One Raccoon, Two Raccoons, EIGHT!

One of the days spent at Quilt Villa in the mountains of NC with Bonnie Hunter we went out exploring.

The plan was to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway but mother nature had plans for pouring rain that late morning so we drove for a bit to the town of Boone.

What do two vintage loving quilters do when their scenic drive plans are rained out? 

They go antiquing.

And since we were freestyin’ this adventure we took what ever came our way via the road.

We landed up stopping at four Antique shops/malls that day and had a blast. 

But the first stop proved to the be the winner in oddities.

 

As soon as we walked it we knew we were in a “Man’s” antique shop.  Not just because we were the only females inside the walls but because there wasn’t a doily, apron, nor a quilt to be found.  Heck there where hardly any kitchen items at all. 

 

 

 

 

But there was taxidermy. 

Now let me preface this by saying I am married to a hunter (no not a relative of Bonnie’s).   Heck at my in-laws 9 extra sets of eyes watch tv with you in the rec room.  

 

 

 

 

It is an art.  But truly why would I want a family of four raccoons keeping an eye on me?

 

 

 

 

And then we turned into this booth. 

Now this taxidermist and I connect.

I could live with this as it makes me giggle.

 

 

 

But this piece turned those giggles into laughs.

Bonnie was playing look out while I snapped away.

I had to shoot (LOL…ok now laughing as I type) this one twice as the first pic was so blurry from laughing.

 

But this truly was the ONE.  This is the piece I want in my cabin someday.  We pretty much hightailed it out of there after this pic….laughing all the way to the van.

Life is better with laughter,

Tale of Two Cutting Tables

There is nothing better then be holed up in a cabin in the woods with a quilting friend, fabric, sewing machine, munchies and electricity.

So much fun was had during the 4 days Bonnie Hunter and I spent sewing.  

But around day 3 we realized we were bumping elbows at the shared cutting table and action was needed.

Bonnie whipped out another table from storage.  (truly it was like something out of James Bond with how this table materialized from the storage area with it’s own mat, rotary cutter, extra light, etc.)   That girl is good.

As soon as she got it all set up and was cutting away in BonnieLand….well I couldn’t help myself.

I needed to “reclaim” the space I had.

And in MickeyLand that means there is some …ummm….straightening up to do. 

I did this quietly.  Hoping Bonnie wouldn’t notice.

But she did.  And cracked up.

So while we are the best of friends, finishing each other sentences, laughing and crying together….well we are two different quilters when it comes to our cutting tables.

I bet that extra table comes out on day one of our next “quiltfest at QuiltVilla”. 

Wait to you see what I have to share tomorrow.

What happens when two quilters realize their calendars aren’t clicking…

meaning said calendars aren’t overlapping with booked engagements at same venues so said friends can spend time together.

See said friends are quilting teachers and the only time they get to see each other is when they are teaching at same shows, retreats, symposiums, etc.

So these two friends come up with the idea to put together a combined quilt project spotlighting their styles with the hopes that maybe some retreat organizer somewhere, anywhere, would be interested in hiring these friends to teach together for a weekend. Thus giving them time to chatter away together on the “off” time.

Note these friends aren’t hosting the retreat, merely teaching at it.

….the project is born.

 

….and before they can even get the samples both done an A+ Retreat Hosting company books them. 

And Collaboration Celebration with Bonnie Hunter and Mickey Depre is born.

 

It’s now Sunday morning (early morning) and I am finally getting my feet back under me as since my landing in North Carolina at approximately noon on Thursday. It has been a whirlwind of activity filled with laughter, hugs, chatter, and smiles.

I cannot say enough good things about Sew Sisters the hosts of the retreat.  Karen and Lisa really know how to throw a party. 

Bonnie and I are very lucky teachers.   And we know it.

And did you catch that the retreat is taking place in North Carolina. 

 

Winston-Salem to be exact.  A mere hop, skip, and jump away from home for Bonnie.

 

 

 

 

So these two quilting friends check their schedules and realize they can squeeze even more time in together a few days after the Celebration.   Discussion about staying on at the hotel and just sewing away for three days together happens.

 

        

    

Then Bonnie buys a dream cabin in the mountains. 

….these two quilters are running off to the mountains of North Carolina this afternoon.  To a land of limited cell phone coverage and s-l-o-w internet service….whatever will they cook up now…..

p.s. you might want to bookmark Sew Sisters website.  They have some amazing future events in the works.

Come Quilt With Me & Pat Yamin!

While I am currently in North Carolina teaching…..

Next month on the 30th I will be in Michigan City Indiana teaching

Pieced Hexies at Pat Yamin’s 5th Annual Quilter’s Retreat. 

       

The retreat is being held at the Blue Chip Casino Hotel and Spa.  (I am liking that Spa part!)

Sparkle, Tumbler and Jacks are the hexies that we will be spending our time with.

 

 

But I am not the only teacher….Stevii Graves, Frieda Anderson and Pat Yamin will also be providing one day classes. You can sign up for one day or as many as you wish.

Come Quilt with Me in September!

Blue Ribbon Antiques in Conway, Arkansas

 

As always while in Arkansas Paul and I visit many of the local antique/flea market stores in and around Conway.

Yesterday we opened the door to one we hadn’t prior. 

Oh boy.

As Paul tells the story he knew we would “be awhile” when we stepped inside and that is the signage towards the back of the store that you see.

I bee-lined.

That backroom was Mecca.

Jane who is peering over her counter at us (and had given permission for pics) was the sweetest lady.

And she knew her stuff.  She loves turn of the century quilts.  And her offerings show this.

 

 

And then I spotted “Machine Row”.  Oh My!  Paul pulled a few out and I looked them up and down.  We won’t have enough room in the vehicles.  :/

I spent about an hour. 

I could of spent many many more.

 

 

 

These treasures are coming home with me.

 

A set of approximately 70 of these 6” nine patches from the mid 1800s are mine.

 

And yes I will be setting them with kona solids in browns, taupes, and black and quilting them.

 

I am big about completing vintage quilt blocks and tops.

 

 

I am always buying vintage yardage.

I own many vintage quilts.  Something many people are surprised to know. 

YES you really can love and do both Art and Traditional quilting!

And I couldn’t pass up the Singer 600 series attachments for $3.  My new vintage Singer is a 400 but I know the seam guide will be useful and maybe the feet.  If not I know someone I can pass these on to.

 

 

 

A bag of vintage hexies for $3!

MINE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And another bag of vintage bits also screamed my name.

 

There is a vintage top that has been nagging at me since we left.

 

There may be a return visit before we shove off for home.

 

Enjoy the day,

Lights, Camera, QUILT!

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of meeting up with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims to film an episode of The Quilt Show.

Location: Charleston, SC. in the pouring rain! and a tornado warning!

But by afternoon the sun was shining reflecting the joy of the day.

Many thanks to my friend Wendy Butler Berns who was shooting her episode the same day.  She graciously took pics for me to share.

 

Strategy meeting between Shelly (awesome producer), Alex, Ricky, and I.

 

(someone pinch me is this really happening?)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going over the Traditional English Paper Piecing segment with Alex.

 

 

(I still can’t believe this happened)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  yep…still beaming.