Mid-Atlantic Quilt Fest

I still remember the feeling of walking into the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival for the first time almost 20 years ago. It was nearly enough to make a newbie quilter swoon.

The quilts were incredible.

The vendors were temptation beyond my willpower.

The shear number of people was overwhelming.

It's all still true today except I do have a bit more willpower and the masses of people has become more like a family reunion.

Today I'll share a few of my favorite quilts. I'd be hard-pressed to pick a very favorite.

The cleverness of quilters just amazes me.

My New Friend

I have a new friend.

At first, I was a little wary.

Big personalities do that to me.

What if we just can't get a long? What if we can't agree on anything? What if my new friend just doesn't like me?

But the more time we spend together, the more comfortable I become with my new friend.

As with any new relationship, there are quirks that have to be balanced out. You know...some people like chocolate, some vanilla. Some like classical music, some like Stone Temple Pilots. Some like to slow dance, some like the mosh pit.

Some people like King Tut, some like Mettler.

We're figuring each other out, me and my new friend.

One thing I know...I'm already smitten.

If you want to watch a quilter fall in love, stop by Sew Original. I'm the one in the front window, dancing with my friend.

Friday Night Sew In, Etc.

I got a late start on FNSI but it was for a good cause. We stopped by a wonderful art gallery in our neighborhood that was hosting an event benefiting Aids Care Services. My friend Wendy had a few of her wonderful dolls there. I especially love this one. Isn't she the cutest?! (The doll..not Wendy...though Wendy is very cute herself.)

Once I got home, I fixed some tea and started the sew fest. I'm making my own string pieced tie wall quilt for a shop sample. I'm planning on teaching it at Sew Original. I was able to get all the blocks pieced and then this evening got the top together except for the border. I'll post a picture of that when it's really done.

In the meantime, though, I have been busy playing at the shop with one of these.

This is what I did today - my first ever machine embroidery. (Ignore the stabilizer behind it that I haven't completely torn away.)

All I can say is...oh no...I drank the Kool Aid.

Yay! Friday!

Oh...wait...

When you don't work, every day's Friday!

But this is Friday Night Sew In Friday!

So...YAY!

I'll be string piecing ties, sipping tea and maybe doing a little handwork....all while listening to Harry Potter on CD (for the gazillionth time).

As my sweet friend says - Life is good!

And the Gifts Keep Coming

I met my friend for lunch today. You know the friend... the one I wrote the paper for and God showed me how He works?

'

As if that wasn't enough thanks...

'

Robbie made this for me.

'

He MADE this!

'

'

And are you ready for this?

'

This wood he used for the top...

'

quilted maple.

'

Really.

'

'

There's no better gift for someone who makes things with their hands than a gift made by an other's own hands...except for the gift of friendship.

'

My Kind of Training

Friday and Saturday this week was spent in Staff Training at Sew Original. The shop was closed and we were all locked in there.

'

Yes, go ahead...torture me by locking me in a quilt shop with a bunch of crazy women.

'

We got a lot done and had a big ol' time in the process.

'

Everyone pitched in to recover the design walls in the class room. (They're up. They look great. No one got hurt. yay!)

'

'

We worked on shop samples. Shirley finished this tepee. Is that not the cutest thing ever?

'

'

On Saturday, Shelby got to join us for the day. She had a big time being spoiled by everyone. She especially likes Miss Muriel. Bribery by Cool Whip may have something to do with it.

'

What training did I do?

'

Miss Mellie got to meet this Bernina 820. I tried it with and without the stitch regulator. Because I've quilted, oh, a few hundred quilts without a BSR, it was hard for me to get used to it. So, I took it off. But, for someone just beginning to do free motion quilting, the BSR is a dream come true. I have a feeling when we put this maching on a quilting stand, the BSR will be a must for me too.

'

Either way, after spending two days with this machine, I'm the spoiled one, not Shelby.

Facebook

Last night I decided I'd try something and set up a Facebook Page for my quilts. I've got photos of quilts I have for sale. I'm sure I'll find other uses for the page too.

Check it out and "like" me if you want!

Bear Hug Quiltworks

How Much Fun Can We Fit in One Weekend?

A lot.

