Spring Fever in Full Swing!
The big tree with the mini yellow dogwood blossoms (until someone tells me the correct name otherwise!) is blooming in front of Quiltville Inn.
THIS beautiful effort by this ancient tree is the official sign of spring's arrival for me here in Southwestern Virginia.
Sure, there have been daffodils, forsythia, Bradford pears and others blooming - but THIS!
This week we celebrate the 3rd anniversary of my purchasing this beautiful old house with a dream and a prayer of turning it into a retreat facility.
The day I signed the papers - it had all been kept behind the scenes and so very secret from the public eye.
The day I had those keys in my hand - this tree was also blooming, full of promise.
So much has happened in the past 3 years - and it really feels like we have turned a corner with more and more of my retreaters being vaccinated so they can safely meet and retreat together.
Now the next hiccup in our "Come on Spring!" weather for this area - Wednesday morning is supposed to dip down to 31 f degrees. Thursday's low is 32 f degrees. I'm just praying the freezing temps don't kill these blossoms!
Yesterday's round of spring cleaning hit home!
That nesting thing that started in the kitchen after Friday's shot #2 extended to the basement studio yesterday afternoon.
It all started when I realized (or looked close enough) to see that those dreaded spilled pepper corns had found their way down the stairs and some were even on the studio floor!
Vacuuming started it all - But then it continued until the studio was cleaner than it had been in months.
The design wall is mostly empty for now - I've got some things in the "Lay out phase" and they need more room than my long and narrow design wall space can provide.
Still, it felt SO GOOD to put away, to shuffle around, to wipe down, to freshen up.
Why the need for all of this sprucing?
Because the blinders as far as not posting about retreats is about to come off. For good.
I've spent the last 11 months NOT posting about this side of my life. I have let the unwelcome voices of those who have nothing to do with my life stop me from sharing.
Last year many of our groups who had already paid their balances in full before Covid hit became my saviors as they declined the offer of getting all of their monies back, instead choosing to just move their reservations out a year.
Because of that we were able to make mortgage and expense payments. Little do these pre-paid groups know how they carried me through the past year. And now that they are coming, I can thank them in person.
You will be seeing more of the activity that is happening at Quiltville Inn.
I thought about all of what is happening this week as I prepped some sashings for the next step on my Rocky Road to Kansas variation quilt.
I'll be adding some fun corners to these!
(Lola is making sure those cut off corners don't scatter like pepper corns!)
Today a very special group from Texas will be arriving. These are personal friends of mine who had to put off their trip from last year. It's going to happen this week.
There will be much sewing and laughing and eating and catching up.
There will be hikes along the river, and up to see the ponies.
There MAY just be the first bike ride of the season down the Virginia Creeper Trail.
And I will no longer be keeping my life secret.
Drive safely ladies - I'll be seeing you after lunch time!
The printable PDF pattern for Catching Rainbows is now available at the introductory price of $9.00 in the digital patterns section of the Quiltville Store. That's a 25% savings over the regular price of $12.00.
This price drop is good until May 1, 2021 when the price reverts back to full.
The great thing about PDF patterns is that they do not sell out! There is no shortage of merchandise, they are instantly available everywhere around the world no matter where you call home.
You can view the files on your desktop, laptop, tablet or phone! You don't even need to worry about printer ink and paper if you choose not to.
If this is your first time downloading digital patterns from my store to a computer click HERE.
If you intend to download to an iPhone/iPad click HERE.
Quilt size: 86’’ x 95.5’’
Entries are still coming in for our Catching Rainbows PDF pattern and fabric bundle gift-away! Did you get your entry in yet? Head on over to last Friday's Post and enter!
Mix and match fabrics from all three different rolls for the ultimate rainbow eplosion in your own Catching Rainbows quilt!
Riley's Rainbow was named for Irene's sweet Yorkie Riley who made his way across the rainbow bridge recently. The Riley Roll has some different vibrant greens that the other two rolls do not have -
I love how all 3 rolls play together to create a wonderful mix.
