HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year to one and all!! I am so looking forward to whatever 2020 brings to the table, but, I certainly hope that it's all good.

When I first started quilting I would begin a new project on New Years Day each year. Usually I would be cutting a new pattern. However, this year I plan on either loading a 'show quilt'( I don't know which one) or beginning my MAJOR applique project.

I truly have not yet decided and it is already New Year's Eve. Whatever I choose will be fun to do.

In the year of 2019, there have been many hurdles to jump. Mr. OLT has been very sick, there have been relationship problems within the family, and I have been somewhat depressed about the entire situation. In 2020, that will all change!! The things that have previously caused the depression, I am just going to KICK TO THE CURB!!! It's sort of like 'out of sight out of mind' for me. That has worked well for me in the past and hopefully will work again.

We will find out toward the end of January how Mr. OLT is doing. We certainly hope for the best, but, will deal with whatever the outcome is. Dealing with 5 different cancers over the last 3+ years has been stressful, to say the least, but so far so good.

In addition to quilting beautiful quilts for many wonderful clients year round, I also do a 'little' traveling.

I have some 'fun' events coming up in the first part of the year. First up is the Myrtle Beach Quilt Party in January. I am so glad Pat and I started going to this event. We go a couple of days early and sew in our hotel room. Then we may or may not take some great classes. We are at the beach and get to see the ocean out of our window..then we get to have great meals with some fantastic friends. What a wonderful way to start the New Year.

February brings on the first One Loose Thread Quilt Retreat of the year. I can't actually remember how many years we have been getting together for food, fabric, friendship, and fun, but it must be at least 15. This is a retreat that is totally open to all who want to attend. We spend 4 days in the Gravatt Camp and Conference Center in Aiken, South Carolina. Everyone brings their own machines and projects to work on. We host a Mystery Quilt for everyone, but, you are not required to participate. The Gravatt kitchen furnishes us with delicious meals 3 times a day and we have nice warm comfy beds to climb in when we can't see to sew another stitch. If we want to sew at 3AM in our PJ's that is so possible during this retreat. I have people come from all over the country to sew with us. We have a great time and build many lasting friendships.

March will bring on the Quilters of South Carolina Spring Meeting. This event always reminds me of Southern Teas, but we don't wear hats and gloves. We have a couple of days of classes with a national teacher and then a big luncheon with that teacher being the guest speaker for the day. This year it is Gundrun Erla. I have been working on a couple of her designs and really love the way her patterns are written. So, I do look forward to taking a class or two with her.

April will bring us to MQX!!!!!! I am so excited to be going back to Manchester, New Hampshire for this show. We always have a great time and are privileged to be some of the first to see the 'new show' quilts. Janet Lee and Mary do such a great job with this show. With this location, everything is kept under one roof and easily accessible. Wonderful restaurants are within walking distance of the venue.The vendors are always top notch and did I mention the classes? No? Well, let me tell you, some of the biggest names in the industry teach at this show. Then there are the 'new teachers'. People you have not heard of yet. This is a good place to begin their journey and I have taken classes for many of the beginners that have gone on to be the 'biggest names in the industry'. Not only are there classes for longarmers, but also for any machine quilters. Classes in piecing have been added. They have classes for dying fabric or quilting on leather. Then there are those addressing the die cut machines.....many more...Such a big variety that it really become difficult to choose the ones you want.

I almost forgot. I am very excited that our South Carolina Longarm Group will be hanging an exhibit at Quiltfest Greenville in 2020. Our exhibit is titled 'South Carolina Dreams Big'. There will be 20 of the Hoffman Dream panels hanging that have been quilted in different ways by the talented longarmers that belong to this group. Put this show on you calendar to visit. 

In May, we find ourselves back at Gravatt Camp and Conference Center for our Mid Spring Quilt Retreat. No teachers this year, just time to sit and sew and laugh a lot. Those dates are May 14-17, 2020. Stay tuned for registration information sometime in March.

Then things get quiet around One Loose Thread and I spend most all of my time with my longarms until August and then things start up again. Summer Quilt Camp, AQS will be in Charleston,QSC will have our Fall retreat at the beach,Winter Quilt Camp in November and then the year is over.

TIME REALLY DOES FLY WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN!!

So, let's get this party started!!! I hope that all of you have a Blessed 2020. I am available all year to quilt your tops for you, just email or give me a call and we'll set up a time for drop off.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE!!!
LET'S GO SEW!!!!