Mountain Musings

Quilt Festival ~ Excitement ~ Part 2

And we continue (see Part 1 here) our wild wonderful weekend...

Friday morning a wintry mix greeted us as we began our day...hmm...let's get on the road quickly and get to the Quilt Festival before the roads are too bad! It was a messy day outside, but inside--ooh, the excitement of all the quilters could be felt! This was going to be a fun adventure!As we entered the large arena, the crowds were already there. We decided what our plan of attack would be and made our way to the far left aisle to start our walk through the vendor booths. So much quilty goodness to see!Below my friend, Chris, and her mom are standing in front of a beautiful house quilt which was my favorite...until we saw the more elaborate quilts later in the day: Like I mentioned...lots of quilty goodness everywhere to entice you: Antique quilts were for sale. These booths interested me because I love antique quilts: Exquisite quilts, like the one below, were being raffled throughout the Festival. I would love to have taken one of these home...but I think I'd rather spend my dollar for a sure thing: What do you think of this whimsical quilt? It's a small wall-hanging named Red Solo Cup...and yes, red solo cups were placed into slots made for them in the quilt...unusual:Here's my friend, Chris, standing in front of my favorite quilt in the show. The name of the quilt was either Mexican Fiesta or Red Fiesta--not sure. It was intricate and beautiful! Here's an upclose photo of just one part of this quilt:

And here's one of the white glove ladies showing us all the quilting on the back:Below is the Vintage Linens vendor booth. I always think of my sister when I see stacks of vintage tablecloths. They are all just lovely but quite expensive: I saved the Best in Show quilt award until the end. This is definitely not your average run-of-the-mill quilt. Check out these horses! Did you notice that the method of quilting produced words on the quilt? Oh, my! Look closer: Well, I have many more pictures, but I'd better stop there! We had a super grand time, and I'm so thankful I was able to attend.

Do you know that I didn't buy a single thing?! Although I think the lady selling the vibrating pillows (which were for backs and feet) would have had a purchaser if she'd been located in the last aisles at the end of the day! Whew!

Just before bedtime, Chris and I set up our machines and got out our blocks and strips and readied our areas to sew the next day. Stay tuned for the next part of my weekend adventure ~ Part 3!

~Deb

Quilt Festival ~ Getting There ~ Part 1

Last Thursday began my wild, wonderful weekend quilting adventure, and I arrived home Sunday evening--tired but excited about the friendships renewed and the fun I had--and the sewing that was accomplished!

Since I was driving through Williamsburg on my journey to Hampton, I wanted to stop and visit some friends we knew when we lived in the colonial city for ten years back in the 90's. I planned a full itinerary!My long-ago homeschooling friend, Christine, and I met for lunch here at The Old Chickahominy House on Jamestown Road. Have you ever experienced eating here? It's quite popular.Here's the porch sign below that greeted visitors and announced their pies of the day:We both enjoyed Miss Melinda's Special - Cup of Brunswick Stew, Old Virginia Ham on Hot Biscuits, Fruit Salad, Homemade Cherry Crumb Pie, and Tea. It was so nice to see my friend again. Thanks, Christine! Next on my itinerary: I invited myself to our former neighbors' home who used to live in our cul-de-sac and who now live in an independent-living facility. We have fond memories of our neighbors hiring the kids many times to help in their yard and reminisced about our time in Williamsburg. She knew I was headed to the quilt festival, so she showed me her sampler quilt, below. It was beautiful! Unfortunately, I didn't quilt when we lived in the same neighborhood for her to give me tips...I was too busy homeschooling those years!Next stop: Duke of Gloucester Street! One of our favorite past times when we lived in Williamsburg was walking down DOG Street, finding the Colonial Bakery, and buying a gingerbread cookie and hot apple cider.

