I’m packing my bags and getting ready to fly to Houston on Thursday. My suitcases are three quarters full, my handouts are ready, new Keynotes are prepared but there is one thing that is on my mind.
Yes, it’s the blog… I honestly don’t know if I am ever going to get back to my regular posts but really, if I haven’t written about it and posted pictures, did it even happen?
So. Here we go again. When we were in England in August I picked up button making supplies from Gina B. In fact the only things we had to declare at immigration were button making supplies, candy and chocolate! We have almost finished all the confectionery but the button making supplies live on.
I made some of these geode slices…
Well, I made three of them. They are basically Dorset Buttons on curvy ring molds with added sparkle! They sat well for pictures.
When I saw the special edition red BERNINA walking foot I knew I needed one. I had some left over pieces of African fabric from the throw I made back in July. They look so good together
It’s just a quilted not quite square right now, but it has potential!
And then it was time to head out to AQS Quiltweek in Spooky Nook, Lancaster.
Lots of classes!
Walking foot basics in the Janome room.
Beautiful quilts on the show floor.
All Star Sampler for a crowd.
That’s Karen Stone doing her thing on stage. I remember taking a class from her many, many years ago at Riverwalk Quilters.
All my classes except the Saturday morning one were full. These students were waiting patiently for start time in my wool appliqué class.
Something new was the Fabric, Friends and Fun night,, hosted by Michelle. Teachers were admitted for free. I’m always up for fun!
We were divided into teams. Our team tried really hard and came close a couple of times… but we were not winners. This team should look happy. They had all just won a new Panasonic iron!
I flew home Saturday evening via Charlotte. It was 3/4 mile from the gate I flew into to the gate I left from. The sun was setting and I just took a moment to record it…
I’m going to be joining AQS for three major events next year… you know about the cruise… more to follow!
Back home and a quick trip to South Naperville to see the Pride of the Prairie Quilters. They are still labeled as the Plainfield guild but Naperville goes a very long way south…
The lights in the hall were either all on or all off. That meant I gave my Language of Flowers talk by the light of an iPhone… an interesting experience!!
Staying local, I taught my walking foot class at BERNINA of Naperville. Gail organized the classroom so every student could use the same machine they have at home… including that B990 on the front row.
I don’t do as many Zoom presentations as I did in 2020/21 but they still happen. I met with the Virginia Consortium of Quilters for Walking Foot Quilting- take the scenic route on the 21st of September and I took part in the Global Quilt Connection‘s All Star Sampler Platter the next weekend. I had everything set and ready to go well in advance.
I heard from a few people who made Dorset Buttons after the event, but no new bookings… yet?!
Family time. Jonathan and Lauren came up to visit for a long weekend. We visited the Field Museum in Chicago. I forgot how many dead animals they have on display…
I don’t think Lucy has ever been so close to an alligator?
The museum also has lots of dinosaur bones. You’ll have to imagine Sue in the background of this picture.
I treated the girls and their mom to a mani-pedi. Lucy seemed happier than Lilly but they were both very pleased with the results.
We’ll see them again at Thanksgiving.
Back out again with a road trip to Cincinnati and the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo.
A full class in the BERNINA room for a fast paced half day jog through Walking Foot Quilting!
And some students concentrating very hard in the beading class.
Friends had told me I needed to try Graeter’s Ice Cream while I was in Ohio. There was a store less than two miles from the convention center and I had my car…
Dinner was a double scoop sundae, complete with whipped cream and a cherry.
Yes, it was delicious.
Something that never happens when I am at a show is a free morning… but never say never? I was educated and entertained by my friend Rhonda Pierce from Schmetz needles. I had heard great things about her needles presentation and now I can personally recommend it. I left with lots of new and useful information. Guilds should know that Rhonda presents on Zoom or find her on YouTube!
I made another thing this weekend. I’m not sure if it is finished yet so here’s just a peek. I like the shadows on it…
The leaves are all changing color. It was warm enough to sit outside yesterday afternoon. My phone camera kept trying to change the colors but this is about what it looked like.
The leaves will probably all have fallen by the time I return from Houston. I will be there for 10 nights altogether with Quilt Market followed by Festival. I have a mix of events and classes. More fun times ahead!
I am probably one of the ones who told you to try Graeter’s ice cream, I grew up on it, living about 1.5-2miles from it. No other ice cream compares!!! I got some for one of my stitching groups that I organize and every June we have an ice cream social. One year I went to get some at Whole Foods as I am in California now and really miss it. One of the pints had 1 chocolate chip that went the entire length of the container and no one could break into it, I did later on, great stuff and no one does anything like that. Love the Double Chocolate. My brother is in So Cal and has a freezer full of the Mint Choc. Chip he says. The aroma in one of their stores is awesome and one I’ll never forget. So glad you enjoyed it!!!!