Box Kite Day in Slidell, LA!

Oodles of scraps!

SO much color and variety!

Our last day to play in Slidell, LA!

It’s always funny how things change day by day -

Day 1 – everyone is eager and waiting outside the venue for doors to open – LET’S GET SEWING!

Day 2 – folks are on time, but the noise levels are a bit more subdued and folks aren’t sewing at break-neck speeds, just enjoying the day and getting it done.

Day 3- folks will wander in with just enough time to get into their seats before class starts.

Day 4 – Are we even in the right classroom??  Where did I leave my purse?  Does anyone really know or care what time it is? LOL!

Getting down to business – let’s do this thing!

Cutting triangles from strips with my Essential Triangle Tool!

Sewing strips in chains and making block kits!

We called this area the “Pressing Garage!”

Oh, Say Can You See……

Of course we can have Mardi Gras next to Strawberry Shortcake!

It’s Louisiana, after all!

Great job, Cindy!  These are sweet!

Now we’re cookin’ with gas!

And when you start throwing border units in – POW!

All of our lucky Signature 60wt 3-ply thread winners!

Happy students with fabulous Signature 60 3-ply door prize gift boxes thanks to the fine folks at A & E Gütermann thread! Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful product for my students to enjoy!

Long Lunchtime Walk -

Gudrun Erla and I hoofed it back to The Burning Tiger, just under a mile away from our quilting venue for a last round of lunch on the porch, and a bit of exercise just gettimg there and back.  If you want to increase your activity, just hang around someone 10 years younger than you.  We have had a blast having extra time together and I’ll see her again in June when I’m up in Minnesota for the Minnesota Quilt Show.  Can’t wait!

For the rest of our day’s activities, Click to Play:

How do the instructors feel after 4 cram packed days of Quilty Activity?

ZOMBIE QUILTERS!

After the students are gone, quilts are packed, merchandise is boxed, and we are OFF THE CLOCK! Whew!

Quiltville Quote of the Day

You can either be mad that birds woke you up too early. or put a smile on your face that you've got more hours to your day, and be happy that there is birdsong. Which will you choose?

Vintage 1970s grandmother's flower garden quilt found in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina! Polyester blends and all!

Nancy Mahoney and I are sharing the same flight back to Atlanta this morning –


We’ve just checked in at the New Orleans airport. 

I’m finishing this up and then looking forward to 3 weeks HOME!

Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

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A Crabapple kind of Scrappy Day!

It’s the season for Spring Blossoms!

And oh, are we ever ready!

The weather has been lovely in Louisiana.  Even the wind is blowing a bit warmer.  You can feel a difference in the movement of the air around you.

March is on its way out – April is just a few days away.

Can you feel it? It’s coming in like a lamb as March blows out like a Lion.

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Texas Tumbleweed, Louisiana Style!

It was another day in the Quilt Mines!

One by one the quilters rolled in – pulling wagons and carts, eager to set up for the day.  Up on deck?  Texas Tumble weed from MORE Adventures with Leaders & Enders – a day of squares and rectangles with folded corners ahead!

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Jamestown Landing by the Water!

The Harbor Center, Slidell,. Louisiana!

Would you just take a look at those blue skies, sunshine and palm trees?

The weather is SO beautiful it makes it almost hard to be inside making Jamestown Landing from my book String Fling with the quilters!

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Tennessee Quilty Goodness!

Judy Stokes and her Quiltville Quilts at Mountain Quiltfest!

Imagine my surprise when I walked onto the show floor at Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee to find that my friend Judy had a special exhibit of many of the mystery quilts and others she had made from my designs!  This is a true honor, both for Judy AND for me!

To see all of her Quiltville Quilts hanging one after another with crowds of people around – it nearly brought me to tears.

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March ‘19 Quilty Box Gift-Away!

There are some NEW great things happening with Quilty Box!

Quilty Box is not only working with the industry’s top designers, but has also teamed up with Paper Pieces to bring you FULL paper packs, acrylic templates and fabric in their NEW Quilty Box, Paper Pieces edition!  More info on that below!

I still have photos to share from Mountain Quiltfest, but as March will be GONE by the time I get back from Louisiana (I’m flying out in a couple of hours, oh boy!) I am sliding this on in here.

