AQS Chattanooga

Hey ya'll.  It's been a couple weeks since my trip to the AQS Quiltweek in Chattanooga, TN but I thought I'd share with you some of what went on.  My friend Lou Anne and I left bright and early that Saturday morning headed to Tennessee.  We decided to take the scenic route through Andrews and Murphy in NC and on to Parksville and Cleveland, Tennessee before hitting Chattanooga.  It is a gorgeous view through the mountains, except we hit fog for more than two-thirds of our trip down.  Hey, the view was a bonus, we were headed for quilts!

Quiltweek here we come!

We made it to the Convention Center and met up with our friends, Linda and her daughter Amy.  Linda and Amy had taken a Paper Piecing class at Quiltweek on Friday so they were there earlier than us.  Amy also had a quilt in the show called "Spring Glory", an original Bargello design.  

Here we are at the entrance to the Exhibit Hall.

The Chattanooga Convention Center is huge!  There are classrooms and ballrooms, exhibit halls and bathrooms everywhere, but wouldn't you know that I would be in the minority.  The first 3 sets of bathrooms I came to had a sign over the men's restroom designating it a "Women's" restroom.  There are men here to ya know!  But that's okay, I made it work.




We decided to visit the vendors first.  There were rows and rows of vendors from all over the states and Canada.  I saw several vendors from local areas that I knew and of course I had to speak.  We got some good ideas, and bought a few things.  I did manage to only buy just a few random things.  I bought a couple of sayings panels and a Christmas Countdown panel along with my commemorative ceramic thimble.  I've began to collect the ceramic thimbles from the shows, so I had to add to the collection.  Otherwise, I bought very little.  I did add something to my wish list.  I plan to invest in the Stripology ruler from Gudrun Erla and Creative Grids.  I have the Shape Cut ruler, but Stripology is BIGGER and had the Creative Grids non-slip feature on each slot.  It is also a bit thicker.  It does come in at a slightly higher price but I will be getting that soon.   I keep telling myself that I am not buying any more rulers unless I just have to have it, so I've justified it by saying I can't live without it.  I think that will work...maybe.  While visiting the vendors we heard the call several times from AQS that they were doing their "random giveaways" so Amy and I booked it each time to the lady doing the giveaways wherever she was.  First time around, Amy won a Batik Jelly Roll from Tennessee Quilts in Jonesborough.  I then proceeded to win 2 passes with a guided tour to the National Quilt Museum in Paducah, KY.  Anyone up for a road trip!  I'll definitely be using those at Quiltweek in 2016.  I also won some reverse applique patterns.

After we finished the vendors and had lunch we went onto the quilts.  There were a lot of gorgeous quilts at Quiltweek Chattanooga.  We were also able to meet Connie Griner from Burlington, NC who had two amazing quilts in the show and Sandi Suggs a national quilt instructor who had a special exhibit in the show that spanned most of her quilting career.  Both ladies were extremely sweet and great to talk to.  Overall the show was great.  I'll definitely be making the trip to Chattanooga next year.  Click the link below to view a slideshow of the quilts I was able to snap pics of.

Well it's work tomorrow and Friday, then Asheville Quilt Show on Saturday.  We leave for Myrtle Beach, SC on Sunday.  Yes, I know there's a "hurricane a-coming" but we're praying for decent weather.  I need a vacation.  We'll be back from the beach on Wednesday and it's the Maggie Valley Quilt Show next weekend.


Until next time, quilt on!

Bound and Ready! Quilting 101 in Review

Hey ya'll.  Three months ago, we began the journey into quilting in my first-ever Quilting 101.  Last night, 7 students presented their quilts as we finished the inaugural 101 class.  We've had our ups and downs.  Some are still working on their quilts, some have had to step back for a while, but what a blast it has been.

As we worked and worked, we learned the basics of quilting from our machines to some of the fundamental blocks in patchwork.  We've also learned a lot more about each other.   We've joined in each others triumphs and prayed and stayed through each others sorrows, but we made it!  (Okay, I sound like I'm making a graduation speech here.)  Hey, we've had fun, and that's what counts!

