Fantastic!

Just got back from Asilomar (Empty Spools) and couldn't wait to tell you all what a fantastic time I had. I did get a little lost coming home (left the map book and GPS at home) but ended up going through the Coalinga Hills. It was just beautiful. The only picture I could take was this one because of the curves there really isn't any where to stop. The hills were all shades of green with lavenders, yellows and some orange. It was just beautiful and so peacefully. Mistakes are often opportunities to treasure. I had a great ride home through the hills with Toby Keith serenading me on the radio.

Pacific Grove, where the Asilomar conference grounds are, was a joy to behold. We had some rain, lots of wind, some cold but we were right by the ocean. Everyday we looked out our window to the sand dunes and the water. On the stormy days, the white caps of the waves were a sight to see. I went up with Barbara, alias pointlessquilter, and Debbie, alias quiltcrazydebbie. We drank wine, laughed, shared, and just had fun.


I took Don Linn's class, Machine Quilting. I'm so amazed at how far we came in five days. We started out just doodling with our machine, learned how to transfer a pattern with stencils and making our own with tulle, we learned trapunto and made a heart, we talked about what to put on our quilts, worked on a whole cloth quilt, and so much more. Don was a great teacher, always encouraging us and inspiring us to greater things.

I love to machine quilt but have always free motioned. It really limited me and I would get so frustrated because I could not transfer a stencil properly and I could not follow a line. Notice how I said could not because I now can. I am so excited. This has just opened up a whole new world. I can even do feathers!




I hope you enjoy the pictures and I am sure I will be sharing more of the skills I've learned this past week. Now I have to put everything away and get ready for the next adventure. The SAQA conference begins next Friday. Off to San Francisco next week!