LIFTING SPIRITS

The most valuable bonus of my 25+ career as a quilt professional is definitely the folks I've met along the quilting highway.  It's only natural that once the travel stops, contact with so many drops off.

 

So when a package arrived in the mail from my friend Casey in Baltimore....well it certainly put a smile on my face.  How very thoughtful that during her first visit to the famous Lambeau Field and the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame that she remembered me.

"The husband" and I had just remarked that the first Packer game is only 1 month and a day away.....now that's a true blue GREEN fan!  Until then.....remember these words   GO PACK GO!!!!

Thank you Casey!!!

ONE MORE THING....

Okay....I promise no long drawn out wake for my teaching career......but I found this yesterday as I was cleaning out my 'teaching closet' and decided to share it.  Never was there a goal to actually color in all the states I visited, but as a newbie instructor oh so many years ago, it was a fun exercise that I continued as the years ticked by.  Seriously, those first two years I thought each invitation would be the last.....as I just couldn't believe my good luck....

So....including the more difficult ones to get......Alaska and Hawaii....I've taught in all but three states and a dozen or more countries.  I've always kidded that if an airline ever stranded me somewhere....I'd check my extensive email or phone contact file and and start asking to be rescued from a long night on an airport floor! 

DONE!!!!

If there was any question left in my mind about my decision to retire from travel teaching......it's gone.  As Thanksgiving week is nearing....I'm going to share a bit of what it's like to travel these days, but mostly reflect on what I am thankful for.  #1  The amazing career I've had for the past 25+ years!!!

Without going into too much drama, though I could probably write a novel.....I'll begin by saying that on Monday, my first flight of the day cancelled and USAirways could not accommodate me on any future flights that day. Delta could get me to Atlanta, but not to Ft. Lauderdale that day.  Of course not going was NOT an option! Ultimately, I wormed a ride with two business men who had decided to rent a car together and drive to Charlotte in the hopes of making their flights.  I'm thankful for the kindness of strangers....who helped me haul my heavy suitcases in the rain from the rental car facility to the bus to the terminal and inside.  Turns out my flight to FL was delayed....then after arriving late in Ft. Lauderdale, my hostess and I sat on I95 in heavy traffic due to an accident making me even later for dinner with a couple of the Boca Raton Quilt Guild members.

To top the day off.....my credit card company alerted me that they were cancelling my card due to fraudulent charges on my account.  I'm thankful that the bank overnighted a new card to my hotel.  Now home, I spent 90 mins. yesterday updating everything that required a credit card on file...... geesh.  

My itinerary for the trip home got changed too.......the first flight departed nearly 30 mins. earlier than what I booked.  I'm thankful the president of the guild generously and with good spirits picked me up at 6:00 AM for the 45 mins. drive to the airport.  That flight was on time....but my original flight to Asheville was eliminated after I booked it so I had a 3.5 hour layover in Charlotte.  I'm thankful for my ipad.....which kept me busy rewatching season 4 of Downton Abby.

 I'm thankful and astonished that one of the students in my workshop not only remembered the story behind this quilt, made in 1997, but wanted to purchase it as well.

It's titled, 'Along The Quilting Highway' 17" x 17" - hand appliqued, hand quilted, painted, featuring 3-d trees and Barbie Doll shoes beaded to guardrail posts.  It was inspired by a teaching trip to Los Alamos, NM where shoes show up regularly displayed along the highway.

I don't know if there's a statue of limitations on what might be considered destruction of government property.....so all I'll say is that while there.....I did my part!!

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY QUILT GUILD TRIP

I returned yesterday afternoon from my 2nd to last travel teaching trip......conflicted about my decision to retire after spending days with such wonderful quilters and my exceptionally great hostesses.

However, I won't easily forget the trip getting to Vermont which was so stressful (not a suprise with 3 flights) but the added drama to 1 mechanical, 1 delay waiting for crew, a sprint literally from one end of an airport to another to catch my connection almost takes the joy out of traveling.  NOT to mention, screaming babies, a child kicking the back of my seat for 2 hrs. (I'm sure the mother thought her darling was too adorable to scold, cause she never said a word.)  Super crowded aircrafts with folks squeezed into too little seats.  The final straw was the 30ish young man sitting next to me on a commuter flight playing some sort of video game using an ipad.  HE WAS DRIVING a race car by flinging his arms, while holding his device.  I thought he would give me a knock out punch at any moment.

