After a couple of months of intense work and sewing on new pattern samples I needed some time off. So four crazy women went to Branson, Mo. for a little R&R.

Donna Swisher, Nancy Durbin, LaVon Harris and me at the Landing at Smith's Moonshine Store.  The sparkle in our eyes are from the camera flash, not the moonshine. 

It's time to get in gear to do a few patterns for quilt market.  This is the first block for the first pattern quilt.  There's a lot of pieces in the block but at least there are only eight blocks to be made. 

I asked friends for suggestions for the name.  A few good ones and one that is naughty.  I won't be asking Kevin to name my quilts in the near future.  haha.

Next step is to correct the center column and then have Jeanette test the pattern.

The next pattern quilt is drawn out and I'm writing  the instructions for the quilt.  Also, haven't decided on the color combination to use.  I want it to NOT clash with the first pattern.  I would like my booth at market to be kind of coordinated or at the least not jarring to the eye. 

I finally finished all the blocks I need for the Karen K. Stone workshop.  This picture is actually kind of faded but will give you an idea of the process.  I have one more border to paint and add to the outer edge.  I thought the Thursday sewing group would be there tomorrow but it's the off week.  I was going to paint the outer border while they were there and I couldn't quilt.  But I'll put it off for a while.

I signed up for a Karen K Stone workshop put on by the Kaw Valley Quilt Guild. 

She is famous for her New York Beauties.  All paper pieced.  So the workshop was on the technique of paper piecing.  The pattern for this workshop was one of hers.  I had collected fabric for a pickle dish of the orange and lime green but after making two blocks, I decided that wasn't for me.  I thought this pattern would be much easier with fewer pieces.  While it is a little quicker, it still is  slow process. 

I finished one block in class and then finished a second block this afternoon.  I think I want to embroider or stencil something in the square centers.  Just haven't decided on what would look best. 

I usually keep a project in a box ready to take to retreats and such.  So it's not a quickly finished project.  I made one pattern up in February to take to a retreat I didn't get to attend because Dennis was in the hospital.  Now I can have another one to put into a box for such occasions.  The only problem with this theory is the guild wants to have a follow up class to view the finished projects. 

Worked the last few days on the borders for the Quilt of Valor quilt.   I finally finished it.  Yea!!!!   I'll need to find a backing that looks good with it. 

Been getting a lot of things sewed on this week.  If I kept it up, I might get some UFO's out of the way.  But I know that this flurry of work won't last, it never has.