It’s rather cliche to say at this point — but geez, January feels like it has been about a million years long, and somehow there’s still a week left. The holidays seem like a distant memory, and a busy February/March still feels far off…and yet I know it’ll be here soon.
I’m starting to prepare for QuiltCon, and getting all the materials ready for my workshops. This includes putting together supply kits for my postcard workshop, and getting templates printed for my foundation paper piecing workshop. Like last year, I’ll end up taking two suitcases with me — one with the typical travel stuff (clothes, toiletries) and one full of workshop supplies!
Elizabeth and I are also preparing to host this year’s Pantone Quilt Challenge! If you’ve never heard of this before, the idea is to make a quilt featuring the Pantone color of the year, which for 2023 is “Viva Magenta.” The challenge was last held in 2019, so it’s been a few years, and Elizabeth and I are taking over hosting duties with the blessing of the previous hosts, Rebecca and Sarah.
Other quilty things:
Last week I visited with the Coastal Prairie Quilt Guild in Missouri City, about a 30-40 minute drive for me. I gave my trunk show lecture in the morning, and we spent the afternoon working on Ribbons quilts. It was an enjoyable day and a good warmup before QuiltCon!
My Game Night quilt was on display at the Road to California show last weekend — and was even hung next to Kelly Spell’s quilt again, just like they did at QuiltCon last year! This was my first time entering that show and it was nice to have my quilt accepted! I’m always thankful for those in attendance who send me photos — this one came to me via Elizabeth, but I believe was taken by Zina (@zanymouse).
I finished up my Houston MQG 2022 block of the month quilt top just in time for this past Saturday’s meeting. I really love how it turned out — the pattern is the Modern HST Block of the Month from 2021. I ordered some backing fabric and it should arrive later this week, so I’m hoping to get it quilted and finished before I jump into the 2023 guild BOM.
And then of course not everything (or even most things) in life are quilting related! As a 5th grader, Emma has the opportunity to go to Washington DC for a few days over spring break…and I’m going along too! As a parent I get to participate, but I’m not required to monitor any kids or even stay with the group the entire time. I’m hoping to spend quality time with Emma and her friends, but also split off a few times to meet up with friends in the DC area. I just hope the weather isn’t too cold.
This month I also started and finished the book Jose gave me for Christmas — “Alone on the Wall” by Alex Honnold and Dave Roberts. Honnold is a well-known climber and the subject of the documentary “Free Solo” that won awards several years ago. (I haven’t watched it but after reading the book I plan to.) I used to read lots of outdoor/adventure books but it had been a while. The idea of free soloing — climbing without any safety equipment, i.e. you fall = you die — is terrifying to me and I will never understand the mindset of someone like Honnold! But I enjoyed the book.
I tried listen to Alone on the Wall a few years ago but never got very far. I may have to try again.
That’s cool about the DC trip. I had been thinking we should take Forest soon to see some of the sights. It is one of my favorite cities to visit!
DC is fun to visit. Hopefully you can see the shuttle! We have finally returned to the DC suburbs after our Swiss adventure. Let me know when you plan to be in town.