Quilter's Exchange block

Yesterday before I left on the quilty road trip I was able to get the fabric cut for the next Quilter's Exchange block. Today I got it pieced.

This is my block - Dancing Shoofly.

Here it is will all the blocks that have been completed so far.

I think there are 15 of us participating this time.

Quilty Road Trip!

My Quilter's Exchange group enjoys taking road trips. From ther

Yesterday we traveled to Kathy's Needle & I

1710 E Grove Ave

Rantoul, IL


From there we went to Main Street Quilt Co. in Shelbyville, IL

And, then from there we went to the Fabric Cobbler in Forsythe, IL

Here are my purchases...

Tea Towel, from Needle & I. Wool pieces from Main Street Quilt Co.

 I will add applique to this tea towel. I love the color!
I plan to do a wool applique project with the wool pieces - a snowman, perhaps.

From Needle & I

I have some cute farmer fabric that I think will work with the piece on the left.
I am working on a wall hanging project that has quilts hanging on a fence. I think this quilt block print will work for that.

These pieces (above and below) will get used in the Civil War Sampler and the 365 Challenge.
The triangle folded fat quarters are from Main Street Quilt Co. The flat folded fat quarters are from Needle & I.

I didn't make a purchase at Fabric Cobbler, but me friends did. She has a LOT of fabric in her store. We discovered that 70% of her business is internet sales.

All the stores had lovely fabric, nice collections and wonderful staff who were more than willing to help us find what we needed and match fabrics for those who asked for help with that.

Almost as fun as the stash enhancement is deciding where to eat. We all enjoy good food and that is one of the first things we discuss after getting into the car. We decided on Farmhouse Family Restaurant . We had the buffet. There was a nice salad bar and good selection of entrees and sides.

We had beautiful weather and a fun day.

Out my front door...

I love walking around my yard. Every day I see something new blooming.

I love these purple ones. And, the usually rebloom.

And, yes, those are milkweeds. I am allowed to let them grow as long as I remove the seed pods before they open. These are for the Monarch butterflies.

This lovely rose has a second bloom.

School's Out For the Summer!

 

The last two weeks seemed to go on forever. But, now it's over and I can get to quilting. I haven't been very motivated the last month so I am hoping that returns soon. I have lots to do!

Check out what other quilters are working on here on Judy's page.

I received the next Quilter's Exchange bag, but I haven't even looked in it yet.
I have been working on my mom's Blooming Star bed runner. I realized after I posted these pictures that the pink stars were sewn incorrectly. I took them apart and remade them. I had to cut new diamonds for part of the blocks. 

They are now put together correctly and I am ready to add the borders.
I realized today that the backing was not part of the kit. Lucky for me my quilty friends and I have a fabric store trip planned for Wednesday. Hoping I find something suitable.

My son is now home, forever.
He finished his third, and final, year at Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. And, now he is home. Besides having visual impairments (yes, more than one) he is physically disabled (spina bifida) and a full-time wheelchair user. He also has some learning disabilities. All this makes finding a job very hard. I don't know what the future holds for him, but we have been checking into options for him.

During his last year at ISVI he took a welding class. I am pretty excited about this.

He is making metal art using horseshoes.
Things like this ...

Not his picture. Found here https://www.pinterest.com/pin/176273772894228387/

 

 

 ... and this.

Not his picture. Found here https://www.pinterest.com/pin/397653842079545069/

 

He had been taking orders from people at school and doing pretty well with them. But, now that he is home he needs equipment - a welder, cart, bottle of welding gas, other tools, supplies, etc.

These things cost money and take a little time to gather. He was able to find a slightly used, but in very good condition, welder locally. We have been getting some of the tools and other supplies he needs when we make trips to the farm stores. I hope he doesn't lose interest in this like he usually does and he is able to get enough orders to keep him busy.

I am a bit frustrated with the mentality that he, and other young people, seem to have in today's world. Instant gratification. He wants what he wants and he wants it now. There is no patience and wanting to save up for things that he needs and wants. The wants always come before the needs. My friends keep telling me that this is the way people his age think and he will outgrow it eventually. I hope so.