Let the Fun Begin!

It’s Talkin’ Turkey Day in Williamsburg, VA!

Everything is raring to go – I took this photo after setting up my space yesterday ---the quilts will rotate their time on the hanging rack ---these are the three classes I am teaching this week.

Talkin’ Turkey is hanging in the center, with Winston Ways on the left, and Midnight Flight on the right.

The table in front is the folding table that traveled with me ---it’s elevated to cutting table height, and I’ll be doing my cutting and ruler demos there.

Here is our crowd as we gathered to find our seats for the opening ceremonies after our meet & greet! June gave a great presentation on just what it takes to pull a magazine issue together, and it starts about 6 months before the issue hits the news stands.

I know the next time I hold a new issue in my hands I’ll be looking at it differently – it was educational and eye opening, and really gives me an appreciation for all they do to give us so much. I’m proud to be a Quiltmaker contributor!

Hahahaha! Diane and Carolyn were taking pictures of me taking pictures of them!

Yes, we are SO grown up and PROFESSIONAL!

Diane came to my room to check out my new 301 and the card table she sets into! Whooowhooo! I got posted to the Quiltmaker facebook page! Still working on Wild & Gooseys ---these will be appearing in my Addicted to Scraps column this coming year, so be watching for the pattern – it’s the easiest way to get the right size of foundation pattern in your hands….print it in the magazine!

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing ---take"SOME" time out to be silly!

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The Cheese Shoppe ---

I got several comments and emails telling me I HAD to go to The Cheese Shoppe in old town Williamsburg for the best sandwich ever.

The shop in itself is adorable and you will want to browse and taste test your way past the cheeses on display.

There is also a large selection of local wines and other culinary treats to entice you.

I was working up a powerful appetite so I made my way back to the rear of the shop where a long lunch-time line had already formed…..

Long lines are a bad thing good thing ----

Bad, because you have to wait ----

GOOD – because if there is a line, it must be worth waiting in one!

Yes, THIS is the line…Mmmmm…it MUST be worth it!

I was told that I needed to experience the special “house dressing” on my sandwich –so I went for it! I ordered corned beef and pepper jack on pumpernickel with house dressing. MMMMMMMM! There is NO picture of the sandwich – I was too busy eating it!

I’m always one to try a “not so known to me” brand of chips ----These knocked my socks off!

BUT THISSSSSS!!

I love nutty crunchy carmel-y things….and I didn’t quite know WHAT this conglomeration was, but oh boy --- I could have forgotten the sandwich and just went for this. It had a cookie bar bottom, then stuck to the carmel topping was crunched pretzels ((Oh yeah, that beloved salty-sweet sensation!)) chocolate chips, peanuts…….messy, gooey and oh so good! Does anyone have a recipe for this kind of cookie bar? Maybe I better not have one!

And just so you don’t think that all I do is post about junk food ----oh, the gardens are WONDERFUL to behold….

Tomorrow classes begin! Talkin’ Turkey is first up! I better go get some shut eye ----morning comes early and quilters will be raring to go!

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iPhone-o-Gram! Behind the Scenes!

Set up has begun with anticipation over this week's workshops and events with Quiltmaker Magazine's Block Party here in Williamsburg, VA!

Did you ever stop to think just how much time and effort goes into pulling an event together??

This should give you a good clue!!

I'm ready to start setting up my classroom!

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Welcome to Williamsburg!

I arrived in Williamsburg yesterday afternoon----the Quiltmaker event is at the Hospitality House hotel & convention center – and WOW---what a place!

Of course the whole place has a very colonial feel to it ---everyone was so nice helping me check in, telling me where in the underground garage I can park ---and the valet took my bags right up to my room!

He was gone by the time I parked the car, found the elevator and navigated my way up to the 4th floor where I am staying…

I opened the door and was blown away!

WOW!!

This is the view from the door….

The view from the desk area……do you know what I’m thinking???

There is OODLES of space for my 301 and table!

I unpacked some, leaving the rest for later – and throwing on my socks and running shoes – off I took to explore the sidewalk. I found myself just a couple blocks up the road where the main area of historical Williamsburg is found.

Me and my buddy, Thomas Jefferson getting it cozy on the bench! LOL!

Dang, it was hot hot hot and humid….by the time I was done walking, my hair was soaked as if I had just stepped out of a shower. The gals from Quiltmaker arriving from Utah and Colorado are in for a quick education in just what South Eastern Humidity is all about!

It was later in the afternoon, and too late to buy a pass for the day to see all of the historic sites, so I just walked the area past old houses and businesses and churches and saw what I could as a “preview”. Tomorrow morning I can go do MORE!

young docents dress in period costume and talk to children about colonial life.

It’s fun to carry on a conversation with those dressed in costume--- they talk in the “English” of the 1700s!

“Good day to you, madam, and you as well, kind sir!”

Carriage rides were sold out for the day, but I sure loved watching them clip clop by!

And my favorite sight of the day? A penny whistler!

It’s going to be an exciting time in Williamsburg – quilters should start arriving today for the meet & greet, classes begin on Thursday and go through Saturday – SUNDAY? This girl is on her way HOME!

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