19 May, 2013

Three Excellent Adventures

Quiltkeemosabe and I had excellent advenure #1 on Friday. We took off bright and early for the Capital City for our scheduled volunteer stint monitoring the Carolina Longarm Association's booth, and selling raffle tickets, at the Got To Be NC Festival. We reconnected with old friends there and made some new ones too; we made a few sidetrips along the way, and stopped for a late lunch on the way back home; all in all it was a wonderful day. We always have fun together, it doesn't matter at all what we're doing; we can be stopping at the grocery store or going on a weekend roadtrip or retreat together, when Quiltkeemosabe's along it's a great time. Over the last 21 years we've been through many advenures together, I am thankful for this friend who's always there for me and with me; a friend who's ever ready and willing to listen to my problems or complaints, or there to cheer me on, a friend who'll take a stand on my behalf or happily jump in the car and go along for the ride wherever it happens to be headed!  Here's to you, my friend; thanks for your friendship through the years and here's hoping we have many more adventures side by side, you help to make my life's journey a joy-filled one!

Saturday saw excellent adventure #2. Working with the saints at Bailey's Chapel and seeing not one, but two, quilt tops become reality!  With a small crew assembled, including their Pastor(r), everyone worked tirelessly all day long amid the hum of sewing machines and easy conversation until that last stitch. I will meet with them again to baste the tops together and get the first quilt loaded on a frame for hand quilting. 

Excellent adventure #3 could also be called the joy of discovery... or rediscovery as this case may be. While looking for a bin in which to transport all of the pieces and supplies for the previous adventure I emptied the contents of a large container that resided beneath my cutting table to find the beginnings of this quilt top from 1998. Along with the mountain of scraps and this assembled pinwheel section were my handwritten notes detailing my plan to set these 6" blocks together (with 1.5" sashing) 14 across and 15 down to create a king-sized quilt for our bed that would measure 116" X 108.5".  My first thought yesterday was "yeah, right; I'm not sure I want to spend the rest of my days cutting HST's...".  But then, a lightbulb went off... "I wonder" I thought, if I happen to have a the right sized die. Oh, yes, I do; Accuquilt to the rescue!  Then and there this one passed the "can I reasonably finish this?"and "is it worth finishing?" test in my own mind. Meet my newest project: "Light of Day". The name represents what this fifteen year old, instantly vintage, quilt has had shined upon itself, it has stood the test of time and is ready, at long last, for the Light of Day! This one is going to become my R.A.W. (Row A Week)  project, look for a completed top summer's end. What a wonderful weekend this one has turned out to be!

Life is Good!

From my notepad Note Quotes for Quilting Friends:
"A messy house is the sign of a happy quilter."



8 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

Excellent, indeed!!

Love the new row a week project ...

quiltkeemosabe said...

Aw!!! You have touched my heart. As Tonto was to the Lone Ranger, I am to you. Your faithful side-kick. I have been asked, "If Debbie jumped off the cliff, would you jump too?" and my answer, without a minute's hesitation, was "Of course, I would need to see what she was doing!" You inspire me and keep me grounded in so many ways. Thank you for it all. Here's to many more adventures!

regan said...

What a wonderful weekend! And I just love that quote at the end! Ha!

cityquilter grace said...

oh yes i'd say that is definitely worth finishing. and here's to more quilty adventures for all of us, i say!

Janet O. said...

But somehow I have the feeling your house is never messy by anyone's standards but your own. And that is said with the greatest respect! : )
What a great quilt, plan, and name!

Nane said...

Excellent adventures are always better with excellent friends along

OhQuilter said...

I know you are Tonto and the Lone Ranger. I too enjoy your friendship with each other. You two make me laugh and I think of you as Lucy and Ethel! Two fun Ladies!!

LizA. said...

My goodness, what a full weekend. I love your approach for the new found vintage quilt. I'm sure I have several projects still in boxes that would qualify for the same treatment.....