Back in the Saddle of Connectivity!

Sometimes things just refuse to make sense.

Or more like - DOES NOT COMPUTE.

As in my braindead moment of non-realization since the internet was demolished in the great storm and power outage on Sunday, 

Hooray for the Generac that ran perfectly for 8 hours keeping the quilters quilting.

But what of the modem?

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Over The Rail, Between the Raindrops!

Meet the Gingham Girls!

I just love the example here - that though we are all different (colors and fabrics) as quilters we still stand together to lift and encourage each other.

And to go on retreat for a week and have a much silly fun as possible - because WE NEED IT!

I love that they each made these quilts to match - but they are still individual.  Fabulous display, ladies!

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Run, Generac, Run!

This is last evening's dinner on the porch - accompanied by the hum of the Generac -

The moment we've been waiting for (and hoping it would never happen at the same time) came to fruition during a summer storm and power outage.

I always wondered just what would happen SHOULD this happen, and I was there to find out!

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Relax and Stitch!

The Sewciologists are kicking it up and pulling out all the stops at Quiltville Inn!

When I arrived yesterday morning - 8 had already taken off for the wild ponies, and another couple had just returned from a shorter hike up Round House Road for a walk along the river.

This is an ACTIVE group, and that thrills me to the gills!

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Thursday with the Sewciologists!

Doesn't this look like a fun bunch?

And I'm excited that we have folks from as far away as Oregon and Canada!

You folks have put Quiltville, Virginia, USA on the map.   

And we have been having SEW MUCH FUN.

I spent yesterday enjoying the abundant creativity these wonderful ladies have brought to this space as well as try to get my own work done in the QPO next door.

In fact I think most of my daily steps came as I trotted between the things calling me at my own computer and sewing machine in my studio, to head on over every chance I got to just be in the presence of this group.

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Under Way on Wednesday!

How do you decide what color to pull in to an already "everything under the sun" scrap quilt?

In my case it usually involves pulling many strips of various colors and shades from the scrap stash and laying them up against the quilt I am bordering to decide which one - if any- stands out more to my eyes and gives the effect I want.

And then - the search through the yardage begins in hopes that I have enough of any one thing to do the color job at hand.

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Sew Many Purples!

It was a purple kind of Tuesday yesterday.

Monday I was all about getting the Unchained top center together - too may paws had gotten in my way during the layout phase.  Once that was done and I could contemplate borders - I took a day away to work on something else.

Part four of Quiltmaker Magazine's Ruby Jubilee!

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With Paws & Design Floors -

You know me - 

There is always two or more projects being worked on behind the scenes - we are hitting mid summer, and you know what that means?

There is a Leader & Ender challenge to be released the first week of July.

And if our Quiltville Winter Mystery colors are going to be released by Halloween, someone better get a move on and decide what the heck we will be doing about now!

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Big Quilt Wash Day!

I know washing big quilts is a thing that many of us put off.

But the time had come - 

We had a ton of rain on Friday, leaving standing puddles through the weekend, and SOME DOGS decided that they'd come in, jump up on the bed, and proceed with wet bellies and muddy feet to show their love as they rolled and played all over the bed.

I generally have a second quilt as protection on top of this one, but  - well, you know how it goes!

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Was it Only Friday!?

It has been a completely discombobulated week!

I went nearly all the way through yesterday thinking it was Saturday,  even going so far as making posts about Happy Caturday, and even a video I ended up not posting to Instagram/Facebook because I plainly said "Have a great SATURDAY!"

 How did my week get so screwed up?

I think it's because I didn't have a group arriving on Wednesday to remind me of what day it really is.  LOL!

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BEAST Quilters - Over the Rail!

At 7am this morning it was over 70 outside with 99% humidity.  Acccckk! Welcome to summer in the Southeast!

We had folks from New York and Indiana that understand humidity somewhat, but I bet those Utahans are glad to be back where it's simply a DRY heat.  LOL!

No matter the humidity, it was a beautiful morning for displaying quilts over the porch rail at Quiltville Inn.  The cool of the morning shade - the blue of a June morning sky - 

It doesn't get much better than this!

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Biking Down the Creeper Trail!

We did it!

We watched the weather all week long, trying to fit in everything - ALL THE THINGS - that everyone from the BEAST Quilters wanted to do while they enjoyed their stay at Quiltville Inn.

When they came last year, it was the same week I had fallen down the stairs at home, so I was pretty much out of commission when it came to things like walking, hiking to the ponies, or especially biking - I couldn't sit on my tailbone, remember?

It took MONTHS before I was able to lie on my back to sleep.

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A Hike Amongst The Ponies!

I'm backtracking a couple of days to fit it all in!

The BEAST Quilters made their departure yesterday, and wonder of all wonders, they turned a 3 hour flight delay that moved them from a 7pm departure to a 10pm departure into a quilt shop hop day.

They left with a list of customer-favorited shops in hand and I'm sure they slept all the way to Utah, arriving in the very wee small hours this morning.