If anyone lives or is visiting the Burlington area before January.....I highly recommend visiting the Shelburne Museum's Civil War textile exhibit.  It was awesome!!!  Thank you to Janet for taking me.

 I'd been concerned about the timing of this trip ever since it was booked.....thinking....hummmm  Vermont in Nov. could mean dealing with winter weather.  Funny thing....this is what I left but it was beautiful there!

 Everyone knows I'm such a hotel snob.....now I truly don't expect the 4 Seasons but Motel 6 doesn't make me a happy traveler.  Yeah......look was luxury greeted me as I checked into my hotel......

 Several students are giving new homes to some of my small quilts.....Notice how both Janet (above) and Claire (below) have selected quilts that match what they were wearing.  

The last evening included a visit to charming downtown Vermont with a super delicious dinner of grilled salmon artfully garnished with tasty additions.

It had gotten a bit chilly and windy so we didn't linger, but I could easily envision a day of strolling the brick streets and interesting shops.  My first of 3 flights for home departed at 6:00 AM.......so an early evening was definitely in order.

Now, I have to get busy unpacking and reorganizing for my upcoming trip to Boc Raton, FL........in addition to 2 fiber meetings next week and hopefully some stitching.

LADY BUG QUILTERS SHARE THEIR WORK

Of course everyone enjoys the show and tell portion of each guild meeting...the Lady Bug's was particularly large and so inspiring.  It's apparent many members favor traditional quilts.....most were scrappy but several had innovative twists.

You know how it goes......it's difficult to even snap photos much less document makers names.....I apologize for not having them, but please do look at these beauties.

 These final two photos highlight some very enthusiastic students from my workshop.  During the morning, they learned basic beading techniques and beyond.  The afternoon was spent exploring beaded binding and edging techniques.  What a pleasure it was for me to work with such highly skilled stitchers.

I'm off to play with the Baltimore Hertiage Guild for a few days before heading home.  Mole hunter Sooty and 'the husband' are holding down the fort!

LEAVING ON TWO JET PLANES

I'm off to share my work with two quilt guilds this week (Lady Bug in Delware and Baltimore Heritage).  It's always a pleasure to meet and spend time with other enthuastic quilters.

Air travel continues to be challenging...but at least this is only 2 flights each way, instead of 3 which is not uncommon given my starting point in Asheville, NC!

Hope to check in with you along the way......

ALABAMA QUILT SYMPOSIUM....HERE I COME!

As the song says......"My bags are packed.....I'm ready to go"...... (well, almost packed.)

Happily I'm not 'leaving on a jet plane'......this is a road trip. The first day will be spent judging the show, followed by 3 days of workshops.  I'm really looking forward to being in the classroom again.....I truly do love teaching and will be sad at the end of this year when I retire from that aspect of my quilt world.

In case I can't blog during my absence.....know that there will be posts a plenty in less than a week.  See you then......

FAN-TASTIC QUILT GUILD

I'm back from my teaching trip with wonderful memories of new friends.  Seriously, kuddos my hostesses and friendly students were outstanding. I was treated so well....it was difficult to pack up and head home.

The executive board of the Fan-Tastic Quilters Guild in Crossville, TN is now my 'dream team'.  Gosh......do they know how to run a guild meeting!!  For those of you have attended a guild regularly.....you probably understand what I'm referring to.....an endless slow shuffling of committee members to the front of the room to make their slow and unnecessarily long reports.  This no nonsense group keeps everything short and sweet.  Don't misunderstand me, the information is there.....but ONLY the necessary information is conveyed.  This group needs a shout out too for how many charitable projects they organize...FAN-TASTIC!!

 I loved this idea...... Each month a cupcake stand is filled with artistically arranged fabric in paper cups, complete with a candle, for members to select for their birthday. 

It's only one of the many clever ways the guild acknowledges their members.  No wonder when the co-presidents asked for volunteers for a couple of committees....hands popped up all over the room!!!

Thank you everyone, and especially Janice for making my visit so special.

WORKSHOP SUPPLIES

Grunt work.....yuck.....when I was teaching full out, it made sense to out-source some of the preparations for my workshops. Now that I'm winding down, it's more sensible for me to tackle them.

For instance....these 'mock quilts'...which are kinda like elongated hot pads.  I don't require students to purchase them, they can make their own if they wish. However, since I never really know for sure how many I need to have on hand, it's necessary to maintain an inventory.  I'll be teaching this class for two upcoming guild visits.....meaning...I need to get busy!