As we put the bindings on our quilts last night (well some of us did, others were finished, yay), we sat down to enjoy some food and each other's company again as we said our farewells, for this class at least.



After we had some food, we shared our quilts with each other.


This journey of Quilting 101 has been a blast and I can't wait for the next time.  I hope you plan to join me for the next round of Quilting 101.  The current plan has the next Quilting 101 to begin in May 2016 with my Advanced Quilting Technique Series kicking off in mid-Summer.  Stay tuned to the blog and my website for the latest on my classes and lectures.

We all said the same thing as we departed last night, "I don't know what I'm going to do in two weeks when I don't get to come back."  It was bittersweet being finished, but it's exciting to see what we all quilt on next.  Until next time, quilt on!

Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall

Hey ya'll.  Summer is coming to an end here in the mountains.  It's been almost four months since I last posted to you.  It's been one crazy summer.  Let me just tell ya.  It's hard to believe that so much has happened in the last few months.

Quilting 101

Hey ya'll.  I'm offering a Quilting Class this summer!  

By the Fireside

Hey ya'll.  Wow, what a time since I last wrote.  I left you after Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN.  I've worked and worked since then and my quilting time has suffered, but I've still made progress.  My "Linked Up" pattern is still on the table, not quite finished.  Let's just chalk that up to the pile of UFO's I've got.  We've all got those UFO's, but I like to think that when I start working on all those UFO's I'll look even more productive, because I'll be able to crank out lots of finished projects in a hurry!

My version of Donna Thomas's
"Pipe Dreams"

I've worked a good bit on my Pigeon Forge projects.  I've assembled most of my remaining blocks of my Double Wedding Ring which I plan to turn into a bed runner.  With the 16 blocks I will have when I finish, It will be 2x8, the perfect size for the foot of a bed.  I've also finished the top of "Pipe Dreams" by Donna Lynn Thomas.  I thoroughly enjoyed this pattern and look forward to working on more of her projects in the future.  The colors work beautifully and look so good.

"Pipe Dreams" blocks waiting to be assembled.

 I haven't finished the rest of my projects from Pigeon Forge, but I am sticking to what I said going into Quiltfest this year.  All of my class projects will be gifts this year.  I'm not keeping ANY of them.














This weekend, I traveled with my parents and a friend to Standing Indian Campground in Franklin, NC.  This is a family tradition to go in late April to dig ramps.  Many of you are probably thinking "What are ramps, and why are you digging them?"  For those of you who don't know, ramps are a wild plant that grow mainly in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  They have a very unique taste that can be compared to a cross between garlic and onions.  Ramps are something that most people either love or hate.  I, love them.  While we camp each year, my dad goes to the ramp patch on Saturday morning.  I let him dig them, because I break far too many to make it worthwhile.  I'll clean them if he digs them.  While dad's digging, my mom and I go into town.  I visit Deb Heatherly at Deb's Cats and Quilts and mom goes next door to the Habitat Home Store.  Deb has a great shop and I love her selection of Civil War reproductions.  You can spend lots of time in her shop.  She has an awesome classroom space in the back of the shop.  Her shop was the original Ford dealership of Franklin.  Deb's even celebrating 10 years this year!  If you're in the Franklin, NC area definitely visit Deb's Cats and Quilts.  You can check her out of Facebook as well.  While at Deb's, I bought a few random things off the clearance table.  I also found some Navy Blue Batik that I plan to use in an upcoming wedding gift!

I'm also working on "Appalachian Memories" by Beth Dix of Primrose Lane.  This is a series of 12 original barn designs that each have a different quilt block on the side.  This barns are each hand embroidered onto muslin to be later combined into a gorgeous quilt.  I'm embroidering all of my barns in a warm brown which will look great with other earth tones in the final quilt.  I took my embroidery with me on our camping trip so I could still be productive, since we didn't have electricity.  Well, night falls and it gets dark.  We had some lanterns, but they still weren't quite bright enough for embroidery, so I pulled out the headlamp and kept on working.  My parents thought I looked quite funny with my reading glasses on my nose, my headlamp on, and working on a barn, but I was out for much more than fashion.  Function definitely trumped!  While at the campground, I finished one barn and got a good bit done on another!  Taking a class on Redwork embroidery at Pigeon Forge definitely sparked my love of handwork!

