It never rains but it pours?
It has certainly rained a lot this month!! Both literally and figuratively…
The grass is green, the gardens are growing, and I have been busy.
I started the month at AQS Quilt Week in Hartford, Connecticut, a new venue for AQS but a city I have visited before. Back in the times before Covid I taught for Stitches there. The hotel staff remembered the knitters… they were always knitting… with a glass of wine at hand!
Quilters are similar, but different. I’m not sure we all take our stitching with us in every line and as for the wine? Some of us have other things to spend our money on!!
Anyway, I had a busy schedule lined up with six classes, a lecture and two evening events I just couldn’t miss. I had shipped two boxes full of supplies and, with my two full checked bags plus hand luggage I was ready.
We started on the Wednesday with a Beading on Fabric class (no picture), followed by a Dorset Button class,
That was followed by the sold out All Star Review… eight teachers with ten minutes each to share a technique. I had my ever popular Take the Scenic Route samples to show. I sold a good number of books so I guess people enjoyed it
Back to the convention center on Thursday morning for Dimensional Embroidery Stitches, an intermediate class where I promise everyone will learn at least one new stitch!!
Lots of concentrated effort…
Straight from there to a Lunch and Learn lecture and some fun taking a Trip Around the World in Folk Art Stitches!
I had the rest of the afternoon off and took the opportunity to put my feet up in my room before Games Night. Michelle was looking for four teachers to volunteer at our faculty meeting and how could I resist the opportunity?
To cut a long story short, my team won!! Here’s the crowd humoring me with a picture as we took a bow…
As first prize winners we all took home a new Oliso project iron and co-ordinating ironing board cover, worth around $250! There were prizes for all the participants and some lucky audience members too.
Here we are, the worthy winners!
And me with the other team leaders… I tried hard to be a gracious winner…
Wow, that was a stressful evening, but one with a good result. I calmed down and managed a reasonable night’s sleep before Friday’s classes.
Shirtlace Buttons in the morning,
and Walking Foot Quilting – beyond the ditch in the afternoon.
Just one day left to go. Here’s Sue helping out in Walking Foot Quilting – curves and spirals on Saturday morning.
Time to head to the show floor and look at quilts. I did a little shopping in the Wonderfil booth and caught up with my friend Anna Buzzalino, one of the wonderful Wonderfil artisans!
Good times! Many of my students were repeat customers… it’s always good to know that people want to come back for more. I already have one new contract to work for a guild in the area next year. AQS put on a great show and this one was no exception. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again in Grand Rapids in August.
I packed my bags, making sure to fit in my new iron and the thread purchases. It wasn’t too hard, there had been some good shopping in the classroom and I had very few kits to take home. I had passed on the opportunity to take the very early flight home on Sunday morning so I had time for a little adventure.
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art was calling my name, just a few blocks from the hotel. I had a late breakfast and left my bags with the concierge.
Founded in 1842 the museum has a little bit of everything, all set in some beautiful buildings.
I’m always interested in anything that’s stitched!
And the painting of a young Ruth Sears Bacon by John Singer Sargeant deserved a closer inspection.
I bought the fridge magnet to add to my collection.
Time to go home. I have to admit I was tired… but happy.
It seems like Zoom is here to stay, and on the Tuesday evening I met with the North Coast Needlers of Ohio. I hope they enjoyed my Lessons Learned While Quilting lecture!
Meanwhile bulbs were flowering outside…
But ever onwards. Time to pack my bags again. There are a lot of guilds in the Chicago suburbs. On Wednesday I set off to visit with the Faithful Circle members in nearby Downers Grove. I was last there in May 2017 and there were some familiar faces in the crowd. Some members were in Paducah for Quilt Week down there but there was still a good turnout. I just forgot to take picture before we took our Trip Around the World. I did take a few pictures of Show and Tell.
The show and tell continued at our class on Saturday when this familiar elephant made its appearance!
Several of the ladies had gone home before I took this picture at the end of our all day Walking Foot class.
It was a fun-packed full day of quilting. I was glad when Steve suggested getting carry out for dinner!
And now it’s Monday and my bags are already packed for today’s adventure. I will be heading north later today to Lutherdale Camp in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. Tomorrow is their Vounteers’ Appreciation Luncheon and I am the featured speaker and entertainment. It’s raining again!!