Are you ready for something really YUMMY and two chances to win??

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A Blue Ridge Mountain Day to BREATHE!

Can I just start HERE?

Spring is arriving a bit slower 100 miles away from “home” in Wallburg NC.  But green is slowly creeping up the hills behind Quiltville Inn and I found so much joy and peace in watching the mama cows and their babies wandering the creek from where I was standing on the back porch.

No worries of them coming up this far – there is a fence they can’t cross.  But I love seeing the signs of warmer months ahead creep in one day at a time.

Being here for JUST YESTERDAY was a bonus.  I am so glad that I came here instead of straight home to Wallburg.

Today I can rush to get ready for New Orleans tomorrow.  But yesterday – I just needed  TIME OUT.

Photos from Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge will continue tomorrow – but today. How about some Quiltville Inn updates?

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Back Trackin’ To Sand Castles!

Oooooh!  We had so much fun in this class!

This day was full to the brim with two of my favorite things – 4-patches and string blocks.  Is there anything better??

When events double down on the number of workshops per day – things get a little bit out of whack in the posting of class updates.

I had a wonderful time leisurely flipping through and editing the class photos this morning from our Sand Castles workshop. I always wonderful when releasing a new workshop if it will be the right one that students are happy to sign up for – or was there something else from the book that they would rather have me present instead.

I mean, after all – this is “just” 4-patches and string blocks, right?

But there is SO MUCH MORE that goes on in class!

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Days upon Days–Bringing on the Strings!

One of the great things about Mountain Quilt Fest -

Evening workshops for the working folks -

Or those who just want to take TWO workshops in one day because they can’t get enough!

You can take a short half-day three our workshop for a  perfect evening of “needle through fabric” time –and my Basket-Weave Strings workshop is the perfect way to get your feet wet with some very simple string piecing basics – but I know you won’t stop there.  Because once you start stringing, there is no stopping!

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Idaho Square Dance–Mountain Quilt Fest, Day 3!

Pam’s beautiful blocks!

How gorgeous in these colors!

She mentioned that this is the 3rd workshop she has taken with me, and I loved hearing how at first she was too afraid to leave matchy matchy behind and let the scraps in to play – she said that she is so happy with the freedom of being able to throw anything and everything in and how much more fun she is having!

It shows, Pam!  These blocks are wonderful!  I can’t wait to see your whole quilt.

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The Scrappy Bargello Dance–Tennessee Style!

Fast and furious sewing y’all!

Yesterday’s workshop was a flurry of strip piecing activity – and folks who had never made a bargello quilt before found themselves falling in love with how simple and fun this pattern is – and the ideas for what they can do with it were percolating!

How much can YOU accomplish in a 6 hour sewing workshop day?  These two are here to show you! 

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Mountain Quiltfest Day 1–Geese on a String!

Geese on a String!

I have been waiting for this workshop – my favorite things combined into one!

Four-patches & string blocks.  In fact, these four-patches are found in 3 different quilts in String Frenzy – yes, the Leader & Ender units live on always finding a place to land!

You’ll find them in Daybreak, Sand Castles AND Geese on a String.  Proving once again that “If you build the units the quilt will come!”

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Mountain Quiltfest or Bust!

i headed out southwest toward the Tennessee line yesterday -

This valley view is from the top of Grassy Creek Rd, about a  winding, climbing mile from the cabin. Blue skies, puffy clouds, an audio book playing -

Life is interesting in these parts.  There is ZERO GPS signal on my Verizon phone where I am due to the mountains.  So I have to go old school, watching the signs on the road pointing me toward Interstate 81 and figure the Walmart truck in front of me knows where he is going – and follow along.

And just as I had experienced a time or two before – the GPS will catch up with me and start working again within a mile from the interstate on ramp.  Tennessee bound!

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Is it Monday, Already?

I had such BIG PLANS for the past weekend -

And while I tried to make the quilt on the Design Floor my main focus – real life crept in, slowly ate up all of my available time and I didn’t get done.

But you know what?  What is more important?

Real life fun with friends for lunch and antique shopping or quilting?

Real life run back to Galax for a much desired church pew and ice cream out, or getting that quilt top done?

