Where Quilts and Computers Come Together! Quilting and Computers. Two of the most unlikely of bedfellows. However, at the Quilt-N-Code in Burnsville, NC they go together like blocks in a quilt top.When I first drove up to the Quilt N Code on my trip to the North Carolina mountains I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. However, upon meeting Allyson Heidenfelder and her husband Lanny, I couldn’t have been more impressed.In February, 2018 the Heidenfelder family were presented with an opportunity to ... Read More about Quilt-N-Code – a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Quilt-N-Code – a Quilt Shop Spotlight
Weaving, Teaching and Saving Lives. Angels of the Appalachia
Meet the Angels That are the Crossnore Weavers!Are you as fascinated by all things textile and history like me? Any time I find an opportunity to check out a weaving room and art gallery, I’m already planning the trip. So, when I happened upon a sign for the Crossnore Weavers in the mountains of North Carolina my interest was piqued. I had no idea the awe-inspiring passion, talent and compassion of what I’d find.Nestled up in the North Carolina mountains somewhere between Boone and Asheville ... Read More about Weaving, Teaching and Saving Lives. Angels of the Appalachia
History, Weaving and Americana in the Carolina Mountains
Why Every Quilter Should Visit the Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum in Boone, NC.The mountains of North Carolina have many great adventures to offer quilters on their travels. Not the least of which is the hidden Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum. Located in Boone, NC this gem is full of living history, artistry and possibly the oldest working loom in the United States! Officially created in 1980, the Hickory Ridge Homestead Museum gives you the opportunity to truly see what life was like back when ... Read More about History, Weaving and Americana in the Carolina Mountains
What Quilters Need to Know While in Las Vegas
My Tips for 'doing Las Vegas'When someone mentions 'Las Vegas', what's the first thing that comes to mind? Gambling, right? Showgirls? Well, those were the days past. Today, it's a booming family friendly oasis in the desert teeming with adventure and inspiration around every corner! Here's my best tips for heading out into the great Nevada desert town that is Las Vegas.I love Las Vegas! Over the years I've made countless trips to sin city and every adventure I discover something new that both ... Read More about What Quilters Need to Know While in Las Vegas
You’ve GOT to Make This Duffel Bag!
Tips for how to Make the Dallas Vintage Duffel Bag by Swoon PatternsFor the last year I have had this pattern for the Dallas Vintage Duffel Bag sitting in my stash just staring at me. Seriously, every time I’d dig into my pile of patterns looking for something there it was. Staring. With that look like ‘why haven’t you made me yet? I thought you liked me.’ Well, dear Duffel bag pattern, I DO like you and today is your day!With the Nevada trip coming up and the world opening back up again I ... Read More about You’ve GOT to Make This Duffel Bag!
We’re Sew In This Together
How You can help support your local Quilt Shop with little to no money.We all love our quilt shops. They are a place of inspiration, joy and comradery. However, the COVID pandemic has forced them to temporarily close their doors and many may not be able to open them again. But you can help them get back on the road to recovery. And, it won’t cost you any money.Perusing through the rows of colorful bolts at our local quilt shops puts a smile on any quilters face. If I’m ever feeling in a patter ... Read More about We’re Sew In This Together
Staying Positive in the New World
Never Let COVID WinThe news today is pretty overwhelming. It even got me, the eternal optimist, questioning things. However, there is light at the end of the tunnel. All we have to do is believe, and like Eddie Kendricks says, "Keep on Truckin". The COVID 19 BluesI try to always see the positive side of everything in life. Negativity breeds negativity and I’d much rather be happy. However, the other day everything just kind of hit me all at once and I let it get it me. The worry that my ... Read More about Staying Positive in the New World
Continued Quarantine – Is This the New Normal?
How Quickly Things ChangeI'm now only 2 days from the end of my 14-day quarantine so now seemed the perfect time for me to tear a ligament in my knee, right? Hey, at least I was able to get out of my house and drive to the doctor's office. Boy was that a strange visit. What Happened?Let me take a quick step back and explain. I love to box. In fact, I have a boxing bag in my garage. Before each round on the bag I do some warm ups and other stretches like squats. Well, a couple weeks ago my ... Read More about Continued Quarantine – Is This the New Normal?
History at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival (VA)
Fabric, organs and quilts, oh my!I love traveling to Virginia. One of the oldest of the original 13 colonies in the United States and known as the Capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War, this place is chock full of history. So, whenever there’s a big Quilt Show taking place, I make every effort to attend. And the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA proved the perfect opportunity. On the Atlantic coast, Hampton, VA is located 40 miles from the North Carolina state line and just ... Read More about History at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival (VA)
See You on the Other Side
a covid-19 story of self quarantineI think I’ve spent more time outside during this self-quarantine than I have in the past month. Enjoying the sunshine and warm winds of Spring are a definite perk to living in the country. panic at the discoOne week ago I developed a cough, shortness of breath and a low fever. Fear set in. All I could think of was, "Oh My Gosh, I've got it." Then, every single person I'd come in contact with the previous 2 weeks came flooding through. Visiting the Quilt Show ... Read More about See You on the Other Side
The Best Little Bed and Breakfast near Richmond, Virginia
Weddings, History and Crafts, Oh My!One of my favorite things about traveling is finding those perfect little gems that I can’t wait to share with you. On my last trip to Richmond, Virginia I stumbled upon just such a gem! May I introduce you to the historical Virginia Cliffe Inn. I’ll be honest, the first thing that drew me to this place was the fact that all of their beds have quilts on them! As I perused their website photo gallery, picture after picture of their rooms all showed quilts. ... Read More about The Best Little Bed and Breakfast near Richmond, Virginia
Are you a Traveler or a Vacationer?
Using Travel and Quilting to push yourself outside your comfort zone.I read an article recently on the difference between a ‘traveler’ and a ‘vacationer’. It got me thinking about which category I, and our fellow quilters, fall into. In the article the author suggests that a traveler is someone who is looking for travel that pushes their boundaries and brings out different versions of themselves. Someone that might volunteer for Doctors Without Borders or someone that climbs Mt. Everest in the ... Read More about Are you a Traveler or a Vacationer?