Harold's Quilt Shack

I went on a field trip (fabric buying excursion for those of you that don't quilt) with the Yulee Stitchin' Sisters last week. One thing led to another and this week I have a teeny tiny temporary quilt shop! This ribbon started it all. We went to visit a lady who had closed her quilt shop and was trying to deplete her inventory from her home. The fabric was very inexpensive and abundant in quantity. I bought my share! I asked her the price for this ribbon. It was still a little high for my budget. I thought, "If I bought everything from her, I could have that ribbon and have fabric for all my friends too." Hmm...

Negotiations ensued, Father was consulted, deal was made and children were put to work. Of course I can't use the quilting frame til some of this is gone! Come on out to Parkerville and help me use up some of this fabric! I am practically giving this away at $1 to 2.50 a yard. I just thought it would be fun to share with friends this bounty.

I even have notions and other stuff, a few books and lots of ribbon and trim. Oh yea, that fabulous ribbon... $1.00 per yard!
I will be there Wednesdays and Saturdays to visit and play, and Tuesdays after lunch with the Yulee Sisters. Come on out and we'll talk quilt!

Why do all the teenagers I know come to my house after school?!? Specifically, my kitchen! Today it's fishsticks, Ramen noodles and tater tots. Very nutritious, huh? All out of carrot sticks. `"But Aunt Doodle we love you!"Yes, but who's gonna clean up this mess?

New Milestone

This week (only because it was absolutely necessary) I completed bindings on THREE quilts all by myself! I normally wait til the last minute and beg my friends to do the hand sewing to get the bindings down. Maybe I'm finally growing up.

Traditions and Treasures quilt show and dinner

Welcome to our little quilt show! The quilts are NOT little, just the show! We thought we would have a little show. Something for our small group (22) of mostly beginner quilters to do to show what we've been up to on Tuesday mornings. Cornelia's tumbling blocks had to be hung sideways it was so BIG!
With a little hard work and a bunch of talented ladies, we surprised ourselves by presenting a lovely evening of quilts, a gourmet dinner, beautiful dessert buffet, and wonderful company! What a fabulous event! Much BIGGER than we bargained for.

Our chef, and Queen of the Kitchen~ Mary Ellen.
What a gorgeous group of young people! The youth group served dinner for us. Thank you to our dining room manager, Jessie Lee, for training and managing the wait staff. She did an outstanding job! Don't forget Victor the busboy.


The tables were set using fine and not-so-fine mismatched china and glassware. Each table had a color scheme complete with a quilt topper in the center. Tables were set for over 80 people to dine. We sold out of dinner tickets and had walk-ins later that we didn't have room to seat!

After an hour for quilt viewing dinner was served, then I did my clothesline trunkshow. Boy, was I nervous! This was the first time I had done this presentation for family and hometown friends.

But Gerald, the Master of Ceremonies distracted them with a beautiful table full of desserts! He also gave away a dozen door prizes throughout the evening.

He is not a public person, but we're working on it. He also happens to be my biggest fan and best supporter. He made the evening run smoothly and was as charming as ever.

Current works in progress

Look! Right there in the top left corner of this pic! Proof that I am really working on something! This little girl...isn't she precious? I am trying to quilt her and frankly am afraid to quilt her face. I am almost done with all the background and will soon be forced to either quilt it or leave it alone. My friends Noreen and June took over 200 quilts to Ethiopia and gave them to kids in an orphanage. This little girl stole my heart! I painted her when Noreen came for a visit and was showing us her photos from the trip. Later (before she was quilted) Noreen took her to Houston and hung her in their booth (Quilts without Borders) and she helped them collect 200 more quilts for a second trip. Being the queen of the last minute I am trying to finish it for a NEW trunk show NEXT WEEK! Help me decide....quilt the face or not?

I sold the sailboat quilt a couple of years ago. I was sad at first, I missed it, and said I would one day make another one. Barbara, the clown (no really, she's a clown) that bought it, called and told me that she sent it to her dad for his 90th birthday. He loves the sea, but is now in Minnesota, and can't be near the ocean. He loves his new quilt and hung it right at the foot of his bed. I am using batiks from my collection and some handdyed fabrics from my friend Dave in West Pasco Quilt Guild. This one won't be as vibrant as the original, but I'm trying to use what's on hand instead of buying more.

Supergirl!

I don't normally just throw someone out there like this, but hey, I'm bored waiting on Sis to call to go walking.
This is Kristi. One of her 7 jobs (vet's assist., night attendant, doggie/housesitter, bingo number caller, semi-pro wrestler with 3 championship titles, oh I forget the other one) is serving as the youth director at our church. That should imply that she directs the youth. I think she has too much fun to actually be called a director, but I think she indirectly directs them. That is to say that the way she lives her life, (taking on any job with good cheer, joyfully serving others, honoring her mother and father like you wouldn't believe, being a happy, healthy, loving mentor to sometimes ornery, moody teenagers) is leading by example to the teens and preteens in our church. She sings in the choir too!
She is completely awesome, if the kids get crazy at youth group meetings (bickering, mood swings, pouting) she just trots them all outside for a game of foursquare, or puts them in a headlock, whichever the situation calls for.
Her wrestling persona is supposed to be one of the bad girls. When the youth group took their parents to a wrestling match, we were all instructed to boo and hiss at her instead of applauding. It was hilarious! She is supposed to come out looking mean and vicious and scream at an old lady in the front row. You should have seen all the kids' faces when she came out and screamed, "SHUT UP, GRANDMAW" at that old lady. They were in total disbelief! After watching her help all the elderly ladies at church week after week! The next Youth group meeting they were very quiet and behaved! Don't wanna make her mad, do we?

Day at the Zoo

Some days are good, and you feel all, "Look at me, I'm swell!"
You feel like all your friends are there to back you up. Everything's cool.

Then BAM! You're struggling with the monster blues.

You try hanging out and talkin' to your friends.

But some days you just feel like smelly, slimy fish!

Uh-Oh

I'm in trouble, but not too much. My last quilt, the one with my Dad at the gate. You know, the one that was so cool because the border is made with one of Dad's old workshirts? Well, today the local paper had our Yulee Stitchin Sisters on the front page. Lots of pictures, including one that described that quilt, including how I scarfed Dad's shirt to use for the border!
Well, today was the first Dad has EVER seen/heard any of this. He just doesn't understand quilts that aren't used for covering up! I think he is proud of me, without truly understanding what I do. or why.
I think he was pleased with the article, but won't admit it. He is definitely one of a kind.