Another long-ago homeschooling friend, Beverly, and I strolled the street for old times sake! She treated and bought us both cookies and ciders as we walked and chatted. Here's Beverly with one of the colonial interpreters: My sister-in-law in Connecticut used to work for Colonial Williamsburg as an interpreter, so these next pictures are for her--maybe she'll recognize some of the workers pictured:

My last stop in Williamsburg was to the home of our Japanese neighbor who lives directly behind our former home. Chiaki was in our neighborhood Bible study along with this couple who also was invited to dinner at her home: Chiaki prepared some traditional Japanese appetizers for us...three dishes this southern girl had never experienced before. The cute little pouches to the left are Inari Sushi, and the food to the right is Sushi with Smoked Salmon, with capers on top.And the mango shrimp fruit dish was delicious, consisting of mango, shrimp, parsley with lemon juice, curry powder, olive oil, salt/pepper, and ginger. It was quite spicy, and the fruit was delicious:The rest of our menu included piping hot beef stew with a flavor unlike any I'd experienced...very delicious. Bread and a green salad accompanied our meal. Dessert was Banana Nut Cake topped with Vanilla Honey Yogurt with strawberries and blueberries. Chiaki worked hard in the kitchen for us!

Whew! What a day full of renewing friendships! I enjoyed myself a lot! I still had a half-hour drive in the dark ahead of me before I arrived at my quilting friend's house for the night.

The next day's plans were to attend the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival. Stay tuned for more from our wild wonderful quilting weekend. We've only just begun our adventures!

~Deb

I'm Going On An Adventure!

Oooh, I'm just a tad bit excited!

This morning I'm headed out bright and early destined for the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, Virginia.

Going with me: my trusty camera and a journal...all for blogging about the adventures which are sure to happen!

 I'm also bringing my sewing machine and lots of fabric pieces I cut this week ahead of time so I'd have plenty to sew on our wild and wonderful weekend sewing retreat.

I've pre-written the Sunday Hymn post so check back on Sunday and read why it's so special to me. I'll be home before you even miss me!

~Deb

Visiting Friends ~ Gifting a Table Runner

Sundays in our neck of the woods mean fellowship with friends before, during, and after the worship service. Lots of times that also means families follow other families home for additional visiting.

Last Sunday after church we were invited to our friends' home to extend our fellowship time with them and enjoy a meal together.

We drove an hour or so towards the Peaks of Otter. Here we are following our friends and enjoying the snowy scenery enroute to their home: Below: there are the Peaks! I've hiked the Peaks of Otter many times when I was growing up--they're located not too far from my hometown of South Boston, Virginia!Below Sarah's displaying the table runner that I made to take with us as a hostess gift.  I used the same Ruby and Bliss fabric lines that I used in the table runner I recently completed for another friend.

There were plenty of leftover charm squares, so I made an almost duplicate disappearing nine-patch table runner--but just a bit longer for this family's longer table--six blocks instead of four!

And here's the back showing the label. Labels are my least favorite part of a quilted item, and I'm not the best at making them.

When we presented our hostess gift, our friends immediately put it on their table. It looks like it's found a home here:

Here I am with my friend, Kathy, with the new table runner behind us:
After a delicious meal, some of us took a trek outside to check on the chickens. I don't think I could bring myself to actually pick up a chicken...but I thought the color Anna painted the henhouse made it look quite classy! Here's a collage showing some of the activity:

When we made our way back inside, Kathy was preparing some yummy slices of brownie pie!

We had a very enjoyable visit! Thank you to our friends for a lovely Sunday afternoon and evening!

~Deb

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Look what Sarah's been up to!! This amazing cake is the centerpiece for our special Valentine's dinner this evening. Sarah has truly worked hard all week putting extra-special meals on the table for us.

I'm sure she'll post about the experience once the week is over! Hey...I'm not sure I want the week to be over!

We all wish you a Happy Valentine's Day and wish we could share a piece of this cake with you!

"We love Him because He first loved us." ~ I John 4:19

~ Deb

* table topper courtesy of Darlene over at Quilting Daze.

Quilting & Friendships Go Together

This past Saturday I attended the last quilting class for our Saturday Sampler. As much as I've moaned and groaned about each month's homework, looking back it was a very good time! And now I'll have a quilt to show for all my hard work once I sew it all together....that photo will have to come later.