For two people without employment, we've both been very busy. Wednesday, David left for the NC Society of Surveyor's annual conference in Raleigh. I followed on Thursday afternoon. Miss Shelby got to spend the weekend at Missy's with a house full of wonderful souls. Meet Scarlett and Reggie who pretty much take Shelby in stride.

I dropped her off while everyone but Scarlett and Reggie were elsewhere and as I left, I could hear Shelby barking...you know...the "I cannot believe you're abandoning me here" bark.

I could hear her from the driveway...sitting in my car...with the door closed.

So, just out of curiosity, I stealthily creept back up to look in the window. I can't see her because she's right at the door, barking. Scarlett and Reggie, however, are laying by their beds. They both give me a look like "it's okay, she'll stop in a minute...really. We promise...and it's okay if she doesn't. We're cool".

Actually, that's what Scarlett was saying. Reggie was saying "huh?" because he's fairly deaf.

So, I head on to Downtown Raleigh to meet up with David. The great thing about this conference is I get to spend some time with the guys and some time sewing in my room. (Yay! A retreat!)

Friday, I walked down to the NC Museum of History. I lived in Raleigh for 14 years and worked downtown for over 5 of those years...and never went to the museums. I walked right by them all almost every day. One day soon, I'm going to take a day and go be a tourist in my old town.

Friday wasn't that day though. It was cold and rainy.

The History Museum has an exhibit going on right now about Thomas Day, a free black man who was an cabinetmaker in Milton, NC before the Civil War. I was amazed at the number of pieces they had. His work is exquisite and the fact that he was who he was, when he was is fascinating to me. Many years ago I had the opportunity to stand in his cabinet shop in Milton. Preservation North Carolina was in the process of restoring it to use as a museum and because I was with the Mayor, I was able to just walk right on in and explore. There is a reverence to being able to stand in a place where you know history was made.

I especially covet this sewing table.

I also got to see my favorite quilt in the entire world.

For lunch, I got to spend time with a dear friend from high school. We went to Sitti, a Lebanese restaurant that was too yummy for words. We caught up on all the drama and the ordinary.

Then I had to rush back to the hotel to meet my parents. Several years ago they started coming to the conference banquet both for the fun of it and to be there for David. This banquet was most special because David was inducted as President of NCSS.

This is a special group of folks. They stick together and support each other which has meant the world to both of us especially in the last few weeks.

Saturday morning I saw my parent's off after breakfast at The Flying Biscuit. I highly recommend the biscuit with a little cranberry apple butter. Getting to spend time with my parents like this is a gift I do not take for granted. We are usually surrounded by other people and too busy to just sit and talk. I am blessed.

After they headed back home, I took off to Whistle Stop Quilt Shop which moved from Selma to Cary. It's a sweet shop with lots of beautiful things...which I didn't buy...being somewhat mindful of my unemployed status. But I soaked it all in and will return some day.

Then, I met my Raleigh bee for our annual Christmas get together. Lunch at PF Changs which was wonderful of course...better if we didn't have to deal with the mall. As I was circling, trying to find a parking spot, I was reminded of why I really don't miss Raleigh.

I have missed these ladies though and love it every time we get together.

After lunch, I picked up Miss Shelby and we headed back home for a nice quiet evening...getting ready for a busy Sunday.

Sunday started with Deacon Duty at church, then off to Sew Original for the Souper Bowl party which was a blast. A bunch of us were doing demos (I was demoing the silk tie string blocks). There was soup and desserts and giveaways. We all had a big time. I am loving hanging out with these ladies.

After the party, I picked David up and we went to a Super Bowl party at my "adopted" brother's house. Hot wings, family, football (that I watched while appliqueing) and of course the commercials. It was all fun but I was pooped!

Which is why I'm kicked back this morning catching up on blogs. emails and making lists.

Where's David, you ask?

At his new job.

(squeeeeee!!!!!!)

L is for...

Lincoln and Logan.

Twin boys born on New Year's Day...5 weeks early. All is well and they are beautiful. Their mom is the Executive Director for North Carolina Society of Surveyors and my husband is President-Elect. They spend a lot of time on the phone and I expect as he becomes President the phone calls will increase.

She's got her hands full taking care of so many men. Maybe I should have made her a flannel quilt too.

She's going to need naps.

I know I would.