Saturday I got an early start, as I had all these places to go, people to see, and things to do! This is not necessarily the order I did everything, but meeting Suzi Parron was the most important. I attended the the lecture and book signing of Suzi's new book "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement." The gave a very interesting lecture, and of course I had to have her sign my book. Suzi and I have been corresponding about barn quilts for a couple of years. It was so much fun to finally meet her. When I walked into the lecture hall, we saw each other, and it was as if we had met before. I grinned ear to ear for the rest of the day with the memory.
Kankakee has a wonderful barn quilt trail. You can request through the mail for a new brochure each year with the quilts that were added the previous year. This year they are planning to add 15 new quilts on barns. Each year they have been making a quilt that pictures the quilts added the previous year. The quilt above is 2011's additions.
There was a reception, also. Look what they did with the sandwiches, pinwheels. How cool is that!
It just so happened that on my way home I would be able to go by 2 of the newest barn quilts. Above is Churn Dash, on the Goetz farm in Manteno.
Here is Rolling Star on the Meyer farm in Peotone.
On my way to Kankakee I had stopped at Sunrise Greenhouse, owned by they Woldhuis's. We found out about this incredible place last year. Rows and rows of flowers, shrubs, and trees. I did pick up a few things. My husband has not noticed the yellow magnolia tree I brought home. I did purchase a few perennials and those gorgeous begonias you see in planter baskets.
I stopped and picked up the "food" he wanted from Ambrosino's in Frankfort. He actually had a list of things to pickup! One being a meatball sandwich, which was hot at 10:00am, and a bit soggy at 8:30 pm, when I arrived back home1 Good thing for coolers.
I also stopped at "Tom Shelf Quilts" in Frankfort. I was looking for a specific piece of fabric. They did not have what I was looking for, but did have a pattern for a cute basket. So got the supplies to make one of them.
Then to top the night off. I had gone to sleep and just before midnight a noise outside woke me up. Hail!!!! Here is what was outside by the patio in the back of our house. We could really use the rain, but hail?? It did do a number on the tulips and flowering trees that were starting to loose their flowers.
Tuesday, my husband and I are traveling to Moline and Davenport. For Christmas, our son and his girlfriend got us tickets to the Adler Threatre in downtown Davenport to see a group of men, Straight No Chaser, sing. He also booked a room in Moline for the night. We have seen these fellows sing on the local PBS station. I will be back in time for Thursday sew.
We are looking forward to going on the sleepover!
Hava great week, happy sewing or quilting.
Mary
