FOLSOM QUILT AND FIBER GUILD

 Jobs to teach around the country are often two years in the planning stage, from the first contact, to  contract signing, to the actual event. My recent trip to Folsom, CA was no exception.

Airline travel was set last summer. It didn't occur to me then that this is what might happen in Huntsville AL the day before my 5:30 am flight to sunny California:

Having to be at the airport by 4:30 am when roads were likely to be treacherous meant getting a hotel room close to the airport the night before. Up at 3:15, my husband had me at the airport on time, where it was packed for this early flight. Once my big purple suitcase was checked in and I got through TSA, I was all set. 

Alas, the crew didn't arrive until 6:30 am, so we left an hour and a half late. My layover in Atlanta evaporated. We made up a little time, and I was off the plane with 10 minutes to get from gate A6 to B24. 

I RAN, dragging my small carryon and traveling backpack. Not sure how but I made it! The gate agent saw me running as she was set to close the door--I was on the flight to Sacramento. They closed the boarding door as soon as I walked on the plane. Phew!

We sat on the runway for 3 hours. Weather meant each plane had to be de-iced--this takes time. Then Ground Radar went DOWN--nothing moves when air control can't see where each plane is on the ground. That was fixed after a while, we moved a bit, it went down again. Long story short--we took off 3 hours late but got to Sacramento at 2 pm local time.

I had built in an extra travel day to visit my friend Jenny K Lyon, spending the first night at her home. She has recently done a big beautiful kitchen remodel--check out her blog for photos Quiltskipper:

                                   

Her backyard, lovely landscape, 38 degrees, no swimming this trip

The front of Jenny's home

The view across the street

Being able to text while onboard was a big help. I let Jenny know about the delay. She kept her eye on the flight's progress so was able to see when we would land. 

Do you know? It is so easy to find flight information in real time. Google the airline/flight number, mine was DL904. I also sent this code to Jenny and my husband in texts--they simply had to click on PREVIEW FLIGHT to see the full information--when we took off, how far into the flight we were, what gate we should be landing at, etc. 

About halfway through the flight I realized my big suitcase was almost certainly NOT ONBOARD--I ran to catch the flight but the baggage handlers didn't. Using the Delta App I was able to "TRACK MY BAG"--sure enough, my bag was scheduled to be on the next flight to Sacramento, landing at 11 pm.

When I landed I went to the Delta Baggage office, where a very helpful agent named Margie explained my big suitcase would  be delivered the next day, Monday. As it had most everything I needed to teach on Wednesday I wasn't too worried. It did arrive about 1 pm to Jenny's house, sure was glad to see this:

At least my carryon had my toothbrush and a change of clothes. And my masters for teaching should the worst happen--at least I could make 20 more copies. Once I had my stuff I was all set. 

Jenny and I spent time discussing a quilting plan for a small quilt I am working on--it was in the big suitcase but we worked from a photo. When we were able to look at the actual quilt, the plan was approved--she had great ideas that helped me a lot:

                                      

Jenny and I took a long walk in her very hilly neighborhood. We kept up with each other and I was so happy to be moving again. Then it was time to get me to the hotel in Folsom. 

I found a nearby Chinese place for dinner: Andy's Kitchen. My fortune was so appropriate: "The Journey Forward is the One that Matters".  

The next day I was thrilled to get my power walk done on an amazing walking/biking trail that goes all the way to downtown Sacramento. I did more than 7 miles in 1.75 hours, and saw only a few other people. Those who commute by bike on this trail were already at work, while those who exercise there waited until the day warmed up. It was 38 degrees when I started and 49 when I finished:

 At lunch time my guild contact, the wonderful Eileen, picked me up for lunch and a tour:

Salmon Salad from Karen's Cafe and Bakery

Eileen, a civil engineer, showed me the sights, including Folsom Dam and Folsom prison--as a Johnny Cash fan, that was fun. Eileen is a delightful person and I enjoyed our time together. After an afternoon break that allowed me time to make phone calls back east, Eileen picked me up for dinner. Dos Coyotes was good too:

Finally, on to the guild meeting. The FIRST THING that happens is we get the technical side all set--connecting my IPad to their projection system. Easy and we were ready. 

The guild is preparing for their annual quilt show, January 31-February 2, 2025. Here is their Facebook Page with the details. It is sure to be great, don't miss it if you are anywhere in the area. 

After a brief break for refreshments it was time to give my lecture "Time Management for Quilters". Probably my most informative lecture, it is always well received. There was a very large crowd, quite a few guests, and I enjoyed meeting everyone. Some know me from The Quilt Show, many follow this Blog, and it is always good to see real people in person. 

