A Quilt of Valor for Rosemary!

Meet Rosemary Daws from Texas, shown here wrapped in a Quilt of Valor and Love!

Sometimes the most unexpected things unfold when we attend events like this.

I have always believed that quilting is much more than fabric, thread, machines and patterns.  The best part of quilting is our relationships with others.

The story goes that Pepper Cory (shown here with Rosemary) was talking about quilts along with some of her own family history, and mentioned the military service of her father.

And then in a small voice someone (aka. Rosemary!) pipes up and says “I am a Vietnam Veteran”.

Before we knew it, Pepper had grabbed Kaye England, who is our backbone and facilitator at this event, and Kaye says that she will take care of it!

She calls up Rita Pennington, who is the Land of Lincoln coordinator for Quilts of Valor here in Illinois, and she arranges an impromptu Quilt of Valor “wrapping” as a surprise for Rosemary (And all who were not in the KNOW that this was going to happen) at our silent auction event last night which is raising money for breast cancer research.

Good things happen when we gather together to quilt with one another!

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Naperville Cocoon, Day 2!

THIS Kind of fun is happening in Naperville Illinois this week!

Yesterday was day #2 of Midnight Flight.  A lot of fun with small pieces, a whole new room full of excited students, and a day to play!

And of course, this is a dream for me because not only do I get to spend the time with these quilters, many whom I’ve taught before here there and everywhere including guild meetings and cruises and shows, but I actually have time to spend with the other instructors, and usually that isn’t the case.

Everyone is so busy that the instructors usually don’t get time to even get to know each other.

This really has been super.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to tag team a featherweight with Pepper Cory?  It turns out that Marilyn was able to bring us one, and Pepper and I arranged it that she could have it for the first two days, which included her lecture day, and starting TONIGHT – that sweet little featherweight will be in my clutches until class is over tomorrow.  Bliss!

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Naperville Cocoon, Day 1!

We are all here, and having a great time – even if it was spitting SNOW yesterday afternoon.

Hello? Illinois?  It’s APRIL for cryin’ out loud.  I know I wanted a stop to the pollen infestation that had my eyes glued shut in North Carolina, but if this is your way of dealing with the situation – I take it back. Seriously.  It got up to 70 on Sunday.  Yesterday – 32.  How DO these Midwesterners deal with it?

Well, we stay in and QUILT of course!  And we did!

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An Impromptu Sit & Sew!

Yesterday afternoon found me with some time on my own after we had arrived at the Naperville Marriott, filled our bellies at the near by Maggianos.

Pam, Lisa and Pepper had gone off in search of dreamland, and I gave my friend Valerie, owner of The Quit Merchant in Winfield a call after finding her email on my phone.

“Forgot to tell you I am having a sewing day at the store with some friends so I hope you will join us…….”

OH! YES!

The shop is maybe 15 minutes away and Val came and retrieved me and took me back!

I was a surprise you see, These gals just knew Val was out to retrieve something. Isn’t this fun!

Hexie corner section #2 is growing!

Valerie finished her bricks little quilt!

Thank you for an afternoon of stitching bliss!

Of course there was some shopping to be had.

Some ooh-gling,

Some ahhhh-gling

Some Oh my gosh-ing

Some “I have to make this!” ing as well!

Val has started her own pattern line for reproduction scrap quilts and her designs are just dreamy and make my heart smile!

Something to pet around every corner!

Samples upon samples!

You gotta get to Winfield, Illinois!

Thank you for the wonderful afternoon, my friend!

Quiltville Quote of the Day!

Our smiles can change everything! Turn yours on today!

I know the smiles of friends lifted my travel tired heart turning yesterday from a work chore to joys to be remembered.  Smiles make all the difference.

Vintage grandmother's flower garden quilt found in Kentucky.

Time to get myself down to my class and get this day started!

Love from Naperville -

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