White knuckles and sweaty palms from hanging on too tight

      Granted I am a little late posting this, but I have been recuperating from an awesome weekend of adventuring. Last Friday I flew in as usual to the Milwaukee airport, Papa Peach picked me up at the airport and we drove from the airport to the ferry terminal and shuffled off to Michigan. If you haven't had the opportunity to ride the ferry across lake Michigan add it to your bucket list. We took the Lake Express, which may not be the cheapest way to get to Michigan from Wisconsin but you don't have to drive through Chicago! (Twice). My husband is a former navy sailor and was greatly comforted by his return to the water. We took our car on the ferry since the rental car location at the ferry terminal is not open when the last ferry arrives (dumb dumb dumb). We were able to watch the sunset from the rear of the ship and try out our sea legs. The ride on the way there was a little rough but as long as you remained sitting it was pretty relaxing.

View from the back of the boat, Milwaukee off in the distance

     As an added bonus Papa Peach brought my new books that came in the mail. I am now the proud owner of Sewn Toy Tales and The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt. I can't wait to join the QAL for The Farmer's Wife at Fussy Cut. I look forward to becoming a Farmer's Wife soon!
       We got to Muskegon and drove to Grand Rapids late Friday night. Saturday morning we met up with a group of fellow quilters at Queen Bee Quilt Shop. Carin from Margaret's Hope Chest organized an end of summer work party to put together the amazing amount of blocks she had collected for quilts. We had 15+ ladies show up and over 1000 blocks donated. Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts was among the attendees and brought some quilts from her book. I was able to snag a copy of her book while we were there. We sewed and sewed and ended up with some pretty snazzy looking quilts if I do say myself. There was a reporter there from the paper, quilter's from all over, and lots of machines humming. Here are some of the charity quilts that we made, and I didn't just pick them because they were the ones that used the blocks I made. So many seams to snip. I was happy to have my Rag Scissors with me, worth every penny.

Carin peeking over the blue rag quilt

Pink Rag Quilt

        Upon arriving home I had lots of goodies in my mailbox. This box of fabric from Fat Quarter Shop (12 pounds of fabric for $56 bucks). It turns out to be 20-25 yards of fabric for 56 dollars which is less than three dollars a yard. I was really happy with the selection. Mostly all quilting cottons, well known designers (Tula Pink, Moda, Riley Blake, Michael Miller, Hoffmann). I liked it so much that I ordered a second box. Bad Bad Bad.....I keep telling myself I will use some of the goodies for charity quilts and not just become a tragic tale on an upcoming episode of hoarders.

Look what the fabric fairies left at my door

Some of my favorite fabrics from the mystery box

There were one or two fabrics that I didn't love. This one of possessed kittens takes the cake. Thank you Michael Miller, what were you thinking?????? Anyone want to swap for some cross eyed demon kittens???