Material Obsession

home.

Home.  It's a simple little word jam packed with meaning.  I am home.

I guess, I am lucky as I have two homes.  One here down under and one up over there.   Here I have my husband, boys, dog and my own coffee, bed and studio.  There I have my mom and dad, brothers, friends and the green green grass of home.  There are many things from that home that I have brought with me to this one. 

For starters, Sam.  Here we were on the way to the airport from my brothers lake house.  How easily he slipped into that other home making friends with his cousins and partaking in their lives.  He left a mark of companionship in their hearts I know...he also left marks in their bedrooms... This one at the lake and this one in Annapolis...

The dynamic of the family has changed dramatically as we all make way for the new stars of tomorrow.  The kids are each in their own way growing up into beautiful people with so much to offer us as we watch them grow up. Still a lot of playing to be done.  One of the highlights was watching them make costumes for the opening midnight flick of Harry Potter.

 

In a short amount of time we had accomplished many of the things on the "list" of options.  We even found time to make dolls!

There were many friends I did not get to see but we made a quick detour to NYC to meet up with a special one at Il Buca.

I cannot ever forget the fun times with this gal.  We spent many a late night (early dawn) together making our way home and stopping off for a night cap to review the evening.  Times have changed our lives but not the way it felt to be together.

It was surprising how much fun we could cram into a late afternoon in NYC.  My brother and I shared our memories of living in NY.  I wonder what the boys thought as we practically jumped out the window of the car yelling, "that's the bedroom window right there!  RIGHT THERE!  

Here was the door of my humble abode...the trees of NYC grow just as much as the ones in the rest of the world I was surprised to see.    The dry cleaner that shrunk my favourite jumper was still there, the scene of many early mornings in the dinner at the corner was still there but in many ways the neighborhood was overgrown with new things.  Fun to see as we grabbed a slice of pizza and headed north and out of town.

Our lives may take us many places but our hearts stay together.

 

It is hard to contain all the wonderful experiences of this trip.  Sisters, family, QBL...so much living on so many levels.    QBL ended with a bit of fun on Friday night.  We had show and tell hosted by Donna Lamb, the Executive Director of this fabulous event.  

There was much fun and frivolity as quilters and teachers let go of any tension that might have accummulated as we struggled with our own creative reaches...All the tutors made aprons for auction and entertained us with  much hoola hoop dancing.

There were bountiful raffle baskets as well as mini performances that brought the entire event to a fun point of closure.  It is incredible to think that after such an exhausting week full of deep and meaningful work that these teachers can continue on and do it again this week!

 
As Kathy and I drove away from QBL with minds full of potential progress on our quilts I thought to myself, ah, that's it.  The fun is over now and there is nothing but travel ahead of me.  However, that was not to be the case!  We headed to her friend's B&B and arrived late at night.  In the morning I woke to the sound of birds and frogs.  It had been a big day before but still I rose at dawn driven to see where we had landed...

It was as if the place had a spirit of its own drawing me out to the dew covered lawn...to see...

And then, to top it all off, we went out and picked a bowl full of snap peas, broccoli fresh herbs and green beans while nibbling on blueberries.  YUM!

 

And did I mention we snuck in a bit of chat and quilting on the front porch!

It was, in a word, blissful.  

It was soon time to change gears.  We stopped in Amherst and said goodbye to the animals before heading up to New Hampshire to catch up one last time with the twins at my brothers place.

It was only a short visit but one filled with many glimpses of their summer life.

The last sunset...

 

The last morning view...

And the last family game...

It is hard to believe or accept that the time at home has come to an end and that afterall, I am once again home.  Thanks to all of you for sharing my trip with me.  I can only say one more time...thank you, more please...as that statement fully represents the overwhelming sense of gratitude I have for the gifts of loving people and a creative life that I have been given and appreciate more and more each day. May we always feel at home wherever we are. k

Time warp

Keeping a blog sometimes makes me more aware of how time warps.  I am sure I have entitled a post in the same manner sometime in the past but yet again I find myself overwhelmed by the sensation that time has elapsed...time well spent but disappeared...where did the week at QBL go?  Five full days of creating in a great big open space filled with open creative juices.   

 

What did I learn at QBL?  

