Let The Countdown Begin.....8 days until we leave!

MY SLOGAN ABOVE

I am always excited when someone decides that they would like to try the art of quilting. The word "art" is one that I would not relate to me if I were to think about it. I don't truly think of myself as an artist. But standing back and listening as people look at and discuss a quilt of yours makes you believe that you have in some small way affected their life. When you look at it that way, I guess I do create art.

I am so excited that there are only 8 days left until we leave for the International Machine Quilter's Showcase in Overland Park, Kansas. "Dorothy, we're heading to OZ". I keep looking over the class descriptions that I have chosen and am more excited each day. I hope to bring home a lot of new knowledge, that with practice, I will be able to continue to improve and expand my quilting horizon. I always believe that if you are not learning....you are not growing.

Congratulations to Tim Tebow for being drafted to the Denver Bronchos!! Guess I will now add Denver Bronchos to my Gator girl list.

Happy Quilting,

Shelia

14 Days and counting

Only 14 more days until we leave on our trip. Can't wait. We purchased a Garmin GPS for the car. Roger has been wanting one, so we thought this trip would be a great time to have the GPS. Now while driving we can see what attractions/museums etc are near our location. What a novel idea hugh.

Now I must start deciding what to pack for the 12 days we will be on the road. That is a lot of outfits and shoes. Although I know I will mainly be wearing my z-coils while at the show and doing all the walking there. If you've never seen z-coils check out the site.

They have cured my plantar fascitiis. I've been wearing them for nursing for 4 years now and man what a difference in your feet, knees and hips. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I know they are not the prettiest things in the world, but I can still walk and boy does it feel better. I recommend them to all my patients who have knee, back and ankle pain. http://www.z-coil.com/ check them out. I plan on getting a pair of the sandles this summer.

Better get busy and plan our driving route.

Hope you have a great day.

Shelia

I'm Back........Where has time gone?

Everyone has been fussing at me about not writing on my blog for so long. It was not my intent to get so far behind. I can't believe it is already the middle of April. Time really does fly as you get older.

I'll try to catch you up on where we are.

First--The Garage is completed. Roger is finishing a few pieces of siding on the back of the garage and done!

Second- Mom and I took a Log Cabin class with Flavin Glover. She is a wonderful teacher and does beautiful quilts. We had a great time and enjoyed spending the day with many of our quilting buddies from the guild. Check out some of her work at http://www.flavinglover.com/ .

Third--I turned 50............yahoo! Can't believe that I am actually 50 years old. I am very blessed to have wonderful friends and family members in my life. I am double blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is sneaky and planned a surpise birthday party for me.

90 people showed up at our house on the Saturday after my birthday. Roger cooked hot dogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings. He even ordered a birthday cake which was decorated like a quilt. What a honey he is. I was very surprised with everyone who came to share in that special day with us. I don't know how he pulled it off.

I'll share pictures later.....when I figure out how to link to the album.

We had a blast at the party. One of the attendees was a friend who I hadn't seen since my wedding shower 21 years ago. My quilt bee girls were here, neighbors, family members, daughters of the nile ladies, Shrine friends and co-workers. I couldn't believe the people who just kept showing up. I don't know how he pulled this off.......unless I have some very sneaky friends and family.

My bee friend Susan sent quilt block squares for everyone to sign. What a wonderful gift. I have enjoyed reading everything that people have written and can't wait to put the quilt together. I plan on using the baby picture that Roger had on the signature table in the quilt also.

For my present, as if the party wasn't enough for him to do, Roger is giving me a trip to the IMQA (International Machine Quilters Association) show in Overland Park, Kansas. We are leaving on May 6th and will return May 17th. I will be taking a total of 14 classes at the international show. I am sooooooooo excited. I have wanted to go to one of these shows forever and now we are going. Only 18 more days until we leave.

The classes I am taking include beginning longarm, background techniques, troubleshooting the longarm, whimsical funky feathers, exploding texture, a class for those of us who quilt for ourselves and not necessarily as a business, solving tension headaches, how to keep your quilts square as you move it though the longarm machine, pantograph quilting, getting creative with gridwork, brillant bindings, tips, tricks and tools of the trade, borders, sashings and meanerings, using specialty threads, stunnings sashings. We also will be attending the banquet where Kaye England will be the keynote speaker. What a wonderful quilter she is.

Oh and I forgot to mention the over 200 vendors!! I'm working some extra nursing shifts to make some extra spending money for this trip.

Friday Mom and I went to see the Foothills Piecemaker's Quilt Show here in Greenville. We had a wonderful day together. We worked on our secret sister blocks for the guild and then the bee girls came over Friday night for some fun. We laughed and sewed until almost midnight.

Guess that is all I can think of for now. Hope you have a wonderful weekend and great week ahead.

Many Blessings from a very blessed woman,
Shelia