Real life Saturday going back AGAIN to Galax for lunch with The Hubster on his birthday and watch his eyes light up over the possibilities this vintage 1950s Carolina Pride stove holds for his workshop?

And movie night – Don’t forget movie night!

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The Quilting Day That Wasn’t!

This quilt hasn’t gotten any further along -

It is laying in the same place I left it the last time I was up at the cabin -

Sadie has been up here with The Hubster while the window re-do, roof fixing, gas range/dishwasher/microwave install has happened over the past couple of weeks.  I am the one that is out of town while he works remotely from here.  That’s the perk of his job – as long as he has cell data, he can do his job from wherever.

This quilt has been walked around, walked on, and evidently pet-surfed into a corner:

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Twice to Galax and Back Again!

I made my first foray to downtown Galax VA!

With Toni in Tow!

We’d been talking about it for some time.  Another girl’s day out where we could wander, shop, enjoy lunch and explore.

Last time it was the three of us – Martha, Toni and myself.  Off to Boone, NC we went and had a great time.

This trip however – Martha was enjoying the company of her son and granddaughter and we know how that takes precedence – so we issued her a rain check redeemable at any time with no expiration date and set out down winding mountain 2 lane highways – past Independence, VA and on to Galax.

I’d driven THROUGH Galax before – it’s an easy drive when coming from Eastern Virginia to Southwestern where the cabin resides.  I sort of knew where downtown was and always wanted to explore, but I was always coming through at the end of a long drive, shops closed for the night.

Yesterday was THE DAY!

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When Spring Comes Calling…

There are daffodils on the hillside -

Just beyond the back porch at Quiltville Inn.

Last year this time – we were still waiting to see if inspections would pass, if insurance coverage could be found, if a loan could be secured – all of those things that would allow this dream to take the next step into reality – which didn’t happen until the end of April 2018.

So I missed daffodils on the hillside.

But I found them yesterday evening as we drove over so I could inspect the new windows, the progress at both Inn & Post Office -

It’s been SUCH a crummy winter for so many, and we have had our share of it up here in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Southwestern Virginia.  But Spring is Springing!

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A Turkey of a Day!

Spring in the mountains = Turkey in the yard season!

This photo was sent over from The Hubster who has been up in Virginia overseeing work at the cabin and meeting contractors for estimates for the continuing renovation of Quiltville Inn – each little job getting us closer to our goal of opening for Quilt Retreats in the spring of 2020.

From what I understand Sadie didn’t know what to do with herself over the sight of this RAFTER of Turkeys in the yard.  Yes.  A flock of turkeys is called a RAFTER.  Thank you Google!

Yesterday was a day of many hiccups.  I won’t lie.  It threw me for a loop every time I turned around starting with the fact that both Facebook and Instagram were down for the count – not just with me, but globally, starting in the morning, and continuing into the evening hours.

At 8pm Eastern I could finally get a post through, but going live for Quilt-Cam was not an option.  Sorry folks.  It wasn’t me.  I tried!  I even put a bra on for this -

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When All You Wanna Do is Sew!

**UPDATE!** I am one of those users who are currently affected by the "Can't access Facebook or Instagram" issue, and the sites have been down for me since this morning.

If they don't get it fixed before 8pm, our scheduled Quilt-Cam will be moved to a future date.  Sorry folks!

There was a bit of this going on last night -

And it all started with a strip stash re-org in the Scrap User’s System!

Over the past few trips I have come home with additions gifted to the stash by others – and I haven’t had time (Or wanted to take the time) to sort them by color family and get things separated by width of strip and place them with their “like kinds” so they would be easy to use as needed.

To tell you the truth, it’s been kind of a mess behind those drawer fronts.

But yesterday was THE DAY.

And I had some help!

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What Day is it Anyway?

Dresden is exploring EVERYTHING that is UP.

It’s making things in the order fulfillment department INTERESTING!

Both he and Lola are no longer satisfied to stay on the other side of the French doors – and if they see anyone within range will meow and scratch and do ANYTHING they can to get beyond and to the other side of the house.

Things are still not great when it comes to Emmy Lou being in their picture though – to them SHE is the invader, and even though she is 19 this year and moving very slowly, the growls and hisses and territory issues are still raising their fur.

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Friday Night with the Bonniacs!

