Dear Quilters,

   I don’t know what happened to 2007!!  My first 6 months of retirement has come and gone and I have less to show for it than when I was working for the school system!!!  It has been a busy Winter, with all of our visiting teachers and all of our wonderful Regulars who teach and inspire.  I now have a number of quilts to finish and projects not even started!!  Sound familiar?  Well, I am pledging to do something about those UFOs.  I have put 9 projects titles in a bag and will reach in to select one to finish.

   Brenda, who works at the shop, and her husband will be traveling the country from April until October.  She has decided to work on Dear Jane, while on her trip and has gathered fabrics, tools, etc.  Naturally there are a group of us at the shop who said, “I want to do that too!”  We have ordered CDs, books and tools.  If you would like work with us, just send us a line.  I must admit, I have  told myself I must finish projects before I embark on this trip.

  Kay, who also works at the shop, has completed several quilts and has inspired me to gather fabrics for a New York Beauty which I have added to titles in my bag.  She also inspired me to use up some fabrics I had bought for a project, but didn’t like my “practice block,” so that fabric has been sitting around, just waiting. (Also in the bag.)

  I have fabric for a Rattlesnake waiting, (the title is in the bag!)  I hope I can locate all that fabric, I remember buying it and I even have the back!! 

  Again, I apologize for having to cancel the two classes by Linda Brannock and Rita Briner, I know that those of you who signed up were as excited to meet them as we all were!!  I spoke with Rita and Linda is doing well but so sorry she couldn’t be with us.  You were all so understanding that “Stuff happens” in this world, beyond our control. 

   We have two quilt challenges coming up, so start planning.  The Feathered Princesses have encouraged us to participate in the “Scarecrow” Challenge for next October.  Your quilt, wall hanging or miscellaneous item must have a scarecrow somewhere!  We will hang them in our shop during the Fall Scarecrow Festival, here in Dade City , Next October.  You can get a copy of the rules at the shop or on our website.  They will also be available through the Feathered Princesses.  The other challenge is the annual Citrus Challenge, this year’s theme:  “Viva the Kumquat!”  This challenge will be shown during the Kumquat Festival next January, as well as at the Pioneer Museum during the Annual Farm fest!

   We will have further information at the shop, and it is available at the Dade City Chamber of Commerce as well.  These are not juried shows, but offer you an opportunity to hop out of your box!

    I want to wish all of our Winter Visitors a safe trip home, and a thank you for your visits during this winter. 

Donna

CLOSINGS

Memorial Day
Monday May 26^th

4^th of July
Friday July 4^th

Hi All,

 I was visiting a friend recently & discovered something quite interesting—I only thought I had a big stash!  Silly me!  My 1 ½ bookcases don’t hold a candle to what I saw.  (Obviously she’s much sicker than I am!)  I stood in awe as she opened cabinet after cabinet revealing layer upon layer of delicious patterns & colors.  Flannels, batiks, brights, every color of the rainbow neatly stacked from light to dark.  Not only was I impressed by quantity but she’s also fairly organized although she doesn’t think so.  Yes, there were many piles yet to be addressed but is it really such a chore when it involves fabric?

    Since that feast for the eyes I’ve been thinking about my own organizational skills (or lack thereof).  I start out with the best of intentions, but something happens along the way.

    My sewing area is layered with baskets overflowing with anything needing a home at the moment, plastic containers filled with future & current projects, shopping bags of scraps & “good stuff,” repurposed food containers (great for used rotary blades, pins, etc.) stray books & patterns yet to be put away & stacks of fabric that won’t fit on the shelves.  I do have one hard & fast rule—clean up between projects—but meanwhile, the marker I used last night has managed to disappear!  I try so hard & the gremlins keep messing them up!!

   For now I’m happy in my organized chaos but I’ll continue to dream of neat rows of fabrics, tools that stay where I put them & appear when I need them.  Notice I said dream for, alas, I know that’s all it is.  But what would life be without dreams?

   If any of you are inspired to do some cleaning out, we’re still accepting scraps & passing them on to a church group in the area.  Anything is greatly appreciated but they’re especially in need of one yard pieces for backs, batting & thread.  After 8 years & 5,000 quilts donated to charity, our contact couple have decided to pass the torch to someone else in their group.  Health has become an issue & as soon as things fall into place they’ll be moving north.  I’ll forever miss my friends!  Their small group of sewers plan to continue stitching & donated so please let them help you recycle your leftovers.  My heartfelt thanks to all of them & all of you for your generosity.

  I wish you all a healthy, orderly summer with lots of stitching time.

                                                                                     Still happily quilting,