Here's a picture of me with my monthly quilting friend, Julie. We've enjoyed getting to see each other and catching up with what's happening in our families after class is over. Let me mention one small fact about Julie...she was a local blog reader who found our blog and kept up with us...but I didn't know her! Yes, a real live lurker!  I've met lurkers before! :)

We finally met when she and her husband emailed us maybe three years or more ago asking if they could meet and treat us to dessert at Cracker Barrel to talk about church. We visited with them and really enjoyed their fellowship. And as they say, the rest is history.

We've had their family in our home for a meal, and they have done likewise. And this past year we've enjoyed seeing each other once a month for quilt class. Now...we both have to decide if we'll sign up for next year's class which starts in March.

Here are the Saturday Soiree color choices by Marcus Brothers Fabrics: The GALLERY IN RED AND BLUE collection was designed especially for the program, a classic mix of florals, paisley and mixable coordinates. I'd pick the red...if I signed up. I'll have to decide soon! Should I do it?

Part of Saturday's quilt class was a Trunk Show by a quilt shop owner from Texas. The quilts she showed us were totally different from our "lots of pieces" blocks we make each month.

Her quilt patterns were designed as quickie finishes. The one below was made using a jelly roll and some yardage:And how about this small one for a baby quilt--looks like it could be whipped up in one afternoon:

And lastly, check out these different-sized strips of fabric in this pattern for a boy's quilt? Do these patterns give you some ideas?

I think I like traditional quilts much better made with bright modern fabrics...the best of both worlds.  What kinds of quilts do you gravitate toward?

Well, that was my Saturday in class. We missed Barbara, our regular teacher. But she was in Hilton Head with all of her sisters...sewing away all week! Must have been nice!

~Deb

Our Week At A Glance

Welcome to our week at a glance....where Sarah, Mom, and I will share about some of the activities we have been accomplishing at home.

Mr. Puffenbarger from Southernmost Maple Camp asked me to make a special batch of maple soap, using his maple syrup, to sell at the upcoming Highland Maple Festival in March, so I got right to it! Two additional scents of soap have been poured into my molds this week, ready for spring sales. I also delivered an order of soap to a local gift shop.

Another large project that has been in the works is several matting and framing jobs. A friend asked me to custom frame two rooster art prints for her, so while I have all my materials out, I am also gradually completing 12 cross-stitched pieces that have needed to see the light of day.

These stitched pictures were done by either Sarah, Mom, or me within the last...ahem, 10 years. This winter is a great time for me to dig them out and get them to the point where they can actually hang on the wall. We spent time choosing the right color mats, and I measured and cut out the mats and the necessary foamcore. I will be stretching the fabric around the foamcore to ready it for framing. Right now everything is all spread out on Granny's bed--thanks, Granny! :)

Below is one of the almost finished framed rooster pictures. Jonathan and Dad came to my assistance with the final hanging hardware. I'm so happy these are now ready to deliver!

Mom read about a moisturizing eye cream made with just coconut oil and vitamin E; she mentioned the idea to me, so I whipped some up for her while supper was coming together one night. So simple!

And the meal we were making was Peppery Chicken, which we had prepared ahead of time and frozen back in December. It just needed cooking up on the stovetop, and we served it in lettuce-lined homemade pita pockets, pictured below. I made some extra pitas as my weekly trade in exchange for fresh eggs.

~Hannah

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This week, besides some various cleaning projects, I have been in the middle of menu planning. Hannah and I will each be taking a week to plan, shop, and make all the supper meals. My assignment is next week, so it's been fun coming up with my menu. I always like to keep my meals secret, so I won't go into what I'm planning yet. :)

I can say that I did some bartering as well - I made a big pan of homemade brownies in exchange for a chicken that may just turn up on the supper table. Maybe there will be some posts next week about how everything turns out!

~Sarah

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Oh, my! I turned around and blinked, and a whole week has passed!

It's been a busy week as I've waited for the heat pump repairman! He arrived three different days to change out the motor, and change it out again; but this afternoon we finally have heat upstairs!

I've also been planning my trip to the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton--taking place just two weeks from now! Emails have been flying back and forth with friends in Williamsburg trying to set up lunch and dinner get-togethers as I pass through that area the first day.

My friend Chris, who invited me to come, has been planning out our activities while I'm there. After the Quilt Festival, we may take a day to have a Girls' Sew-In or visit some quilt shops? Or both? I think these are going to be some fun play dates, and I can hardly wait!

