It's Been A Long Time & Some Layouts

Didn't realize how long it's been since I posted. The first part of this year has been kind of chaotic with more bronchitis (I officially have stage 1 COPD now), a death in the family, and the discovery of my husband's sister's cancer. (More on that later). Then the end of February is the Mid Atlantic Quilt Show which I've been going to almost 30 years now! Loved it best when it was in Williamsburg and spread out among several hotels. There was not only the quilt show and it's vendors but a wearable arts display, fiber art and vendors and vintage clothing and antiques. A shuttle carried you from venue to venue and back to the hotels where we were staying. For a few years now, it's been closer geographically, being held in Hampton which isn't far from me at all. They tried using the Colisieum there but that didn't work well and switched to the convention center. Everything in one place now, which you would think would be good but no more vintage and antiques or much wearable art stuff. And for those of us who are handicapped and/or elderly, there hasn't been much in way of seating for when you get tired and until recently no shuttle. This year my friends and I rented a suite over at Springhill Suites, a Marriot property. We thought it would be like the old days, giving us a chance to go back to hotel and rest awhile, then back to the show. But I cannot recommend Springhill Suites and would never go back. I filed a report with Marriot Copr to tell them all the problems we had. And we were not the only ones. If that's the best that Hampton has to offer, I hope Mancuso Brothers changes the show location. Despite a disagreeable experience at the hotel, I had a great time with my friends, Sandy R and her sister, Wanda C. We drove into downtown Phoebus, a tiny place, and went antiquing. We spent hours at the quilt show admiring quilts, and bought goodies from our favorite vendors for our crazy quilting passion. Best of all, we caught up with one another. The last few years we haven't had much time to spend together as Sandy's husband was in final stages of his battle with cancer. These women are truly my sisters of the heart and every minute spent with them is a joy. Just before I left for the quilt show and while I was in the process of organizing a charity kit, Carolyn of Carolyn's Creations made a couple really cute layouts with my kit, Little Buttercup, and I wanted to show you: Didn't she do a great job? If you are interested in this kit, you can find it at any of my stores (see sidebar).