Eleanor Burns – Strip Quilter

There is a cool cloud cover today, enough “cool” for a sweater…but it came off immediately. There was work to do. When three year old Ellie saw me sewing, she exclaimed she wanted to sew too. Off she went to pick out her favorite Fat Quarter in the store. When told she needed a second one, another smile and giggles of  cooperation!

Are you surprised she would pick pink?

Ellie and I lining up the fabric, she is an expert
at knowing what buttons to push….especially mine!

The fabric is going through nice and straight, it’s step one
with the Quilt in a Day method.

Obviously, there is a long way to go on this “quilt in a day”…
Ellie was off to play with the dogs after this was sewn together.

It is such fun to teach Ellie to sew. Do you get that opportunity too? Send me any hints you might have, let’s continue the quilting “bug” in the next generation.

Shipshewana, Indiana has a small town atmosphere and is  home to many Mennonite and Amish people. I was invited to the Shipshewana Quilt Show recently to give both lectures and hands-on classes. I taught the Peaceful Pastures project from my Quilt Blocks on American Barns book. See my last post. Trust me, I can make this wallhanging blindfolded!

My  host for the event was Andre Yoder who kept his promise to provide me with
dark chocolate and baked oatmeal.  Pictured with me is Andre and his parents.

I enjoyed meeting friends during book signings at Yoder’s Department Store.

One of the fun things to do is visit the largest flea market in the midwest from early May until October, (note: Tuesday and Wednesday only). This is a “do not miss” event that features everything from fresh fruit to handmade furniture.

Find the best dressed geese at the famous swap meet….they were gossiping about the
funny people they were observing, including me!

In nearby Marshal County there is a Barn Quilt Trail! This is  a relatively new trail….it was in the spring of 2009 that these quilt block murals began appearing on barns. They are rightly proud of the spectacular scenery through the gently rolling countryside as you follow this trail.

Looking for the Quilt Barns was like hunting for Easter Eggs.