Halloween Quilts

What Fun! Halloween Quilts! They were both bright and I put a Halloween overall design on each of them. The back to the close up shot quilt (with black borders) is minkee... ooooh, how I love to quilt minkee! Soft, has texture, and the quilting looks lovely!

Who WOULDN"T Wannamakeablankie?

What a fun weekend! Friday was the first day of the Cottonwood Quilt Show. I worked the morning shift, white gloving... which is just a great way to meet people and see all the quilts! It was a really nice show.. only takes place every two years, so my first experience with this guild. Then, off to Camp Wannamakeablankie with the Omaha Quilt Guild! I shared a table with Page, Deb, and Kay... and we had so much fun! They all actually managed to get things sewn. OK, I did get some blocks sewn for my sister's quilt... but mostly visited. I think I have Quilt Group ADHD.. I am up and down out of my chair, and way more interested in everyone else's projects... and into the social scene. This is not a new problem, or insight... but how it is. Since retreat is not a competition but a way to have fun... it doesn't matter what you accomplish! I met several new-to-me quilters, and enjoyed getting to know others better.

At Wannamakeablankie we are well cared for and well fed. The retreat center is more like a hotel then most of the facilities I have been in, and the staff friendly and helpful. This retreat we all work on our own projects, very little structure. Members receive a token as they enter the dining room and search for their matching table. This allows you to meet more attendees then just the folks you sit with or your small group.

My small group ( the Gone To Pieces) were seated across the room from me, but we did visit frequently! I was warmly welcomed by the Hands All Around group, who kept us laughing and chatting through all hours as we stitched and pressed, ate, drank, 'frogged', and ate again.

Lucky me! Now, can't wait till the Gone To Pieces retreat "Snowflake" that takes place in January!

Sister Linda

My sister and her husband visited us on their way to the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore. We had a wonderful visit, and were delighted that they could stop by on their way back home. Now, I think Chris' reason to visit had more to do with Jasmine the dog, (just kidding!). But oh, so good to give my sister Linda a hug. It has been a 'tough' family year, with loss and heartache... but also rich joy ... such as the upcoming birth of a new niece within the next few days.

I miss Innovations!

There are times I miss my familar surroundings in Washington. My friends, guilds, home, quilt stores... I miss being known in my community, community ties...

I have met WONDERFUL friends here in NE, and enjoy my guilds very much. I am happy in Omaha... but there are times when I get 'homesick'... and during Innovations is one of those times.

I loved going to Innovations and seeing the quilts, the classes, the vendors. Cindy Roth had a brainstorm and started this event, Innovations: A Machine Quilting Conference held yearly in Tacoma, WA. The only west coast machine quilting conference, the classes are primarily longarm related, but also include the wide range of machine quilters including domestic. If you are near, visit the quilt show and sign up to get the info for next year's classes!

Bleach Discharge and Fun with Friends!

What is quilting without friends?

What a fun play day, our small group met to play with bleach discharge techniques such as shown in our books "Casting Shadows" by Colleen Wise. Cheryl was our teacher/guide, Nel our lovely hostess. LNel reserved lunch at Delicious! Bakery and Cafe in Valley, NE.... what a fantastic cafe...definately a place to return to! The owner also has a shop across the street, and hosts events such as a women's night out.

We challenge ourselves to get one of our pieces done by our next meeting.

What a fun day! Karen had a desire to head down to the Nebraskan town of Hebron to see the World's Largest Porch swing. What a fun and lovely day we had! The porch swing WAS large, and we enjoyed swinging in the park. We played on the barrel roll too... that was fun! The day was warm, but breezy and lovely in the shade. From their we headed north to Fairbury, to Rock Creek Station Crossing, a station along the Oregan Trail, Pony Express, and where Wild Bill Hickock was launched as a legend.. This state park is well maintainted, restoring the original station as shown in the photographs. Yes, back in 1859! Quite a story about the folks living there, great museum... Then we headed north to Beatrice, and visited the Homestead Museum. We enjoyed a picnic on their lovely grounds, enjoyed the video, images and artifacts, and learned a lot about the first and last homesteaders. Yes, we did see a couple of quilts and references to quilts. Karen loves to see those unique attractions...like the world's biggest porch swing... and thanks to her influence we all had a lovely day and learned a bit more about Nebraska.

Picnic in the park!

Bob and I went to the park for a picnic dinner, he brought home Subway Sandwiches. It was a beautiful evening, low 80's, low humidity.... great for an Omaha summer day! We threw the ball so Jasmine could swim, then walked a bit. As always when leaving the park, we drove around looking for deer...saw 4! Three adults and a frisky fawn! Then, Bob noticed two hot airballoons. We watched them draw nearer... then decided to try to find the landing place for one of them. Just as we parked it lowered down towards us. We were only about 50 feet from the landing place! It was beautiful, and children came running as the balloon landed yelling ''helloooo!". The baloonist called back, made a smooth landing, then lifted up and away again. Jasmine didn't mind at all, she just watched too. It was a lovely, peaceful evening... now to go look for fireflies!