12 April, 2017

Daytrippin'

Quiltdivajulie and me
It took some doing; but, at long last, I can now say (with photo proof) that Quiltdivajulie and I are in-person friends! We've shared a LOT over the past ten years or so, all online, as blogging buddies. Over the years we discovered many similarities that we have in common: our birthdays are within days of each other (day and year!), our wedding anniversaries are too. We share likes and dislikes in an uncanny way and have kindred personality quirks characteristics.😉 When the opportunity presented itself (Julie was teaching her amazing Build-A-Barn quilt class last week at the John C. Campbell Folk School in the far-western part of North Carolina) Mr. Goodneedle and I discussed taking off for the day; there is still ongoing work cleaning out my in-law's home, but he knew how much fun this would be for all of us (he has long admired Julie's husband's incredible wood-turning abilities and he was going to be there too), as well the value of a much-needed break in our own work schedule.  Last Friday we hit the road early and drove west. It was a gorgeous day.

We arrived at Keith House, on campus, around 11 AM and easily found the JCCFS office, and our lunch tickets, before settling in to experience the class "show and tell" and end of week wrap up. I fell in love with this quilt, by Mary Lou Weidman, on permanent display at the folk school. Read the story behind the quilt linked here, you'll be in love with the quilt, and the Folk School too! This is an amazing place. Soon the assembly hall was filled with talented craftsmen-students and instructors all eager to show what they had done all week. Julie and I quickly found each other and the conversation flowed easily and non-stop,  it was much more like a much-anticipated reunion than an initial meeting! Our husbands, too, had plenty in common to discuss. We had barely all gotten our seats when the dulcimer class serenaded the crowd to start things off, they were followed by a steady stream of blacksmiths, wood carvers, jewelry makers, wood turners, print makers, quilters, wood workers, painters, enamelers and story tellers. I am sure I am forgetting other folk crafts that were learned and displayed. After the wrap-up show we adjourned to the dining hall for a delicious family-style lunch in the dining hall. From there it was a quick walk to the Pittman Fiber Arts building and the quilt studio!
Julie still had a few things to pack up and get ready for the car and her drive back home. Take a look at this space, and the LIGHT; who wouldn't want to take a week-long quilting class here?
Another view. These classrooms are well-stocked with all the needed supplies, it really is a dream come true. (Notice the power cords suspended from the ceiling over each work space-- no cords on the floor to worry about tripping over!) I also peeked into the adjacent weaving studio; I am not a weaver, but after seeing that space I could become one! Mr. Goodneedle had the same feeling about the woodturning studio; the facilities are quite enticing and hard to resist. We are both destined to be JCCFS students sooner rather than later! We came home with an armload of catalogs listing all of the class offerings to pore over.
Julie's husband and Mr. Goodneedle
We had a few moments for photos in front of, what else, but a barn; before hitting the road, each of us heading our own direction back home. We will definitely meet up again, hopefully for a longer visit, next time! In my memory book of "day trips" this one may just go down as the best ever!

Life is Good!

8 comments:

Quiltdivajulie said...

I am still smiling over the way many, many different circumstances aligned so that we four could spend time together! It was marvelous . . .

Janet O. said...

It sounds like a perfect day. You and Julie do seem to share much in common, including woodworking husbands! Wonderful that you were finally able to meet!
This appears to be an amazing facility. I hope you do get to return soon.

45th Parallel Quilter said...

I receive their catalog and have been more than once tempted to sign up ... will have to more seriously consider it the next time. Great post and thanks for sharing your travels and relationship! Linda

Brenda said...

lucky you! I met Julie a few years back at an AQS show in Grand Rapids, Michigan and we hit it off instantly too!

Nancy Near Philadelphia said...

I loved reading this; took me back to the day you and Lisa and I connected for lunch (without Shelby). I'll be meeting up with Julie in two years. If not before!

quiltmom anna said...

What a wonderful time for all of you. I have followed Julie's work as a blogger for a number of years now and was fortunate enough to win one of her build a barn books. You both do such gorgeous quilts - you would have found lots to talk about and share. Hope this is the beginning of many visits for you all.
Warmest regards,
Anna

cityquilter grace said...

how wonderful this day trip was....beautiful scenery too...and oooh mary lou weidman...always wanted to take a class with her...

Tanya said...

So nice to meet a good friend IN PERSON!