so wonderful!

Check this out for an optical illusion:

Ferry over the wall.

Doesn’t the water the ferry is on look higher than the water in the forefront?  It’s no different!  I was just boggled – so interesting!

Dianna and I caught in the act of selfie-taking.

The afternoon was still ours.  It was a couple of hours before dinner time yet, and we hatched a plan…..Antique mall time!

Hello, Gorgeous!

Improved Eldredge Rotary.

Gorgeous cabinet, but parlor cabinets are not my favorite – I am too tall to stitch comfortably within their boxy bodies.  However, the couple that I do have will be finding new residence at Quiltville Inn!

The quilts were plenty, and this top was giant!

I LOVE THIS!

Oh the simplicity!

We spread it out on the floor and sat for the longest time examining all of the fabrics which date through the 1920s and 1930s.  The muslin background is quite rough – likely flour sacking.  There are some gathers and easing to make it all work – the blocks were pieced by hand, as are the sashing – many pieces joined together to achieve the right length in places.

I love how the “dark” squares are the 4 side ones, leaving the lights in the corners…and all the while my mind is screaming LEADER & ENDER PROJECT!  I’ve already got a different plan in the works for this year, but maybe next year we can go back to simplicity and do something like this?  I love it!  (And I would so quilt this with Baptist fans if given half a chance.)

Check out the appliqued flower pots!

And notice that bias tape border!  The bias tape was stitched down by machine close to the two sides.  The curves are free form, not meant to be even.  The pots were all appliqued by hand.  FUN!

Sweet 1930s  bonnet girls!

Check out the embroidery detail.  SO CUTE!

Winding Ways in Pink & White.

Such a great mirror image design of circles.

Positive/negative in all of its splendor.

But this one….It’s hard to see the embroidery, but -

How cute is this?

Turkey gobbler!

Electric trolley!

The embroidery was finely done, and this quilt was loved to death over its life.  Who was this quilt made for?  What was the story behind each and every square?  There are dogs, and birds, chickens, flowers, fruit, and more than one reference to Daisy:

Daisy: 1921

Daisies peep from every field.

There are squirrels and a donkey, a couple of Sunbonnet Sue figures either doing laundry (Monday) or doing housework (Tuesday)  and so many other things.

I snatched this one up and purchased it for $40.00.  it was too precious to leave behind.  I slept with it last night.

Perhaps it will find its place draped over the yellow gingham chair I picked up in Lavonia on Saturday?

This quilt was lovingly made and loved threadbare by Daisy.  And now by me.

This wouldn’t fit my luggage!

But I want it!

Dinner at the Taco Truck!

When in doubt, follow the locals to the best eateries - in this case, the taco truck! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we enjoyed eating outside at picnic tables and sharing much conversation!

So happy to be here – today is a day to play as well, (And adjust the body clock to Pacific time) until lecture time this evening!

There is supposed to be a ferry ride happening – but I woke up this morning to rain.  We’ll see how that goes.  If the rain doesn’t go away, there are also more antique shops, lunch out and a couple of fun quilt shops in near by Snohomish!

For those who follow my other social media either via Facebook or Instagram, you may have seen my Quiltville Inn kitchen sneak peek.  For those who follow me here, click to play:

A post shared by Bonnie K Hunter (@quiltville_bonnie) on May 7, 2018 at 7:59am PDT

Like any home, the heart of Quiltville Inn is the kitchen! The first time I walked into this kitchen it spoke to me.

From the old style farmhouse sink to the gas range and the double sets of doors that open to the huge wrap around porch and the flowing creek beyond, I knew this was a place where Quilters would love to start their day, grabbing a cup of coffee or tea and taking it out to the porch to say hello to the morning in preparation for a long quilting day ahead!

Incoming questions have had me laughing daily. 

There have been requests to offer “organic vegan fare” as well as people letting me know that they can’t have onion or garlic, no dairy, no eggs, gluten free, paleo, low carb, kosher, whatever their dietary need is way way way ahead of time.

I know how it goes.  Things are not like they were 50 years ago where we would all eat the same thing.

And it is because of this that we are planning to offer up this beautiful kitchen for YOUR USE.  Meals will be prepared by YOU, so you can take care of your specialty needs.

You will be able to coordinate meal prep with your group so you can have it the way you want and need it.

As to the person who emailed and said “I hope you don’t have cats, I am deathly allergic – “ Well, I do have a cat.  She won’t be at retreat, but I can’t guarantee that I or any other retreaters haven’t held a cat that day, giving it a fond farewell hug before heading off to retreat.  I can’t guarantee that someone’s clothing (or fabric) doesn’t have cat hair or that the quilt they brought with them doesn’t have residual cat love on it.

If you are deathly allergic, maybe you should find another venue. Or bring your epi-pen.

I was asked if I am putting in an elevator.  NO.  This is a historic home built in 1884.  I can’t afford an elevator, nor do I want to change the house to accommodate one.

Please understand that I love my handicapped readers.  I am not able at this time to make this house accessible to all due to the historic nature of this home and the strong desire to preserve it in its original state.

All 5 bedrooms are accessed by 2 staircases. You must be able to do stairs to get to the bedrooms.  I have no plan to build another bedroom off the house on the main level.  

Again, historic home with long time ties to this community.  

For those who can’t do stairs, I’m sorry, but I will be unable to accommodate you. For those who live local, I may try to work out an arrangement where you “day camp” with us, but return home to sleep in your own bed at night. I will have a ramp up from the ground to the back porch door (2 steps high) for wheeling in machines, etc.

I will not have "couples" rooms for your hubby to come stay with you.  There is no "man cave" for them to spend their time while the quilters sew. 

There are no motor home hook-ups nor do I plan to install any.

There will be no accommodations for children, and no pets allowed.

For the person looking for the nearest dialysis center - we are 25 Blue Ridge mountain miles from Jefferson, North Carolina.  I don't know if they have a center or not.

Please understand that this purchase has already strapped me  - it will be worth it, but in the mean time there will be no income from retreaters to help with the mortgage and bathroom remodels and work room remodels and furniture purchases and everything that has to happen before I can even accept guests.

So these crazy requests are just way too soon, and way beyond what I am capable of handling.

I am overwhelmed with requests even for bookings.  And at this point we are not booking as we don’t have a hard and fast opening date due to the things I mentioned above.

The best way to be “in the know” is to sign up for my newsletter, and to watch this blog.

It is likely that our first year will be booked by lottery system.  I will be booking groups of 16.  So gather your peeps, and be waiting!

The nearest airports to Mouth of Wilson, Virginia are Charlotte NC, Greensboro NC, and Roanoke VA - all 2 to 3 hours away.  There is no shuttle.  Uber doesn't come here. You will need to rent a car.  Or a van, and bring your whole group.

And with that, I’m off to breakfast!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Winding Ways quilt found in Edmonds, Washington.

One thing I must always remember when things feel out of control!

Happy Tuesday, folks!