As promised, I'm back here on the 15th to "Hop" in and say hi!
So last month, a long time dream of mine came true! I have been attending the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival for 27 years. I have always wanted to be an instructor at this show and I finally did it! Here is my Wonderland Woods quilt.
What an honor it was and what a fun time my students and I had in class! It was so thrilling to be on stage as an instructor at the "Show and Tell." I remember dreaming of a moment like that back in the 90's. Gosh how time has flown by.
One of the stipulations, as a teacher at this show, is that you also have to be a vendor. Here is my booth. I'm incredibly grateful to my dear friends, Babs Fullerton and Molly Bigelow for helping me set it up and for taking care of it while I was teaching class.
One of my customers from last year, Kim Dillon-Cailles, stopped by to show me how she used decorator fabrics to make my "Peter's Pumpkin" design. She had velvet and embroidered pieces in it! Don't you just love how it turned out? I was so happy she stopped by to show me!
I had lots of bundles of linen in my booth.
I also brought lots of Valdani size 12 perle cotton for use in my class and to sell in my booth.
I'm super happy I accomplished yet another goal by being a teacher here, but I also came to a realization about something. You see, in all honesty... I don't enjoy vending at all. It is sooooooooooo much work to pack all that stuff up, drive it five hours, set it all up, sit in a booth for nine hours a day, pack it all back up, drive it five hours back home and unpack it all over again!!
Not only that, but people steal. Yes, little old-lady quilters STEAL and not because they are poor! I had bunny scissors stolen and a kit stolen this year. Last year I had loads of embroidery needles stolen. Of course, there are also the "IDEA STEALERS." These are the ladies who don't purchase anything from anyone. They simply walk around the show and go booth to booth taking photos of everything so they can go home and copy it. They obviously have absolutely NO creativity or talent of their own. I think they are rather stupid though as this is the digital age and everything is on Pinterest. Since they are obviously not going to spend any money at the show, they could save themselves the $15 entrance fee and just steal the ideas from the internet. Thus, sparing all of us who paid $1200 for their booth, hotel fees for 4 nights, meals for 5 days and two tanks of gas, the agony of self restraint as we refrain from cussing them out.
Yes... I can turn from a sweet little bunny into a Jackalope over this matter. Can you tell? hee,hee,hee.
It is because of this that I will not apply to teach at this show again. In fact, I have one more small show for a guild to vend at the end of the month and then my days of vending are over. In all honesty, it's just too much work for sooooooo very little money and I hate it.
I would much rather spend my time inspiring my students. Teaching and having a fun "Play Date" with them makes me super HAPPY!
These little "Bunny Bundles" of rick rack are for my classes. My students get to play with these, wool felt, Valdani and lots of other fun embellishments.
My students are special to me and I like to make them little goodies. Here are some needle keepers I make for them with my bunny logo.
My "Beekeeper" pincushion class is still everyone's favorite. They enjoy creating their own flowers in their own personal style.
I offer five flower choices in my classes. These flowers are exclusive to MY students. Here are a few samples I made from pieces I demoed on in classes. Hop on over to my website HERE if you belong to a group that would like a Play Date with the crazy bunny lady. I'm booking dates for 2019.
When I got home from Mid Atlantic, Spring had arrived in my neighborhood.
I absolutely LOVE the pink and grey combination. Mother nature is truly amazing.
Such simple gifts we are given to enjoy. I try every day to notice the simple beauty in the world. It helps me to stay focused on happier things.
Magical isn't it?
I was also blown away by this magical view from my living room window. My pear tree was in full bloom. I love the white blossoms through the window and how it looked framed out by my linen curtains. This interior decorator did a "Happy Bunny Dance." ;)
Sunday, I had a visit from my dear friend Sallieann from England. She and her husband, Mike, are in the states for a few weeks. How incredibly lucky am I to have friends who will cross an ocean to visit with me. :) Of course, now I must do the same. I'm saving my pennies to take a trip there one day.
Sallie brought me this GORGEOUS bunny scarf from a gift shop at Price Charles' home! How cool is that! I love the bag it came in as well!
I also received another early birthday gift from my dear friend, Jade, which came at a perfect time since Winter returned! Gosh is it cold!!! Jade crocheted this GORGEOUS afghan for me from the softest alpaca yarn. It has a fringe technique around the edge called "Rabbit Ears!" It's sooooooooooo snuggly and perfect for my TV watching chair.
Speaking of snuggly..... Sabrina loves the new bench I put under the window in my studio. She lays here like the lazy cat she is. Although I have purchased cat beds for her, she only likes laying on beach towels! LOL! She also likes to put her head on the windowsill and stare out at the world. She cracks me up how her legs are hanging over the edge. Silly putty tat!
Well my friends, that is all for now. I'll be back here on the first of the month for Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit.
Until then, Hannah sends you bunny kisses.
Light, Love and Hugs,
Michelle