Sleep in, sleep late friends - you deserve it!

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Flag Day Solidarity Gift-Away!

Happy Flag Day to my USA Quiltvillians!

On June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day. 

Flag day for is is the kick-off day for Summer and everything red/white/blue in my world.

And so I present to you, Solidarity!

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Out & About - Like a BEAST!

Happy Monday, Quiltvillians!

What a weekend!

It's only 8am as I write this, and I already need a nap.  LOL!

I thought I would start this post with something quilty in a bit of an inside-out narration - we filled in every waking moment of Saturday with something fun for everyone -

And the icing on the cake was a road trip up to Wytheville to visit Batiks, Etc!

I think everyone shopped until they dropped.  I know I did.  That bench you see in front of the house behind the porch rail was a spot of respite while we waited for everyone's fabrics to be cut, bagged, and paid for.

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Quilting, Quilting & More Quilting!

I love it when I walk into the Hen Den at Quiltville Inn and find relaxation, conversation with a side of stitching going on!

Yesterday was a busy day, but we somehow managed to fit it all in -

A morning walk, more sewing.

A lovely lunch on the porch, more sewing.

An afternoon of sewing interrupted by plenty of snacks - you know, because we hadn't eaten since lunch, and more sewing up until dinner time.

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Hanging With the BEAST Quilters!

Can you hear the hum of the machines from where you sit?  

I bet you can imagine all of the sounds of sewing, chatting and laughing - 

Throw in the smells of breakfast coming from the kitchen and you've got a good idea of just what welcomed me when I walked through the door yesterday morning.

Many members of this group didn't arrive until after dark, but they had a good welcoming committee on hand with those who had arrived earlier.

My time for hugs all round came yesterday morning!

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A Bit More Bloomin' Blue Ridge!

Where oh, where are the ponies?

A few of us headed up to the Appalachian Trail where it runs through Grayson Highlands hoping hoping HOPING that we'd see mamas with new foals out and about.

This was Monday - the last day of retreat with the June Quiltvillians, and I thought our chances would be greater on a non-weekend day than during a busy weekend.

The ponies seem to move further into the brush the busier the trails are and I get it. I don't blame them.  But I had hopes!

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June Quiltvillians - Off The Porch Rail!

This is the result of a fabulous retreat weekend with the June Quiltvillians!

Just look at these beautiful finishes!

And a sneaky flame azalea trying its best to occupy a spot.  (It's always been spindly, but we keep encouraging it to flourish.  LOL!)

I look at these ladies and can't help but smile that over the past 3 years they've not only been guests, but they have become my friends.  My heart is as full as the inn!

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Time Out For Ice Cream - And Barn Quilts!

Is there anything more fun than a group trip to a local general store for ice cream and last minute souvenirs?

Summer is here!

Our little Corner Market is the hub of our community, and I love taking visiting retreaters here to say hello and find something fun to bring home.

Usually it involves a pair of handcrafted earrings, a necklace or bracelet from local artisans.

Sometimes it's jams, jellies, or local honey to take home.

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In the Cool of the Morning -

All the pretty wildflowers!

I am filled with wonder as I watch nature bloom around us.

What a pretty color palette, don't you agree?

We got out early on Saturday morning to take a walk down Bear Branch road.  I was eager to see if we could still smell the scent of wild roses on the breeze - 

What else had bloomed in the passing week?

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All the Pretty Little Pieces!

Who here loves fussy cutting??

I am fascinated by the effect it gives as seen here in Kathy's gorgeous hexie quilt in progress.  

Llamas!! Strategic placement of floral motifs, and do you see the darling pinwheels?

Each little fussy cut hexie brings so much to look at.  Such a delight!

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Quilting, Walking, Baby Goats & More!

I've got goals!

And those goals include getting out for walks/hikes with the dogs in the morning before the day gets to warm through the summer.

You want to talk about lush and green?  Come to Southwestern Virginia - this kind of green runs through my blood and settles in my bones and I can't get enough of it.

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As Seen In The Wild!

When the nearest town is 30 minutes away in any direction - I find ways to fit in as many side jaunts and errands as I can when life makes it necessary that I actually have to GO to town.

Being in our now 3rd year of this pandemic, and war and other global situations putting inflation on the rise, and gas prices at jaw dropping prices - I drag my feet as much as possible to NOT have to go unless I can do it all in one fell swoop.

At the same time I hear my grandmother's voice telling me about WWII when her boys were young and her husband was at sea.  How ration coupons were a way of life, and that included gas for the car, and I'm so glad that we are not at that point.

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Butterflies & Wild Roses

This is another of those "If only photos had smells!" posts.

Four of us took a walk on Monday morning - yes, our walks have now switched to the cooler hours before summer heat and humidity make hiking miles less palatable.

But the morning hours? BLISS!

And to my great delight - the wild roses down Bear Branch Road were putting on a show.

Unlike their domesticated cousins - wild roses have the most delicious fragrance, and it permeated the air in every direction.

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