For starters, I learned that a good friend, a real friend is one that understands you forever despite distances, despite differences of opinion or lifestyle and regardless of all the complications of living out of suitcase for a week.  There is no substitute for the comfort of honest, truthful communication between friends that trust each other to be real.  I say, thank you, more please to my friend Kathy.

I learned about quilting at a new level this week.  Learning is sometimes subtle.  It takes listening, it takes observing and it takes an open consideration of new ways of seeing.  QBL was full of opportunities to see with my eyes and ears open and I can only wonder today how I will move forward full of vision.
 

One warm summer evening we drove to the Schweinfurth Memorial Art Center for a talk by Jane Dunnewold about her quilts.  One of my roommates was taking her class and bringing home dyed pieces every night for us to inspect with interest.  Each day brought new pattern and colour on a variety of base cloths.  However, outside of the class Jane an artistic explorer.  Her work is a meaningful visual gesture and the story she spoke was one of an angst driven need to speak out about things that are untrustworthy in the world...war...dwindling species, waste and a need to care while exisiting in a supportive community of like minded individuals.  It was moving and meaningful to hear her in an art centre surrounded by her work.  But what I realised was that she made me feel like an artist too.  Up until I sat in that room I never was brave enough to call myself an artist.  Hearing her refer to all of us in the crowd as artists I suddenly realised my voice with a shock it occurred to me that I too AM an artist!!!! Followed by the thought..."AT LAST."  

I learned again that it is easy to make friends with people when you have a common bond.  There is much more but I am traveling again in a minute and time for posting is over....thank you...more (time) please. k

 

Quilting by the Lake...peek inside!

Ok, I am a quilter through and through so a holiday that involves quilting obviously makes me very happy.  One that doesn't involve cooking, laundry or sports is also good.  Don't get me wrong I love my job but the last few weeks off have been very relaxing!

To set the scene of Quilting by the Lake, home for this week is a dorm room at the Onondaga Community College.  We, a large group of happy quilters, are gathered here to expand our skills, creativity and circle of friends...that is official speak for having an absolutely fabulous time with like minded individuals doing heaps of fun stuff like making ART!!!  The days are filled with learning and the evenings have a variety of special events from lectures by uber talented quitlers like Judi Blaydon and Katie Pasquini Masopust to show and tell from the students and tomorrow night a visit to the Schweinfurth Art Center for a showing of quilts by Judi. If you have never done a workshop based experience like this and you live well...anywhere... check out this link www.quiltingbythelake.com for information and details. 

To make it extra special I am here with my oldest bestest friend who is also a quilter and has been a regular here for 8 years.  To add wonder to amazement we are doing Face Value with Rosalie Dace...just one of the FABULOUSLY inspiring classes being held on this campus for the next two weeks.  We are going to bed early every night so we can spring out of bed with gusto for a day full of quilting experiences.  Those of you that know me know I do Rosalie's class every time I get a chance because...well she makes me better at what I want to do.  Face Value is a challenge for me as I have never attempted a portrait before but we did lots of fun exercises that broke down any anticipatory fears.  By the end of day one I was ready to go.

We talked about value and line.

and did some blind drawing which was really fun.  I mean really really fun, particularly if you are doing a portrait of someone that looks just like Emily and Barbara!

Looking around the room over the last three days I have witnessed a variety of intense moments as each one of us dug deep to discover what we have to communicate about ourselves.

 

 

Then we got busy with our subject matter.

There are many fascinating things about doing a workshop.  One is the opening of the mind but another is learning from others about a variety of personal interpretations of a theme.  The workshop brings home what we are all about...sharing the quilting experience on many levels.

 

The subject matter is very diverse....one subject for each person.

Young and old alike became the focus of our reaction to what we were seeing in the faces of our lives.

Focus...It gets very interestingly quiet at times as everyone digs deep and concentrates.  Then of course someone makes a joke, or tells a story and we all gather on another layer.  It is particularly interesting to learn new techniques for construction of these quilts.  Despite bringing what I thought I needed, each day I have ventured to the handy shops to make purchases to help get the work done.

 

This event has a particular Art Quilt theme to it.  Does that sound scary? Well, it isn't!  There was a day not too long ago when I ended up in an art quilt class quite unintentionally.  However, what I found was that the experience, albeit terrifying at first, really opened my mind to ways to make my "traditional" quilts more interesting.  By learning to look inward for inspiration I found my own sense of style. So if I can offer up any advice from my experience it is that if you have an opportunity to look at your quilt making as art then take it up!