Well, I'm home from a long day at work topped off with a staff meeting, but all is well.  I think I'm going to find my bed.  Sewing day at the center tomorrow!  Until next time, quilt on!

Friday Fury

Hey ya'll.  It's Friday again, and as I'm writing this it's blowing the snow here in Cruso.  I'm soooo ready for spring, but it looks like these mountains aren't ready for it yet.  Had a busy, yet good day at work today, followed by dinner with the fam and a couple of friends at the new 209 Haywood Cafe in Clyde.

Quiltfest in Review

Hey ya'll.  I've been home a few days now, and I'm finally able to sit down long enough to post.  Got home Sunday afternoon after enjoying a wonderful worship service at First Baptist Church Dandridge, TN.  It was a hit-the-ground running kind of day after I got home.  Washing clothes, unpacking etc., then off to choir practice and work yesterday.  Errands today and now I'm finally sitting.

One More Day

Hey y'all!  Wow, what a week this has been. Quiltfest 2015 has been awesome. Today is the final day of Qultfest and I leave for home tomorrow. Let me recap a bit what's been going on this week.  I'll be posting pictures when I get home.  My phone isn't conducive to editing and posting lots of pics.

I last wrote on Wednesday after our handwork class. Thursday morning was our Cathedral Stars project with a local instructor, Bonnie Goolsby. She is a great teacher and I loved her project. The Cathedral Stars were a quilt as you go project that comes together quite quickly. No, I didn't finish this one in class. 

At the end of her class someone asked about her evening class. She proceeded to show us the project for the evening class which was called Positively Negative and is a cut-and-fold quilt technique. I had saw the technique in several projects in the show on Wednesday and wanted to know how to do that. Most classes at Quiltfest have been sold out for months, but I decided to rush to the information desk when our class let out to check and sure enough, there was room. I quickly signed up for it! Yes, that makes a total of 5 classes I'm in for the week, but when in Rome.

This was noon, the new class started at 5:30. We still had to get lunch, and I had to get all the supplies for the class including fabric because I hadn't brought any extra.  

After lunch, Lou Anne, Georganna, Ernestine, and I went back to the show and I found my fabric and a small rotary cutter. We left the show and went to a couple of sweet, local shops. Machine Quiltin by Iva and The Cherry Pit.

Both shops are such wonderful quilt shops. Such great fabrics and amazing designs. I got the last thing I needed for class at Iva's and we headed back. I made it to class at 5:20, but I still had cutting to do! Thankfully, I wasn't the only one and I finished before class began.

This class was just great. Lots of ideas for borders, accents, and full quilts.

Friday was my day off from classes. Jackie and I along with Jackie's husband, Fred enjoyed a bit more of the vendors and the show as well as a bed turning.

After leaving the show, Jackie and I ventured out to go to another shop, Holloway's Country Home in Cosby. I decided to take the back way.  Let me just tell ya, Garmin and Google take you two entirely different ways, but we had fun.

We're up this morning for our last class, Pipe Dreams. I'm ready! I'll catch y'all tonight!

Until next time, quilt on!

Handwork is the Name of the Game

Hey y'all. Wow, what a day. We lounged around for a little while this morning then met Lou Anne, Georganna, and Ernestine at the show. We shopped, looked at quilts, shopped, saw more quilts, and shopped some more. But we 're not through yet, because we still didn't see everything. I bought a few pattern as today. One is a Christmas pattern, the other from Judy Niemeyer.  Excited to start both of them.

Jackie and I took a handwork class tonight by Delores Storm of Lakadaisies Design. The Santa Redwotk pattern is gorgeous! I've got a good bit accomplished and the more handwork I do the more I'm enjoying it.

Well, we've got another early class in the morning. I'll catch ya from the show!  Until next time. Quilt on!

Saint Patrick's Day from TN, Quiltfest Day 1

Hey ya'll and Happy Saint Patrick's Day.  I've got my green on, how bout you?  What an awesome day it has been here in Tennessee.  Warm weather, great friends, and Quiltfest!

