I waited over 2 years for this!

This is a view of the bunk room at Karey's Franch. Why is it a Franch? French Provincial decor on a ranch!

Saturday morning after our slumber party at Karey's Franch breakfast was served to those of us who slept over. Fresh fruit, yogurt, great pastries, OJ, and coffee. It was the perfect breakfast for me.
After breakfast the rest of the group packed up.

Frances, Karen, Leslie, Jamie, Iris and I jumped into the Tijuana Taxi and headed to Round Top, Texas Population 77 - to shop, eat and see the quilt show.

We parked in front of Lizzy Lous's and spent time perusing the unique offerings in Lizzy Lou's. Several patriotic members of our little group did their part to jump start the economy.

Then it was time to head to Royer's Round Top Cafe for the meal I had waited over two years for. Yes, it was as wonderful as I remembered it was. Frances and I had Quail stuffed with Bacon. We both agreed it WAS as good as the last time we ate there over 2 years ago.

Then it was time for our aerobic activities - shopping and seeing the quilt show at the Copper Shade Tree Gallery.
The quilt show "It's Not A Quilt...Or Is it? had been extended through March 15th so you still have time to see it. We were very impressed.

We also visited several other galleries and saw some great art. After our excursion Frances, Karen and I headed back to the Franch for one more night. We were exhausted and turned in early.

We left around noon on Sunday and headed to the airport where Karen and I had flights home leaving 2 minutes apart. Frances headed home after she dropped us off at the airport. Thank you Frances for being such a great friend.

It was a trip to remember. Thanks to Karey who made this possible. I'll also tell you a big secret that some of you may not know. If it weren't for Karey Bresenhan there would not be the healthy quilting revival and industry we are fortunate to have today. I've watched what she has done since the first Quilt Market and Festival and while others have played a supporting role, Karey has been the one who has lead the way. Whether you are a new quilter, a seasoned quilter, a traditional quilter, an art quilter or just a quilt lover you wouldn't be enjoying your quilt connection if Karey wasn't passionate about what she has done and continues to do.
So Karey, I salute and thank you for making my life richer.

Tonight's puzzle is a mosaic I found on the floor in the airport terminal when I arrived home. I had never been through this particular terminal and was so glad to see the beautiful mosaic work.

True Texas Hospitality

Texans know how to make you feel really welcome.
From our dinner the first night we arrived to our farewell the trip to Karey's Franch was awesome.

Pam Kersh, the Great Expectations Creativity Center property manager couldn't have been more accomodating. She has a knack for seeing what has to be done, doing it and enjoying what she is doing. Here is Pam making sure everyone is taken care of.

As we arrived Vicki Mangum welcomed us and made sure we all had our nametags. Vicki is such a warm person and is so easy to talk to. She was going to spend the night with the guests at the Franch but family obligations took precedence, as they should.

Karey gave us all a very warm welcome to the Franch and made sure we were all aware of all the things that were going on in the area. Karey seems to know each and everyone of us and makes sure we are comfortable and makes each of us feel truly welcome.


Karey, Vicki and Jeanelle McCall are enjoying a conversation under one of the huge trees on the property.


Here is my friend Frances Holliday Alford who picked me up at the airport, drove Karen and I around and returned us to the airport. I'm so happy to know her. She brought along her Mail Art and allowed anyone who wanted to to work on it. She is a master of both the Mail Art, her highly embellished quilts and more.


Here Karen Stiehl Osborn is visiting with Frances as she checks here email on the computer. Karen is not only a very accomplished artist but is a very important part of Fiber Art For a Cause. She is is charge of the Collage Mania that will be held for three days only: May 5, 6 and 7, 2009. Where else can you get a piece of original art by one of many talented artists for $80 or $40? Don't miss your chance to acquire art at this the very last Fiber Art For a Cause Collage Mania. You can get the details here.

http://www.virginiaspiegel.com/NewFiles/ACSFundraiser.html

These two photots show some of the 70+ people who attended the reception.
I still have more to tell you about the trip but I'll conclude tonight with these last two photos.

The puzzle tonight shows you the outside of the Great Expectations Creativity Center.
Of course I had to choose a star cut for a puzzle from Texas.

If it's Tuesday is it Texas?

Here you see Bordering On A New Millennium hanging on my wall. Below it on the floor are my lime green and my magenta cowboy boots. So am I in Texas now??????
This is the quilt that was the beginning of my bright colors used to decorate this house. When I watch Color Splash on HGTV I often wonder if David peeked in my windows or saw the article about my house in the newspaper. After all, his parents live right up the road and I'm sure they subscribe to the local paper! How else did he learn to use all those bright colors? Just kidding David if you're reading this!

This is not your grandpa's Grandfather Clock. I had always wanted a grandfather clock and this is just funky enough for my unique decor!

When you look directly into the face of the clock it appears as if you are looking into a long deep tunnel. So much fun! I understand a little more about how it works as I had to change the lighting panel this week.

Here's another vignette in the great room. I bought this knock of the Saarinen Womb Chair on eBay. The original is uber comfortable and uber expensive. Little did I know when I purchased this there was a reason it cost 1/5th what the original did. It is hard and doesn't compare in the comfort department. So it is off to the side and I now am sitting in a Westnofa Siesta chair which I also bought on eBay for about 1/5th the cost of the knock off or 1/25th the cost of the authentic Womb chair.

Tonight's puzzle was a very serendipitous acquisition. Years ago I subscribed to Southwest Art. I read an article about the artist Patricia Wyatt. I was so impressed with her life story and her work. I saved the article and filed it away. I had never been to Santa Fe but hoped to visit there sometime. I also intended to contact her some day. Years later on a visit of Santa Fe I was walking along the plaza and saw this framed print from a distance and loved it. When I got close enough to read the signature I almost hyperventilated. I asked her if she was indeed that Patricia Wyatt and of course she was. I immediately said I'd like to buy the print. Just in the nick of time because 15 seconds later someone else wanted to purchase it but it was already mine. It was really meant to be as she explained the painting, the story and the symbolism. I was and still am thrilled to have it.