Battling Atlanta area traffic on any given morning, or evening – okay, I take that back – ANY TIME OF DAY - is a challenge to say the least.
This kind of traffic is NOT for the faint of heart!
Cumming, Georgia is located north of Atlanta on the way toward the north Georgia mountains, but that doesn’t mean it is exempt from snarly traffic.
And it was funny as I walked around the room yesterday how many times “avoiding traffic” came up into the conversation.
But we all made it, got set up, ,and got rolling – leaving the traffic problems outside the windows and spent our day exploring the fun of all things wonky.
I just love this version with blue backgrounds and cheddar stars! And those red cornerstones? POP, baby!
Large room and wall hugging tables -
We go wherever the outlets are!
So much scrappy play going on!
What a delight to spend the day with these ladies!
I got a kick out of Miss Laura on the left – who nearing 90 is quilting up a storm with no signs of stopping. She had her featherweight, her scraps and she dug right in to learn something new.
A lesson for all of us! Sew on, Laura – sew on!
Find the rest of our day’s excitement in the video below. Click to play:
Thanks for the great day, girls!
I was thrilled to spend the day with Diane Knott, also a C&T publishing friend. She is the author of Scrap Quilt Secrets, and also has a new book coming out at the same time as my String Frenzy, called Strip Quilt Secrets. I got a peek at her cover and am so excited to see what is inside.
And this is just a heads up – with all that is going on, I’m not starting pre-orders for String Frenzy yet, but if you are a bit patient, stay tuned and wait – I will be including not just one but TWO free PDF patterns with the purchase of String Frenzy from the Quiltville Store when it is time.
The PDF patterns will come as an instant download to your email – and though I have just finished the quilts, the patterns have to be written before I can put everything in the store for pre-order. If I were to offer pre-order NOW, you wouldn’t get the patterns, see? So just hang tight. Waiting to sign up for pre-order doesn’t make you get the book any later than anyone else. And the free patterns are only available on orders through my store. (More about this another time!)
I was on the road by 3:30 – that traffic thing again! Students started bugging out as early as 2:30pm to make it to where they had to go before the traffic got really snarly, and thanks to the help of those long time residents in the know on how to work around things, we set my GPS first to Jefferson, GA – to avoid being sent down to I-20 and over to Oconee.
From Jefferson I headed on down to Athens via backroads, and finally found my way to Madison where I am spending the next couple of nights.
After checking in I made a bee line downtown to check it out: Click to play:
I sat in the park for the longest time – hooked up to the free park wifi, catching up on my emails and just enjoying being outside.
Beautiful historic Madison, GA!
Love the old post office!
The crowning jewel: The Morgan County Courthouse!
I lingered until darkness fell. I ambled back to the hotel and set into editing photos instead of sewing as it was nearly 9pm by the time I was back to my room.
Today I’m meeting with the Oconee Quilters for a morning guild presentation and another 1/2 day afternoon Wonky Wishes workshop -
Tomorrow is a Star Struck Workshop day, and as soon as it is over I’ll be fighting traffic up through Atlanta again on my way to Snellville for the last stop on this 3 guild tour.
Does anyone know a round about traffic avoiding way to get to Snellville from here?
Quiltville Quote of the Day!
Vintage Dresden Plate quilt found in Bakersfield, CA
There is no adventure in the safe, predictable, and mundanely comfortable.
Be bold and go bigger!
Tackle this Tuesday!
Thanks so much Bonnie!!! I can’t wait to see your new book too. Safe travels to you and I hope our paths cross again soon. Visiting with you yesterday was the best!
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't long enough, Diane!! I hope we get some "real" time to hang out in the future!!
DeleteYour post always brighten my day Bonnie. I wish I had quilty friends around, not a virtual one, I mean. Miss Laura is definitely the star of the day! She's an inspiration. I wish I could give her a hug. Looking forward for the new book!
ReplyDeleteLooks like 83N and 78W looks good though I'm sure you are on the road by now....and....I am sure hoping one of the free pdf patterns with String Frenzy will be that beautiful purple star quilt you just finished ;) !!!! It's a showstopper! I dont know how you can be calm and lecture/teach with the excitement of Quilt Villa retreat now. That would be hard for me to think of anything else, lol.
ReplyDeleteGPS can lead to good and bad traffic. Good advise from the people who know. Cool park. Thanks for the geads-update on pre-orders. Gonna be a fun one to see all the quilts in ot.
ReplyDeleteWhy, oh why, is traffic so awful around Atlanta? It was a few years ago that we traveled through Atlanta and I thought it was the worst traffic ever. Weird.
ReplyDeleteWishing you healthy and safe travels. What a blessing on your new adventure with the retreat house. You earned it, my dear! Blessings.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice bonus you have included with the pre-order! I so enjoyed my two workshops in Napa. My friend also enjoyed her Jamestown workshop in Bakersfield. Congrats on your property purchase!
ReplyDeleteBonnie: Anytime I have been in the Atlanta area, it has been on military business. SO, my transportation was by Hotel bus, or military chauffer. So, can't help you with traffic. It can't be any worse than LA Traffic, or San Francisco Bay area.
ReplyDeleteI love the quote of the day. I was just talking to a NC friend about that today. We have to keep our dreams alive and continue working towards them. I think it keeps us going, keeps us young.
Donna
Kasilof, AK
Where we had sun today, but lots of wind!
Great.
ReplyDeletelooking forward to pre-order!!! just say GO! it's a.m. 5/2... i always get your posts a day late... so i'll probably be customer five thousand before i get the GO... but that's fine... I know I'll be getting mine sooner than later! Congrats about the Inn... your enthusiasm is so contageous... Life is Good i'm so glad you're in mine!!! hugs
ReplyDeleteLoved having you here in Cumming, GA! My 3rd class with you and looks like we'll be making a road trip to you next time we meet! Can't wait to see what great finds you have picked up for your new "home away from home". I'll send pictures of my Wonky Stars Quilt with the dark blues and cheddar stars with red corner stones when finished. It will hang in the quilt show in Dawsonville in October. Deborah
ReplyDeleteYour quote reminded me of this quote by John A. Shedd,
ReplyDelete"A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are built for."
The only way to avoid the traffic is not to go to Snellville! Sorry I couldn't resist!!! XD
Bonnie, the app, WAZE is always a big help with traffic. It helped me to get from SW Houston to NW Houston & vice versa after Hurricane Harvey. I'll admit thinking what? But drove with it and just grinned and thought how cool not to be stuck in traffic...
ReplyDelete