This morning, I was walking the dog, glanced at our garden and saw it was moving! At a closer look, it was filled with butterflies. They were moving from flower to flower and the impact of orange moving against purple and green was inspiring.

I grabbed my camera and snapped some photos. I tried taking a close-up. It is blurry, but I liked the play of color.   

I’ve seen lavender wands at craft shows and want to try making one. . .

While at the Minnesota Quilters Show, I visited the vendor’s mall.  . .okay, more than once!

During one of my visits, I spotted the Sew Ezi Sewing Table.

It is lightweight and folds flat for transport and storage. The wheels make it easy to move. What a perfect table for class, use at a vacation house, take in an RV or for the sewing studio.

The work surface is large and the clear inserts are cut to the owner’s sewing machine. I ordered one for my Pfaff 7570.

I was impressed with this table. It is very versatile. I’m always looking for something to use for a light box. This table has an option insert that turns it into a light box.

An Ott Light will fit under the clear light box insert and this creates a perfect space for tracing a design.

I talked to several students in class about the table before I purchased one. I asked “Who has one? Do you like it?” One of my students, Twilia has TWO! She keeps one at her cottage and uses one at her home. She uses hers all the time and even has used it when having a party and needing some extra table space for serving. I thought that was another fantastic use for this table.

I ordered one, along with the light box insert and an insert for my Singer Featherweight machine.   I think it will be a perfect table for many reasons. . .

I’ve never been to Rochester, and found it is a great town! My hotel was in the middle of downtown, just two blocks from The Mayo Clinic.

Right across the street was the shops at University Square, a small mall filled with unique shops. Counterpoint was just one of the stores. I loved the window, how retro! I remember Marimekko from the 60’s and 70’s.

Outside the University Square, I found a courtyard. Since it is summer, the dusk came late. I enjoyed many evenings in this courtyard.

The iron fountain is certainly unique and amazing in this close-up photo.

This little fellow had fun running to the water, touching it and running back to his mom.

Semva Art Gallery was also in the Courtyard. Their window displays were inspiring.

I love this design. . .I’m thinking quilts!

The courtyard was filled with flowers. This petunia was so bright, it almost glowed.

As I looked around, I noticed a Celtic design around this tree.

Another great quilting idea. . .

While I was in Rochester, a downtown festival, Rochesterfest was happening at the same time. I enjoyed the nightly music, the parade and the Art Festival.  One evening, the downtown was filled with booths. 

This booth featured woven rugs and blankets. They were all Peruvian designs, all of them beautiful.

One booth featured iron work. This copper birdbath had a beautiful patina.

Yet another booth had glass. . .these hand blown balls were fascinating.

I’m back from the Minnesota Quilt Show and had a wonderful time! I wanted to blog while I was there, but I forgot my “cords” bag. What was in it??  Only the cord to hook my camera to my computer and the battery charger. I was able to take a few photos before my camera battery died.  Now that I’m home, I can grab the photos and post them.

I had a wonderful time visiting Rochester, Minnesota, seeing the show and with the students in my classes.

My classes were the best. My camera ran out of battery before I could take many photos, but I did capture this one.

One of my students (Peggy, was this your fabric??) brought in this wonderful tie-dyed fabric. After we made some blocks, I played with the cubes and used the fabric as a background. We loved the effect and had to take a photo!  The cubes are from different peole in the room. It all worked so well and looks fantastic.

The Show was absolutely filled with quilts. There were three rooms filled with beautiful quilts. I took some photos of my favorites while I still had some battery left.

I love scrap quilts and this Friendship Star quilt is lovely. The play of light and shadow is perfect.

Of course, the hexagon is one of my favorite shapes. This quilt is very cool!  Wish I had a close-up.

Another scrap quilt, all done with warm colors. The illusion of depth comes and goes. I love it!

I must be wishing for fall!  I loved the leaves in this quilt. It looks like a fall day with leaves falling from the trees. Nothing like a walk in the woods in a beautiful fall day.

Have you ever seen a “Quilt on a Stick?” A great idea and a wonderful auction idea!

Everything is packed and shipped, my clothes are almost packed and soon, I’m off to Rochester, Minnesota for the Quilted Jewels, the 30th Annual Minnesota Quilters Quilt Show.  I’ve taught there in the past and have had a great time. I always enjoy my visits to Minnesota!

I’ll be teaching

2-Day Patchwork Illusions

Christmas Cube

Celtic Pieced Illusions

The show is always wonderful and I can’t wait to see the vendors! If you are a blog reader, be sure to say hello!