Of course, you don't have to wait to see if you are a winner - head on over to Cotton To Quilts and see all of the scrappy goodness Irene has pulled together for you.
Now that you know what's ahead for MY Tuesday - what do you have going on in your neck of the woods?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
Vintage tree quilt found in Alabama.
Getting knocked down and turned around in life is a given.
We can choose to pick ourselves back up, turn ourselves right and move forward.
Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone!
76 comments:
Looking forward to reading all about your life as we get back to " normal", or what it might look like.
I, for one, can't wait to hear about all the fun you will be having with retreat groupies and friends! I so want life to get back to normal and wish vaccines were a requirement for all of the US so we can just get back to normal and see how well our vaccines work. Tired of being afraid to go out!!
it will be fun to see your retreating center get back to work - have fun
So excited to know you will be sharing the retreat side of Quiltville again! Love to see the sewing, food & fun everyone has while there! ❤️
will be glad to hear about the quiltville inn life and fun it will having so missed hearing and seeing the fun going on retreat in our local area next week so ready for it for visiting and sewing. thanks Bonnie for all you do for us
Being lucky enough to attend quilt retreats at your lovely Quiltville Inn has helped keep me sane over the last year! The precautions taken before and during my visits made me feel totally safe. Thank you, Bonnie (and your hardworking cleaning woman) for keeping the Inn safe and clean and functioning over the last year!
Looking forward to hearing about your retreats again. One of the first things my small group of quilters did after we were fully vaccinated was to go on retreat. So good to see everyone in person.
Hooray for coming out of the Quiltville closet! So glad you now feel free to let the world see what glorious fun it is to retreat at the Inn! There will be Negative Nellies wherever you go, but you are the fabulous, fun Host of the most fun place to retreat. And when we return next year, we know even more fun awaits to be shared worldwide!
Hope the folks coming today brought their woolies..sound like they'll be needed for coffee or wine on the porch LOL. Here in West Michigan the fruit farmers are worried. Trees are blooming thanks to a warm spell A week is so ago and there's a freeze warning tonight. Best wishes for a successful retreat and a blooming dog wood.
How cool it will be to read about your retreaters! I find it inspiring to see what other people are working on...one of the reasons I love quilt retreats. I'm hoping to attend my quilt retreat in New Mexico this year!
Have them bring snow boots!!!
Happy 3 year Anniversary! Yes, I wanna see those Quilters enjoying Quiltville Inn and all the area around with you. Lucky ladies!!
I so loved being at Quiltville Inn last summer even though we were a smaller group than planned. The 2 week pre trip quarantine was so worth being able to come. We had so much fun and this year I will be ready for a walk to see the horses as 3 of use have been walking almost every day. can't wait for July to come. Betsy
Can't wait to read about the retreats and see photos! Ignore the critics - we've got your back! We are vaccinated and ready to move carefully back toward normal. Have fun!
Looking forward to hearing about the retreats and seeing the pictures! I'll be finishing up sewing the binding on Good Fortune which will finally be completed!
I’m very much looking forward to reading about Quiltville Inn adventures in the blog!
Can't wait to hear all about the quilter's that will be coming. I have missed all of that. Have a wonderful day - Bonnie
So glad to hear that you'll be posting about the activities at the Quiltville Inn!
Yea!! I love reading about what's going on in your life - including when retreaters are in the Retreat house! Thank you, Bonnie, for trusting us with that. Hoping the 'buttinskies" will buttout!
You have been way more careful than many people in this country about covid, so I applaud you. I understand why you haven't spoken of what is going on, because so many people feel compel to share their negative opinions with you. I honestly don't know how you put up with it. That said, I am taking my car for service this morning and if I get back at a reasonable time, there will be sewing today. Have a lovely time with your friends.
Can’t wait to hear all the fun. I hope to be part of this soon. Your teases on the design wall are wonderful.
