The Quilting Journey

It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end. -Ursula K. LeGuin

We’re often told the journey is more important than the destination.

When it comes to quilt shows, classes, and shop hops, while the destination is definitely important to us, getting there can be a great deal of fun.

Where else could a group have uninterrupted time together to:

Sing favorite songs from the past, while discussing topics like: “Are hot flashes precursors to spontaneous human combustion?”, and consuming all of the snacks we carefully avoid the rest of the year?

What other venue is available for women of “a certain age” to participate in a general frolic of silliness without the “permission” gained by wearing a specific color?

I think this best sums up our travels to various quilting venues:

A journey is best measured in friends rather than miles. -Tim Cahill

Thank you, friends, for sharing the journey.

My pirate name

While wandering along the web today, I found the AntiCraft website. This is definitely the type of place where you'd find Lemony Snicket rather than the Happy Elf.

In reading their blog I found a reference to "Talk Like a Pirate Day".

Alas, I'd missed it, however, they did have a link to a place where you can discover your pirate name. I tried it -- and was delighted that my pirate name began with fabric.

Try the link below if you want to learn your pirate name.

My pirate name is:

Calico Bess Bonney

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Road trip!

The annual Jacksonville Quiltfest road trip went off without a hitch - once we retreived the seat belts and returned them to a usable position. That brief pause gave us the opportunity to say good morning to a trio of sandhill cranes. Then we were "On the Road Again" thanks to personalized cds for our musical trip created by our very own DJ.

We arrived safely, trooped in behind a busload or two of fellow quilters and proceeded to shop!

Some favorite vendors:
Bolines who had tables full of five yard kits (their specialty). Several of us now have those kits in our posession.

Cotton in the Cabin always has an incredible collection of indigo fabrics. Yummy!

Critter Pattern Works had fabulous patterns. Their display was a treat.

Diane Smith, also known as FiberSmith was there with all of the goodies and info needed to learn about making your fabric unique by adding dyes and paints. She has wonderful retreats on Cocoa Beach.

And then, of course, there's Olde Green Cupboard.

After checking out everything the vendors had in store, we moved on to the quilt displays. The variety and quality of work was a delight. It is so inspiring to see the range of techniques that have been produced by quilters of all ages. Several quilters from our area won ribbons. Woo Hoo! It's nice to know such talented people.

When we finished circling the displays and vendors a few more times, we went by Olde Green Cupboard, and then headed for home. But first, we had supper at The Loop Pizza Grill. We like to try places that are new to us when we're traveling and we were very pleased with our meals.

The rest of the trip was uneventful until we arrived at the Mims rest area. (Some of us could go no further.) After numerous cars quickly departed at the sound of our giddy laughter, we piled into the "quiltmobile" and completed our journey.

A good time was had by all, and our families were grateful once again that they did not travel with us.

QuiltFest is coming!

In a little over a month we will be on our way to QuiltFest of Jacksonville, Florida. Woo Hoo!

If history repeats itself, the show (and the journey back and forth) will be memorable. There will be plenty of chocolate, kettle corn, music and hilarity as we travel I95. Last year we entertained fellow motorists with finger puppets. I don't think the Snapple truck driver will ever be the same. Who knows what will happen this year.

Feel like going to a quilt show right now? Try this video of the USF Quilt Show held March 1, 2008. There are all kinds of quilt videos available online. Enjoy!

Rosie the Quilter

Rosie the Riveter is a familiar name to all who have studied the United States' history during World War II. Her picture is instantly recognizable. The contribution of women during WWII is celebrated at a National Historical Park in Richmond, California.

Rosie has taken up a new skill: Quilting!
Andover Fabrics has released Pam Tuttle's new collection, Rosie the Quilter. There are patterns for a quickie quilt and retreat bag at their website.

So when you consider your next quilting adventure, remember: "We can do it!"

Another goodbye

One of our members just said her final earthly goodbye to her mom yesterday. It was a simple graveside service, just as her mother wished.

As we gathered for the service, the "quilting row" formed -- back row, of course.

On the whole we were well-behaved. There was a brief discussion as to how we could incorporate the service leaflet into a quilt and whether or not it would be suitable for paper piecing. But, other than that, I think we avoided our normal boisterous behavior.

It is so comforting to know that when we have to face these all too frequent events in our lives, the "quilting row" will be there to watch our back.

Quilters in the ICU waiting room

So what would you expect quilters to do in a waiting room? Quilt? Read about quilting? Fondle fabric?

While we did talk about quilting, none of us had brought our regular "quilter-in-waiting" kits. How could we forget?

Well, it was an emergency.

We did manage to find a scrap of fabric for the one whose family member is in ICU, and we did have quilt books and magazines on hand, but none of us had a quilt project.

Lesson learned: keep a mini quilt project of some sort with you in case you find yourself a "quilter-in-waiting". Think of times when you might find yourself in a similar situation and plan ahead.

If you are together as group because of an emergency, you will probably have time to each stitch a tiny block and make a "comforter" for the person in your group who is going through the crisis. A tiny quilt to keep tucked in your hand or pocket can be a source of solace and a reminder that others are there with you in spirit if not in person.