All the Way to Phoenix.

This quilt traveled with me to Phoenix yesterday.

Not as part of my Lecture/Trunk Show really – but because someone I love dearly is turning 80 in about 2 weeks.

I know I am so blessed beyond measure to have parents that are not only surviving, but truly THRIVING into their 80s.  And what else does a quilter daughter do when someone reaches such a huge milestone in their lives?  We give quilts to those we love most because there is love in every stitch!

During our Thanksgiving in Virginia, Dad commented on how he loves snuggling under my quilts, as it’s like being surrounded by hugs no matter how far away I am.

OF COURSE you can have another quilt for your birthday, dad! 

Yesterday morning’s sunrise through the airport windows in Greensboro.

I’m not only surprising Dad with a quilt – but also with this:

It seems I did something a little bit drastic on Monday!

Early morning airport waiting.

Birthday week -

First teaching gig of 2020.

Visiting dad.

Opening Quiltville Inn (FOR REAL!)

I needed something new, something lighter – it’s only hair. It can grow back.  But I kind of like it! 

I’m doing the gifting thing in stages.  Dad doesn’t know about his quilt yet.  Not until my teaching days here in Phoenix are over and I head down to Sun Lakes to spend a few extra days.

Dad met me at the airport, helped me with my luggage.  We went and picked up my rental car, then headed out for lunch and a visit before he headed back south, and I toodled over to 35th Ave Sew & Vac to check out our location for this week’s round of quilty fun. 

And I want to give a shout out to the two ladies (traveling separately - one with her hubby!) who recognized me and said hello while in line at the Budget car rental!  One I'll be seeing this week in class, while the hubby and wife team will be snow-birding from Washington (And evidently brought the rain with them!) 

It was so fun to meet you both, and dad got a huge kick out of random strangers recognizing his daughter. You made his day - and mine!

Not only is the store HUGE – but they have also acquired a vacant “Rent A Center” building in the same strip mall and it is ALSO huge – and has become the shop’s event center!  They were busy assembling fabulous heavy tables with classroom space for 50 when I arrived.  (No cheap bouncy hollow core plastic tables for this joint – first class all the way!) It’s going to be AWESOME.

There are a few last minute openings in some of the workshops (As tends to happen as people’s lives throw them whammies and they find they are unable to attend.) so if you are near by and interested, please contact the shop.

Today’s presentation is at 2pm, ticket required.  I’ll be presenting a Trunk Show – and we will continue the fun with audience Show & Share, so please bring your quilts!  

If you are in the area, please contact the shop for more details.

Criss-Cross Apple Sauce from Scraps & Shirttails II 

If I’m giving it to dad, I may as well get a few sleeps under it!

I loved making this one from recycled shirt scraps.

It would be great in ANY fabrics.

Scraps & Shirttails II is on sale in the Quiltville Store for the low low price of just $19.99.

This sale also continues ‘til January runs out!

I had a hard time deciding just which pattern to put at 50% off for the month of January.  Irish Courthouse won out for many reasons -

The biggest one of all being NO TRIANGLES!!  LOL!

Sew SO Scrappy, Sew Much Fun!

This Irish Chain variation starts with a simple 9 patch and grows from there! Easy strip piecing and full color photos. Fat Quarter Friendly as well! Quilt size: 93’’ X 93’’.

You’ll love making this quilt block-by-block easily from strips.  It’s fast, it’s satisfying, and destined to chase away those winter blahs that tend to follow when the holidays are behind us but spring is still far off into the future.

See my latest finish using this block in Monday’s post HERE.

Quiltville Inn Rally!

This is it folks!  We are down to ONE available weekend retreat date in 2020.  And it’s a weekend not too far off - Mar 5-8, 2020 are the dates.  That’s only about 6 weeks away.

And the Random Number Generator says:

Anita Bowen & Gals Who Quilt!

Group Entry 81 of 185 groups!

Anita – I have sent an email to the address you provided with your group entry.  Talk it over with your group and see if they can make the March 5-8 dates.  I understand that this is short notice on these available dates, and if you need to decline them your group will still be in the running for the 2021 dates. 

I will continue to draw until we find a group that can make the March dates.

Any group that declines (because the dates are too soon) will also still be in the running for 2021 dates.

Oh, and did you see we have a Quilty Box Gift-Away happening on Yesterday’s Post?  It’s an awesome box, and you don’t want to miss it!  Drawing to happen on Monday, January 27th.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

It's Wednesday! Do you know where your determination is? Have you confronted at lately?

You are in charge of what happens today!

Make it a great one -