I'm fully vaccinated. Although I am not jumping into a lot of social activities, I do feel relaxed when I have to go to the store or want to go to a museum, etc. I am glad for you that you have such good friends and followers that they were able to help you out financially. I, for one, will be looking forward to hearing about all the shenanigans that go on at Quiltville retreats again.
I love reading about and seeing all your retreaters and what they are up to. Glad we get to share in that again.
Be strong Bonnie! This IS your life and if folks don't like it they shouldn't follow you! I am at 2 weeks today past 2nd dose and feeling really happy. Our little group of all safely vaccinated friends are meeting this weekend for dinner and games and we are looking forward to a no mask event (OK by the Michigan Dept of Public Health)!
Looking forward to hearing about the retreats again. I would so like to attend one but so far away. I will have to enjoy them second hand thru your posts. Thanks Bonnie for your daily input of joy!!
So glad you (we) have reached "the end of the tunnel" and can now see the retreaters arriving. It's been a difficult year but you have helped keep a light shining for us as we went through it together. This is where we can come when things seem bleak to find something to warm our hearts. Thank you♥
I can't wait! Coming in August! It's sad that you had to keep your retreat life secret, because of so many peoples critical and unwanted opinions. It's not like the rest of the world didn't make adjustments and do what they had to do to survive. Kudos to you for going forward! See you in August!
I'm so happy that you are FINALLY going to "give it up" & get back to retreating & sharing with us. To ***** with the naysayers. Don't you dare let them ruin our virtual fun with you & the Quiltville Inn retreats. I so look forward to hearing all about everything. Have a blast Bonnie & just keep putting those pdf's out there too. I love them all. Oh, and you & all your brood to. Keep on quiltin
I can't wait to see your house full up with quilting. I can only imagine the chattering going on. So sorry you had to hide this from us. I say To each her own. I have been vacced and do not plan on wearing a mask forever.
While I'm not ready to go to a retreat type event, I don't care if others do now. I'm only halfway vaccinated. #2 in a few weeks. Please post and just block the negative people! We each have to do what works for us! Thank you Bonnie for all you do for us.
Yahoo! Reading about things going back to normal lifts my spirits. I'm looking forward to hearing about the retreats.
Enjoy that group of friends!! It will be fun to see some of the smiling faces again from your retreat groups.
happy to hear the quiltville Inn will be able to restart... the opening time versus coronavirus outbreak was most unfortunate.
I don't want to think about the impact all this had on so many small businesses
My cousin in KC said it's suppose to snow there on Wednesday! Hope your Texas group brings some warm clothes! Looking forward to hearing about the goings on at the Inn. So glad you are going to start sharing that side again!!
Allen Leuten recht getan, ist eine Kunst, die niemand kann. (Doing right in everyone's opinion, is and art that no one is able to do.)
Therefore stay true to yourself, I/we enjoy it.
Your stories have helped me get through the COVID because of your positivity. So glad to hear the Inn is back on track and you can share your love with others and keep on going. Maybe someday is now!!!
I am so sorry you have had to deal with Negative Nellie's! You bring much joy and inspiration to my morning coffee. Thank you for all the years of pleasure you have given me for free...except when I visit your web store! Enjoy your retreaters and please do continue to live with zest!
Love the photos of the basement studio! What is the purpose of the two back-to-back 301’s? Different thread? Must be a studio tip I need to know about! So glad to see you back in business!
Thank you so much for showing retreats, I always feel I am right there with all of them. Even get food ideas from the quilters, bring on the fun.
Good for you Bonnie! Have a wonderful first retreat!
Wow! Who'd a thunk it?! Time flies when you're having fun. I vicariously shared the excitement you expressed when you first bought Quiltville and have thrilled at your success. Well done! Happy Anniversary, Quiltville Inn. <3 Loretta McGinn
I can’t wait to hear about the retreats! Have a fun time with your friends!
Freezing temps are back in Oklahoma today too! I just told a friend last week, I am ready to go SOMEWHERE!!
Will love hearing about Quiltville retreat groups again.