Besides, what we make should always have an individual sense of style but how we make it generally ends up being a bit the same...

 

This is the table that Kathy and I share with the tools of the trade all scattered and buried.

Scenes like this are all over the room. With two days to go I am already dreading the end of this rewarding experience.  There are so many friendly quilters and the general feeling is welcoming and relaxed.  Maybe because I am not teaching but relaxing into the event or maybe just because this is a wonderful place to be and it is a blast to have some time to simply focus on what I love to do....make, make, make...create! 

Here's a sneak peek at my work...based on a photo of John...a fact I am sure he will love!  The elements are gathered and on the wall and progress was about to be made! 

 More to come.  Love to all my gals at Material Obsession working their fingers to the bone in cold and wet Sydney.   Enjoy whatever you do and plan to do things you enjoy!!! k

green green green

Home.  I kept wondering what it was that made the view out the window feel like home.  I think it is the green...or the fireflies...or the cornflowers, Queen Anne's lace, cornfields, chipmunks, deer...or the warm fuzzy familiar feeling of family and friends.

The last few days have been on the road.  My brother indulged me with his ipod packed with songs of our childhood.  We drove for hours singing our hearts out while the boys in the back rolled their eyes.  It was amazing to hear a song after 25 years and to still know every single song.  We burned down the house and went along the crazy path of a phsyco killer...fell in love with Amy...and swooned to South Side Johnny's Hearts of Stone.  Oh dear, I think we missed our calling!  Anyway, at some stage I'll report on our very short visit to NYC but for now...

It is about the day we spent  at a Lacross tournament which was an event in itself.  This, for those of you that don't know, is a fun, FUN game with a fast pace and lots of action.  The ball flies around the field at a great pace.  The teams where wild shorts and I have heard that the indoor games play loud music!!! my kind of sport.  Connor's team won three and tied one game so he was pretty happy on the road to the third section of the trip, my reunion with my life long friend who is in my eyes a great and somewhat undiscovered talent.  Check out the art...

 

 

The colour in some ways is reflected by John's paintings around the house.

 

So from here on the posts will be quilting posts.  We are now at Quilting by the Lake.  The teachers are ready, the quilters are ready and although the names have changed the crowd looks familiar.  It is weird to be in a place where there are so many quilters and not know anyone.  I feel incredibly anonomous which is fun.  Then at dinner I got outed by the director of the event, Donna Lamb.  She called for the person from Australia to stand up as having come the furthest! 

Anyway, it is time to pack the design wall and head over for Rosalie Dace's class....oh my, curb the enthusiasm as here we go for a week of intense study!!! enjoy your journey be it long or short!!! k

 

 

 

Reconnecting

What is it about family?  Regardless of vast time and distance we can still get together and feel an immediate connection.  I sat and watched these cousins do there thing all week with joy.  I arrived from Sisters in Annapolis, MD late Sunday night and from the first minute it was first class relaxation on the menu!

We did lots of simple fun things like boat into town for an icecream with the kids.  We then had a stroll through the streets which were quaint and full of American history.  I like the narrow streets and the many coloured houses.  

And then what did we spy? Why the Australian flag!

My nephew Brad inspired my choice in new glasses and then while leafing through his album collection we found the initial inspiration!  Why Elvis Costello... of course!

I would be remiss if I didn't mention that my brother is a fitness fanatic.  Always has been.  So each time I know I am going back I beef up at the gym in anticipation of a friendly "competition".  I would NEVER be so bold as to think I could win.  My aim is only to keep up and not expire.  So when he said he was taking me to a class at his gym I paniced.  The last few months have been full of things to do and going to the gym wasn't exactly the priority it usually is for me so in a word I was TERRIFIED.  We went on Monday am and I survived the class.  Mainly because it was only an hour instead of the 90 minutes I had anticipated.  It was a really fun pumped up class...the kind you find in America where the music is loud, the instructor boistrous and the class a challenging work out. However, I show you the steps leading to the house from the dock on the river.

There are 62 of said stairs and each one for the entire week reminded me of the class with aching muscles.  Ugh.  They really hurt.  The next day we headed off to yoga but missed a change in schedule.  We decided to do our own class as we had brought two of the cousins.  The yoga was a welcome relief but at the end Rusty suggested a bit of cardio. Here we go again I thought and sure enough, despite the other four of us insisting we had had enough there we were doing a cardio session.  Again we survived.  I have to say I admire his discipline.  He challenges himself at every opportunity and in many cases took us along.  Thing is, it is fun.  he is knowledgeable about a lot of things and I learned a lot from him over the week.  Little things but fun things none the less.

