All Day Long, In All Directions -

It's a sight to behold. Every day.

The tree trucks are still rumbling up and down the highways and byways - in both directions in front of Quiltville Inn.

I wave as they go by.

Harvest began early November, but with a forecast of snow coming this weekend, everyone is in a hurry to get the job done and get the trees to where they need to be -

The big tree selling weekend begins Black Friday - it takes a bit of time to get things to where they are going.

And some folks don't wait for trucks.  They bring their OWN trailers, load up and haul them back to their own garden centers!

Look who I found out in front of the inn yesterday morning!

I was just loading a tub of outbound mail order into the van, and I saw the big white truck and even bigger trailer in the front drive - The Claytons came to see me!

I love that they come all the way from Indiana to Mouth of Wilson VA to load their trailer and big panel van up with fresh Christmas trees to haul back to their own Clayton's Garden Center in North Webster, IN.

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I also love that I intercepted the sneaky couple and got to give them real hugs in person!

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This beautiful wreath is now hanging on the front door at Quiltville Inn, where it will be enjoyed by the last two retreats of the year before coming home to spend Christmas with me at the cabin.

Why come down with an empty trailer when you can fill it with toys?

These baskets, boxes, tubs and bins are full of toys, crayons, coloring books and all manner of holiday gifts for those affected in the path of Hurricane Helene.

Yesterday they were dropped off to be distributed by a variety of organizations to bring hope and cheer throughout our region.

Times have been tough. But I always reflect back to what Mr. Rogers said about helpers:

And now at my age, I'm still looking for helpers. Just ordinary folks who see a need and step in and do what they can, even from as far away as Indiana. And they encourage us to join in with them.

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Safe travels back to Indiana, Claytons! You made my day!⁣

This happened!

I stepped away from my desk and finished putting all of the kits for my upcoming Craftours trip to England together.

Everything I need for my Warm Hands, Warm Heart workshop is here!

All my traveling quilters need to bring is their embroidery thread color of choice - either 12 wt cotton or 6-strand embroidery floss - a small pair of thread snips, a needle threader, a thimble if they use one, and a hoop if they want one.

I find that the printed Sulky Stick n Stitch overlay adds enough body to the Essex linen that I don't need to have a hoop.

All the winter coziness of a cute stitchery!

We'll be working on the center embroidery while we travel around England soaking up holiday cheer.

The thing I'm most looking forward to? Touring Highclere Castle - I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, and I can't wait to just BE THERE.

We have added new trips to my Craftours line up for 2025 and 2026.

We are also heading to Iceland in June 2025 - France for the Alsace quilt show in September 2025 - Germany/Austria for Christmas Markets in December 2025 - Morocco in January of 2026 (I love to go somewhere WARM in January)- Romania in June '26 - and Discovering the quilting treasures of India in September '26!

Click the All My Tours tab at the top of the blog for more info, and join me! I'd love to have you along.

Today? It's all desk work, guys.  The only quilting I've been able to do is to put in some hand quilting stitches into my Parade Day quilt that I shared in yesterday's post.

I leave for England a week from Friday. I'm trying to get as much done on writing of mystery directions as I can.

These days I try to make my office time as peaceful as possible.

I light a candle.  I play soft instrumental music so I can think.  I try not to rush through things. 

Your excitement over Moonflower has blown my mind!  Thank you so much!

It was so fun to make, and I can just imagine it in so many different color plans -

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Moonflower PDF pattern from me, and a Moonflower cotton roll from  Cotton to Quilts.

And don't forget to check out their neutral rolls as well - I love the variety in these cotton rolls!

We'll be drawing for those winners on Monday, 11/25/24.

Get your entry in on the Gift-Away Post.

And yes, there is introductory pricing!

The PDF pattern for Moonflower is currently 25% off in the Quiltville Store, no coupon code needed.
Rulers, notions and tools are also 15% off using code NOTIONS at checkout to receive discount.

To use a coupon code - click REDEEM YOUR COUPON beneath the the total in the shopping cart. Enter the coupon code in the box that opens up. Click enter.

*NOTE* You need to put the code in BEFORE you click to your payment method for discount coupon to be applied.

International Customers Purchasing PDF Patterns: Do not use the BUY NOW button on the pattern page to check out with autofill. Place the item in your shopping cart and then go to the cart page to check out choosing either your credit card option or Paypal. Shipping addresses should not apply as this is a digital pattern purchase. I don't know why it works this way, but it does.

And since we are headed into the holidays (And holiday sewing as well!)

I've also placed a 25% discount on Pine Tree Point. Price good through 12/15/24.

This quilt reminds me of all of the Christmas Tree trucks I see daily - pulling their tree harvest up and down these mountain roads, eventually to wind up in people's homes to become Christmas memories.

If you have one started from last year - why not pull it out and get going on it again? It's the perfect time!

I think that covers it for this morning!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Not to mention office ibuprofen, purse Ibuprofen, and car Ibuprofen!

And when I travel? Definitely suitcase Ibuprofen.

You too?

Have a terrific Tuesday, everyone - 72 hours until Part One of Old Town!