It was short, it was sweet, it was crammed full of quilty fun!
The Tada Quilters were down from Erie, Pennsylvania and beyond and through they were only with us until Sunday morning, they packed a full week's worth of activities into their stay.
Not only did they quilt into the wee small hours, but they took time out to cook amazing dishes, while others headed out on early morning dirt road hikes, or even took off early Saturday morning to go hike 7 miles on the Appalachian Trail.
There were hikes beyond the North Carolina state line and up to the cemetery for a panoramic view.
There were wild ponies at Grayson Highlands state park and definitely trails less traveled.
I had Casden for the weekend, so I missed out on all of this, but I love that the ladies have been here enough times to know where to go and to get out and get it done while the mornings are still cool.
We barely beat the rain to get these photos in!
Chilhowie making an appearance on the left, and the beginnings of row assembly for Morning Glories on the right!
A rainbow of stars and blue sashed bars -
The cows are so cute! If you know the pattern info, please put it in the comments below. Thank you!
Lupine & Laughter on the right - so lovely!
And here is the back, using up all of the bits and bobs from the front!
Carpenter's star wedding quilt, and a super fun Eclipsed featuring Halloween fabrics!
Not sure what is on the left? If you have the info, in to the comments it goes!
Licorice Twist on the right - so much fun to make! Have you started one?
Beautiful baskets with applique.
One of the fun things was having a car full of ladies make a quick turn into the drive and pull up behind the QPO to see just what it was that we were doing.
(This was as it was starting to sprinkle!)
The driver of the car lives locally, she had her friends with her and one of the friend's mothers was a quilter and they had to come and see just what this whole array of quilts was all about.
We let them know where these ladies were from, what they were doing here, and what happens here on a weekly basis. They were amazed.
Exciting things CAN and DO happen out here in the middle of nowhere.
Exciting things from yesterday - Physical therapy and dry needling for the pain between my shoulders. It's getting better, but it didn't get this way overnight and it is going to take some time to reverse it.
My heating pad and I have become good friends.
Yesterday's up-do in the house while the Hubs is away was to finally replace my shower curtain and bath rugs.
I can't be alone in this - 20 years ago or more, we could actually WASH floor rugs and not have the rubber backing turn to sand and peel off in the wash as long as we didn't put them in the dryer, right? I'm not imagining this?
Today's rugs you can't wash. They fall apart. I've had these for 9 years, so it was time for them to go, but I just remember rugs stayed "non slip" and you could wash them. Not anymore.
I did find rugs that "will do" (until the backing crumbles off) and a shower curtain that isn't "too bad" but it is just okay. I'm not thrilled with it. But it will do and at least the backing on the rugs aren't making sand on my floor.
And I have this:
Binding, sleeve and label stitched down!
I really like it. It looks happy.
It's not very big - only something like 64'' - which makes it perfect for hanging on a wall. Not everything has to completely cover a body, right?
I also like the wider inner border - I already knew what I wanted to do for the outer border, so the job of the inner border was to build the quilt center up to fit the border. Not shrink the outer border to fit the quilt, if that makes sense.
I will do whatever it takes to make the math easy.
Be looking for Festival to release later this fall. We've already got things in the line-up for August and September.
Today? Getting things ready for the arrival of the August Quiltvillians 2.0! They'll be arriving tomorrow afternoon so there are beds to make and things to do.
And some sewing time in between...those string diamonds are still calling my name. I'd like to get all 250 or so of them done so I can clean up the string mess and start putting blocks togethetr.
What's up in your quilty world?
Quiltville Quote of the Day -
This may be said with tongue in cheek, but I find it amazingly true!
Have a terrific day, everyone!
12 comments:
The cow quilt is from Cotton and Joy and is called Annabelle
Festival is a jolly beauty.. thank you for sharing with us:)
Cow quilt looks like "Annabelle Quilt" by Cotton & Joy
"Festival" is beautiful. And I hear you on rugs no longer being washable. And they are apt to tear your washer or dryer up when you try. I may occassionally have a few hanging on my front porch rail to dry is prestigious Jonesborough, TN. hahaha
Hi Bonnie! I had a wonderful time at your beautiful retreat home! The quilt with the baskets and the wool appliqued flowers is called “Baskets A Plenty” and it is my design. Woolen Willow Designs! Thank you so much!
Don't get me started on linens these days. OK, I'm started. Mom still used her 1940's wedding towels and blankets in the 1990's. I still have some of my 1970's wedding Cannon and Fieldcrest "Royal Velvet" towels. I think I even have a few of the towels that went with me to college in the early 70's! "Cut velvet." They're now "garage towels" because they match nothing, but they are still truckin'. Also had towels from JCPenny and Sears when first married. All were made in the USA from USA cotton. Sheets, I can't find nice crisp percale like we had when I was a kid. If I do find all-cotton, they have short lifespans, even the ones that run 3-digits in price for one sheet. Mom got ours with S&H Green Stamps! Or at Wanamaker's or Grant's. Every department store had decent linens. Now nothing is made like it used to be. Kids (anyone 0 - 40) these days don't seem to care that things don't last. Just Amazon or Wayfair order something sight unseen and pitch it shortly after if it wears out or isn't right. Drives me nuts! OK, Granny here will climb back into her rocker and stop lecturing. LOL! I know I'm not alone missing the good old days of linens and household furnishings.
The cow quilt is Annabelle by Cotton and Joy Patterns. I made it for my grand daughter using all grunge fabric.
I’m glad I’m not the only one with rug backings that turn to sand. It makes me so mad because it is expensive to keep replacing them and to find something that looks good with the colors you have. It’s also not doing the environment any favors. Grrrrr
Just thinking out loud... would it be possible to make a bathmat-sized quilt with a couple layers of cotton or bamboo (natural fibers) batting, then whip stitch on a backing of that "mesh" that's sold as being used in bars to store glassware. (I wouldn't know, I don't frequent bars.) The good stuff is non-skid and washable. Not the thin stuff you can get at discount stores. A homemade bathmat that can be washed, non-slip, and would match your decor in your preferred colors/patterns. Thinking I might try this!! Kathy M.
Beautiful work as always! The new quilt is beautiful and happy and perfect for summer time as well. Nothing quilting for me this week. It's back to school time. When I can get back to it I am pressing my blocks for L & L. Happy quilting!
Bonnie, Festival has to be my favorite of all your quilts! I think it has great color mix and movement. I can hardly wait for the pattern release!
Dear Bonnie,
we in Europe DO still have rugs with rubber backing which are washable but not that cheep, on your next trip you could leave space in your suitcase und have a look around our shops! (so no space for fabric, giggle)
There is also a plastic sheet with knobs available which is put under a rug without backing, I use such a plastic thing under my indoor doormap and it works good!
Nice greetings from Sophie
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