They are used as a blank for students to create a sampler of edging/binding stitches.  I started adding beaded edgings on my quilts about 15 years ago and been teaching it about that long.  So now that my schedule is fairly sparse...making the blanks has fallen to me.....  Good for evening hand sewing as the binding needs to be sewn to the back by hand, but it's not a very creative exercise.

 Here's an example of how a simple beadwork stitch can frame a quilt.  (Click to enlarge)

 ...And here's one of the most difficult and time consuming techniques. Basically a netting made using bugle and seed beads.  This piece is available here.

ROCKS!?!!?

Always being on the outlook for smooth, interesting rocks to embellish.....these came home with me from my recent teaching trip to Phoenix! 

Yes....I do live in the mountains of North Carolina....but I've yet to find any smooth 'flatish' rocks here.  I can't wait to get started playing....

A NECESSARY TOOL

I head out in two days to teach at the AQS Phoenix show. Organization & preparation is a must for any traveling teacher.....

 Here's one of my most important tools......yup.....the bathroom scale.  If you've traveled lately, you know that fees for checked baggage can mount, especially if you exceed the magic number of 50 lbs.

So, even though I've already shipped a box of supplies.....I'm still concerned.

Just look at all this stuff I have to bring.....so, I begin by weighing myself. Yuck....winter cold and icy roads have prevented me from doing the 90 minute daily 'forced march', so stepping on the scale was not pleasant.  

Then I lift a suitcase and step back on the scale.....fingers crossed that the difference doesn't equal more than 50 lbs.  FYI - BEADS and embellished quilts weigh more than you think......

It will probably be pretty quite here on my blog most of next week unless I can figure out how to post from my ipad......ya I know...you techies already have that mastered....but this old dog doesn't.....  If you are attending the show, please stop by to say hello.....

ISLAND GET AWAY

I've been on the road teaching......believe me...not all gigs are equal!  I'd teach until my teeth started falling out from old age if I could have this experience on every job!

The trip began with a lecture and workshop for the Island Quilters, on John's Island, SC.....just outside of Charleston.  This group was every bit as friendly and hospitable as their reputation....and wonderful cooks too!

I was so busy, unfortunately I don't have a single photo to share with you....my bad as I saw beautiful examples of their work!

 My hostess was a friend which made the trip doubly wonderful.  Views like this off her pier are only in my dreams.....

 The beach is a walkable distance, it was difficult not to turn pea green with envy.

 Kate's daughter will be married at their home in a few weeks so we spent a fun day organizing the many (many, many many) details that are involved in hosting a wedding.  Of course we 'thought' we could get about 10 times more accomplished than we did...though we didn't slack off at all.  

This bundle of tissue paper.......

 .....turns into this charming pom pom after separating the layers....another task that wasn't nearly as quick as we expected.

 Some were strung on a ribbon garland.....

 .....and frankly, a lot more fussy to fluff out than the larger ones....

 However, certainly worth the effort.

Don't ya just love them??

My spring schedule continues to be hectic for another couple of weeks.....preventing me from spending a lot of time working on new projects.  But, I'm trying to use every spare minute and will share soon.

Hang in here with me......

ON THE ROAD

As I feared, blogging during my time at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival turned out to be impossible.  So....here's a wrap up of some of the highlights.

My trip began with a drive to Asheville to meet up with Judy Simmons and Linda Cantrell....both of whom were also teaching at the conference.  Stuffing Judy's car with all the needs of 3 teachers was quite a feat....I'm not sure we could have added a single item more.  This is the view from a side door.

.....and THIS IS the view from the back hatch.  Another layer of 'stuff' and Judy wouldn't have been able to see out the back window!

So.....after 7 1/2 hours of driving & non-stop chatter.....we arrived at the hotel where documenting of this trip continued....as Linda is doing here.

 Taking a photo of what you might wonder??  Well...that's myself on the left and Judy on the right as we were trying to convince Linda to push our cart toward the elevator so we could go back down to the car to pick up another load of luggage.

Instead, I pushed Linda!

 Happily, we were assigned rooms next to each other.  As I unpacked....a knock echoed on my door.  Here came the girls with the cutest slippers.....being on our feet all day teaching requires comfy evening foot wear.

 Adorable, no??

Ever wonder what a quilt show floor looks like during set up?  Piles of merchandise await busy vendors attention!

Tomorrow I'll share some of the fabulous quilts in the competition.....