Nothing beats an evening like this!

It had been 6 years since I had taught for the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show – but I never forgot how special these women made me feel. 

Our time together 6 years ago formed friendships that will continue, no matter who moves where or how life changes happen.  If Quilting is the thread that binds us together, the friendship is the knot that holds the stitches in place!

6 years ago I received a welcome invitation to dinner at Wendy’s beautiful home, meeting several of these wonderful gals.  It was an evening of fun and food and much show & share – a great break away from yet another quick restaurant dinner out, and back to an empty hotel room.

This year we did it again – and I just could not wait for Friday night to roll around.

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Wonky Wishes for the Win!

The snow stopped.

The temperatures rose.

The rain,and THUNDER started!

But that didn’t dampen the spirits of the quilters – Spring is on the way and we were all tucked safely and warmly inside the Monroe Convention Center for day 3 of the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show, and day 3 of workshops!

And as the LAST day – we were ever so grateful that precision could go out the window and play time could really begin as we set in to make batches of wonky stars, followed by string sashing.

I was amazed at the number of quilters who were finding themselves in the midst of their very first string piecing and improv piecing experience.  THEY DID GREAT!

Sometimes it is hard to let go of things that have always felt comfortable and allow ourselves to push our boundaries and learn something new.  It can feel uncomfortable.  It can be a bit scary.

It’s like a new dance step that feels all wrong some how.

But with a bit of practice – we suddenly get it!

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Garden Party in Bloomington!

Things weren’t blooming outside by any means -

Snow flurries were still fluttering!

But they were fighting a losing battle as temps started to climb beyond the freezing point  - and we were celebrating the blossoms to come in our Garden Party Workshop hosted by the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in Bloomington, Indiana!

After Pinwheel Fancy the day before, this was a welcome respite – NO TRIANGLES!  And a whole lot of fun with 1 1/2’’ strips.

Color on color on color – any colors you want to put together – go for it!

Spring is coming soon – and we are greatly anticipating it!

All the happy busy stitchers!

Block production – this one with black backgrounds!  Whoowhooo!

With 43 stitchers it was all fun & games -

Until we blew the power to one side of the room!

Hey folks? I think 43 individual irons is just too many! LOL!

We threw in an impromptu demo session while the Powers that Be got the electrical situation sorted out.

Truly – finger pressing can often be your friend and will work until we get things back to normal “Full steam ahead.” to flatten those babies.

Hooray!  We’ve got HOT!

Oh, all the pretties!

Thanks for coming to play, ladies!

Oh yes, these quilts are going to be gorgeous!

Thanks for coming, everyone!

Garden Party is found in the Addicted to Scraps book.

You’ll find the rest of yesterday’s shenanigans in the video below.  Click to play:

Time is flying by so quickly. I can't believe we are already at the LAST day.

We are finishing up this 3 workshop event with Wonky WIshes – Strings and crumbs and Wonky Stars – oh, my!

Today’s #IGquiltfest prompt is “Finally Finished” with the request to post a recent finish that took you a really long time.  

Some quilts take more than 15 years! This is my variation of a quilt made by Jane Stickle in the 1860s. I set the blocks with a Storm at Sea type sashing and hand quilted it with Baptist Fans in pink thread.

The brown fabrics are shweshwe and all the pinks are random scraps. The background is one fabric throughout and I am 100% sure that is why it languished- boring background!

I love the quilt however, and it resides on the guest room bed at our cabin in the Blue Ridge mountains of Southwestern Virginia. I love when the light from the window hits it just right and shows off all of that wonderful hand quilted texture.

I’ll be checking out of my hotel room during lunch time with a late check out, moving my stuff down to my class room – the other instructors and myself will be shuttled over to an airport hotel in Indianapolis this evening so we can fly out at our respective times in the morning using the hotel shuttle as transport.

Quiltville Quote of the Day

Something to ponder:

While things may look perfect online, everyone has a different life behind their monitors and phone screens. Everyone is heightening the positives and downplaying the negatives. They are only showing you their A sides, not their B sides. Smoke and mirrors. Just remember that.

Most of what you see online is only what people want you to see.

Search for those who are genuine. They are out there!

I’ve reconnected with several this weekend that I am so happy to have in my circle!

Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone!

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