I hope to attend one of your retreats one day. So glad you have survived financially. Boohoo to the naysayers.
Looking forward to reading all about it! We live vicariously through you!
I love seeing photos of your studio. So glad that we can hear stories of the happenings of Quiltville Inn. SO much nicer than what we hear on the news these days. Happy ANniversary!! One day I will make it up there, but I am not a part of a quilt guild. Can we come individually? I still chuckle at the images of peppercorns flying!! And it is nicer to create in a cleaner area! Have a great evening!
Yay for you, Quiltville Inn and your guests! Let the fun begin. Congratulations!!
Just WOW! It sure doesn't feel like 3 years to me out in reader land. You are amazing with what you achieve. Have a wonderful retreat with your friends, and all the friends you will be making during the year.
YOU GO GIRL!! It's time to get on with life! I to are getting together with a quilting group next week. It's been over a year and we all just can't wait! Have a BLAST! Love you Bonnie,
Speaking of flowers, I've been making tulips for your Tulip Time pattern. Using favorite scraps, playing with combinations, cutting up some weird bits for stamens, and delighting in those tiny, jewel-like cornerstones. It's a calming, soul-nurturing pattern, a great combination of rhythmic, repetitive sewing and unique flower creating. I think I'll be finished with it too soon (does that ever happen?) because I won't want it to end. Thank you for all that you share with us, especially the nudges toward joy and goodness.
So looking forward to sharing the retreat fun remotely!
Don’t let the turkeys get you down!
Have fun! I drove by today as we were heading up to hike and see the ponies. on the way home, I saw retreaters arriving. I was full of envy. I hope all of you have a blast.
So happy for you! Haters gonna hate, but we love and respect you!
How wonderful to have friends coming for a retreat — that sounds fantastic! I’m hoping to do my first-ever retreat this fall with my quilt guild. And this Friday I’ll be two weeks past my J&J “one and done” shot, so although I won’t change things much at first, I’m looking forward to not worrying so much about my personal safety from this thing!
I’d be interested to hear how you divide your quilting activities between your basement studio and the post office. Obviously longarm quilting happens at the post office, but beyond that, do you just work on different projects in each place? Do you find yourself dragging projects and fabric back and forth all the time, or is that pretty rare?
Congratulations on making it three years, especially since things had just about gotten into full swing when the pandemic came along. I wish you many happy and successful years of retreats there!
It’s hard to believe it’s been 3 years! Congratulations! She’s come a long way! Someday, I’d love to come. What a fun retreat that’d be. Happy Spring, it is eventually coming, even those of us in the west that’ve had snow in the past few days, “after snow/rain, flowers!”
So looking forward to seeing and hearing about your retreats! Glad you were able to keep going, thanks to the thoughtful people who postponed rather than cancelled :)
snow started falling late yesterday. I scrambled to throw something over my lilac bush that had a lot of blossoms on it. Sadly they are probably frozen. the blooming plant I put in my front door planter also met its death last night. What is the matter with mother nature. she teases us with the thought of springtime and then throws us back into winter. JUst learned that another favorite quilting sites is closing down. Quilt With Us. I was part of a great group of OH quilters and we , before covid, got toether once a year for lunch and face to face time. But sadly that is ending. They are encouraging us to join Facebook to become part of a group on that platform. But I cannot in good conscience join FB. FB and Fox News are big parts of all the dissension in this country. all the hatred and division. I just cant support that.
Wonderful news that you will not be keeping this part of your life secret anymore. For me, it is SO inspiring to read about your retreats and see all the fun you and your groups are having. I'm from South Africa, so reading about everyone's Quiltville Inn retreat experience is SO cool.
As for the unwelcome voices - block them out. Those people must get a life!
Look forward to seeing all the fun you'll be having with your Texas friends.
Happy Anniversary! Quiltville Inn is on my bucket list! If there is ever a group that needs more bodies let me know 😀 I’ll fly in and fill the spot.💕
You quilting space looks wonderful!
