More Appalachian Trail, More Ponies!

This was our yesterday!

And we had enough folks wanting to go hike to see the ponies that it took us two vehicles - that doesn't happen very often!

My van will hold 7, but we had 8.  And no - we couldn't put anyone on the roof, or just let someone sit on the floor as we went.  Kind of illegal, you know?

And there were several that wanted to hit a grocery store when we were done. 

The nearest open grocery store on a Sunday is in Jefferson, NC - an hour's drive away from the park.  So 2 vehicles it was!

Hiking up and up and up!

I love this time of year - the tree growth above making a shady canopy over the trail.

And we lucked out!

Just as we reached the spot where the horse trail is met by Rhododendron Trail - in the first wide open grassy area we came to - were quite a few of the mares and foals who were herded around by that rambunctious stallion from last week's visit.

And he was nowhere to be found!  Cheers for the ladies - AGAIN!

It was a veritable nursery in the outdoors.

And evidently we were interrupting nap time!

Or snack time!

Hello, sweet one!

Mama standing close by.

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Zoey - you are a crack up!

She really doesn't give a fig about the ponies - other than the fact that the foals are bigger than she is and she wants to keep some distance.

I am constantly amazed at just how good Zoey is around wildlife, around other dogs and people as well.

And though it looks like it could - 

It didn't rain!

The cuteness continued!

Oh, those eyelashes!

Only a couple of the gals had been up here with me before, so it was a major feat to hike up this far.  They all did so great!

Is this the sweet one from last week?  I think so!

One week older and more steady on the hooves!

Which way should we go next, girls?

Maybe our own nap is in order?

It's wonderful to sew and sew and sew and sew at retreat.  It's also wonderful to get out and see a bit of nature, breathe the fresh air, get those muscles stretched a bit, and the heart pounding just a bit - we need to MOVE our bodies so we an keep on doing what we love.

And yes - I sewed.

While dinner was cooking I was able to get in just a bit - there hasn't been as much opportunity for me to sew over the past while.  Not on things that really need working, on so I need to buckle down and really make some progress on some things.  Deadlines are getting closer!

While I worked on some blocks - this is the stack of Fish School block sets I have next to my machine.

Not sure how many sets are stacked here, but I go through them fairly quickly, using the pieces as Leaders & Enders.

My basket of short strips is going down.  

My basket of Fish School blocks is filling up!

What blows my mind is that people are already showing me finished Fish School quilts.  WHAT!?

We just started this 4th of July weekend??

Folks - this is a Leader & Ender project for me.  it runs from now until NEXT July.  The objective is to make the units AS Leaders & Enders while you piece on other things.  Not to just make them all in a hurry and be done.  LOL!

I haven't even decided how I'm going to set my blocks yet.

But I'm having fun making them - so for those who are already "DONE" can I challenge you to start another one, legitimately? Sew with us a bit at a time while working on other things.  Let the pieces become blocks in between the chain piecing of other things.  Watch the stacks grow.  And then - after a LONG period of time - turn them into something.

Or simply choose something else to be your Leader & Ender project.  Please don't confuse Leader & Ender projects with Quilt in a Day.  Not the same thing.  LOL!

Guess what time it is?

We are going to draw for the winner of the Rockabilly Swing PDF pattern and Jumble of Color fabric Roll from Cotton to Quilts! 

It's our largest gift-Away yet!  Can you believe we had 8,113 entries?  WOW!!

And the random number generator says:

Entry 409!  Patti Ferguson!

Congrats, Patti!  

Please reply to the email I sent to the address you provided with your entry.  I'll have Irene at Cotton to Quilts get your fabric prize out to you, and I'll send you the printable PDF pattern for Rockabilly Swing.

For those who have been holding out on purchasing the pattern just in case they were drawn as winner - Rockabilly Swing is still at our 25% off introductory price through July 31, 2021!

Fabrics from 1980s all the way to today -

Scraps in all colors, in every genre and variety.

You cheered me on as I made block after block after block in this adorable size - and watched as it was assembled, quilted, and bound.

And now you can start your OWN Rockabilly Swing journey with my PDF pattern which includes the printable paper foundation template.

The introductory price of Rockabilly Swing has been placed 25% off at $9.00 through July 31, 2021.  No coupon code needed. 

Rockabilly Swing is paper foundation pieced.  I have used Carol Doak's 8 1/2'' X 11'' Foundation Paper with much success.  It is available in the Rulers, Notions & Tools section of the Quiltville Store. (Limited supply)

You can also find it in the Quilting All the Time category of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store  Direct link HERE.

You can also use 8 1/2'' x 11'' newsprint, though it doesn't like some printers. (I get jams occasionally on mine)  It is also available HERE.

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.

And yes, fabric rolls are still available at Cotton to Quilts to enhance your scrap stash, so check them out.  It's always more fun to sew in some new fabrics along with the older saved scraps - it gives everything new life.

And don't forget - I'll be drawing for the winner of the June '21 Quilty Box in TOMORROW's blog post!  So you have ONE MORE DAY to enter ON THAT POST.  

The box features gorgeous Bright Eyes fabrics by Anna Maria Horner - they are lovely!

Whew.  That's a lot of info this morning!  And it's MONDAY - so much for our gentle start to this week!

Today is the last full day for Chris's Christmas in July group.  They head home tomorrow.  That means tonight has been slated for fire-pit and s'mores time.  We've still got to squeeze in the photos off the porch rail.

And I am hoping the rain holds off to get it all done.

How was your weekend?  Did you get up to anything quilty?  

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I so love Maya Angelou! Her words always lift me! ⁣

Have a wonderful Monday, everyone!