Missouri Girls Trip - Days 4-6

 It's a beautiful day in Hamilton, Missouri.  We have had breakfast and are heading off to start the Scavenger Hunt.  I've forgotten my lanyard and make a quick return to the center before catching up.  Along the walk --- these are soooo pretty.

Mother/Daughter Road Trip to MSQC - Day 5 - Drunkards Path and SEW Classes, 1 Mini-Class, and Group Trunk Show

 Good Morning from Hamilton, Missouri - the home of Missouri Star Quilt Company.  We are having a BLAST and loving every minute of being here.  Everyone is up and fed and ready for the next class to start.  We are making the Half Moon Rising Table Runner.  Circles SCARE me so this will be interesting.

Mother/Daughter Road Trip to MSQC - Day 4 - Happy Trails Class, 2 Mini-Classes, and 2nd Trunk Show

 Good morning to all!!!  We are up, showered, fed, and ready to learn.  As I approach my table, there is a gift bag for each person awaiting us.  Inside are lovely little treasures.  How fun is this?  Up front, the teaching area is being set up and I've taken a seat on the front sofa so that my visual needs will be met.  I KNOW people think it's something else, but the fact is that I learn better when I have a clear view of what is being taught.  People and things in front of me are distractions and I miss things.  I even did this in church for YEARS.  It's just how I learn.  As I wait the front is finished up.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Dawn's Early Light Class

Since it is our last day in Mineola, I am loading up the car this morning.  As I do, I notice the sunlight on the wildflowers across the parking lot.  Must get camera.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Idaho Square Dance Class

I have been looking forward to today's class ever since BEFORE Bonnie's String Frenzy book was published.  Watching her work on it was enough for me.  Today, we get started.

Stitchin' Heaven is the location, Mineola is the town.  Somehow, sitting in a Bonnie Hunter class all day is as close to heaven as it gets right now, so the whole thing seems fitting.

Come along and see how it goes.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Emerald City Class

For those who remember my 600+ red and white triangle cutting mistake, well today I get to put them to use.  I had really wanted to make this quilt in green, but the universe had a different plan and so instead of Emerald City --- my quilt will be Ruby Slippers and, yes, Bonnie supplied the name.

Breakfast in the hotel with Bonnie and Irene (check out that Val has a HUGE waffle) and then we are off to Stitchin' Heaven and day two of our classes.  I am a bit intimidated by today's class and am still aiming for about the same amount of completed units, but time will tell.

Let's get this class started.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Pfeffernusse Class

Wow!  It's crazy hard for me to believe that two months have flown by since Denton, but the calendar tells me it is so.  Mineola is up next and four more days of classes with Bonnie Hunter is on the plate.  A few changes to my plan have been made, but the house is clean, I am packed and the road is in front of me.  Wildflowers are everywhere, but I am kind of on a mission to get into town, check into my hotel, grab a treat, and be at the shop in time to set up before they close.  Hello DQ.  Meeting up with Stephannie, Val, and Eveline -- it's girls out for dinner once our machines are in place.  Woohoo ---- the fun begins tomorrow morning (and, yes, it's all part of this post).

Minding My P's and Q's Retreat - Bonnie Hunter Straits of Mackinac Class

Drat --- the dreaded LAST day has arrived.  I'm super sad, but crazy exhausted as well.  It has been a whirlwind week and I've loved every minute even though I'm starting to miss my sweetie.  Today is Straits of Mackinac in String Frenzy by Bonnie Hunter.  I have adored this block for the past two years as she was working on this at a retreat in Temple, TX at that time.  Now, it's my turn to work on it and the clock says the class is about to start.  Out to the lobby we go for the first of our demos.  It's the best time of each day, getting perhaps one little tidbit that is new and exciting.  It never fails to happen for me.

Minding My P's and Q's Retreat - Bonnie Hunter Daybreak Class

It is COLD!!!  Day three has arrived and the weather is keeping us inside.  However, DAYBREAK (Bonnie Hunter String Frenzy book) is upon us and we are ready to rock and roll.  I've switched up the colors on this quilt a bit and am going with lavender so we shall see how that plays out.  A couple morning pictures and it's time to start.

