It’s not very far to Sycamore, less than 50 miles according to Google maps, and it doesn’t sound very glamorous if you compare it to a trip to California but quilters are quilters wherever they are… and they always make you very welcome.
Last Thursday I made the trip west on I-88 to the county seat of De Kalb to give my Language of Flowers lecture.
Sue came with me. The weather forecast changed through out the day. Wisconsin had had 7″ of snow and some of it might be coming our way… It was sleeting when we set off. I was very happy to have the new tires and brakes on the car but in the end we never saw any real flakes.
I prepare the same no matter where I am headed. It can be easier if I’m driving. I always throw an extra few quilts in my bags and take my quilt stand to give a hint of things to come.
Here are obligatory pictures of the ladies before I began.
Looking right…
and looking left!
They were a good audience. I didn’t catch anyone snoring!
There was time to get up close with the quilts after I finished.
Show and Tell rounded out the evening.
There was lots to look at. There were modern quilts.
Traditional quilts.
This one made from French General fabrics.
And scrap quilts.
The lady who made this one told us she has enough string blocks made for at least one more big quilt and some left over!
The moon was shining on us all the way home, no precipitation in sight.
I was back on the road early on Saturday morning for my return trip, ready for a day of Wool Appliqué. We had booked the dates last year some time and had somehow overlooked the fact it was Easter weekend so it was a small select class. I even managed to learn everyone’s names! I didn’t get pictures of everyone, but of course I took a few.
Anita and Jennifer hard at work..
Julie unwinding her hand dyed thread ready to wind it on the handy thread holder!
Everyone concentrated and got some super stitching done.
I did a short beading demo but we were running out of time so people took their bead packets with them to try at home.
Here are four of the little projects underway.
Excellent work ladies!
A fun day and well worth the drive. I have an awesome job.
This week I have been quilting a quilt. It’s taking a lot of time. In between I am getting ready for International Quilt Festival in Chicago. I’m teaching four classes and leading a team in the Iron Quilter Challenge. Follow the link to find out more. Look under class catalogue for the details. There’s still room in the classes. You can sign up on site. Bring your supplies with you and head to the Workshops enrollment booth before 9… Perhaps I’ll be seeing you soon?