Quiltfest Here We Come

Hey y'all. It's that time. I clocked out at work at 7 o'clock tonight, jumped in a fully packed car, and hit the road to Tennessee. It's Quiltfest time y'all!

After a quick stop by Wal-Mart for a few cold things, I made it to Jackie's. We're now settled in, our machines are ready, and our totes are full! Lunch is packed, coffee ready for brewing, and plans made for morning. Tomorrow is our "Simplified Double Wedding Ring" class. And a sneak peak at the show tomorrow evening.

I'm stoked, but gotta be at the convention center by 8 in the morning so night y'all!

Until next time, quilt on!

Wednesday Work to Winter Wonderland

2 sample blocks set straight with borders.  This will be a
table topper.  The final design will be on point.

Hey ya'll.  I had to go into work for a while today, then made a quick run by the fabric store to get a couple of fabrics for my new "Linked Up" pattern I'm working on.  I'm so excited to be designing this quilt and will be sharing it with you soon!

Colors for my sample "Linked Up".

I'm using "Town and Country Blue" by Pepper Cory for Studio E Fabrics and a medium gray Kona Cotton by Robert Kaufman in the sample.

Ready to go, unfortunately the TV
wasn't.

Right about dark, the snow began to fall here.  Right now, we have somewhere between 3 and 4 inches and it's fast falling.  Will be great sledding snow tomorrow, unfortunately I must work.  I dread the drive in, in the morning.  We made snow cream a little while ago, and let me tell you Mayfield has nothing on the real thing!  This is the first snow cream we've had this year and it is soooo good.

Strips, strips, and more strips.
Ready for another gray, then
cut into units for "Linked Up"

I enjoyed watching Bonnie Hunter's Quilt Cam as I sewed lots of strips together this evening.  I recently bought a new Smart TV so that I could watch Bonnie's Quilt Cam on my TV instead of my small smart phone, but after much fussing tonight, I found out that YouTube doesn't stream LIVE events on their Smart TV app.  They say that they are working on it, but who knows how long that will take, so I just watched it on the good ol' phone.

Well, it's late, and 4:30 will come wayyyyy to early in the morning.  I had better get some sleep, unfortunately my brain is working overtime thinking of the new design, and I don't want to sleep.  That's the only disadvantage to having your studio in your bedroom!

Stay warm, and until next time, quilt on!

Monday with Friends

Hey ya'll.  Worked yesterday, so I was off today.  Started out the day taking a sweet quilting friend, Lou Anne, to the eye doctor.  Took along my EPP (English Paper Piecing) project.  I've been working on my "Grandmother's Flower Garden" for probably two years.  I call this my "piddle" project.  I take this with me when we go camping.  I've taken it to the beach, on vacation, doctors' offices, etc. and work on it a little at a time.  I have no deadlines, no final ideas in mind, no recipients as of yet, I'm just simply working on it, hence "piddle project."

Janie (owner of J-Creek Fabrics), myself, Jackie, and Lou Anne!

After lunch at Zaxby's, and a few other errands, we met another friend, Jackie, at our favorite LQS, J-Creek Fabrics.  Jackie and I were there to pick up fabrics for the classes we are taking at A Mountain QuiltFest in Pigeon Forge, TN in a few weeks.  Lou Anne had a few things she needed to get as well.  While at J-Creek, we saw another local quilter who is always a contributor to our quilt show.  It's always great to catch up with friends!





I loaded up today on fabrics.  Janie's selection is amazing and she is always a blast to be around.  Not only did I pick up fabric for my classes, I got a backing for the Bargello I just finished, and borders for the bright version I'm working on now.

Top: Fabrics for class "Pipe Dreams"
Bottom Left: Fabrics for "Cathedral Stars"
Bottom Right: Misc. fabrics for Bargello quilts.

Well, supper is done, now I think I'll go work on the Friendship Club Raffle Quilt and my Bargello quilts.  I said yes to working tomorrow, on my day off, so no sewing tomorrow, however it does mean I'll have some extra money for QuiltFest!  Until next time, quilt on!

Snow Means Sew Day

Second Bargello, almost all the same colors.