I agree, it’s sad that others were allowed to keep things quiet. It would have helped true Bonnie followers to get through our year. Glad it will be a show now.
Oh my goodness, Bonnie! I am so happy to know that soon we will be 'with you' and your retreaters once again! I agree that you (we) have finally turned a corner. I had no idea that you were holding your retreats, so good for you, and them. Don't let the naysayers get you down! Anyway, I don't know if I will ever see you in person at your beautiful retreat, but vow to continue to follow you, your retreat, your family and your fur kids with whatever you wish to share, and I will enjoy it thoroughly. Thanks for all you do for us quilters, too!
Congratulations Bonnie! So good to hear some good news! I know your retreaters will cherish the experience!
go for it! We are in lockdown (Ontario). I look forward to see all the quests quilts
I live in the Ozarks and you can experience 3 seasons in 3 hours!!! LOL 70's Monday, snow Tuesday and hard freeze Tuesday night!
Thank you Bonnie for your quote of the day. I've been going through so much this past year, besides Covid, and it really hit home. I'm posting it where I can look at it everyday. Sending love....
Congratulations on your reopening. I can only imagine the stress you have been under for the last year. You are the source of inspiration for so many people--our ray of sunshine in an often bleak sea of news. I appreciate your efforts. Being fully vaccinated gives us hope that the world will continue to heal and we can resume our lives. I am ready to hit the road again. Enjoy!
I am so happy you will be posting about retreaters. (Is that a word??) I love reading your posts!
Only because the people that are coming now paid last year. Didn't you read all of the blog post? It is still going to be rough this year, Bonnie can't book people to pay for this year until she fulfils last year's obligations. It may be rather small to you, but it looks like a large place to me, that is quite isolated from a population area of any size.
Bonnie, one good thing about you being home, you have been able to do more quilts and write more patterns. Those are probably not the big money makers, but those can keep a steady financial stream going for years. Sometimes I wish I had a gift for writing, but I don't. Give me a pencil, paper and a good ruler and I have no trouble drafting a block (I might not be able to sew it though)!
My husband's grandfather used to say half of people will like you half wont, so pay no heed to the half who don't. You can't please them no matter what you do. I've missed seeing the lucky ladies who share your home for fun and sewing together. Your life you live it your way Bonnie. 😘😘
So glad you are going to enjoy your friends. I know you have been so safety conscious and I'm so sorry you have felt like you couldn't be authentic. I don't understand why people can't keep negative comments to themselves. I, for one, will look forward to hearing what's going on at the Inn. Enjoy every minute.
Happy Anniversary Quiltville Inn & congratulations Bonnie .....must feel great to just move on and openly welcome quilters to your beautiful Inn. I have travelled to the Blue Ridge and have quilt shopped in Winston-Salem & drove on the Parkway. Such a beautiful area you live in... and how wonderful you are able to drive just an hour away. Wishing you all Happy Quilting at the Inn. Life is to short to keep looking in the rear view mirror & just makes us a better person to drive in our own lane looking forward. Sew much to do.. Enjoy
You go Bonnie! I'm happy the inn is open again! Thank you for all you do for the quilting community. First yellow dogwood I've ever seen. White and pink in my area. Today I'm flying from WA to CA to see grandbabies!
Bonnie first off thank you for all you do. Thank you for having retreats because it gives me hope for a return to normal no not" new normal"!!! Normal!! I love your posts and please know we trust you to do what is safe and healthy for everyone! Big hugs!give ziey ivy and lola big pets and treats! Oh yes give hugs to the men in your life too.
Bonnie please don't ever let anyone or anything silence you! I love hearing about your adventures and the antics of your fur babies! Quiltville Inn was your dream and you made it come true. Please keep the smile on our faces and the sunshine in our lives with the stories from Quiltville Inn.
I am so glad we are going to start hearing about all who are coming to Quiltville Inn. I know it's been really tough for you to keep everything inside, this is such an important part of your life. Don't let anyone tell you how you should do your blog, your life. I can't wait for this pictures, the stories, and the fun!
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