I've also been at the sewing machine finishing my Saturday Sampler Block of the Month. Since the bed is still in the living room...ahem...I decided to make good use of it and put all eleven blocks inside the bed for a photo:

The pinkish block in the left row, third one down, is the latest block I sewed this week. Our final BOM class is this Saturday...so when I finish the last block, it will go in that empty 12th spot you see. I finished another sewing project also....and I'll post about that later. With Sarah doing all the cooking next week, I'll have plenty of time to put some Valentine letters in the mail!

So that's what we've been doing instead of blogging! What can you check off your list this week?

~Deb

Ruby & Bliss Table Runner

Almost a year ago I was the giveaway winner of a couple of charm packs by Bonnie & Camille over on Moda Lissa's blog. The Ruby and Bliss fabric lines with reds and aquas in these charms are just beautiful!  But I haven't used them yet!

Fast forward to yesterday when I finally decided to dig them out and make something--and I really had to dig because there's, unfortunately, no rhyme or reason to my fabric stash!

I started making a disappearing nine-patch table runner following Rachel's instructions over at ps i quilt blog. Here's what I completed already below, and the sandwiching, quilting, and binding will be done today.I've made several runners from this easy pattern in the past, and I just love seeing them in friends' homes knowing they're getting good use from them.

One table runner resides in Prince Edward Island, and I spot it sometimes over on Island Sparrow's blog (see #4 in her list). Another lives with Rose in Australia. This one will go to live with a local friend when the girls and I have lunch with her tomorrow. It will double as a hostess gift and an early Valentine's thinking-of-you gift. I hope she likes it!

That's what I'm up to so far this week!

Edited to add a photo of the table runner in its new home:
~Deb

I Love My Quilt Shop ~ Patchwork Plus

We're celebrating Visit Your Local Quilt Shop Day! Today there's a worldwide celebration going on for independently-owned quilt shops everywhere.

What would we do without these locally-owned businesses? Well...maybe there wouldn't be as many entries in the checkbook each month...that would be a good guess! Hmm....

Hannah and I headed out to Patchwork Plus in Dayton, Virginia, which is owned and operated by Ken and Phyllis Reeves and advertised as the largest quilt shop in the Shenandoah Valley.

Below you can see the front check-out desk and all the beautiful fabric and winter-themed samples that catch your eye the minute you walk in the door: And more fabric, patterns, and samples looking inside the shop:Look at all the green batiks below! Delicious! Love this section with all the quilting greens! There are also displays of antique sewing machines around the shop which are interesting. You can see several displayed in this photo: Here's Hannah peeking through an antique Royal Electric on display: One thing I especially love about our quilt shop are the classes they offer. I thoroughly enjoy going to my monthly Block-of-the-Month class, because that means I've gotten my block homework done--which is always a relief!

Here's Barbara (Quilting Gal) on the left, my class teacher, and Phyllis on the right, the shop owner, showing a 12 Days of Christmas quilt during Show & Tell in last month's class:

As you can see...lots of inspiration can be found here:

I think I've posted the picture below before, but I included it here again for those who are stopping by for the first time on the I Love My Quilt Shop blog tour. Even the outside of the shop draws quilters in with the small barn quilt above the door:I hope you've enjoyed the tour of my local quilt shop!

~Deb

There's a Bed in my Living Room!

In my last Daybook post I mentioned that Tom was building a bed for Sarah...and its current location is, yes, see for yourself....it's in my living room!

Sarah picked out the plans, and Tom ordered them from Wood magazine. You can see what the completed queen-size bed will look like at this link. The plans are called Country-Fresh Solid Oak Bed, and it's shaping up quite nicely.

Here's another photo from the side...complete with chairs at one end holding up the headboard and a table bracing the footboard at the opposite end:Tom has to drill some extra holes (maybe for the feet?) before he starts taking it apart and bringing all the pieces back out into the garage.

And in case you're wondering why exactly it is in the living room...Tom's workshop area on one side of the garage just isn't big enough to position the bed like he can here inside the house.

I'll post a picture once this big project is completed! Then Dad can start on a bed for Hannah after she picks out a plan she likes.

~Deb