While The Cat's Away...Quiltvillians Play!

Good Morning From good ole’ Queens, New York!

I’ve got some time before heading to the airport and meeting up with my Poland travelers, so I’m throwing in one last post before I go to catch you up on some things!

Questions on “Do you still have retreaters while you are away?” have arisen, and the answer is yes, and sometimes.

You see, nothing is an ALWAYS. but in this case with these trips that have been postponed for 2 years due to Covid, and with Poland the onset of the war in Ukraine with the influx of displaced refugees crossing the Poland border in search of safety – These are the last two trips with make up dates that have been pushed forward and pushed forward until it was safe to go.

My own guidelines for myself (because nothing is an always -just a guideline) is that it has to be safe to go. We have to be able to do the group things we want to do with the attractions being open to large groups. And it has to be FUN. If it isn’t fun – why are we going?

This is going to be FUN!

And with these two tours back-to-back and the dates being adjusted to make that possible, my September Quiltvillians arrived on Wednesday with me leaving on Friday.

I don’t purposely schedule groups when I’m going to be gone – but sometimes (Because there is never an always) there will be times when I am not there for this reason or that reason because I too have other obligations.

There has to be a way to fit in all of the good things if we remain a bit flexible, right?

Yesterday was September! August is gone! And with that we have some beautiful Appalachian Autumn blocks that Barb is working on. I love this quilt so much – I wanted to pull out ALL of the autumn things and redecorate the inn, but there wasn’t time.

And this got me so excited – and since there is time to set everything up – I’m doing this starting today:

Sale good through 9/24/23.

Must use coupon code DIGITAL25 at purchase!

Check out this gorgeous Bristol share!

Close up of wonderful recycled shirt fabrics.

So comfy, backed with flannel.

This little bit of show and share turned into a whole lot as top after top was brought out so I could see before leaving.

Close up of the wonderful scrappy reds.

This star uses a folded back 3-D curve technique. If you know the pattern/designer please leave the info in the comments section below. Thank you!

Crumb Jumble #1 from String Fling. In other words, crumb blocks are addicting and soon you find you’ve made enough for 2 quilts. LOL!

Close up of blocks.

Did it make a dent in the scraps? Doubt it!

Here’s the second one – set with solid blue. Just lovely!

Close up – oh, lovely!

A scrumptious trip around the world. Wonderful!

A T-shirt quilt with a story.

Digitized embroidery containing some of the best memories of a brother-in-law that passed. Christine made this quilt for her sister after losing her husband. It’s a wonderful representation of who he was and always will be remembered.

A family signature quilt remembering grandparents.

This came back to the maker after her grandparents had passed.

(Don’t rush me – I still want to enjoy fall!)

Jennifer was bound and determined to finish her Plaidish quilt before I was gone Thursday afternoon…

And she did it! Revealed during late afternoon snacks and beverages on the porch. This is a free pattern and can be found HERE.

I spy some Silver Lining blocks from String Frenzy happening here!

Irish chain in teal, anyone?

This sight gets me all excited! I love to see what Charlotte is digging into.

Now this brings new meaning to “Runs With Scissors!” LOL! These are going from Cathy as a gift to someone who has room for them as studio décor when Cathy no longer does.

I think they are hanging here so they don’t forget to take them. Cracks me up.

This is how we do things in Appalachia!

Jean and her daughter arrived at Quiltville inn to find during set up that the shank to her Janome foot was broken.

They called up Ashe Sewing Center which is just a tiny place in West Jefferson, NC. Yes, they had the needed foot and they headed out to pick one up right away, because girl’s gotta sew, right?

Upon getting there they found that the little sewing center (Housed in a shed style building behind a house) only accepted cash or check, not credit card.. And Jean had forgotten her wallet.

In true southern hospitality style, was told “That’s okay, just send a check when you can!”

That kind of trust had her going back yesterday – cash in hand after retrieving her purse from the inn – and bought a machine.

One good turn deserves another. And everyone is happy in the end.

This to know if you live near by:

Coming to a Quilt Show near you!

Kristie & Slade Jarrett are the creators of the Sew Q Laser I wrote about HERE.

So many of you commented that you went out and purchased one after reading my post.

She wanted me to let you know that they will be at the following shows:

September 7-9, 2023:

Great Wisconsin Quilt Show

Madison Wisconsin

Booth #630

September 13-16, 2023:

AQS Quilt Show

Grand Rapids Michigan

Booth #2000

If you are attending the shows, stop by their booth and let them know that Bonnie sent you! Check it out for yourselves. I’m thrilled with mine and can’t wait to get home and really put it to good use.

It’s a game changer!

Yesterday morning, Tri Cities airport, Blountville, TN.

7 gates. SO EASY!

This little airport is an hour closer than a drive to Greensboro which was my norm. Not any more. Blountville won my loyalty yesterday. Only 90 minutes from home. So doable.

Board int in Atlanta for JFK – let’s go!

Landing in New York – lovely day!

It was a short flying day really – 45 minutes from TRI to ATL, and then less than 2 hours from ATL to JFK.

No stitching happened – but I did use the time to organize all of the photos on my phone – I need to make room for the new photos that will happen over the next few weeks.

Movie: I watched “Hello God, It’s Me Margaret.” and laughed and cried and remembered what it was like to be 12 with all of the changes happening to my body. Check it out if you can find it. Adorable movie! My inner 12 year old related so much.

Dinner at the Sonoco Food Court.

Don’t knock it until you try it!

I found this little food court walking distance from my hotel when I returned from Ireland in June.

There’s a 7-11, a Manchu Wok, Qdoba, Wendy’s and my new favorite Shah’s for the best chicken gyro I’ve ever had.

It may not be pretty – but SO SO SO good!

I have an overnight back here on my return leg and you can bet that there is another chicken gyro for my dinner that night. Yum!

I met up with Craftours guide Holly last night – she’ll be with me from here to Poland, to Italy and back. We’ll be meeting up with our Poland group at the gate later this afternoon.

And off we go.

I know this is long….and there is one more thing I nearly forgot – but I’ll throw it in because as my best mantra proves once again “You never know what worse luck your bad luck has saved you from.”

The new replacement oven door for the inn was delivered yesterday and will be installed today and everyone will receive instruction to not put any weight on the door when it is open so we don’t spring another door.

Disaster averted….not that big of a deal…and now resolved.

And one more thing…because it’s typical: