COVID brought so much pain and strife to so many people. But for me, the silver lining of the past two years are all the new amazing friendships I have with quilters from around the world.
I first discovered Angie Wilson, aka Gnome Angel, when I started my first quilting class in 2015 using the Farmer’s Wife quilt. Angie was starting her first epic quilt-along for the Farmer’s Wife 1930’s quilt. So I followed along as she posted amazing layouts for each block.
I was smitten - and jumped on board for her Long Time Gone QAL in 2017 and then her #100days100blocks2018 QAL.
I actually met her at Quilt Market 2017 in Houston for the launch of her book, The Fussy Cutter’s Club. I was one of hundreds lining up for her to sign my copy, so while I remember it well, it was a blur to her.
When I interviewed her for Karen’s Quilt Circle at the beginning of 2021, we immediately hit it off. We chatted for well over two and a half hours before my producer said, Enough!. Since then we have been meeting regularly online for check-ins, sharing projects, business tips and decompressing.
I am thrilled that we will finally meet in person (without the long lineup), AND we will be teaching together on our cruise through Panama in April 2023. We both love sampler blocks and we are currently working on a new pattern for release on the cruise.
The ship is the Celebrity Millennium, the same boat we were on for our past cruise to Alaska so I am familiar with the layout and the staff. Our tour operators are supplying the sewing machines so we do not need to worry about lugging ours along. Sewing at sea sounds so wonderful I can hardly wait.
It’s a bucket list trip and if you are interested in joining in on the fun, we would love to have you along.
And if you have no idea who I am talking about, join us for this year's #100day100blocks2022 quilt-along here. We had a Live Q&A last week that you can check out. I am digging deep into my fabric stash and Mt Scrapmore to gather my fabric before this year's start date - Aug 1st.
If you need some tips on how to start, I have a video with some pointers HERE. If you are looking for inspiration from past challenges, check out the photos on Instagram, using #100days100blocks2021.