Sketching by the Sea

Working drawings for a monochromatic quilt.

While at Tomoka State Park, I had a few hours to sit outside at my campsite's picnic table and sketch. I refined plans for a monochromatic quilt I plan to start stitching soon. More on it as it comes together but you can see I'm continuing to play with warping, grids and Ohio stars.

I left the Daytona Beach area today after a successful debut teaching and speaking for AQS (American Quilter's Society) and spending time with a dear friend. You would have thought we were middle schoolers having a sleep over talking into the wee hours. We enjoyed several good meals, and I got beat (only by a few points) at miniature golf. I forget how much I like miniature golf. Playing with a good friend was the best.

I arrived this evening at Gulf Islands National Seashore after navigating an unexpected detour into the park. I'm surprised I didn't get an email explaining the usual entrance is closed for construction. The phone number I was sent to call for the after-hours campground gate code was a disconnected number. I lucked out. A couple on a motorcycle who are camped a few sites down were right behind me, and they had the code. I had decided to wait at the gate in hopes someone would come along but had thought I might have to wait a while. Looking forward to seeing where I am in the mornin light. I'll likely post some photos tomorrow.

What Are You Reading?

I'd love to hear if you have a quilting or textile book to recommend. I'm finding Amy Butler Greenfield's book, A Perfect Red: Empire, Espionage, and the Quest for the Color of Desire, quite interesting.

When driving, I often listen to books. It makes the time pass quickly. I usually listen to fiction as I need to read nonfiction with highlighter in hand. So far this trip, I've listened to I'm Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez, The Postmistress of Paris by Meg Waite Clayton, and Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult. I'm part way through Kristin Hannah's The Four Winds. I'm open to fiction recommendations too.

Flashback

A walleye that didn't get away on a canoe trip in the Quetico in the 1970s.

I began going on canoe trips to the Boundary Waters and Quetico through the United Methodist Church when I was in high school. In college and beyond, I was recruited to lead the trips. On one of the high-school trips, I met Colleen, who was to become a lifetime friend. As I write this, I'm awaiting her arrival at my campsite in Florida. We'll spend tomorrow catching up.

We've seen each other about once a decade over all these years yet when we get together, it's like we've not been apart. I hope you have a friend like that.

A Few More Winning Quilts

"Amish Chow Chow" by Nancy Simmons won best traditional design at the AQS show in Daytona Beach.

Gail Stepanek and Jan Hutchison's "Spangled" won Best Movable Machine Work at the AQS Daytona show.

I thought you might like to see a detail of the AQS Daytona Best of Show quilt "Midnight Frolic" by Molly Hamilton-McNally. I shared the full quilt in last night's blog. Check it out if you haven't seen it. The blue is actually closer to a turquoise. The full quilt photo is closer to accurate for color. The quilting on this is exquisite.

Rounding the Bend

I presented my final lecture today at the American Quilter's Society show here in Daytona Beach. I spoke on "Pagtinabangay: The Quilts and Quiltmakers of Caohagan Island" to a small but enthusiastic group of women and men. I had three great volunteers who helped me set up including hanging several quilts, and most of those in attendance hung around afterward to pack up. One woman even carried some of the quilts to my car. It was a delightful afternoon.

Indigo growing at Tomoka State Park in Ormond Beach, Florida.

I spent tonight packing up for my drive home but first I'm looking forward to a visit from a long-time friend. (We met on a canoe trip in high school.) We'll spend a few nights here at Tomoka State Park before we head home — her to Delaware and me to Colorado.

Interesting to those of us who love all things textiles, this park was once an indigo plantation. The hardy indigo plants can still be found around the park.

Historical marker at the park.

My day began with errands. Yes even road trips include errands. I don't remember falling asleep with my glasses on of something equally dumb but I must have done something like that because when I put them on this morning, they were way out of alignment. My first errand was to an optician. I lucked out. I randomly selected a place to go only to be helped by Amanda, a well-trained, skilled and very friendly young woman who got them back in shape. No charge.

Next was a stop at the Honda dealer. One of my headlights burned out on my drive here. I thought I was stopping by to make an appointment for Monday but 30 minutes later, I drove out with the new headlight shining brightly. Again I lucked into a young woman Manuela who really knew what she was doing and had clout with the shop to get the job done fast.

"Midnight Frolic" by Molly Hamilton-McNally won Best of Show at the AQS Daytona Beach show this week.

Some Winners

The quilts exhibited at this show are quite good. The judges had a challenge to select winners. Photos of two of the winning quilts are here. You've got to love a quilt titled "Monkeys in My Hair." Zoom in and find the monkeys plus a lot of other critters. I'll share few more winning quilts in the next few days.

"Monkeys in My Hair (Evie)" by Deborah Hde won Best Wall Quilt.