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.
But this time - THIS TIME - I was able to participate and it made everything so much more fun.
Riding the Creeper Trail is an all day adventure.
And I usually find it best to NOT go on a weekend, but save it for a week day when the trails are less crowded. Monday is usually a good choice for those retreating until Tuesday as we've pretty much sewn our brains out and run out of projects by then. LOL.
Of course, weather is always an issue and this day there was a slight chance of rain - but we never hit it. In fact, the cloud cover was lovely and protected us from much of the blaring sun until it burned off closer to the end of our ride.
Me and these four!
Let's go, ladies!
(Yes, things are this green!)
There are loads of places to stop along the 17 mile ride. For this view we parked our bikes at the side of the Creeper trail and took another little off shoot trail to hike up to this vantage point.
See the clouds swallowing up the top of that mountain?
I love pastoral scenes such as this.
And this!
Looks like the barns have a new coat or red paint since I last rode this way.
Things not usually seen on the trail!
The parks department is doing a great job at regrading the trails - they take care of rut removal and making sure that things are smooth riding.
Another season of lodging in the mountains. LOL!
Here comes Lisa!
My favorite stop on the trail - Click to Play:
And it wasn't long until:
Tada!
About half-way down the trail there is a little cafe where you can get a lunch. BBQ sandwich basket for Wendy and me, Hotdog basket for Lani - drinks and ice cream are also available. I think they planned that stop right at the right time.
It gave us a break - there was wifi and restrooms. Win Win Win!
Love these rock formations -
Of course photos must be taken with Big Foot and his Tighty Whiteys. LOL!
Thanks for the awesome day, ladies!
And there is still more BEAST content to come - we've still got porch rail photos, be looking for that tomorrow.
(Is it any wonder I needed a nap after this ride?)
It was Solidarity PDF pattern booklet release day!
I heard form some of you that you couldn't get the full page to load - the embedded code for the gift-away that allows you to enter is hosted by another company and they were having some lagging issues but it should be fixed now.
I'll be hanging Solidarity in the front foyer at Quiltville Inn for all to enjoy through Labor Day.
And the Hearts of Hope quilt is included as a bonus!
Quilt Your Colors!
Fly your flag’s colors in a whirling, twirling array of favorite scrap fabrics.
The 26-page digital pattern booklet includes directions for both the 68 1/2'' X 68 1/2'' Solidarity quilt and the 58'' X 58'' Hearts of Hope variation.
Easy step-by-step instructions with many full-color photos and graphics to guide you through each step of the way. Block string piecing on paper foundations.
Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool and either the Simple folded Corners ruler, or the Simple Folded Corners Mini.
Traditional rotary cutting methods are given for those who don't have access to these rulers.
And of course - the Solidarity pattern release wouldn't be complete without a Gift-Away!
I'll be drawing for TWO winners! One will receive a Solidarity PDF pattern from me and a Facets of Red roll, and the second will receive the pattern and a Facets of Blue roll from Cotton to Quilts!
If the winners are outside of the USA, we can send the fabric prize to a friend within the USA who can forward it on to you.
And yes, there is introductory pricing!
I've marked Solidarity at 25% off through 7/5/22 in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop.
And that's not all! Also on sale through 7/5/22:
It's time to quilt Red White & Blue!
Come on, you know you want to!
Courthouse Square and Unity are also perfect for Flag Season. If you missed them the first go-round, they are also 25% off in both the Quiltville Store and the Quiltville Etsy Pattern Shop, no coupon needed!
I love sewing red white & blue - it just shouts SUMMER MEMORIES to me, all the 4th of July family gatherings, parades, picnics. Bring it on!
From your favorite folks at Quiltmaker - open for registration!
Put your scraps to better use by learning how to not only save them but use them to their full potential. This course focuses on block construction, with the final quilt being up to the imagination of the maker. Courses were inspired by my favorite blocks found in my Addicted to Scraps column with Quiltmaker magazine.
You’ll love this course if you are:
- A beginning quilter who wants to learn tips and techniques that will make your quilting experience successful
- A quilter who wants to learn to work with recycled fabrics and scraps of fabric from other projects.
Here’s all the information:
Scrap Quilts with Bonnie Hunter
Workshop runs July 22 – August 19
Early Bird Special: Get $30 off with coupon code SCRAPS30. Valid until July 22
Register now and save!
More answers to your workshop questions HERE.
Other summer things happening - It's time for the Chautauqua Balloon Festival in Wytheville!
We've been invited to ride over tomorrow with friends Martha and Don, and I'm so excited.
ONLY - I need easily transportable folding chairs and we have none. So I'm running an errand day today and adding all the other things on top of that errand because - whoever goes to town does ALL THE THINGS to make it worth the gas.
That means that yes, I think I'll sneak in for a pedicure as well.
How about your day ahead? Anything coming up as we work closer to the weekend?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
To reach your goal you first have to make one!
Are you working toward that goal today?
Enjoy your Thursday, everyone!
Come on, you know you want to!
7 comments:
I'm interested in your class, but I'm missing a few details. Obviously, this class is online. But, are the classes available to watch at given times or can I watch on my own schedule? How many classes/videos are there?
Ohhhh, I am in love with the Tumbling Block setting! The Beast quilters sure had a lot of fun!
The scenes on that trail are worth it! I love the beauty in Nature. When hubby can't drive, he gets to watch for all the things. His eagle eye has spotted coyotes, quail, eagles and a big Cat, I think it was a cougar. We are in Cougar country. Thanks for the inspiring message. Working on that special Secret project for DD #1.
17 miles!?! wow. That's a work out.
Love scrap quilts. Took out all my 2.5"x4" rectangles to make Oklahoma back roads when I'm done quilting this one I'm working on.
A pedicure sounds glorious.
I haven't been on a bike in over 20 years - would this be do-able for me? Ya know they say, it's just like riding a bike, you never forget how!! LOL!
Bonnie, My biggest question is: how small if too small, when talking scraps?
Love riding the Creeper Trail! My favorite part of the cafe is the chocolate cake. I think it's been published in a southern living magazine. Glad it was a nice day for the ride.
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