On Our Way -

Sunset in New York.

It was an afternoon of hustle and bustle as I made my way to JFK, NY.  Just a day to get here – nothing big going on.  That all starts TODAY with the gathering of my Quiltville goes to Kenya peeps.  I can’t wait to meet them at our airport gate!

Several have traveled with me before – it’s going to be a fabulous reunion.  Some folks will be new, and I can’t wait to welcome them in and get to know them as well.

So many thoughts have been going through my head, wondering and pondering over all of the adventures that lie ahead of us – but we’ve got to GET THERE first.

Kenya Air flies direct from JFK to Nairobi.  That makes it REALLY nice – no layovers.  But it still makes for a very long flight.

Waiting to board in Greensboro for Atlanta.

The stitchery kits for my Quiltville Goes to Kenya group are in my small roll aboard. They put my one suitcase over weight limits. Can we just say that 40 large spools of 12 wt thread is heavy?

These Saucony runners have been such a part of my life this year. They were all over Japan in January and now they are headed to Africa. And all of those places in between - they could tell quite a story! (Running shoes have tongues, dontcha know?)

Besides our Twiga giraffe group project, I've got sample kits for those who want to learn English paper piecing hexagons thanks to the kind folks at Paper Pieces and that meant bringing my own hexie project to share what I am doing with that!

I also brought my stitchery project for next year's two back-to-back Ireland tours in June. (There is room for you! Come with me!) I started in on stitching that during yesterday’s two flights:

Is there anything more Irish than Celtic Knots?

I should be able to finish this during this trip – and then the fun of designing patchwork borders to surround it will happen – later.  I don’t need this one to be done until June.

And that lingering hexie stars project?

Well yeah, threw that in the suitcase too for good measure! My checked luggage minus the Twiga kits weighed 48 lbs at check in!

Check out what Marilyn did with her Punkin Patch Runner!

She writes:

Hi Bonnie,
I made this mini table topper for my friend's kitchen island, just the right
size.

I had lots of fun making it and will make another.

I did some free motion quilting on the pumpkins and put curly q's from the
stems.

A fan,
Marilyn Magelitz
Placerville, CA

I love it!  the embroidered stems add so much whimsy!

There is still time to get your Punkin Patch Runner pattern at half-price through the month of October.  Only $4.00!

I have no idea what kind of connectivity I will have while in Africa. And I'm up for the adventure!

While I usually plot and plan about what I’m going to be writing about the next day, and do my best to get things posted by a certain time – this time I’m letting things go.  The people I am traveling with are my main focus and deserve my time.

I do know that our safari trips start REALLY early in the morning – Like between 4:30am and 5:30am.  There may well not be TIME for blog writing and social media while I”m gone.  I will however be taking lots of pictures as always, and we can catch up when I get back on the 26th.

Dresden says -

Stitch those pumpkins!!

Dresden – you are SUCH a poser!

Lola – warming my lap at the table.

I was typing yesterday’s post here.

Okay, it’s time to get this day going!  Grabbing some breakfast, and heading back to the airport – after I do something I should have done earlier – contacted the credit card companies and bank about my impending travel.  Nothing like leaving it to the last minute!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

There are so many opportunities available with each choice - Every minute, every hour! What will you do with yours today?

Vintage Endless Chain top received as a gift....I'd love to hand quilt this one. It's been waiting about 3 years!

And off we go!