Wednesday morning I did an hour on the hotel treadmill, not nearly as enjoyable as walking the trail but it was too dark and too cold at 6 am. After breakfast, Eileen picked me up for the Workshop Western Sun. I  love teaching this because I love this  quilt and it offers lots of "teachable moments". The students did well and it was a good day:

Student work beside one of my class samples

110" square, too big to travel but students get to see photos

Wild Western Sun, 45" square, class size in bold fabrics

Too soon the day was over. I had a little hotel break, again for phone calls back east. Then Eileen and her husband picked me up for dinner at Crawdad's by the Lake. No photos because we all  loved our meals and just enjoyed eating them. I highly recommend this place. My grilled salmon sandwich was so good and the Calamari appetizer we shared was the best I've ever had.

Thursday morning Eileen picked me up for the 45 minute trip to the Sacramento airport. I was checked in and at the gate in 15 minutes, two hours before my flight. This is a beautiful airport so I decided to "power walk" for an hour instead of just sitting. Four miles later, I had "gotten my steps in" and I was able to relax and wait to board:

Lots of comfortable waiting areas, with power 

A River Runs Through It--follow the blue tiles all around the Terminal

We left on time for the 5 hour flight to Atlanta, landing at 8 pm local time. Here is my one guilty pleasure:

No travel issues with my last flight, we left Atlanta at 10:45 pm and arrived in Huntsville at 10:45 pm. This time my baggage was onboard and we were home about 11:30 pm.

It was a great trip and reminds me why I do this. Getting to meet great people, see places I've not been to before, and hear from  quilters that they learned a lot. The enjoyable meals don't hurt either. 

My next trip is the middle of March when I fly to Austin TX for time with the Georgetown/Sun City quilters.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

 

UPCOMING WORKSHOP

 I am starting to travel again. April 5-6, 2022 I will be in Brentwood, TN with the Cumberland Valley Quilters Association, a return visit to them.

The Lecture I will present on Tuesday April 5 is Time Management for Quilters, one that always gets a great response. I hear from people a week, a month, even a year later that they learned many ways to get more done with their quilting time.  There is a  Time Management Tutorial that features just 3 of the things I talk about in this lecture.

On Wednesday April 6, I will teach WESTERN SUN. A class full of easy ways to make what might seem like a difficult project. The class sample size is achievable for most quilters and everyone learns something in this jam-packed day of learning:

Wild Western Sun

Most people won't want to make this one King-Size, but I did. Here it is hanging in my guild show recently: 

CVQA is on Facebook and Instagram and has a website. Contact them directly if you are interested in attending. At this point I know there is space in the workshop. CVQA

Just about every month for the rest of 2022 I'll be going somewhere wonderful to teach. Booking dates are open for 2023. Maybe I'll get to come see you!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

 While I am  having a wonderful time at the 3rd Joyful Journey Retreat, I thought I would share this post with you:

Top 3 Time Management Tips for Quilters

Every time I give the Lecture "TIME MANAGEMENT FOR QUILTERS",  I get a great response. Then, the next week, or month or year, I get email from those who heard the lecture and implemented a few of my suggestions. They are always amazed how these little tips can help them get more done.

The Lecture for guilds provides 10 TOP TIPS--the post provides 3 to get you started.

A  JOURNAL: 

How a Journal helps me get more done

LEADERS/ENDERS: 

LIFETIME--made with Leaders/Enders--how I get lots done

15 MINUTE SOLUTION: 

Spending 15 minutes on a task, like clearing the cutting table, really works

If your guild is interested in learning how to get more done, I am booking visits for 2022-2024. Only a few trips to guilds each year so if you are interested, now is the time to get in touch with me. 

Like so many people, that last two years has shown us how important it is to choose how we spend our time wisely. And for me that means less travel. I am very happy in my studio--truly my HAPPY PLACE.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Top Three Tips for Time Management

Every time I give my lecture "Time Management for Quilters" I hear from people, days, weeks or even months after who tell me they picked up a few tips that really helped them get more done. Some ask me to go into things in more depth. So here are my 3 Top Time Management tips, the things I do that really help me get more done.

1. PLAN--MY JOURNAL

I have always kept lists, usually on slips of paper. Eventually, the paper would get tossed out and sometime later I would wish I still had it. So when I learned about "bullet journals" a couple years ago I was intrigued. As I read about the concept I felt like you could spend all your time creating a journal about your life instead of living your life. But some of the ideas spoke to me so I adapted the idea to a format that works for me.

I started with a simple blank lined pages journal, picked up at a bookstore. One good pen that I liked the feel of and one ultra fine Sharpie, in Fuchsia, that's all I use. The inside front page is the Index. On the left are the  months listed and the page numbers they cover. On the right are what are called "Collections" but in the next edition I will simply call them "Pages".  I am on my second edition:

For each month, I start with one page that is the overview of that month, things I want or need to get done that month. Besides quilt deadlines, there are things like "book airfare for..." or "Send Supply Lists for Workshops to..." At the bottom of the page I keep a running total of Quilt Tops Completed" and Quilts Completed" that month and the cumulative total for the year, just because it is easy to do this way, for no other reason.

After the monthly overview page, each day I list the things I want/need/hope to get done that day. To the left of each item is a square box that I check off when the item is done. At the end of the day, if the item is not done, I use the fuchsia marker to draw a down arrow, meaning that item got moved down to the next day. If I decide i will not do that item at all, I draw a line through it. Some days have lots of items, some days few, but each day is listed. I usually list tomorrow's items at the end of today--I know what I'm going to be doing the next day.

