Vacation Highlights

I'm back home and not happy about it. I had a wonderful time in Oregon and didn't want to leave. I spent Saturday at the 35th Anniversary Sister4s Outdoor Quilt Show. I love Sisters and recommend you visit if you ever have a chance. I worked at The Sewing Basket booth selling fabric, notions, and kits. I met wonderful people from all over the world, that's right, world, and saw so many beautiful quilts. I met a lady from England and she was such a kick. She was comparing the style differences in the Oregon area quilters and what they are making in England. I had an interesting chat with a couple of ladies from Canada. In case you don't know, people in Canada are taxed up the kazoo. She had to make sure that she didn't purchase over $400 because of the taxes she would have to pay when crossing the boarder. In Oregon there are no sales taxes so you can go crazy when you are shopping. When you are paying VAT tax and sales tax and who know what other taxes you just don't have any buying power. She said she buys on the Internet because taxes are higher than postage. The picture below is the view from our booth. I love the quilts hanging everywhere. This is the front of our booth. It was a nice day with a cool breeze keeping the temperatures down.

This is a not to close up of my sister-in-law in the booth waiting for the next customer. We had a very successful day and I'm looking forward to next year.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Bend. Bend has some great quilt shops and we visited all of them. I didn't buy fabric but I did pick up some notions that The Sewing Basket doesn't carry and some patterns. It's interesting how each shop carries different merchandise. Most sell sewing machine too. We dinned at some great restaurants and I'm sure I gained a few pounds. I'm not anxious to confirm my suspicions. I'm home now so it's back on the program.

I did get a chance to quilt my Sister's Choice quilt. I need to get the binding on and wash it. I'm very pleased with it.

I have a quilt meeting tonight and some work to do so I better get with it. I hope you're enjoying your summer and you have a blessed day.

A Time to Remember

Wishing you a safe and Happy 4th of July. I hope you will have the opportunity to spend this day with family and friends and take a few minutes to reflect the meaning of this day and how it came about. We are losing a lot of our freedoms, many of which we take for granted. Some of us aren't even aware of it. Maybe that is because the very people who are taking those freedoms are elected officials that are supposed to up hold our Constitution and represent us, the people. Hundreds of thousands of people died throughout the years fighting for our freedom and we should never take it for granted.
God bless you and America.
Stay safe

Friday Fantasy

I got an email the other day announcing the Gammill Vision 22. OMG, I gotta have it. I went to their web site and watched the demo video and OMG, I gotta have it. The quilting in quilts have always been my favorite part of quilts. I have seen some butt ugly quilts turned into masterpieces by the quilting. I've seen plain simple blocks stitched together and quilting made them spectacular. I have been trying to hone my quilting skills on a Viking Mega quilter. It stitches fine and is doable, up to a point, the point being 8 inches of throat space. It is very difficult and sometime impossible to quit a twin or bigger size quilt in that little space. Have you ever tried stuffing a marshmallow into a piggy bank? Viking did come out with a new version of their Mega Quilter with a larger throat space but I'm ready for the big leagues. My DH is looking at buying a truck to replace my 93 Honda, I'm looking at this New Gammill and to heck with a truck. So I'm cranking up my creative problem solving skills, film at 11:00.
You really should check out this little jewel. I see a road trip coming up for me in my future.

Wishing you a blessed day.

Whoo-hoo

Yep, that's what we heard off and on for three days. I spent three days at a Ricky Tim's seminar. Alex Anderson and Libby Lehman were part of the fun. I learned so much and got so much inspiration from the three of them. In addition to teaching techniques they also shared their journey in quilting and some about their lives. Ricky started quilting in 1991 and shared his first experiences, first quilt and his goals. He is a terrific entertainer and he performed a concert for us on Friday night. It is hard to believe somebody can be so talented in to many areas. I wanted to share some pictures with you. This is Ricky in front of two of his quilts. We were allowed to go up on the stage and take pi cutes and get up close and personal with the incredible work he does.

This quilt is by Libby Lehman. She is so funny and tells great jokes during her demonstrations. She is very knowledgeable about sewing machines and threads. Believe me when I tell you, these pictures do not do these quilts justice.

This is one of the quilts that Libby demonstrated the technique for us. I do think I could do something like this. She sure made it look easy. The machine attachment she used to do this technique happens to be part of my "what the heck is this thing for" box. Now for those who don't have one of the attachments, Meissner's was there with a store set up and you could purchase any Bernina sewing machine made, including sewing machine tables and quilting frames. They were even offering 36 months, no interest financing.

