Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Friendship in the Blogosphere

I did the senior thing. Went on a day-long bus trip to Jacksonville (Florida) and found that, disappointingly, I fit right in. I wasn't too young, as much as I hoped otherwise. I had the pleasure of sitting next to Barb who lives in a retirement community about an hour from The Villages, so during our five hours of travel time (2-1/2 hours each way) we had plenty of time to get to know each other. 

In Jacksonville, I went to the quilt show - QuiltFest - an annual collaboration among seven area quilt guilds. Photo-taking is permitted, but publicly posting pictures of quilts (as on a blog) without the quiltmakers' permission, isn't. It was a nice show.

The quilt award ribbons were right up my alley. Someone sure spent a lot of time making these. Every one was well-constructed, and even embellished with beads. 

The palm tree theme (Such a refreshing change to see palms wherever I go - even at quilt shows!) carried over to tables in the eating area. Again, it looked like lots of work went into the making of them.

Possibly the most enjoyable part of the whole day was spending time with Lora, a blogger-friend from near Ocala (DragonflyQuiltworks.com) who I had the pleasure of meeting in person. How is it that we feel comfortable hugging someone we're meeting for the first time?! Lora and I had a wonderful time hanging out together, looking at and critiquing quilts, as well as stopping at all the vendor booths. It was even more fun to look for fabrics when it turns out we like the same ones.

Here we're standing in front of a pretty batik quilt made by Pauline Williams-Banta (shown with permission). Lora and I might meet up again when I visit a Gainesville MQG meeting.

Though the vendors weren't stocking much in the way of modern fabrics, I managed to buy 9-1/2 yards of it! Now washed, pressed, and ready to be sewn, you wouldn't know from looking that I shopped with the intention of reloading my stash with orange. Note the two aqua pieces on the right. I am totally smitten with this print called "painter's canvas," by Laura Gunn. Since the show I learned it comes in other colors, including orange.

At home, these fabrics arrived by mail from Marie-Madeline Studio. Great sales going on there last week - 40 percent off. It was definitely stash-building time.

Sewing-wise, here's a glimpse of what I've been working on the past few days. This is one of eight beach cabanas that will appear on a beach-themed wall hanging that's now on my design wall. Each cabana is made from a different fabric given to me in April by Iowa girlfriends - and with the challenge to use all eight prints in a quilt.

When it's finished, one might also see a palm tree in this project. Linda

13 comments:

  1. Hi Linda, what fun meeting up with someone you have met through a blog. I hope someday to do that because I talk with so many lovely ladies you included.
    I love Laura Gunn's fabric especially her poppies, I am making a poppie quilt for living room right now but it isn't her fabric. When I was down in Mi. I couldn't find her's any where I looked.I forget the name of the designer but it wasn't anyone I knew of but really pretty. Take care blessings Sandra

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  2. Sounds like you had a lovely day out on your bus trip. And it is so nice to meet up with a blogging friend, isn't it!

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  3. I love seeing your shopping finds, Linda...as well as your new "real" invisible friend. I'm so blessed to call you my real live blogosphere friend!!

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  4. Hi Linda! I purposely did not read your blog before I wrote my blog post, as I knew we would be writing about the same things and I didn't want to be a copy cat! I enjoyed the day so much, but the best part was sharing it with you. You are so lovely and I can't wait to spend more time with you. Lora

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  5. It is rather strange that we feel so connected to someone we've never met in real life. But I guess it's a bit like having a pen pal, isn't it? I'm sure it has to do that quilter are a special kind of people and it's hard to find one which isn't nice ;).
    You did very well on the fabric buying front. I also have some of Laura Gunn's painter's canvas and love it too.

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  6. So glad you enjoyed our quilt fest! It's almost as if it was known you were coming and decorated in your honor! I hadn't realized that pictures couldn't be posted on our blogs.

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  7. Bloggy friends are awesome! Pretty fabrics. And great cabana blocks!

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  8. Sounds like you had a great time. I love the fabrics you were able to purchase and it's great that you met another friend in person. Love the cabana blocks and will look forward to seeing what you do with them.

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  9. I couldn't help but laugh at your opening statements Linda. :) And I do believe you've gotten a bit of a tan since you've moved there! You look wonderful and happy...and sound that way as well. You chose some great fabrics so I'll look forward to seeing how you use them. blessings, marlene

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  10. I am so glad you are "fitting in" What a great ribbon with the palm tree on it.

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  11. You look far too young to have fitted in on your bus trip. Love the curly locks! Isn't it great to meet a blogger friend. I did the same last week.! Isn't it a shame about posting photos of a show?

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  12. What an interesting post, I love reading about your doin's. Your stash enhancements fabrics are really yummy too!

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  13. Sounds like you had lots of fun!!

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