There was always something happening near the water.

 
The background noise was always cousins having a great time!

We had an evening sail on a perfect balmy night.  What is it about watching the world go by slowly for a change that brings peace of mind? 

Kyacking was another fun activity.  We got the brief...head out and take a right and go between a few docks to find a nice secluded marsh area full of wildlife and as fate had it, a brewing storm so it was hit the paddles and get the heck home before the skies opened and a storm blew through.

It is just so nice to be together and have time to sit back and relax.  However, gatherings like this take planning and Liz and my mom did a great job of creating a feast each night.  I am not sure how they do it but with hardly a murmur, fresh vegetables and salads appeared with a bbq each night and filled us up!

We had lots of time to chat and play games.

Do more sailing. 

And when in Maryland do as the Marylanders do and EAT CRABS!!!! Crabs caught off our dock!

The were prepared perfectly and complete with beers and bay spice!

 

  Here we all are... except for Oscar, Noah and John.  Hi guys in Australia!!! Missing you!  There is more but as per usual...an early start tomorrow to watch a massive LAX tournament.  This should be fun.  We are in New Haven, Ct after a brieg tour of NYC yesterday for the teens!  more on that later.   Heartfel thanks to all the Gowland family for laughs, conversation, activities and food and music and the rest!! k

photo essay

On Friday classes finished up and we all headed out of the school venue where classes had been in session all week.  It was fun to walk through the halls of a high school and imagine the learning environments for kids these days with all the mod cons.  I am most grateful for my posse for helping me out on Friday.  

We then headed out for a bit of shopping before the picnic.  Imagine...perfect weather, perfect tree lined park, lovely group of quilters gathered to reflect and enjoy the meal served up by the family members of the town.  It was hard to look around and not smile.  So many hands making light work of a big task.

 On Saturday it was the dawn of the day the quilts got an airing.  It was incredible to finally walk the streets and see the town decorated.  I kept thinking that every town should look like Sisters on this day.  It is a credit to Jean Wells and her family.  This event ran like clockwork from start to finish.

 Of special signifigance was the hanging of the quilts from the delightful women of Gees Bend.  I have loved these quilts and their story since discovering them several years ago on a previous visit to NYC.  It was most meaningful to hear them speak their stories.  There were several deep and meaningful sharing moments of real living through civil rights.  Sometimes we forget that our live is full of priveleges gained by the suffering of others.

These quilts speak to me.  I am moved deeply by the freedom of expression and the spirit of make do.

 Every time we met them we were greeted with hugs and smiles and we were able to share a special feeling of connection through our quilts.

 The quilts speak for themselves and for us as sisters of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 Here is a favourite moment.  Our Carolyn, standing in front of her gorgeous Pansy Patches hanging on the street...It was heartwarming to see with pride the collection of Australian quilts.  It was fun to think of our Australian quilting friends far away and present at the same time.

Wendy's quilt looked as if it should hang in this spot forever growing out of the flower bed.

 

 

 Liesel's Canyons represent the canyons of out back Australia and is made using Aboriginal fabrics rich in the colours of the land.  It hung next to Brigitte Giblin's quilt rich in the English heritage that shapes the culture of Australia.

 The streets were full of people and created an interesting contrast against the wildness of the mountain countryside.

It was also special to see an "old" friend.  Cheryl and I were roommates in NYC...another life...another time.  However, it was clear as soon as we met up again that time hadn't altered our friendship.  Chat was easy and constant.  Cheryl was a great sport as my schedule was hectic to say the least.  We had a blast.

 The Stitching Post shop was full to bursting all week.  What a great place to hang around.  So much to see, imagine and consume!!!

 

 Here's my Madness quilt in the teachers tent and this is my favorite quilt...

 

 another one that caught my eye

 my gorgeous friends...heaven

 

 

and some special moments as the quilts came down.

 How about this bed of flowers!!!

