It was hot on Saturday. And humid. But i had agreed on behalf of my quilt group that we would do a presentation about quilting at the historic Mount Bleak House, built in the 1840s, which is on the grounds of Sky Meadows State Park. The parks department likes to have events that reflect life at the time the house was lived in...crafts, music, history, etc. We would do a talk about quilts from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then demonstrate quilting from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
I recruited my friend Diane to do the presentation because she's very knowledgeable, has a lot of experience making quilts including some out of reproduction Civil War era fabrics, and is very confident in a group situation. I brought a bag full of quilting books and several quilts, Diane brought two baskets full of quilts, April brought a quilt rack and several quilts, and we set up on the lawn behind the house. And waited. And waited. We thought things would be slow, but had no idea that only a handful of people would come for the program.
I thought we'd be standing up in front of a crowd, talking, showing quilts, refolding them, answering questions...instead, we sat on the rocking chairs and had a fabulous day getting some quilting done. Diane had fun reading my books! April worked on a coiled rope basket bag, i did hand quilting on my fortune cookie quilt and on the bunny quilt for my sister, when Dee arrived she sewed the binding onto a Christmas kitty quilt, and when Jeanne arrived, she had a binding to put on a Christmas quilt as well.
Diane, April, my rocking chair, Dee
Jeanne
Afterwards the ranger/volunteer coordinator said that next time they would make the program shorter--the afternoon only, when people are more likely to have finished a day hike or to be in the park for a picnic. I don't think any of us felt the day was wasted...it was amazingly peaceful sitting under the huge hickory tree, looking out across a misty valley that didn't look much different than it would have looked 100 or even 200 years ago.
That sounds like a wonderful day spent with friends and quilting.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like more fun than giving a presentation! I would love to sit outside in a rocking chair doing hand sewing. But if you ever do it again, please let me know. My family lives near that part of VA in Reston and Haymarket, and I think they might enjoy this (if it fits into their busy schedules, that is!)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely way to spend a day!
ReplyDeleteSounds like making lemonaid out of lemons! :) And also a good day to do it as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for dropping by our bloggie to share your purrs and good thoughts for our Bugsy on his surgery today (and hugs for The Mommy!), all went well and he'll be home tomorrow! We appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Big purrs and hugs,
The Kitty Krew and The Mommy
That sounds like a purrfectly lovely day!
ReplyDeleteLove the blog title!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Quiltcat,
ReplyDeleteJust catching up with your blog. This sounds like a very nice day with friends - you made the best of the situation and enjoyed yourselves!
Lovely quilts!