Back home after my first solo camping trip to the AQS Quilt Show in Branson, MO. My trip was definitely an affirmation on “You Can Do This”. I had been nervous about going solo in a travel trailer but wow oh wow did I knock it out of the park. Towing was no problem, GPS delivered me directly to the campground in Branson, check in was a breeze, had a beautiful spot looking right at the lake with a pull thru site (I know I cheated). I did not have to stress about backing up the camper. Set up had it’s challenges. I have since ordered a couple of items that would have made setting up easier. I had a bit of a leak in my water hook up so have ordered a click easy hook up. Hopefully that will solve the problem. I had a difficult time due to my hand injury tightening everything, even with a wrench. Hopefully the quick thingy will help. The people I met were very nice, the campground was clean the bathhouse was clean and had a coded entry. There was even a free Trolley available to the convention center that was 5 blocks away. The nights were high 30’s and the days were high 40’s. My Alde heat system performed beautifully kept me a toasty 70 degrees inside and had hot water. I have to say I am much more confident in my ability to handle my camper on any trip I choose to take. Girl Power!
I did realize I took waaaay toooooo much stuff. It was quite claustraphic inside until I started removing items and putting them in the back of the FJ. When I got home I went thru EVERYTHING and boxed up stuff and put in the storage shed. I have a sleek pared down camping system ready for my next adventure. I have also made a list of must haves so hopefully the next trip I won’t forget my power cord and foot peddle like I did this time.
Take a look thru that kitchen window. Notice that beautiful bridge? Well that was my view.
Max took the trip with me. I was worried about being in an all day class and not being able to take him outside (no room for a crate) so I put peepee pads down. Amazingly, he held himself until I took him out the whole trip. Yay. But he did get in the garbage one day and also knocked his water bowl over in the process. Thankfully the water was obsorbed and did not ruin the floor.
All in all a very successful trip for me.
AQS quilt show. I took a beginner machine quilting class from Cindy Seitz-Krug. I learned some of her valuable tips on machine quilting. What I enjoy is taking these classes from different instructors and pulling their techniques and compile them into my use and skillset. I have to say I was a bit bored in the morning session it was a bit tooo beginner, but the afternoon session was well worth the cost of the class. I assumed the class was to be a project that was pictured as the description of the class. Nope. But I learned I have the skillset to create my own.
These are Cindy’s quilts she hung in the class:
I also volunteered thru the Ozark Piecemakers Quilt Guild to assist Bonnie Browning with her lecture. What a highlight for me. I have admired her work for many years with AQS. She is such an inspiration, afterall she is in charge of putting on all of the AQS quilt shows.
Shopping:
Oh Yeah what fun. I am currently working on a civil war type quilt and will have lots of left over fabric. What to do, what to do? I found a fun quilt pattern that will be perfect to use those left over fabrics.
While in the process of designing a beginning applique project to teach at our local quilt shop Buckles, Bobbins and Bolts, thinking it will be made with traditional fabrics to display to advertise the class. Then when in the class I will bring out the razzamatazz sample of the same pattern to show how to step out of the box. Found these wonderfull pieces to play with for that project.
This is the quilt that took Best of Show – it was incredible.
Happy Stitches Everyone
Sissy Malone
Appliquenut 