Friday, February 18, 2011

Remember me?

Oh, my goodness, what a week! I'm not going to go into details because that would just stress me out, but I can say, I sure am glad it is OVER! This weekend, I was so wiped out that I didn't do much. On Saturday, I took the boys to the park for 3 hours after Jason's basketball game. They rode bikes and skateboards and played on the playground equipment while I laid out on my Orphan Block quilt reading and soaking up the sun. If you are looking for a good mystery that takes place in a little town that I wish I could visit, check out Still Life by Louise Penny. To my delight, there are more in the series!

Today, I didn't really want to get out of bed. I finished the book and then hunger forced me into the kitchen. But not long afterwards, I was back on my bed, watching Gilmore Girls videos while working on my January Birdie BOM. Ah, Stars Hollow, another fictional town I would love to visit! And look, I am ALMOST done!

Look more closely and you'll see the DIRT on the block where Donald STEPPED on it. {sigh} Life with boys.

But surely, what you are hoping to hear from me is how LAST weekend went with Bonnie Hunter. So without further ado...

After work on Friday, I parceled my kids out to friends and arrived at dinner with Bonnie Hunter and the officers of the Guild only about 10 minutes late. When I walked in, it was surreal seeing Bonnie sitting there! A real live celebrity in our midst! They saved me a seat next to her, and I had a great time listening to her travel and quilting stories.

Then it was off to the trunk show and lecture. Again, my quilting buddies made sure I had a seat up front, but then Bonnie asked for HOLDERS and FOLDERS for her trunk show. I'm too short to be a HOLDER, but I did jump up to be a FOLDER and what a good idea that was. As she talked about her quilts, I got to fondle and examine and revel in them up close as we folded them. Some were new to me, but many I had either seen on her website or in her books and they were like old friends.

My face hurt at the end of the evening from all the smiling!

That night, Nancy came home with me, and we stayed up late cutting fabric for the next day's workshop and catching up. Then, we were up with the dawn to go to the workshop the next morning. I truly meant to make this workshop quilt. Here are Nancy and I in front of the Class Sample.


And here I am with Bonnie and the quilt I made for my mom 3 years ago.

But as I sat there and started sewing and cutting, I just couldn't get excited about making the same quilt, even if I do LOVE that quilt and even if it is in completely different fabrics. So, I started wandering around, and look what I found.

This isn't how you are supposed to lay this out, but I like the possibilities. Plus, no need to subcut into four pieces - fewer cuts and fewer seams to make this variation. So I started to play.


And play.


And play.


And play.


And I'm still playing.
I still don't really like all these florals, but I'm excited to clear them out of my stash. And wouldn't you know, my mom mentioned the other day that she loves florals. Hmmm, another quilt for her, perhaps?

And Bonnie sat down to play at my machine, too! I had just bought Tonya's book and mentioned how I couldn't figure out how to make an S. She volunteered to show me. I thought she meant with pencil and paper, but nope, she meant with my fabric!

This S (which I wore on my chest for the rest of the workshop) will definitely make it into one of my quilts one of these days. A treasure! Thank you, Bonnie!


I had to leave early to go to the Blue and Gold Ceremony for Cub Scouts. Here I am with my co-den leader helping to paint the boys' faces.

See their quilt hanging back there? They were so proud, and everyone kept ooohhhing and aaahhing and the boys just beamed! We're thinking of leaving the quilt on display at the church somewhere (the church is our charter organization), and I'm also planning to send some photos in to Boys Life and see if we can't be included in a future issue - all of the boys receive Boys Life Magazine, and I know they'd FLIP to see themselves in print! Thanks to whoever suggested that - genius!

Sunday was a day at work for me, but I was able to bring the kids along, and in my breaks we made Valentines for their classes.



(Cupid, he ain't!)
Then, the week began, and I swear I didn't get a chance to eat or sleep or hug my children or ANYTHING, I was so busy with work. I certainly didn't get a chance to sew. And this upcoming week is not looking much better. June, where are you? I'm ready for your long days and warm nights and quiet moments...

12 comments:

Julie Fukuda said...

Sorry the week was a bummer but you can bask in the memories of your workshop and the Blue and Gold. All those smiles should cancel out the negatives. The scrappy arrangements are wonderful. I think I will have to do something like that. I love blocks you can play around with.

Shay said...

I remember you - I think you're that lady that's a friend of Bonnie Hunter's...

Looks like you had a fabulous time. Im so pleased for you. All the pcitures look like so much fun!

Sorry work is whipping your butt. Roll on June (it's only about 12 weeks away !)

Stray Stitches (Linda G) said...

Sounds and looks like you had a marvelous time with Bonnie!
Your almost finished stitchery square is looking wonderful. And the "playing" quilt is going to be fabulous. I hope you get at least a tiny bit of time to breath and reconnect with your boys this week.

Riel Nason said...

That is so cool you got to hang out with Bonnie Hunter. The whole time just looks fabulous. Brilliant idea to volunteer to fold the quilts. ;-)

Cheryl Willis said...

I like your variation, it kinda has a chisal look to it. Glad to hear you had a great time. cw

Char said...

I was wondering about you. Glad to know everything's alright just busy.

I'm still jealous that you got to spend time with Bonnie. Looks like you had a great time!

Tonya Ricucci said...

woohoo, so much fun!!! look forward to seeing that S in a quilt!

Nancy said...

I'm glad you posted your variations for the floral scrappy mountains. I especially like the way you did the zig-zaggy border. Hope this week is better for you!

Rachel said...

Holy busy! What a week...but sounds like a good one.

Love the snowman block, love the quilt you made for your mom, and I love the new one you're "playing" with!

I don't know why, but his post didn't show up on my blogroll. I was thinking, "I haven't heard from Erin for a while" so I came to visit. Hope this weekend was a bit more restful for you.

Lane said...

Hi, Erin. So glad you got to enjoy Bonnie's visit. And, I love your florals quilt. Lane

joe tulips said...

Your "s" is a fun souvenir of the weekend. The play quilt is going to be great no matter what you do. I am not big on flowers either, but they look perfect in this quilt!! I never would have thought of contacting Boy's Life...wow....that is a good idea. Good Luck!

Quilter Kathy said...

That was such a fun post to read!
I got such a giggle from the photo of your son...my son hated to write valentine cards and in grade 3 refused to do it ever again! Love that line "cupid, he ain't! *snort*
So great that you got to take a class with Bonnie...isn't it just too much fun?!?