My first Bargello.

I love snow days simply because they mean sew days!  I've been busy today working on several WIP (Works in Progress).  Last night after my post, I set out to finish piecing a second "My Lil' Bargello" top.  The one pictured was my first Bargello.  When I made this one several years ago, the pattern called for fat eighths.  I purchased fat quarters which was enough for 2 quilts.  I had done almost everything shy of putting the final top together, so I pulled that project out of the box and finished it.  Now it's ready for quilting.  I also demonstrated this pattern at our quilt show in 2013 and never finished putting it together so that is on my wall now.  I also have enough fabric for 2 in that colorway so surprise everyone knows what they're getting for Christmas (just kidding).

Colorway #2, coming together quickly.

Lots more fabric!

I've also finished hand-stitching the binding down on a baby quilt started many years ago by my mother.  She is giving this as a gift to a friend who recently had a baby.  Working on these Bargello patterns has my brain in overdrive for Bargello quilts.  I've had several friends share the same picture of a Pink Ribbon Bargello quilt on my Facebook wall over the last few days.  Well, I took the hint and ordered the pattern today.  You can find the pattern here.  This comes from Erica's Craft and Sewing Center in South Bend, IN.  I'm excited to start this Bargello.  I plan to do two of these.  One will be donated to Relay for Life and I plan to do one in teal blues in memory of my grandmother who passed away in December 2013 only seven days after being diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.





I'm also working to further organize my creative mess and get my printed patterns all into books sorted by style or some other yet undetermined method.  I've purchased the notebooks and dividers, so hey I'm halfway there.










I also had to share what was for dinner tonight.  I'm originally from North Carolina, but until the last year or so I have never liked grits.  I know, I can't be southern and not like grits, but butter and sugar in instant grits (which was all I knew growing up) is just plain gross.  I however, have become quite the fan of shrimp and grits, so tonight I decided to try them at home.  I Googled "Shrimp and Grits" and used a recipe from Bobby Flay of the Food Network.  I of course, tweaked them just a bit for me, and let me tell you they were sooo good!  Despite the snow, we had a neighbor over for supper and I shared my shrimp and grits with both my parents and our neighbor Judy, none of which had ever had them.  Everyone liked them except my father, which is no surprise to anyone.  If it's not beans and potatoes, forget it with him.

Okay, my sewing machine is screaming for a few more stitches before bed.  The hospital calleth my name for tomorrow, however with the forecasted temps of negatives in the morning, I really don't wanna go, but I must.  Until next time, quilt on!

Grand Illusions, Competitions, and More

Hey ya'll!  It's been a crazy busy few weeks since I last posted, but I've gotten lots accomplished.  Last Wednesday, I sent my completed quilt to the Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN.  "God's Meeting Place" has officially been entered into the competition and I'm sharing pics today.  If you haven't been following me long, let me catch you up.  This quilt is entitled "God's Meeting Place".  It is an original design from a painting of the first home of my church, East Fork Baptist in Cruso.  This quilt was created for the Mountain Heritage Challenge at A Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge, TN in March.  The show is a month away!

Late Evening Binding

Hey ya'll.  Taking a break tonight from binding the challenge quilt, I've titled "God's Meeting Place".  Bindings, either you love em or you hate em.  I tend to love them.

Blustery Wednesday

Hey ya'll, It's Wednesday again, and I'm back at it.  It's 10:00 in the morning here and the thermometer still only says 29 degrees.  Looks like another cold day, but thankfully no snow.

Manic Monday

Hey ya'll, it's Monday.  What have you been up to the last few days.  I've been feverishly working on my challenge quilt for the Mountain Quiltfest in Pigeon Forge.

Basting Wednesday

Hey ya'll.  Yesterday, after my post I went to J-Creek Fabrics, my LQS to get my backing fabric for my Pigeon Forge Challenge quilt.  Today, I've worked and basted everything together, so I am ready to quilt!

Grand Illusions Mystery

Hey Ya'll!

I'm a bit late with my post, however I have been participating in the Grand Illusions Mystery by Bonnie Hunter.  Let me tell you just how much fun this quilt has been to work on.