 My mind and heart are full of beautiful memories but today I am with family and we are running out the door.  It is nice to be with family!  I know see why I am why I am...we are very busy.  BUSY...gotta go!!! Ok, I am on my WAY....holidays are FUN!!! k

airport waiting

 

Meet Hilde Morin, my roommate in Sisters!  It is interesting to meet a random quilter and spend five days living in a hotel room together.  We got very lucky.  Both Hilde and I loved the instant friendship that we developed and it was truly a thrill to see her quilts.  We spent a lot of time sharing our influences, finding food and trying not to talk so we could sleep!  Aren't her quilts gorgeous!  

 

When one meets a quality friend...one has to share so here we all were...the Aussie posse and Hilde on the last day.  There was a lot in between but I had a bit of an overage at the airport and I think my camera cord got separated from my camera...Thankfully the bags are going through!  

Anyway, were was I?  Oh yeah, having a blast.  Day three of teaching was my Soul Searching class.  This is my favourite thing to teach as everyone seems to learn so much about themselves.   

First we talk a bit about colour and then we make a huge mess!

What I learned about quilters in the USA is first that they are all wonderfully generous and happy people. There stashes were filled with great variety and individuality.  These classes were filled with great spirit and each day was full of wonderful learning surprises for me.

I also realised how much I love to share this learning experience by "teaching"  or maybe just guiding people into new areas.  The feedback was fabulous.  

It was fun to meet Pam in person as well as several others that I have only known in blogland!  This was a fun day, as were all the others and I thank each and every one of you for being such enthusiastic colour workers!  You made my day!!!!

I have more but my flight is about to board and I like to be organised when I get on board.  I'll be back soon with more about lecture day, Garden Party Two day and AND of course the absolutely fabulous quilt show day!!!!  Every town should be Sisters one day a year! thank you...more please...kathy

Red Centre Day

Most of my life I have yearned to end up here.  Mountains in the background.  Deer in the grass.  Cowgirls and boys coming and going through town.  The fact that the place is also filled with quilters is just the icing on the cake.  Everywhere I have looked for the last week people have been smiling. 

Who wouldn't be smiling at a dinner party in this setting.

On the walls were lots of examples of the work that all the teachers did.

We gathered for Red Centre on day two.   It was fun to see that in 20 chairs were 20 people making completely different quilts.  We had everything from black to white, batik to Kaffe fabrics going up in this pattern.  It was lively and fun day.

In every class there is one person that gets busy really quickly.  This bit was up before we knew it in nice greens and blues.

As the day progressed it progressed to be a nice piece.

In another corner we had a quilt that took the opportunity to design a new layout for the block.  These fabrics really reminded me of marble stones and when the pattern started to appear it was very exciting.

From Mossy greens to lively greens, they were all working the pattern.

 

Black proved to be a good background for both frosty fabrics and batiks.

This one has American Flag fabric which was appropriate given the holiday.  It looks a bit like a flag flapping in the breeze.

 

Smiley happy faces.  It could have been scary, teaching in a new space to new people but in reality, it was an absolute pleasure.  It was fun to have Pam in my class as we have communicated by email for a long time.  Pam makes sweet quilters charms and jam and leaves nice gifts in my bag.  Thanks Pam!

In the evening my roommate Hilde and I retreated to the room for some R&R.  Rest is important.  Having a roommate is fun.  We have decided that we were fated to be together.  Rooming with Hilde has been just the right mix of chat and exploring of ideas. 

I saw a piece of art the other day that said don't ever wake me from the American Dream...living that today. k

 

 

diversity...the color purple

Last week in Sydney or was that a lifetime ago??? Reece talked about how the colour purple happens the least in nature.  Well, here in Sisters we are seeing the colour purple everywhere we look!

Even some non local blooms are smiling in purple.

There are quilts everywhere we look. Which makes all of us feel at home.

The first class was Garden Party.  There were lots of variations in backgrounds from grey scales to Oregon landscapes.  It was fun to see what everyone had in their stash.  There was a wide variety of fabrics and lots of fun things started appearing around the room.

We made a huge mess.  Carolyn and Liesel helped me on Monday as their class with Bari J didn't start until yesterdauy.  It was fun having them in the room as I have to admit I was a bit shy at first.  Ah yes, believe it or not...I am shy at heart.

However, as the saying goes, flowers bloom where they are planted and by the end of the day we all had something to show for the efforts.

