We had a nice drive recently with some friends. We wanted to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway when the weather cleared and cooled off, so we emailed our buddies and got a group to go. We met at a parking lot, then drove up to the parkway together. The scenery is lush and green everywhere, with cascades of bright yellow flowers here and there. Rock walls like this one are so interesting, some with water coming down.

This section of the parkway, between Hwy 191 and 276 has the most tunnels. I blurred out the SUV in front of us. This will be spectacular in the fall.

I tried to get a shot of one of the clear sections as My Sweet Babboo was driving, the vistas are just gorgeous.

We stopped for a photo at the overlook on Mount Pisgah. The views of layers of mountains are just lovely. It was cool and so relaxing to just breathe and take in the scenery.

Looking the other direction, more mountains as far as the horizon.

We came back down Hwy 276 through Pisgah Forest. Trees line the road and often touch overhead forming an arbored lane. Beautiful.

Checking the post office box back home, happy mail had arrived! First, this package of wonderful cradle quilts for our Cradle Quilt Drive! Cindy B sent nine, all done with soft, cuddly flannels! Thank you, Cindy, I hope you see this because I don’t have your email address to let you know.

Then, a special box from Benartex fabrics arrived. This is so exciting!

Do you want to see? You do? Of course you do! Well, it had these half yard cuts…

and these…

and this 10-inch square stack.

Figure it out, yet?

Yes, Autumn Jubilee is coming in October again this year. Benartex is our presenting fabric sponsor, providing the fabrics for the projects, which includes another quilt along, and the 10-inch stack for one of the post prizes. Thank you, Maria at Benartex, you are awesome! Do you love this line? It is called Harvest Festival and is available now in local quilt shops. If you want to make the projects with me in this line, you’ll need at least 8 fat quarters and about 2 yards of a neutral background. I’m using Benartex Linen-Esque Light Butter. You can use your scraps, too, just know that some pieces are larger with my design this year.

I’m working on the designs and sample now, and the projects are more challenging than ever before. I have a lot of work to do before October! So gather all your UFOs and get them finished off. Clear the sewing room and gather your fall fabrics this month. Then prepare to have a blast sewing, quilting and stitching in October, along with cooking, gardening, reading, and crafting!

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RIP Jimmy Buffett, My Sweet Babboo and I had a margarita last night in your honor. Your music will live forever.

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C&T Publishing is celebrating its 40th year anniversary in September! Throughout September, they have sales planned every week, tailored to specific book categories. This week, starting Tuesday 9/5 through Thursday, 9/7, save up to 40% off Quilting books!!

Last chance to sign up for a day full of quilting, stress-free binding, exciting giveaways, and inspiration for your next project coming Thursday of this week. Get a $20 discount on the class with my code, just click on Quilt Finishing Fest to see the class and have the code automatically applied. Quilt Finishing Fest is a live, virtual event of quilting and quilt finishing techniques taught by expert instructors. ALL of the content is RECORDED and available without expiration after the event.

The opening keynote speaker, Christa Watson, will set the stage for the event by sharing the importance of prepping the quilt, basting, and making a quilting plan. Quilt Finishing Fest will have ten 40-minute breakout rooms. You’ll pick three you want to see LIVE and choose your own learning adventure with just a click. Recordings of the other rooms will be available to watch through your Creative Spark account. 

Some of what you will learn and receive…

• Discover stress-free steps to prep and sew bindings to your quilt
• Learn new techniques on walking foot quilting, free-motion quilting, machine quilting, and more!
• Find inspiration in unique binding and finishing options for your quilts
• Discover the magic of free-motion thread painting with the BERNINA Q20 sit-down mode
• Get 6.5 hours of content at your convenience, a Swag Bag, and enter Giveaways!

Click on Quilt Finishing Fest to see the classes, list of nationally known speakers like Lori Kennedy and Marci Baker, and have the code automatically applied. You’ll be amazed at the wealth of information for just $29, with the ability to go back and review anytime. I’m looking forward to this one, have you signed up?