Category: USA

Tips for Seeing the Sisters Quilt Show

The sister Outdoor Quilt show is one of the most unique quilt shows you can attend. For one day only, the buildings in the Town of Sisters, Oregon act as a backdrop for 1400 quilts. This is a unique gallery showcasing amazing art and craftsmanship in a beautiful setting. I am sharing my tips on how to visit and get the most out of a Sisters Outdoor Quilt show experience.

The sun is shining. A soft breeze keeps the temperature comfortable. Not far in the distance, the snow-capped Three Sisters mountains glow in the early morning light. It is the second Saturday in July in Sisters, Oregon, and there is a festival-like atmosphere engulfing this small western town. A week of diverse quilting events and activities has been the prelude to this single day – the day of the Sisters Quilt Show.

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Learning Paper Piecing with Judy Niemeyer at a Quiltworx Retreat

I learned how to do paper piecing with Judy Niemeyer at a Quiltworx retreat in Kalispell, Montana

I enjoy taking quilting classes and learning new techniques. I had the opportunity to learn paper piecing in one of the Judy Niemeyer classes at the Quiltworx retreat center on Flathead Lake, Montana, near Kalispell. It was a relaxing week with lots of instruction, lots of learning, and lots of sewing.

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“California Dreamin” – Original Quilt Design

Quilt Inspiration – The colors of the surf and sand

I used two charm packs in shades of blue and yellow by Stonehenge to design a quilt that reminds me of a warm day on a California beach. I set half-square triangle blocks in a fishhook pattern, randomly mixing the different shades of blue and gold together.

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Expanding My Quilting Creativity With Empty Spools Seminars at Asilomar, California

Sharing my experiences taking an Empty Spools Seminars quilting class at the historic Asilomar Conference Center located on the scenic Pacific Ocean coast in California.

It’s important with any craft to continue to hone your skills. Whether it’s blogging, photography, or quilting, I like to try classes that offer a different perspective, but they also need to be in interesting locations.  One of my favorite quilting class experiences is offered by Empty Spools Seminars at the Asilomar Conference Center located in beautiful Pacific Grove, California. In fact, I liked it so much, I’ve gone twice.

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Washington DC Monuments – Where are the Women?

I went on a pilgrimage in Washington D.C. to find the monuments, sculptures, and memorial dedicated to women

Washington, D.C. is well known for its many beautiful monuments and memorials dedicated to the great leaders who helped shape the US. There are architectural wonders designed to honor George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, among others. But what about the women?  With a little bit of effort and a lot of walking, I found the Washington, D.C. monuments, memorials, and statues dedicated to a few of the many ladies who helped shape this nation.

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The Princess 360 Experience – A Performance for All the Senses

Sharing my review of the Princess 360 experience, a one-of-a-kind, immersive dining event that I recently took part in on both the Discovery Princess and the Enchanted Princess.

The secret is out!

The Princess Cruises 360 experience is no longer veiled in mystery and intrigue. Initially, this unique immersive dining “show” was by invitation only. But now, all guests sailing on the Discovery Princess and the Enchanted Princess can book this special event.

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My Favorite 25 Things To Do In Chicago Like A Local

I grew up in Chicago and still visit frequently and after traveling the world, it still remains my favorite city. Here is a list of my 25 top things to do in a Chicago.

Frank Sinatra said it best when he sang “My Kind of town Chicago is”. In the “Windy City”, there is a wide range of sights and things to do in Chicago for all interests. Here is my list of the top 25 Chicago attractions in my favorite city.

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The Best Chicago Street Art – Finding Murals, Sculptures and Other Public Art in the Windy City

The best Chicago street art comes in many forms – and it is free.

Growing up in Chicago I used to spend my teenage summers hanging out along the lakeshore, biking, swimming and sunning. Sometimes I would spend my day at one of the many sandy beaches, but more often than not, I would just bike the length of the rocks along the lakefront.

Those large limestone blocks were put in place in the early part of the 20th century to prevent erosion, but they eventually became a canvas for local want-to-be artists who covered them with cans of spray paint and multi colored paint brushes. This was the Chicago street art of my youth.

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