Pieceful Hearts and Dirt Road Hikes!

Mid-summer.  That means getting out as early in the day as we can, even though early is purely relative to everything that has to be done before I actually get to the retreat around 10am.

"I'd love to go on a walk" someone says as I walk through the door of the quilting quarters after feeding Hazel and Flash.

I'd already put in about 2 hours of computer work before leaving home...if we wanted to make the most of the morning my reply was "Meet me at the van in 10 minutes!"

It had been a couple of weeks since I was down here -

The chicory is in bloom!

I love the periwinkle color so much - I always gravitate to it when I can find it.

Not blue, not purple - somewhere in between and just right.

I love how the different wildflowers spread themselves out through the spring and summer months so there is always something new blooming somewhere.

It's as if they are shouting to each other "Okay, I'm done - it's your turn now!"

And the old car at our 1 mile "turn around" spot is of course still there, and even more encapsulated by the growing brush.

There needs to be a story with this car.  It could be featured in a movie.  What really happened here?

The green has gone from the new green of spring to the verdant deep green of mid summer.

There were only a couple of cows seen in our usual places. And the creeks have just about dried up - we need rain so badly.  Loads of rain.  One little shower isn't going to be enough.

It's here!

We got back in time for the UPS man to pull up and deliver me my first run copies of Scrap-Savvy!

There is something extraordinary to not only hold one pre-release copy in my hands...but open the box and see several, and oh, the new book smell!

For anyone who wants to order, please ask your local shops to either get them in or find them at your favorite online retailers. 

I will not be carrying this book to ship out as it is hardbound, too heavy, doesn't fit a priority bubble envelope and even if it could, because it is hardbound those corners are vulnerable and it really is something that needs to be individually boxed to be shipped. 

I'm just not equipped to take on the task so please search for it at your other favorite places and spread the word!

For more information, please refer back to my original post on this book. I've shared the 30 quilts that are included from my other titles all here in one volume.

*This is a greatest hits album kind of book.  There are no NEW quilts.*

The Pieceful Hearts gals were the first to hold it in their hot little hands!

Of course, the Quilting Quarters were extra busy yesterday.

Projects are already coming together!

Our first retreat finish!

(It just needed borders.)

It's called Treasure Hunt.

This was a Debbie Caffrey Mystery that the guild participated in.

Another one is underway here!

I'm loving watching Paula's big scissors appear!

Sadie the Scissors from Everyday Stitches.

Just oh my word.  Wow!

A couple of folks are working on their Lupine & Laughter with hopes to get it over the porch rail this weekend!

Any open space becomes a design floor!

Sampler blocks on the wall -

These were from a Designer Mystery by Fat Quarter Shop.

We've also got a couple of serious bag makers in the group!

And when I say serious - I mean serious!

Love this fabric with the tomato pincushions.

Border units destined to surround a beautiful panel.

And through it all - borders were finished!

I was going to opt for a neutral skinny inner border, but it just disappeared and I needed something that would stop the checkerboard and let the spool border do its thing.

This is where we are -

Today - find a backing.

Maybe piece a franken batting.

Get this loaded in the machine?

Tula next to me while stitching hexies last night.

With her one eye closed she looks pretty perfect, doesn't she?

There are still attacks by Lola.  Lola is just mean.  I wish Tula would just let her have it and get this over with - we are 6 months into this living together under the same roof thing now.

Yes, I've done all of the diffusers and tried mitigating everything I can.

Lola, super sweet on her own, is just super mean to other cats.

She is 16.  I think Tula will outlive her.

What are your plans for this Friday?

We've had a few sprinkles this morning, but nothing major so I'm hoping for another dirt road hike unless the sky completely opens up.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

No matter how you quilt, it's always better with quilty friends around.

Geese on a String quilt from my book String Frenzy. (One of the quilts NOT found in Scrap Savvy!)

Have a fabulous Friday, everyone -