Minding My P's and Q's Retreat - Bonnie Hunter Sand Castles Class

It's Day TWO!!  Well, truthfully, it's Day Six, but the second class.  Up today is Sand Castles from Bonnie Hunter's String Frenzy book.  I have loved this pattern since the very first time I saw her working on these blocks.  I KNEW I would make it and today is the time to get started.  Sooooo --- without further ado, let's get this class going.

Minding My P's and Q's Retreat - Bonnie Hunter Xing Class

It's been two years of drought in the Bonnie Hunter class division.  I am in big need of a fix and starting today, I have four solid days of classes ahead of me.  To say that I am excited is a crazy understatement.  My hotel is booked, the projects are packed and I'm ready to go ---- at 6 a.m.  It's time to hit the road again after being home for 18 hours.  I simply dumped the laundry into the washer, then dryer, and back into my suitcase.  No time for decisions right now.  Drive woman, drive.  Denton here I come.

Bonnie Hunter Pineapple Blossom Class - Stitchin' Heaven

Good morning.  We are off to round two at Stitchin' Heaven and Bonnie Hunter.  Today's class is Pineapple Blossom and I literally prepped for this in two hours time.  Let's hope it works out.

We spent some time in the hotel lobby last night marking our flip and sew squares and my fingers are crossed that we did it right.

First up, though, is to begin our courthouse steps block.  Sides and then top and bottom.

Bonnie Hunter Jamestown Landing Class - Stitchin' Heaven

We are at Stitchin' Heaven in Mineola, TX for day one of our classes with Bonnie Hunter.  Today's class is Jamestown Landing and yes, if you remember, I have done this before.  Way back in 2013, I took this class in Dallas.  The parts and pieces have not really changed much since then, so I am a remedial student today.  You can see the original post HERE.

It's great fun to sit and string and just watch the little stacks build up.  I do enjoy this method of piecing as for me it is pretty mindless and the perfect time to just visit.

Bonnie Hunter Class - Midnight Flight

Oh my goodness!  It has been over a year since I had the chance to hang with Bonnie and take one of her classes.  A year is definitely too long.  Period.

This time I am fortunate to be able to be at a retreat where she is teaching and hanging with us part of the time.  Super fun.  Today's class is Midnight Flight from her book More Adventures With Leaders and Enders.  It's a big one and took me two entire DAYS to get it cut out.  My fingers are crossed that I cut it right.  Let's get this class started.

First things first -- cutting lessons.  She stops by my table looking for a fat quarter to use and Garden Party happens to have a few extras laying around.  Here ya go, my friend.

Three Days of Judy Niemeyer Classes Taught by Eileen Urbanek

Prologue:  Allison and I bought patterns for Judy Niemeyer's Desert Sky over a year ago and thought we would perhaps do a Judy retreat up in Montana and catch some Bonnie classes along the way.  Well, Bonnie's classes up there sold out instantly and ended that plan.  Since then, we have been attempting to get into a local class with a certified teacher and finally scored a few months back.  Eileen Urbanek is the teacher and I am super stoked to be doing this finally.  It's time to learn something new.  Onward and upward - right?  We sign up for two, one-day classes and bring supplies for two projects.  Shortly after our arrival, we are given the opportunity to add a third day, allowing us to work on one project for two full days.  Score.  The best part of three days?  Elisabeth is doing two days and thus, we will have both of them with her.  Yay us.

Chapter 1 -- 9/29  Now for today.  Allison has located a fun coffee shop for us to meet up and visit for awhile as I have to drop my sweetie off at work and the class doesn't start until 10.  It's a great spot and we are buzzed and ready to go when we arrive at Fabric Fanatics.  Since we are the first to arrive and each person has their own 6 foot table, we decide to share sewing space, thus giving us the second table to lay things out, etc.  With our vintage ladies front and center, we are READY.  Teacher, teach us please.

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Class 2015 Round Two - Fabric Fanatics

Oh YAY!  I have been invited back to play another day in class.  I absolutely could not feel luckier.  What a total treat.  Since I packed everything up yesterday before I left, I have to haul it all back again today.  I'm kind of taking my time leaving and my sweetie is very nervous for me.  He keeps asking, "Don't you need to go?  You still have to set up."  Yep, I do love that man.  Soon I am on the way and when I arrive and get my station in order, Miss Allison drops this cute bunch of grapes on my machine.  It says, "you are one of the bunch."  Ah, my heart.

