Quilts, quilts, and more quilts

Quilt camp was fantastic. There was lots of INSPIRATION mixed in with the fun of quilting with old and new friends. It was a wonderful experience. Here are 21 of the many quilts we were shown. We were also given patterns for these!

We worked in the barn

We quilted on the second floor of the barn. In addition to quilting space, there was a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and snacks - who could want more? The ceiling fans and the floor fans were used a lot since we had wonderful weather that got a little too warm in the afternoon.

We each had our own workspace. People were setting up for camp.

There were quilt everywhere - on the walls,

and by the snacks.

The work area was very busy at times.

We had access to everything - the barn and the shops 24 hours a day!

I worked too! The snacks were right behind me. Notice the quilts in the background. In the right back of this photo is our meeting place. We officially met twice a day for new patterns, announcements, to play games, etc.

The girls from Missouri. On the far right is Marcia - the quilt police! We could not have asked for a nicer or funnier police person!

This is the place I cut my fabric too. In fact, that is my cutting board on the table.

We could work anywhere. Sometimes people chose to work on the porch of the barn.

We were on a farm...

On the farm, there were animals and fresh tomatoes and fresh sweet corn. The bottom of the barn was used as a regular barn.

Carli was an older dog.

Heidi spent time getting to know each camper. Here she is watching me sew:

Izzy was with us most of the time.

Maggie was a little older and very mellow.

The chickens and the rooster were really noisy in the morning.

Another cat on the barn porch keeping new friend Regina company.

Lucy was resting one hot afternoon.

That is Zack with his mother. His mother liked to head butt.

We ate...

Interesting names of places: We stayed at the R Motel; we ate breakfast one day and bought our groceries at Bill's; we ate dinner 2 nights at a local bar named Mat's; and we had dinner one night at a shed on a farm named Dick's!


Tuesday morning we ate at Bill's - nice cafe inside of the grocery store. Then we bought groceries for the rest of our breakfasts.


Tuesday, the first day of camp we took sub sandwiches with us and ate lunch outside with lots of people!

We went to Ventura on Tuesday night and ate at the Colony Inn - good food!

The lunch on Wednesday was cooked by the owners (Mary Etherington and Connie Tesene) of Country Threads - Maidrites, fresh sweet corn, fresh tomatoes, and a variety of bars.

On Wednesday night, we ate at Dick's Country Inn (bar and dining room) only open on Wednesdays from 4:30 - 8:30!

It is this red 'shed' on a farm in Haystack, Iowa - little hard to find if you don't know where it is at!

A limited menu - the hamburger steak and the t-bones were expensive. They really wanted you to order chicken or fish (walleye). Potato choices were baked or wedges. Salad bar was nice. The honey rolls were wonderful! Prices were cheap for the quality and quantity of food!

The decor was interesting.

And you had the opportunity to read the history of the place:

Thursday was Sandy's birthday. We had Subway sandwiches, chips, and birthday cake.

Mary Baker, the office manager at Country Threads, used to bake wedding cakes. Sandy's cake was good because Mary Baker baked it! Mary is standing behind Sandy.

Friday morning we had fresh kettle corn, complements of Mary Etherington. She has a couple of popcorn machines in the garage! We all enjoyed the food!

Quilt Camp

Polly Perkins, owner of Lucky 2B Quilting , in Pecatonica, Illinois told us about Quilt Camp at Country Threads in Garner, Iowa. Sandy, Barb and I were able to register and attend the same camp (Bittersweet) as Polly. We all (including Polly's husband) stayed at the local motel in Garner - the R Motel. It is a tiny motel and we got to stay in the new part. It was fine and the beds were comfortable. The price was $36 per night and we each had a fridge and a microwave!
My room was on the back side. This was the view out my window.

My room - 2 queen beds.

The new part - which was built in 1975 and probably hasn't been updated since!

The sign:

It was a memorable week. The owners and Polly all said it was the best camp ever! I can't wait to go back!

Finishing things!

My (actually our) horoscope for today, September 4, 2009:

Don't think you'll be able to relax and have fun if you have to sweep any unfinished jobs under the rug. Do all that needs doing first before engaging in fun and games.

I am almost ready for the fun and games! My list for the week is almost done! We have plans continually throughout the weekend starting tonight. I leave for Quilt Camp on Monday and I've been pushing to get things done - especially quilting projects that have to be finished. Here are the 20 reversible placemats - finished!

And a peek at all 10 finished baby quilts! Full pictures will be later as they are delivered.

My mom

Yesterday I visited my mom. She was feeling great and we were outside for a little while. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease especially the advanced stages. Yesterday was nice but unusual because I could understand most of what she said. She was quite happy which is somewhat normal. Here is a picture of her - a pretty lady that I dearly love.