 

 

 

Jean has an incredible front door and a quilt to match right inside. It was fascinating to meet the other teachers at this event.   I am getting whip lash from walking up and down the aisles looking in the other rooms.  There are all kinds of talents and all kinds of experiences for all kinds of people and sooner or later my tiny brain is going to explode from overload!

There are images stacking up in the camera so never fear, I'll share more as soon as humanly possible.  I have been getting email requests for blog updates but people! Really!  I will try.  As for my son Sam, last I heard he had turned up at Black Lake Michigan after he and Grace spent a night stranded in Chicago.  They marched in a 4th of July parade, went wake boarding and the last he was seen it was in a canoe with three young gals...Hmmm.  I think that sounds fun.  No more worries there. 

Enjoy whatever you are doing! Love to all my family and friends in Australia!  (my Amerian accent is back and strong now!!!) Kathy

Thrills a Minute!!!

Bags filled with quilts arrived!  It is funny how we don't really need what is in our suitcases.  We pack tons of stuff but when it comes right down to it we can get by with far less.  However,  when the bags are full of quilts you really want to see them on the belt coming around.  When they finally arrived early on Saturday we were pretty happy campers!

It then made settling into our "cabin" that much easier.  We had the supplies we needed which for me include Graham Crackers and assorted other nibbles.

So which side of the fence do I sit on now?  The green grass is the right green. 
The forest floor is the right amount of inviting plant and small animal life.  The accents are familiar and yet strange.  After 21 years of living overseas I don't know if I am more American or Australian.  It is fun but a bit confusing and there is no short answer to the question, "where are you from?"

Some things stay the same and one of them is the activity for my hands.  This purty little pile is the start of the Marg Sampson George BOM, Come Fly with Me.  As is my way, I am working on it before it starts and it is the perfect travel companion. As are these gorgeous creatures.

  Here is the posse!  Not down under but up on top!

It is amazing what can be done with limited resources.  We stopped at the local farmers market and bought up big on blackberries, figs and strawberries.  We grabbed fresh green veggies and a few nice steaks and settled in for a night of lively chat and chow!

It was a big day out shopping in Bend.  There is something about a new place that makes everything look inviting.  The shops were full of the most alluring items from clothes to kitchen gadgets and furniture and much collecting of must have items was done before we headed back to Sisters. 
Of course it is nearly the 4 of July holiday here and the flags are everywhere.  I particularly liked the one that had the saying, "I hope I never wake up from the American dream."  Food for thought.  The result of so much flag spotting was a hand made Aussie Flag!  I don't know if I'll be able to fly it but it is super fun to have it.  We then headed into town to register our quilts at the office.  We finally met Jean Wells which was exciting.  Intuitive Color and Design is such a bible in the shop for classes that it was hard not to sit her down and have a big deep and meaningful.  I have to say she did not appear to be too stressed which amazed me.  In her shoes I would be...oops there goes a squirrel...mad and completely incapable of a decent conversation.
Ok. Colour is our theme and this little display outside the hardware store really stopped the parade.  How fab do these chairs look lined up in their colourful glory?!  We spent a bit of time considering shipping them hope but moved on to see more.
More what?  Well treasures of course.  Here we found some Fiesta dishes to match my dinner set and Carolyn picked up a bit of vintage fabric.

Talk about comfort zone...this quilt must have been made by someone vibing Cath as the colours are her through and through.
Check out the checkered coffee cups.  Given that I have declared checks and plaids the new black these were my pick item of the day.  Just plain desirable as was this top shelf pretty as a pitcher. (bit of a dad joke there!)

Then, like the moths to the flame we made our third trip to The Stitching Post.  Ok ladies.  How happy does this gal look?  That basket is full...F.U.L.L.  and it isn't as if she doesn't work in a mighty fine patchwork shop.  Thing is, when you know how to work a patchwork shop going to a good one can be very dangerous!

You never know what you don't have until you go to a shop that has it...
This shop is brimming with ideas and even the most selective of us found things to enjoy!  But wait because there is more.  We had been browsing and buying for quite some time when it was time to go for lunch.  As I went to walk out I looked straight into the face of Freddy Moran!!!!  WELL!  Talk about celebrity spotting...I went beserk!  Poor Freddy got the greeting of her life from my squeals and then the whole troup was back in the door as we told her of how popular Collaborative Quilting has been in our shop!  It was like we had known her for years.

Anyway, that is enough.  When every minute is a thrill where does one stop?  I think one stops to sleep! enjoy! k