 |
Jill practicing free-motion motifs at
Huntsville Sew and Vac. |
In spite of the snowy, near-freezing weather brought on by winter blizzard
Jonas, we had a fantastic turn-out (26 students!) at my
Intro to Free-motion Quilting class at
Huntsville Sew and Vac this past weekend.
Donna, the store's owner, and her staff really go the extra mile to accommodate students and customers! In view of the potential inclement weather predicted for later in the day on Friday, Donna provided a pizza lunch for the entire class to minimize lunch time and keep the class moving. Thanks to her
exemplary customer focus, we got all the class material covered and students learned a lot and did a fabulous job.
We talked about batting and fiber content...
had a visual presentation on free-motion quilting terminology...
and practiced drawing quilting motifs on paper...
 |
| Intro to Free-motion Quilting on a domestic sewing machine class. |
 |
| Drawing motifs on paper. |
...then we moved on to quilting on practice quilt sandwiches.
 |
| Free-motion quilting feathers and fillers. |
Because of the overwhelming number of registrations for this class, our class was moved into the new—and bigger—classroom area. Renovations are still being made and the new space will be even more wonderful when finished.
 |
| A great turn-out for Intro to Free-motion Quilting at Huntsville Sew and Vac. |
A visit to Huntsville is not complete without a stop at
Sam and Greg's Pizzaria and Gelateria. After unloading the materials and equipment at the store on Thursday afternoon, Sherri, the Program Coordinator, and I went for pizza (we got the Key West this time) and
homemade gelato.
 |
| Matt served up a half-and-half cup. |
I had a cup of half peanut butter and half chocolate. Sherri had half coffee and half peanut butter. (Yes, even if it's winter, you have to have the gelato!)
 |
| Chocolate and peanut butter gelato. |
Thankfully, all the students arrived safely home after Friday's class before winter storm
Jonas took its toll on Huntsville. Back at S&R B&B, where I stayed, we watched the landscape transform into a wintery wonderland in a few short hours. Here I am with Beau, the B&B's mascot guard dog, in the snow-dusted back yard.
 |
| Out in the snow with Beau. |
A view from my window, where my hostess, Sherri, served hot foamed coffee with cream. (Check out the lovely silver tray!)
 |
| View from my room Friday afternoon (left) and a snow covered Saturday morning (right). |
By Saturday morning (the day of my "Defining Contours" class), many roads were closed and travel advisories were being broadcast for Huntsville and surrounding areas. Temperatures were holding at mid-20s (below the freezing mark) so, the "Defining Contours" free-motion class was canceled and is now rescheduled for April 16, 2016.
 |
We awoke on Saturday morning to this snow-covered landscape
complements of winter storm Jonas. |
I was so looking forward to teaching the "Contours" class, but safety comes first. Thank you to all the students in my Intro class for being so cooperative in light of the weather, to Jodi and Jill for helping with my free-motion Show and Tell, and to Donna, Sherri and the fabulous staff at Huntsville Sew and Vac for all the accommodations. I'm looking forward to my visit April. Stay warm 'till then!
