A CHALLENGING DAY

Not challenging in the bad way.. my friends and I went to Cleveland today to the Sewing and Quilt Expo. I showed the Fons and Porter Challenge quilt that was made by our group of internet friends. My friend Robin came up from Columbus, and we had our picture taken in front of our quilt. As it travels around the U.S. I'm sure more of our group will get their pictures taken in front of it.
Robin had her mother and her daughter Sam with her. I hadn't seen Sam since she was 11 or 12 years old. She is now 17 and is a really pretty nice young woman. I would never have recognized her, and even when Robin said "This is Sam".. I shook her hand and it didn't even dawn on me that it was Sam the daughter. Kids really grow up fast. Robin's mom was very nice, and I think I could get lots of laugh time if I spent any time with them. They are getting ready for Passover, and I always envy them and their food laden holidays. I like the way there is a reason for eating certain things on certain holidays.

When I got home there was a message from a reporter from our local newspaper. The AQS sent a press release to the newspaper, and he is planning on writing a story about my quilt, Grace, and he wanted a picture of me with it. Grace is already in Paducah, so I emailed a picture of me and my mini that is in the museum. The AQS sent something last year, and no one called, I didn't think anyone would call this year either. I almost didn't return his call. The last thing I am is a publicity hound. And it creeps me out that they want to put anything about me in the paper. But I figured that he would just call me back, and I didn't want to have to pose for a picture.. so I gave in.

I am going to work on my guild challenge piece this weekend, and that's about it.

ALL PACKED UP AND READY TO GO

I'm in the early mode of getting quilts ready for shows. I just decided to pack them up and send them. You never know what might come up at the last minute that would make them late.
I have 2 quilts that belong to my German friend Birgit. The one in the picture above is Trinity. I am just making sure her quilts are clear of dust or whatever they may have picked up at the shows they were recently in. No chance of dog hair from my house.. I keep them in the bags when they are here.

Here is Grace all boxed up and on it's way to Paducah. Look at that glow! I can't believe I did it.
This is Birgit's quilt Kaliedoscope Twist which is also on it's way to Paducah. I love this quilt and it is my favorite color. Red. I wish I had thought of this design!!
Just got perfect boxes from ULINE I had already ordered the perfect box for my minis 14x14x2. The center box is perfect if I ever decide to go a little larger 20x20x2, and the bottom box is 22x22x6. I could have gone even a little smaller with this because there was room to spare. I was spending up to $6.00 for a box close to the size I needed. I had to put out a little more money to buy several boxes at once, but they average out to about $2.50 each this way, and I have just the size that I need.

So this is one check off of my things to do list. Let's see what the rest of the weekend holds.

PLANNING

I can't show you yet, but I am working on a quilt for a guild challenge. You will just have to wonder what I am up to. I will show you the quilt on April12th. It is our spin off of Quilting Arts "A Novel Idea" Challenge. I didn't want to be limited to a 12 x 12" format, so I am obviously not going to enter.
I was planning on including scans of my favorite books, but the expensive Printed Treasures images faded so badly (yes, I followed directions) I tossed the images out. I really wish that I had the money that I spent on a box of 50 (stupid -stupid- stupid)

I am working on a ton of things. Feast or famine. I am knitting the messenger bag. I am working on a quilt with 10 step one color gradations and mirrors. I started a brown and pink print (moda) mini sampler with my Twisted Stitcher group. We are making big 3" blocks. There are 12. Wild Goose Logs, Wild Goose Chase, Hemlock, Jacob's Ladder, double X (two types), Picnic Bouquet, Dove in the Window, Odds and Ends, Double T, and a block calle Irish Logs that is incredibly hard. I think we are switching it out to some type of basket block. I am alwo working on that quilt with old photos of quiltmakers, and quilting quotes. I am using the brown and pink prints for that one to.

I'M WORKING ON A QUILT TOO...TRUST ME

Okay, here is a shot of my work in progress. I am knitting a messenger bag to carry my knitting in.. go figure. It is hard to tell by this picture, but, it is a kind of weird purple. Kind of dusky greyish purple. I have about 10 more inches to knit for the body of the bag, then the flap and the strap. I got the pattern in "Knitting for Peace".
I am working on 2 quilts. One of them top secret, I will post the other when I get the top done.

For some crazy reason, I accepted extra work at my job. Instead of part time, I will be working 4 nine hour days a week. I will be able to pay off bills and get the money for my hoped for long arm more quickly. Luckily, it is flexible and I will learn a lot.

No afternoon naps anymore..

Just wanted you all to know that I am still here and I'm still working on something creative. I need to!

WHY I LOVE THANGLES

It only took me a couple of hours to make 338 2" HST's. Of course I have to tear off all of the paper and iron them, so that will take a while longer. I am doing my half of our guild raffle quilt.

It will be made of all hand dyed fabrics and it is an easy pattern that I got from the Thangle people.

It is a really easy design, but I think it packs a lot of punch. I wouldn't mind winning it. There even was enough fabric left over to hopefully make a miniature quilt of the same design. Which would go to some lucky ticket seller.
So, I have actually got some quilting related things done this weekend. Plus I am working on a messenger bag (knit) from the book "Knitting for Peace".
Also some news,

GRACE was juried into the AQS show in Paducah. So this quilt will be hanging in the show, while my other miniature

THERE AND BACK AGAIN will be hanging in the museum. I am a happy camper.