Off to See the Quilters

Today, I'm working on preparations for this week's Quilting Arkansas '09. The Arkansas Quilters Guild has this retreat every other year at the 4H Center located west of Little Rock. It's a lovely place. I'm sorry this is the only picture I have of the center...I took the photo with my trusty little camera, directly from my computer screen, so it's not the best...but hopefully you can get an impression of just what a nice setting this is. I plan on having a great time...but truth be told...just the ride to the center is pretty great...and everything else is icing on the cake!

I've been attending these quilt retreats since 1984 and always look forward to being there with 150 of my "peeps." It's always FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!

Notice that PT Cruiser....it's my own personal ride of choice and will hold all I need to pack into it. I say that because when I'm ready to leave here on Wednesday, it will be totally full of quilt "stuff" with no room to spare. I get excited just packing the car!!

I'm teaching a class there on making pincushions - what a surprise?? Here you can see what kind....more on these when I get back. I don't know if you can tell in the close-up photo or not, but these are appliqued, then embroidered with a chain stitch, then beaded around the edges.
A simple project really. Hope my students enjoy making an heirloom pincushion...because I think when they are done...they may not want to stick pins in them! (But I will insist!) We'll see. (Sorry about the blurry photo!)

I'm also showing you the prize ribbons I made. Actually, I forgot all about making them til last week....wouldn't you know? So, I had to play "catch-up" even more than usual. We are having two challenges....one a quilt challenge, the second a mask challenge...so there is a set of ribbons for each challenge. They are all purple, green and gold because our theme for the challenges is
"Mardi Gras." They are much brighter than these photos show and if you can see it clearly enough....you'll notice my handwriting in each circle, surrounded by dark purple irridescent beads.

So, lots to get done by Wednesday noon, at which time the cruiser and I will leave for four days of fun......so, you will not hear from me until Monday, the 14th. Take a look at this aerial photo and imagine that little lake...there is a gazebo right at water's edge, where you can sit and observe and enjoy. There is a rose garden too. The facility is just wonderful and the people are too. I'm SO looking forward to being there....but I will think of you....and you will hear from me asap.....take care, pat