I have always admired Alex Anderson. She did a trunk show at Manteca Quilt guild and that's when I first saw this quilt. Alex is known for her HGTV show, Simply Quilts, and her hand quilting. When you get up close to this quilt it is almost unbelievable that some one could hand quilt all that. What a work of art.

This quilt is another example of Libby's quilting and thread art. It is so beautiful.

This is another of Alex's quilts that show cases her beautiful hand quilting. She did a lectures on how to chose the right quilt design for your quilt and other very useful information . She also demonstrated hand quilting.

This is another quit by Ricky.

This quilt is demonstrates a new technique he is working on, using photo's. Looks like he perfected it to me.

This is Ricky's quilt tool It was hanging on the stage and I studied this one up close. He quits his quilts too and doesn't use a long arm. That was the message I needed to hear. He explained his process and I'm ready to take on my stack of quilt tops.

This is another one of his quilts. He explained the process, from designing to binding this quilt. He breaks each step into small increments so you get motivated to give it a try. If you ever get the chance to attend a Ricky Tims' Super Quilt Seminar, DO IT. I'm sure you won't regret it.

The quilt pictured below is the first quilt Ricky made. His message throughout the three days is never give up. Everything you do will be a learning experience and a step closer to your goal of becoming the quilter you want to be.

I don't know what's up with the corner of this picture but I think you get the idea. Ricky is a great story teller and when he tells about his first quilt he credits other quilters who encouraged him and shared their quilt tips and techniques with him.

In two weeks I will be in Sister's Oregon for the fabulous outdoor quilt show. I'm working there this year but I will find a way to take hundreds of pictures and get more inspiration.

I hope you enjoyed these pictures, your Sunday is blessed and you have a fabulous week ahead.

Marvelous Monday

This is the start of a new week and it will be a marvelous week. Today is the beginning of a six week study of Ephesians on a blog. What an incredible tool to use to bring hundreds of people together to study the word of God. If you remember my last post, Saturday we had a video conference wedding linking England and the US. I can't wait to see what is next. It's not to late to get in on this study. Go to wendyblight.com and read all about it. This is a study that will bring joy to your heart.

I have a long list of things I need to accomplish today so I must get started. I pray that your day will be blessed.

Life Goes On

After a very sad week we are trying to stay busy and keep our minds occupied so we aren't focusing on the loss of our dearest little Herkie. His little buddy, Missy, seems to be looking for him. Maybe we are just reading something into her behavior that isn't really there. We sure miss him terribly.

Check out my newest challenge. This quilt is called Ladies of the Sea and was designed by Susan H. Garman. I have been admiring this for a few months but thought it was to complicated to tackle. I'm just getting into the applique technique. I love the ocean and anything nautical so after admiring from a far I decided to go for it. It's a 12 month block of the month series so I will take it one block at a time and I figure with each block I can only improve. The best part about taking on this project is knowing some very talented and accomplished appliquers that will be willing to help if needed.

Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the wedding of Ashley and Elivs. Isn't she a beautiful bride? She is from England and her family couldn't attend the wedding so one of the guys from church hooked up a laptop with a video camera and connected her family to the church, by video, so they could be a part of this special day. How cool is that? The handsome pastor is Pastor Dan. That was his first video wedding.

It's a very warm day today and the wind has finally calmed down. It's the kind of day you want to stay inside and work on a quilt or read a book, and anything else that doesn't involve being outside in the heat.

Wishing you God's peace.

Good Bye Sweet Herkie

Our best friends eyes closed last night

as his head rest in our hands.

The doctors said he was in pain

and he could no longer stand.

The thoughts that rambled through our heads

while we cradled him in our arms,

Were of his younger years

and all the joys we shared.

Our bed is empty now

where he once laid his head,

Between the two people who loved him

and cherished the time we shared.

They say memories are golden

and maybe it's true.

But we never wanted memories

We only wanted you.

Throughout the day we think of you

and throughout the day we cry

If love alone could have saved you

You never would have died.

In life we loved you dearly

In death we love you still.

In our hearts you hold a place

No one could ever fill.

Good bye Sweet Herkie.

Thank you Lord for the gift of his companionship and the time we shared together.