I had just visited with the Prairie Pine Quilt Guild at the
Sew Sweet Quilt Shop and Retreat Center in Brunswick, MO.
I traveled home after that visit, and on the very next day,
set sail.........I mean, drove to Bethlehem. Pennsylvania that is!
I met up with the Colonial Quilters Guild for a super fun
Lecture, trunk show, and "String Star" workshop.
Come along with me for this fun trip!
These are the 2 great quilters who are responsible
for bringing me to Bethlehem, PA!
Boots on the left (my right)
and Beth on the right (my left).
This trip was a year in the making,
and, I am SOOOOOOOO
happy I had the opportunity
to meet these wonderful ladies
as well as their talented quilt guild.
On Day 1
I drove through Illinois
and visited some antique malls.
I then ended up in Indianapolis to stay
with a great friend I made years ago
during my former
life as a volunteer for the
Miss America Scholarship Pageant.
Miss America Scholarship Pageant.
We had a great visit, dinner,
and reminisced about the good ole'
glory days of the Miss America Pageant.
I then drove through Ohio on Day 2.
Ohio was covered with Antique Mall visits!
I highly suggest you visit
WOW!
This has to be the LARGEST
antique mall I have ever visited!
I drove through West Virginia.
I can now mark off West Virginia for states
that I have visited!
Only 4 left to see before I have visited them all!
And then I finally made it to Pennsylvania!
I was excited to be able to visit another
pageant friend at his farm outside of
Pittsburgh where I stayed that night.
I was in hog heaven with all of the animals!
Lamb Chop!
She thinks she is a dog!
Water Buffalo!
Fiona, on the left, is just a baby!
Isn't she adorable???
Her momma wasn't so sure she wanted me
too close to her baby!
But........
....these guys!!!!!
Tut and Cairo stole my heart!
Who knew camels could be so sweet????
No, they didn't spit at me, but,
I was wet from their kisses and noses!
I wanted to take them home with me!
I also got to see a barnyard full of other
gorgeous animals. Too many to name.
But, I am so thankful to have friends such as
these that allowed me to stay with them and visit.
And finally, I made it to Bethlehem!
A full house welcomed me for my
lecture and trunk show.
And you all KNOW
Huffman's Hotties
made an appearance!
Oh what fun we had!
Thanks for your help Hotties!
I truly felt the love and support of
all of the quilters that attended.
I love sharing with others the little
tips and tricks I use to make
my quilting as accurate as possible.
I am somewhere in this photo?? LOLOL
Thanks Susan for sharing it with me!
But, something really special happened
after the trunk show.
Meet my newlywed bride, Dolores.
Ain't she a cutie????
No.....we didn't get married.....
but, I was definitely tempted!
Dolores introduced herself to me before
I spoke and said she had something
for me if I was interested?
I was intrigued........
I was beyond touched when
Dolores presented me with
a gorgeous string quilt
her mother had made.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house....
INCLUDING MINE!
This quilt is made of string pieced
diamonds on muslin foundations.
It is pieced VERY well!
I will forever cherish this
beautiful work of art that
Dolores so generously shared with me.
I will be using this as a teaching guide
as well as displaying it in my home.
I can't thank you enough Dolores!
Again.....I am beyond touched!
The next day was our
"String Star" workshop.
"String Star" workshop.
The venue was transformed for our workshop.
And a wonderful venue it is!
Holy Cross Church in Bethlehem
was most hospitable for all of the
meetings.
Everyone worked busily on the diamond points
throughout the day.
Busy, busy, busy!
Here is a shout out to Susan
who recommended my visit
to this guild!
Thanks so much Susan!
Perhaps some of you
can be like Susan and suggest
I visit your quilt guild?
HINT! HINT!
LOL
Strings were everywhere!
I even brought my own personal
string collection to share with
these quilters.
They could use whatever they wanted,
or just include with their own strings
in their diamond piecing.
Having worked with several guilds,
I could tell there were several
strong friendships in this one!
Everyone was so nice and welcoming.
You can do this Beth!
Just let it go!!!!!!! Let it go!!!!!!
Beth was most hospitable, and
was most efficient in
organizing my visit.
Thanks for your friendship!
Boots was dubbed my official
handler during my visit!
Thanks for being so fun!
Aren't quilters smiles infectious!
How can you not want to smile right
along with them!
Then the stars started coming out
in Bethlehem!
Even Christmas stars!
But, these quilters right here are the
REAL STARS!
What a fun group and workshop!
I hope you all had as much fun as I did?
It was a blast!
And, much to my surprise,
this basket full of strings was a gift
from them to ME!
How incredibly special!
Believe it or not, I have an idea for a quilt
using these
very scraps so I can always remember
my time with this guild!
All too soon,
my visit was over.
But, I hope you all know
how special you made a
corn fed country boy feel in your
neck of the woods!
Thank you Colonial Quilters Guild
for a
FANTASTIC VISIT!
FANTASTIC VISIT!
Thank you for joining me on this journey.
I am not quite done with the quilty visits.
In Part 3 I will share the great time I had with the
Dixie Lee Quilt Guild in my hometown of
Fredericktown, Missouri. I was also able to celebrate
my birthday with my family while there!
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Keep on Quilting!
Kevin the Quilter
Kevin the Quilter
