Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'!

Yesterday was just the most beautiful day, through and through.

I found 2 willing hikers to head up to Grayson Highlands in search of ponies.  (All the while my head was saying "please be there! please be there!")

Autumn colors still surround us, and that bright blue sky and the abundant sunshine somehow made the beautiful reds, golds, and oranges just that much brighter.  More intense.

And there they were! Five!

(only four in this photo)

This was a first for Barbara and Kimi, and I'm hoping we can do it again next year.

I think they are up for it, too!

The most precious part was when we were heading back down the Appalachian Trail side of our loop.  It gets narrow and rocky here and is bordered by clumps of pines, and there ahead was a mama and foal.

I grabbed my camera just as this little one designed to fold his legs under himself and lie down for a little rest.

That spikey little mane!

I don't know how old, but not very.

Good job, mama!

We kept as far away as the trail would allow us, hugging the opposite side.

This view in October? Magnificent!

Thanks, ladies for making my day!

And look what we saw on our way back to the inn!
It's starting!
This is not trees.  It's the bottom boughs that grow closer to the ground.  They trim the bottom most branches so the tree has a "trunk" to cut (and put in your tree holder) and the boughs are turned into garlands and wreaths. Those are evidently beginning to be produced now.
We've had 3 frosts, so lets go! Soon the Christmas Tree trucks will be full and going up and down the highways around here.

After we returned from the trail, I dropped Barbara and Kimi off and had to turn right around and head over to Independence for my physical therapy appointment. I left at 1:30pm to be there by 2:00pm.
By the time I got back it was 3:30pm and I was still running to fit all of the Monday last day of retreat things in.
QPO visit for those who wanted to come see - check!
Signing of books and cashing out of purchases from the Quiltville Store.  Check.
All of the trash out to the curb for Tuesday morning pickup.  Check.
Over the porch rail photos taken for Wednesday's post.  Check.
I rolled out of there after 5pm without having sewn a stitch all day - wait - I take that back.  I did do a demo of the little Y seams on the Kite quilt so folks could see how easy it is.  But that was it.
Until evening time.

I finished the next "butterfly" section for the current hexie project.

It's there are on the far right, ready to be added.

So this is on the to-do list for tonight. 

Attach this section to this column!

(Can I even call it a "mothership" yet?!)

This week is going to be super full - I'm teaching Tropical Twist for the November Quiltvillians. The pattern is in my Addicted to Scraps book.

We are running it over a 3 day weekend with instruction for 2 hours each morning, and free time to sew in the afternoons. I can't wait to see what everyone makes!

Today I need to make some step-out units and get everything ready for folk's arrival tomorrow.

That means 12 loads of laundry and everything else the goes with flipping the house from one group to the next.

And yes - the intro post to this year's mystery!  It's happening soon. So soon.  Be sure to check back on Halloween to print your intro copy and plan to join us on Black Friday, November 27th for PART ONE!

We are off like a firecracker with our Festival PDF pattern release and Gift-Away!

I am so anxious to see what you do with this one. Whatever colors and fabrics you choose.

Did you get your entry in on the Gift-Away post?

I'll be drawing for 2 winners who will each receive a Festival PDF pattern from me AND a Facets of Yellow color roll from our friends at  Cotton to Quilts!

And do check out their other color rolls! The Notable Neutrals rolls can't be beat for building up your own collection of fun neutrals for scrappy quilt backgrounds.

Sparkling Stars!

A trip to Romania inspired this sparkling 2-block design in red, yellow & blue – the colors of the Romanian flag! Designed for foundation paper piecing by machine, this pattern includes Full color photos, printable paper-piecing templates, diagrams and piecing options.

Quilt size: 63’’ X 63’’

Optional but helpful: Bonnie K. Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool for the border units.

Traditional rotary cutting methods and paper piecing templates are given for those who don't have access to the ruler.

Intro pricing:  I have placed Festival at 25% off in the Quiltville Store through 11/1/26. No coupon needed. Discount given at check-out.

We will draw for our winners on Friday, October 30th! That's coming up soon!

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Stop talking your own quilts down!

When someone admires your quilt, don't point out your own mistakes!

All of the points are there, they may just be hiding within the seam.

Happy Tuesday, everyone -