midsummer days

Hello again!

I'll be you're wondering whether I'm still blogging or not?  Well, of course I am!  But, summer being what it is with so much to do and only 24 hours in a day, etc.  Sometimes the writing takes a backseat to the doing...  and what I've been doing is - for the moment - a secret!  I do so wish I could tell you all about the new product from C&T that I'm testing, but no, sorry, no can do - not yet!  It is interesting stuff, tho, and I'm enjoying the playtime.

I've been scrunching it, ironing it, painting it, separating it, draping it and sprinkling it with sparkles.  It has an intriguing ethereal quality about it.

That's not all, of course.  I'm also working on a 'fabric challenge' for QCE guild - which is supposed to be a secret until the 'unveiling' in September.  So far, I've done a little shopping and a lot of cutting - enough for at least 2 quilts of the required size limit.  I like having choices, but hate making decisions.  What a conundrum!

I've also been working on a quilt for my good friend Carolyn T. so I think I can show you a pic of that...

 If you squint a bit, the bright parts seem to curve, but really they're straight.

a little prayer

Dear Lord,

Help me deal with today.... and leave tomorrow to you.

Thanks,

Thea

Singing the Knoxville Blues while I danced the night away

I went to Knoxville last week for the AQS Quilt Show – more info here:  http://www.americanquilter.com/shows_contests/knoxville/2011/general_info/

The weather cooperated for the most part, with only light showers during the times when I absolutely HAD to be outside.  The show quilts were amazing – I especially enjoyed the retrospective on Linda Roy’s quilts.  I got to meet her and she is a lovely, encouraging person.  She also won “Best in Show”… http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/jul/16/best-sew-knoxville-quilt-show-wraps-local-earning/

Linda Roy at Knoxville

The other special exhibit that stopped me in my tracks was the Alzheimer’s exhibit… this link explains what it’s all about, but nothing on a blog can show the impact of all those little purple strips each with the name of an Alzheimer’s victim.   http://www.alzquilts.org/alil.html

Leah Day's quilt was totally awesome, of course!

 each area was filled with a different quilting pattern!

Another impressive group effort was this quilter's view of the river....

A River Runs Through It special group exhibit

Later that day we stopped by the Smoky Mountain Palace to see the Cirque de Chine

for info go to http://www.smokymountainpalace.com/

        A troop of amazing acrobats, jugglers and contortionists who performed the most impressive feats of daring I’ve ever seen on a stage.  The only downside was that there were so many empty seats in the auditorium.  They deserve a full house every night!  ...and those daring guys on the motorcycles just woulda knocked my socks off if I'd been wearing any!

The following day, we dropped by the birthplace of that famous American icon, Davy Crockett.

There is a state park bearing his name in TN.  http://tn.gov/environment/parks/DavyCrockettSHP/index.shtml     The park has a very nice pool conveniently located near the entrance and a nice looking camp ground.

Crockett memorial w/Dwaine McCurry

DeeDee gave it a 2 paws up!

David Crockett birthplace - Limestone TN

Outdoor oven at Crockett homestead

The little cabin is reconstructed, of course, but it’s still impressive!  The Park Ranger at the museum/visitors center was gracious and entertained us with his stories and memorabilia.

The cabin interior looked pitch black to me... but fortunately, the flash on my camera was up to the task, although it lacked somewhat in focus.

to the right of the door, the sleeping area

.

 and to the left of the door, the living area.....

garden behind cabin - looks a lot like mine - full of weeds!!!

 

The garden behind the cabin was 'maintained' by a local gardening group who must all be too busy pulling their own weeds so the contents of the cabin's garden were a bit on the wild side - much like Davy Crockett!

Then we went on to Jonesborough for the Contra Dance – a highlight of our Saturday night.

http://www.historicjonesboroughdancesociety.org/ where over 100 dancers filled the floor for several hours of good dancing fun with an ice cream break for good measure!

Good to be home – to savor the memories of a wonderful trip!