The Great American Quilters' Smackdown

At least that's what I think John is calling it. John, Hollis Chatelain, Becky Goldsmith and Sue Nickels have a challenge going. The purpose is to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative and the challenge is to see whose small quilt will be auctioned for the highest dollar amount.

Becky Goldsmith is almost done! You can see her project on her blog; scroll down to 7/20 and 7/21. John is working on his design and I don't know what Hollis and Sue are doing but know it will be spectacular.

Who will win?

Alzheimer's disease is a thief. I shudder when I hear the ad that says "Alzheimer's isn't waiting". I know that is true from my mother's experience.

Stay tuned for more from John about his design. He keeps saying "they are going down". I think that is pro wrestling talk.

Brooke

New Growth

Here is an update on the square foot garden. The onions are doing great; I am not sure how long until the tops die down and we can harvest, but 3 weeks or so seems likely. We have been watering them with the hose, and leaving the nifty terra cotta/wine bottle watering system for the days when we can't get there to water. (I don't think the wine bottle is doing much.) If John has time to make a protective screen cover, we will try to replant with spinach after the onions are gone.

John is in California teaching at the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach. He says the Convention Center is beautiful but he has not had a chance to look at the quilt exhibits. Two more classes and then off (from teaching, anyway) for all of August.

The "Tile Project" still awaits him. and the family reunion will be at our house the end of August. So there will be lots to do.

Brooke

Visitors

We love living at Red Lodge and seeing the wildlife. But.

Here is what happened. I had been outside in the front and heard a screechy racket - I thought it might have been the folks across the creek clearing or sawing or some such. After a few minutes I went out on to the back porch and it became apparent the noise was an animal calling. As I looked, a baby bear came thrashing through the high grass and I thought, Oh, how cute and then Oh, where is the mother and by that time I was back inside the house and closing the glass door.

She was up on the porch, with her twins faster than I can tell you, examining the roll of old carpet we took up for our tiling project, rejecting that and still looking for something to eat. Last I saw her she was on a lope through our neighbors' fence and headed for town.

I heard the babies screeching again this morning but did not hang around for a second visit.

Brooke

Guild Program Chairs - Note :)

First things first - here are pictures of the very cute projects John put together for the Ohio students who missed their classes because he got so sick. We will have the little Arabic Lattice in the catalog one of these days, but the fabric for the Braided Flag is all gone! I think they both turned out great; we just mailed the last of them out today.

So here is a way to save your Guild some money - John has an idea to help quilt guilds cut down on their travel costs. Since he spends so much time driving to shows already, he can leave a couple of days early and teach for guilds that are along the route. That will completely eliminate those expensive airline tickets. So, if you are Program Chair for your guild and interested for 2010, call me at 800 745 3596 or email brookeflynn@mcn.net so we can see what might work. Or let your Guild Chairman know. There is a link to the 2010 Schedule on our website. Go to Teaching Information and you can print it out.

John called me today from Quilt Camp in the Pines. The bagpipers are there and tonight is Pub Night. Loud music and cold beer will be involved.

Brooke

YeeHaw

Here are pictures from the Fourth of July Rodeo in Red Lodge. We had good seats. The photographer wasn't the best but, darn it, those horses move fast! I ran out of memory in my camera during the barrel racing; that is one of my favorite events. Big, big horses and intent young women; go, go, go!

Hope you had a great Fourth wherever you are.

We are just about finished packing John up for the drive to Flagstaff, AZ and Quilt Camp in the Pines. If you are nearby, and haven't attended, this is a great quilt retreat in a relaxed atmosphere and with great teachers. The next teaching engagement is in Long Beach and then, home for all of August!

Have a great weekend!

Brooke

Kate's Choice

Kate loves the miniatures and here is a pinwheel block she cut and pieced last week. Each little section is 1 1/2" so it is small and cute. She will be working up a pre-cut kit soon; it looks like fun!

Well, it wasn't rabbits or a raccoon that ate our onion sets, it was two baby skunks. And, like all babies, they are very, very cute. I'm not too happy about baby skunks camping out under the table next to our house; no sign of Mother.

Have a wonderful Fourth of July. We're going to try to get to the Rodeo, Red Lodge's famous Home of Champions Rodeo, July 2, 3 and 4 in it's 80th year!

Brooke