May 17 10

Rejuvenation!

We’ve been working non-stop to finish preparations for Spring Quilt Market but I took some time for just myself in the last few weeks and I’m so glad I did. The first was that I went to one of those Ricky Tims Super Seminars. I’d been curious about these and wondered how much info you could actually glean from a 2 1/2 day lecture setting, and I’m happy to report that it was loaded with tons of great information and even more inspiration! At all the breaks, you could scrutinize Ricky, Libby, and Alex’s quilts close-up:

…and see all the intricate details of how they created special effects:

What really surprised me was how well you could see and hear all the details of each lecture, even from the very back of this huge auditorium. I mean, even the details of what one of them was doing on the sewing machine were perfectly clear!

At the breaks, we also got to shop in Ricky’s store. That store was generally mobbed by quilters, so I was lucky to get this shot where you can see parts of what he was selling:

His fabric was to die for! On the first day, I was opening up and drooling over some of his pieces, and I ran into Teri, who I met at a guild presentation a few years earlier. She said, “Now, don’t you go spending your money on fabric, Patsy; you dye your own fabrics so you don’t need any of this!” Of course, she was right, so I promised myself I’d just look but not buy anything. The next morning, I couldn’t help myself and I bought 5 yards…and the next day I went back and bought another 6 yards!!

I guess I’m a sucker for hand dyed fabrics in beautiful colors! Anyway, if you ever have the opportunity to go to a Ricky Tims Super Seminar, be sure to go-it was money and time well spent!

Last weekend, we got to spend 3 days in North Carolina, and I spent one afternoon dyeing fabrics with my buddy, Nancy Bruce, the dyeing and color guru! We spent a sunny afternoon creating color on fabric:

and it was so rejuvenating to my spirit! Here’s just a fraction of what I dyed last weekend:

And now it’s back to the grindstone for me…will post more this week for sure!

3 Comments

  1. Kelly Jackson Says:

    Well Patsy…I can’t say as I blame you for buying the fabric. I would have done the same thing!!!

    I’m glad you have had some fun lately. Thanks for the info about the Ricky Tims seminar. I heard it was great.

    Drive safe and I’ll see you in Minneapolis 🙂

    Smiles,
    Kelly

  2. Helen Says:

    Oh how I envy you Iwould give anything to go to a Ricky Tims lecture.

  3. Teri Says:

    I knew you couldn’t resist!!! I usually dye my own fabric to, but I didn’t get out of there without buying ONE yard. 🙂 I have a harder time making the darker dyed pieces, so what I bought will just go in with the rest of my stash.. I can make 3 miniatures out of that one yard! Have a good weekend!