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