Kickin' Back in Kansas

OK it's hard to believe, but I have been  FOUR DAYS without giving a lecture or class.  I needed the break!  We have been in Topeka, Kansas, for a week, after about a month in Nebraska and Colorado. 

Cozad, NE sits on the 100th Meridian.  The local museum has a beautiful quilt block out front!

This is actually one that I have taught in my workshop.  It was called Stacked Star.  It is a favorite but one that take a whole lot of patience to complete.  This is from Texas, last year.

The drive across Nebraska really is spectacular.  Corn and beans for miles. And miles.  Hard to believe that most of that corn is produced to feed animals!

I would usually associate sunflowers with Kansas, but these are in western Nebraska.  We stopped off in Ogallala, which is where the 1860s cattle drives ended.

Over to Denver. The thin air gave me fits at first, but it was so clear and fresh!

We took a side trip up to Longmont to visit the Left Hand Brewery. They make one of Glen's favorite beers. I have learned to enjoy a factory tour-- especially if there is a tasting involved.                                         

Georgia Boys in Colorado?


 Really?  It turns out they really were from Georgia!  And the barbecue was pretty darned good!

MAJOR bucket list item for me--a concert at Red Rocks!  I checked as soon as I knew we were both going to Denver, and HEY!  Old Crow Medicine Show was playing. It was an incredible show, but honestly it would be hard not to enjoy this venue.  Just spectacular.

Back to Nebraska, where a film crew from Nebraska Public TV filmed one of my workshops for a documentary on barn quilts.  How funny that he filmed my my end of the day mess!

Over near Omaha is a really lovely quilt trail--the first in Nebraska, in Cass County.  I love this one--Starry Night.

Nebraska also gave us a chance to visit with friends.  Renae Kamler of Fillmore County was one of the early barn quilt trail organizers and has become a friend over the years.  We enjoyed a fun dinner with her family!  Here is one of their barn quilts--Grandmother's Block.

 

Now a Nebraska farmer will not let you leave without farm-fresh goodies.  A few days later, Glen and I had a feast!

Now if you post photos of your Nebraska steaks on Facebook and then travel to Kansas, chances are you will end up with another batch of beef!  The brats were yummy; stay tuned for the steak report!

Back to the Blog

Here I am!

I keep thinking no one reads this blog--hence the lengthy absence.  Then this week four people asked why I had not posted in so long.

The short answer is--BUSY!  Wow. 




Since the new book arrived in May, I have had more then seventy speaking engagements!   It has been so much fun.

We started with an event in Schoharie, New York.

Then on to Ontario, Canada.

Then a few weeks in Michigan
. . .

Well if you want to all of the madness, here is a link:

Suzi's Crazy Schedule

In addition to talking about barn quilts, we have been painting them--take a look!

 These three sisters all painted the same block but look how different it is when the colors are changed!

I had the privilege of teaching a class at the International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, NE.  Great results, I think!

 This is one of my favorite patterns--the Folded Flag.  The star on this one is kind of wonky, but I think that adds a bit of style!

Lots and lots of barn quilt painting workshops are coming up--including Missouri Star's Birthday Bash in September.  I visited last year, and we had loads of fun.  Can't wait to be part of the celebration!

For more information click here!

OK that's the quick check in.  More to come!