Keys and More Keys

My new keys

Twice a year I get the postcard in the mail advertising the Pilots Antique Sale here in Lawrence Kansas.  I start saving my money.  This year I was very good though and didn't spend much.  I did just get back from Hawaii a week ago.  I just bought five little things.  One of the things I bought were these skeleton keys on a ring.  I love multiples.  They also sell lunch with homemade pie at the sale.  I get the antiques and my husband John gets pie.  He told me to buy him just one piece.  I bought him three.  They looked soooo good.  I told you I have a problem with multiples!  I also met up with Nan, Terry and Kathe for lunch at the sale.  We are all quilters/antique nuts and it made for a fun morning!

My jailhouse keys. The biggest one measures 10" long.

My car keys

I told you I have a problem with multiples! 

Happy Monday!  I hope you all have a great start to your week!

Happy Howliday Show & Tell Plus Friday Give-a-way!

I wanted to share a quilt made by Lori using my Happy Howlidays fabric.  Lori is a veterinarian (just like my husband).  Here is Lori's blog: http://quiltingunleashed.wordpress.com 

I love how crisp and clean it looks with the white.  It makes me want to go get into my stash and make one!  The Happy Howlidays fabric came out in winter of 2008.  What a cool way to use fabric from your stash.

Please keep emailing me photos of your finished quilts, it really makes me happy!  In honor of Lori's quilt, I'm going to give-a-way a stack of Happy Howlidays fat quarters.  I will choose one person at random from anyone who posts to this entry about fabric stashes or ufo's or anything you want to share.  We will pick next Friday March 2nd.  We are going to try to do a give-a-way every Friday for the rest of this year so keep checking back.  Thanks to everyone for reading and happy quilting!  Amy

Teaching in Hawaii

The pineapple pin cushion and name tag that we each received for attending the retreat.

I just got back from teaching at the "Quilting on the Beach Retreat" in Kona Hawaii. The retreat participants and all the teachers had a WONDERFUL time!!!  It was put on by Pat Yamin from Come Quilt With Me and Quilt Passion Quilt & Needlework Shop. They did a great job from planning classes, a shop hop tour of eight local quilt shops, designer trunk shows, a big island tour and a luau. They also had lots of free time to work on all the projects. It will be hard to replace the GLORIOUS conditions that we had looking out our classrooms.

One of the ironing stations on the patio just right outside the classrooms.

This is a photo of Pat Yamin teaching a snowball quilt using only 2 templates.  We had a hard time getting these girls to stop for lunch.  They were definitely in the "Quilting Zone".  Below is the quilt they were working on.

Below is the atrium right outside the classrooms.  So we had this view going into the classrooms and  floor to ceiling views of the ocean and a walkout patio from our classrooms.

After teaching I added on three extra days for fun!

One day I took the 12 hour bus tour around the big island.  One of our stops was Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and I took this photo of the Kilauea Volcano.  It is the worlds most active volcano.

I went snorkeling besides Captain Cook's monument.   This was fun since I left 14 degree weather in Kansas and it was 82 degrees when I was jumping in the ocean.

This is me getting ready to zip line for the first time.  Wow, was it exhilarating.  You all have to do it!  I was with eight others and two guides and we bonded high above the tree!

I was so excited to see this sea turtle coming out of the ocean very sloooooooooooowly on Punalu'u Black Sand Beach.  This is how I am feeling today...very jet lagged....

My husband John gave me an orchid for Valentines Day before I left and he sent these to my room on Valentines Day.  Needless to say I felt missed and loved!!!! 

This is the view from my hotel room balcony that I left to come back to Kansas.  Sigh....

This was the first year for the Quilting on the Beach Retreat.  They will be repeating it because it was a huge success!  I hope everyone can schedule to come next February 1 - 14.  What a nice way to quilt, learn new techniques, meet new friends and escape the cold!!!!  You will have memories for a lifetime!