More Vacation Quilt Shop Time

Hello there -- We start out our day at the Carlsbad Caverns.  Have you been there?  It's absolutely amazing and I am delighted no matter where I look.

A Couple of New Mexico Quilt Shops

Mister and I are out and about in southeastern New Mexico today.  While in Artesia having lunch, I spot a cute little quilt shop called Martha's and make a quick beeline over there while waiting for our food.

Along the way, I am stopped in my tracks as these murals appear between two buildings and the colors are just so vibrant that I have to take a closer look.  This little courtyard is perfect for quietly reading or getting organized for the day.  I do love the flavor of this area of the country.  My greatest desire is to have a adobe home that surrounds a center courtyard.  What joy that would be.

Half a Day at Sunset - With the Gals

It has rained ALL NIGHT and I am out of the house by 6:15 a.m. so that I can get to Allison's by 7:00, transfer to her car and make it to Sunset by 9:00 a.m.  The rain is horrendous to drive in and my state of mind is not very nice when I arrive at Allison's.  She lets me share my worries, we make a plan for the day, and are soon on our way.  It's a lot of driving for a short time there, BUT the time in the car gives us a chance to visit.  Perfect.

It is NOT raining in Sunset and I am thankful for that.  My mood has lightened tremendously and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, even if only for a short time.  Our renewed efforts to "travel light" are rewarded with ALL of our things fitting on one rolling cart, except Allison's machine which is rolling on it's own.  Well, not technically on it's own, but you know what I mean.

My project for today is to somehow make sense of the bargello tree skirt that I cut up yesterday in preparation of today.  I managed to cut not one, but TWO, sets of the wedges the wrong direction and need to somehow put them back together again.  Where are all the king's horse and all the king's men when I need them?

Houston Quilt Festival - Day Three

It's day three and I am up before the sun.  Well, that happens when you crawl into bed at 8:00.  There is a flurry of activity on the streets below as they gear up for the Rocket Run which starts at 7:00.  Streets are closed off and people in red shirts are running amok everywhere.  I can hear barely music coming from the park nearby and once in awhile cheers are raised for something of which I know nothing about.  It is all quite magical.  Oh look -- here comes the sun.  It's behind me so I can only see some color on the buildings in front of me.  Gorgeous.  It certainly bodes well for a wonderful last day here.

Houston Quilt Festival - Day Two

Good morning.  As I step out of bed, I gingerly put my feet down.  Do they hurt as much as they did last night?  Nope.  Yay.  I am good to go.  It's time to get dressed and go to breakfast.  Val calls just as we are heading up and meets up with us for a wonderful visit.  It's always so good to be with her.

Okay, after breakfast it's time to get started again.  I have a plan.  Let me say that a bit louder.  I HAVE A PLAN.  I am going to go and finish the vendor area (and start that by redoing the last two aisles I did yesterday as I think I was a walking zombie by then) AND start on the quilts.  The show opens at 10 and I am giving myself until 1 to get into the quilt area.  Can I do it?  I'm gonna give it the old college try.

Houston Quilt Festival - Day One

One year ago people were posting like crazy about the Houston International Quilt Festival and I didn't understand what the big deal was all about.  I  mentioned that I had never been and was looked at in amazement.  "If you want to call yourself a quilter, you must go at least once."  I was told this multiple times.  So, being the obedient person that I am, I watched for the hotels to open up their rooms for the next years festival.  YES, I booked the room ONE YEAR in advance.  How crazy is that?  I have absolutely never booked a hotel room more than 3 months in advance.  This is as bad as the dang beach retreat.  I put out a post seeing if anyone wanted to go with me and Lydia answered with a resounding "ME."  Fast forward to today.

Round Robin Fun

Last year I became involved in a "Row Robin" and enjoyed myself so very much.  If you don't know what that is, please click on this Row Robin Journey Link.  It was a fantastic learning experience for me and if you have never participated in something like this, well do it at least once just to stretch yourself a bit.

This year the group is putting together a "Round Robin" and it is hitting at a time when I just don't have a moment to spare to build a center medallion.  The group is short a person so I ask if it would be okay to use a panel.  I get a resounding "yes" and quickly order the panel and get it in the mail to the first person on my list.  Now to see what they do with it.  I have asked that it simply stay wall  hanging size and to keep it sewing related so that I can use it behind my quilt frame in the studio.  Let the fun times begin.  My first one should be in the mail to me soon and it has to be out the door by the end of January.

Sondra's RR is the first to arrive and as I am off to Telluride, I run to the studio to pull fabrics from my batik bin that will match, pack it all up and away I go.  She has a beautiful Mariner's Star as her center and I adore the colors.  Now, please let the creativity come.