Visiting Greta

Last week I finally got the chance to meet Greta of  Material Detachment where she lives in Iowa.  For the past year we’ve been texting, talking and emailing.  I had planned to go to Iowa in August but then saw that AQS would be there in October, so I made plans to visit then instead.  Greta picked me up from the airport, we stopped for a quick bite to eat and then we were off to the show.  Here are a bunch of photos from the show.  Enjoy!

I can’t even begin to think how much time was spent creating some of these amazing quilts!  Here are my 2 faves! Both were blue ribbon winners and rightfully so!

 All of the quilts had me oooing and aaaahing though.

After the quilt show, we went back to Greta’s house in the country.

This is the view from the room I stayed in.

We spent most of our time sewing or quilting. You can read about what we made here.  I practiced FMQ on her longarm.
We went to the Berry Patch Farm and picked apples from the orchard and made homemade apple pie.
Greta picking apples

 Greta and her husband are wonderful cooks. Vegetarian never tasted so good!
It was a lovely and relaxing time.

Greta sent me home w/pounds of fabric…

and a beautiful quilt that she co-created.

I arrived back in AZ to happy mail that I won from 2 different giveaways!

Until next time, happy quilting and God Bless!
A Thread for Life
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28

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If Only Food Fasting Were This Easy!

I took a Fabric Fast Challenge that went from Jan 1 – Jun 30. I made it! I did not purchase a single piece of fabric for 6 mos! It wasn’t terribly difficult for me because I had the Canada/NY trip to save for. AND in addition to the previous fabric donations I wrote about in May, I was given another HUGE donation!   I have a considerable stash now and I’m honestly considering going another 6 mos – 1 year w/o buying fabric!  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.

I’d been wanting to make the Strip Twist Quilt for quite some time. I decided to make it for my niece who is going off to college this fall.  I LUV how it turned out! I even added a flange!  I thought I’d finished the top last weekend (66.5in x 81.5in) but then she told me that her bed is an extra long twin. Good thing I hadn’t started quilting it yet. I’m adding another 5 inch border to the top and bottom (in the same pink).

 I also finished the mystery quilt top I was doing w/my chapter – Quilters Anonymous QA.

I made this cute little pin cushion/scrap bag combo a couple of weeks ago. I used this tutorial, but filled it w/crushed walnut shells.

I also made this caddy for my cutting mat (18 x 24). I actually started a tutorial for it but  didn’t take all the pics I needed, so I’ll have to make another one before I can post the tutorial.

Here are a couple of the smaller projects we’re doing at kids sewing camp this year. A pin cushion and scrap bag. Camp is July 7-11. Last year I volunteered for 1 afternoon, this year I’m doing 2 full days! I’m so excited!

I’m now debating on whether to start a new quilt OR start quilting the 4 tops I have completed. Decisions, decisions!!

On another note, about a year & half ago, a friend brought one of her dogs to church.  A Blue Heeler aka Australian cattle dog.  I really liked the look of the dog. She told me they are very intelligent and loyal dogs. I said I might be interested it getting one in the future. Well…her dog just had 7 pups and I’m seriously considering getting one. I’ve even picked one out! I’m thinking of names for her and am considering giving her a name from a character in the The Outlander Series, but maybe not.

And lastly, as if I don’t already have enough to do, I’ve added yard work to the list. I haven’t really done much w/the backyard since I bought the house a couple of years ago and so I’ve been doing improvements little by little over the last couple of weeks. My “grass” was just weeds really.  I’ve been getting up early in the morning, having my quite time on the back patio and then I spend about a half hour working in the yard before work. By spring it should be really nice.

I definitely need to blog more often…so my posts aren’t so darn long! On my honor, I will try…to do weekly posts at the very least.

Until next week, Happy Quilting!

A Thread for Life
But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day. 2 Tim 1:12 HCSB