IOWA

I spent last weekend in the company of some of my favorite Iowa friends. I had been keeping my fingers crossed since October that Mother Nature would cooperate once again and she sure didn't let me down. The weather was absolutely perfect for the 8 hour drives there and back home again on Sunday. Not a bit of snow to be seen between here and there. Just the way I like it. I got to Iowa City early enough on Thursday that the amazing Jacqueline had time to "freshen" my hair. We went out to the Atlas  one of our favorite restaurants for dinner and just happened to be filmed by an Iowa Public Television show called Iowa Ingredient. I think the episode is number 102 and it should air sometime in March. 

 Over 70 lovely ladies participated in the 8th annual Common Threads Quilt Shoppe Sew In

  Peg runs the show. She cooks the most delicious meals so that we can keep on sewing and she makes the cutest things on her tiny antique Singer sewing machine.

 Here are two of my favorite sewing fiends. Kandy and Barb.They sure know how to keep me on my toes and keep me laughing for hours.

 These are my finished projects. Honestly, I really went to visit and I did an awful lot of that. I'm glad I managed to accomplish what I did. I finished a Mile a Minute quilt top, a Christmas table ribbon, 3 origami bags, 1 little box bag and 2 adorable owls that you fill with rice and use as heating pads. Not bad considering the amount of talking that went on.

Here's a sneak peak at my next project.

 Barb and Jorge were kind enough to put me up again this year. The accommodations were 5 star. I had flowers in my room, chocolates on my pillow and fancy soaps and shampoos. Not to mention the yummy breakfasts prepared just for me each morning. OK, so they had to eat too, but it felt really special. Thanks guys. Let's hope it all works out again for next year.
Sally