I don't carry the journal with me, it sits on my desk at the computer. When traveling, I simply list something like"Saturday June 16-Wednesday June 20, San Diego Canyon Quilters".

The Pages/Collections list is the secret to this system for me. Whenever I think of things I want to keep track of, I create a Page for that, wherever in the journal I happen to be at that point--today it would be in the middle of July--the next blank page is 88. I add the Page name and page number to the Index at the front of the journal and it is easy to find whenever I need it. Here are my current Pages:

Quilts to Finish
Tops to Quilt
Labels to Make
Class Ideas
Internet Purchases
Blog Ideas
People to Make Quilts For
Quilts to Photograph
Where Did I Put?

One of the best of these is "Internet Purchases"--any time I order something online I put it on this page, page 8 in the journal, what it is, the cost, the seller, and then I check off when it arrives and when I pay the credit card for it. Before this list, I would get the credit card bill and wonder what that item was, a book? a sewing notion? Personal or business? Now I check page 8 and know instantly what I bought.

The last one is the most recent. Any time I say "I'll put this in a safe place" I add it to the Where Did I Put? list. Now I have a backup for my memory--aging is a real thing.

Your list will vary, start with those that make sense to you and add to them as you like.

Why does this save me time? First, it keeps me on track to get things done, on deadline or because that's what I want to do that day. Second, it keeps my ideas in one place, so I can find them again. Third, it keeps me focused--I never say "wonder what I'll do today?" I can break down a task into the required parts and give them a time slot.

This does not replace my calendar on my computer/phone/IPad--I keep that fully updated with appointments, trips, birthdays, etc. The journal simply works for me, keeping me on target for each day. Perhaps you'll find a different system.

2. THE 15 MINUTE PLAN

Today I have the luxury of working in my studio 9-4 most every day but it wasn't always that way. When I started quilting 35 years ago I  had two kids and a husband, a household to run, several paying jobs, including tax season for 34 years, where I often worked 60-70 hour weeks, was always active in my local guild with all the jobs that entails, and I still found time to make some of my best quilts, of my own design, hand quilting many.

In teaching new quilters I came up with the notion of the "15 Minute Plan". If you have to wait until you have 3 hours of uninterrupted time to start, you'll never get anything done. Break your quilting tasks into 15 minute jobs. Before work, if you have 15 minutes, you can:

Select the fabric for the next block you will sew
OR Cut the fabric for the next block you will  sew
OR Figure out how many strips of binding fabric you need and select the fabric for it
OR Cut the binding strips, sew them together if you still have time
OR Press the binding seams and binding
OR CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER--15 minutes of putting stuff away really helps so the job doesn't grow to an hour-long massive clean up

I always have something ready to sew right beside my machine--if I had 15 minutes I could sew this:

Before I leave the studio today, I'll have something ready to sew tomorrow.

What can you do in 15 minutes, besides play Solitaire or Angry Birds?

3. LEADERS AND ENDERS--Make FREE Quilts

I am a huge proponent of the leaders/enders process made popular by Bonnie Hunter.

Why do I love it so? It saves time, thread, aggravation and fabric bits. All you need to do is have a PLAN. Simple shapes work well for this, squares or triangles are easy. As I am creating quilts, I cut the leftover fabrics into the size "scrap" that works for the plan I have. Currently, it's 1.25" finished half square triangles; before that it was 2" finished four-patches.

At the start and end of each line of chain piecing I start with a Leader and finish with an Ender--two units of fabric that I piece while sewing other things for whatever quilt I am actively working on. Here you see the Leader, a block unit being created and an Ender:

We tend to have the most trouble keeping 1/4" seam allowances straight at the beginning and the end of chain piecing. This helps keep you straight as you start sewing the important part, here the block unit being constructed, and end straight as you leave the block and go to the Ender. We also have difficulty when we rethread the machine--occasionally, the machine likes to "eat" the points and create a "bird's nest" on the bottom--I would much rather have that problem on a small, unimportant bit of fabric than my lovely block.

And it SAVES THREAD. Quality thread is not cheap and it just breaks my heart to see a student sew one little unit together, then pull it out of the machine with at least a foot of both top and bobbin thread attached, only to cut off that thread and throw it in the trash! Chain piecing keeps that waste to a minimum.

To make this system work, all you need is a plan, a quilt pattern that uses simple units you can easily cut from scraps and sew as you go. Here are just a few of the Leader/Ender quilts I've made in recent years:

Queen-size FourPlay, pattern by Kinch and Storms

Doll quilt from a charm pack

Rainbow Baby Nine Patches

Queen-size Tumbler, Bonnie Hunter Leader/Ender Challenge project

I hope you find an idea here that helps you. The lecture is full of lots more but these are the 3 I live by. What tips/tricks do you use to help you get things done?

Let's quilt!

Barbara