Since this is a repeat class and I am a guest, I am laying very low and working in the main shop (lucky for me it is closed today) to do my cutting so no one sees what I am up to.  I can only work on the same steps as they are on so as not to spoil the mystery for everyone else.  It's kinda cool though, cos I am getting a LOT done on this quilt.  And no, I still can't share anything with you here.

Bonnie is using Allison's fabric to do her demo but Allison is not in the group so I wander over and take a quick picture for her.

When I return to my seat, it appears that Janet is now one of the bunch as well.  Later in the day Bonnie is the recipient of one as well.  Yep, we're quite the bunch.

Well, dang.  I think that's all I can say about today except ---- I have my mystery quilt top between 1/4 and 1/3 finished.  Yep --- I LOVE IT.

Bonnie Hunter Crabapples Class - Fabric Fanatics

It's my last day of classes and I have to admit I am a bit sad that it is all ending so soon.  (sigh).  Today is the Crabapples class and I'm pretty stoked as I am still using up those dang ugly 1 1/2" strips.  The first thing I see when I walk into the room this morning is VINTAGE MACHINES everywhere.  Oh my.  Just look at our section alone.

Soon Bonnie arrives and it's time for the lessons to begin.  First up - sewing those strips together again only this time light/dark combos.

Bonnie Hunter Mad City Mama Class - Fabric Fanatics

Happy New Year!  This is year FOUR for me meeting up with the gals in Plano and spending the day with Bonnie Hunter.  What a great tradition it has been.  Today I am off and running to Fabric Fanatics for our Mad City Mama class.  Now, I will be honest and say that I am not sure I love this quilt yet, but am oh so happy to be using up all those 1 1/2" strips of "ugly" fabric in the tote.  If there was ever a place for them -- this is it.  All I have to take to class today is my tote of those plus a few black squares and even fewer purple ones.  Let's get started.

The minute Bonnie walks into class she hangs the Allietare quilt that was revealed last night.  Oh, if I thought I liked the colors before --- now I have moved right past love to adoration.  Isn't this incredible?  You can follow my Allietare journey by clicking on THIS LINK.  It's been such fun.

Allison stayed up last night working on hers and has a completed corner -- Woohoo.  That definitely needs a memory picture.

She has even started her back by using the letter panels to spell Allietare.  I love that she does this and will contribute to it each time I find these lovely letters.  Please welcome -- Miss Texas Quilter - Allison Bayer.  (psst -- she has the wave down pat doesn't she?  I wonder if there is a story there.)

Bonnie Hunter Talkin' Turkey Class - Fabric Fanatics

Today I am going to put all that cutting from last week to good use.  It is day two of the Plano classes and we are going to tackle Talkin' Turkey.  I have chosen to do mine in blue and am actually pretty excited to see how it all turns out.

Mister and I are ready to leave the house a bit early so opt for some time together to visit over coffee and a yummy breakfast.  What a wonderful start to New Year's Eve.  Well, in all fairness this pretty much IS our New Year's Eve.  We'll likely go to dinner tonight and then my sweetie has to work.  I know -- it sucks.

After our wonderful morning respite, I drop him off and work and head to Fabric Fanatics.  It appears that I am the first to arrive.  I lay my meager supplies (since I left most things here yesterday) on the sidewalk in front of the shop and stay warm and toasty in the car.  Before long, the lovely Allison joins me for a delightful visit.  Yep, she is here today with me.  Let the party begin.  (Below: Turtles and quilting -- two great loves of mine.)

Bonnie Hunter Mystery Class 2015 - Fabric Fanatics

Oh my gosh!  It's here.  This day has been long awaited by me for the fun I just know is in store.  I am off to Plano and Fabric Fanatics to enjoy a day with Bonnie Hunter, Ana, Marti (minus her voice), Irene, and a whole classroom of wonderful ladies.  Let's go.

(We have to pinky share not to show anything from this class until the pattern comes out in the spring so you will just have to wait until then for me to update this post with all that I worked on.)

The class starts out with hugs all around and it is like old home week as everyone comes together for our yearly gathering.  As soon as everyone has arrived, we are off to the cutting table for today's lesson.  Bonnie spots me with the camera catching her in an unusual position ---- YES, she does talk with her arms and hands a lot ---