My Quilty World: Athens and Winnsboro Event w/Stitchin' Heaven Spotlight

A few months ago I spotted an event on Facebook and put out feelers to see who would all like to go. Several jumped on board and Sherri was one of them. Her plans were to drive in from San Antonio a day early and invited the rest of us to a slumber party at Lake Athens. Of course. So - instead of a day trip over to Winnsboro, it turned into an overnighter. I have Stephannie, Lydia, and Lori in my car as we set out for our new adventure. We neglected a picture at the house before leaving, but first stop is at the Needle Niche in Athens, where I found a few fat quarters to take home.

While there, Sherri and Beth joined in so we were a larger group in both people and "stuff" when we departed. Off to the lake we go.

It's been awhile since I played here, but I do so love it. The house we are staying in is right next door to where Sherri used to live and the view is amazing today. Naturally, I have to check it out.

After settling in at the house, dinner is next and Mexican is the choice for the evening. It is a great time with lots of love and laughter.

At quick stop at the store for a few supplies and then we are tucked in for the night, chatting, and, apparently, playing on phones.

Yep, even me. At around 11, we call it a night and head to bed.

And THIS is what greats me in the morning. Well, it's not the first thing -- there is the whole being attacked by the moon and morning giggles with Sherri, but then . . . . THIS

Breakfast is being offered in the house and it's just so good. Thank you Sherri.

Here's your peek -- and I didn't even have the pastries or yogurt. Lots of choices available.

And then there was this ---- I'm just doing a drop and run with it.

It's dang cold this morning so cars are being warmed up while we gather our belongings.

And before we know it ---- we're on out the door for the drive to Winnsboro.

Quick, girlfriend. Let's try for a pic. Bad lighting, but good memories.

As we are driving down the road, I notice pigs on the side of the highway and Lori doesn't see them at all. She didn't see Spiderman at the Wal-Mart last night either, so perhaps there are some vision problems going on there. At any rate, a quick turn around has us back at them in no time. Pigs near the road became pigs on the run crossing the road and I WISH we had a picture of that but we were laughing too hard.

Turning around once more we enter Quitman and Sherri sends a message that they are at the Sonic. A quick turnaround for us and we join them, only to be used. Yes, that's right. I pulled in next to her and then had to to her ordering because her stand wasn't working. We didn't even want anything in our car. It's always an adventure. From this last stop -- down to Winnsboro we go and park near The Bowery, which is where the event is taking place. Yes, remember, there was actually a purpose for this trip.

The group grows at this point --- SAMMY!!!!

The Winnsboro Center for the Arts is hosting today and we are READY.

Inside we meet up with Gwen, who has all of our seats staked out and we are fairly close to the front. Taking a quick group pic --- then we discover we are missing several -- so I walk around a bit until we can try again.

The stage has a quilt hanging that has all of the blocks in it that play a vital role in the presentation today.

Lydia is back and we ask someone to take our pic. It's a bit blurry, but we'll keep it. Peek a boo - Beth.

"The Pleasant Hill Quilters are a quilting group from Linden, TX. The group consists of LaWanda Warren, Ether Blaylock, Oteria McDaniel, and Flo Stevenson. The Quilters of Pleasant Hill group was formed in 2004 and has been performing shows together for nearly 18 years. They sing and share the oral history of the secret codes used in quilts that helped enslaved people in the Underground Railroad. The group was formed after Stevenson found one of these quilts at a flea market in Montgomery, Alabama, and remembered a book that she had recently read, Hidden In Plain View: A Secret Story of Quilts and the Underground Railroad by Tobin and Dobar. Stevenson and a group of community members in Linden decided to form the quilting group and start sewing their own quilts based on the secret code patterns." There is so much more to it than this simple handout shows, and I've ordered the book so that I can research it a little more. Here are a few pictures from the performance and if you get a chance to see this, do so. It is so worth it. The music and stories are wonderful.

After the performance, we are HUNGRY!!! Just a short walk away is the restaurant. Let's go. Where are Lori and Sam?

Stragglers.

So ---- this looked good, but nope. Drat anyway.

But these ladies are ALWAYS the best and make up for anything else.

Tonia has joined us for lunch.

It's time to start the trek home but we have one more stop. Stitchin' Heaven in Quitman. I have not been in the new store yet, so let's check it out. First things first - upon our arrival, must find the ladies restroom and I'm loving the wall in the stall.