One Creative Family

Today was a day to finish our Missouri Hwy 36 Quilt Trail. It goes from one border of Missouri to the other(Kansas on the west and Illinois on the east). We broke it up into 2 days. The first of June we drove 209 miles to Hannibal and then worked our way home. We made it thru 6 shops the first trip. Some of the shops were in the cutest towns. These were in people’s barns or sheds. These the towns had populations of 200-300 people. We thought these were going to be the smallest.

This morning we drove to 95 miles to pick up where we left off. The 2nd stop today took us to Jamesport, MO. The whole town is Amish and was amazing. On the way into town we stopped at 2 Amish fabric stores and were amazed with the beautiful quilts they had for sale. If anyone is interested the 2nd Saturday in October is the Annual Amish Quilt Auction. People from many states and Canada send their quilts, wall hangings, & quilt tops to be sold on consignment. The Amish also sell their quilts here.

From here is where things started getting interesting. The GPS took us from the highway to Farm Routes, then to County roads, to gravel roads.

This road was what we drove on for 3 miles. The shop was so worth it. The shop was a large barn with the shop was in the right side of the barn and then over the garage part of the barn. Walking inside it looked like a large log cabin with a loft inside. We asked where the next shop was not wanting to go 3 miles on the gravel road again. Directions we got were so funny. “Leave here turn right, then go over the bridge and turn right on the black top road(no name) go down that road over 3 little bridges to Avenue City. You will know it is Avenue City when you see the school and gas station, that is the city, then turn right and you will see a big sign with the shop’s name on it. About 8 minutes from here.” We exchanged a 2 lane gravel road to a 1 lane gravel road. We had to pull over for farm equipment to come by. Then we saw the sign, pulled into the drive and there was a Trailor house. We didn’t know if it was a home or shop. It was the shop and cute inside.

We left this morning at 8:30 am and got home at 6pm. Was fun and met some of the most wonderful people around. The smallest towns had the cutest shops. I have marked the ones I want to go back to. We visited 8 shops and didn’t see the same fabric in them over and over.

This was a quilting trip highlighting the smaller less know shops. Find those shops in your areas and support them.

Just remember these few things: 1. Pack a lunch and drinks (we were on the less traveled road and found a sandwich at a gas station to share for lunch. They only had 1. 2. Full tank of gas, 3. Either new or good tires to handle the gravel and things you may have to drive over.

Once we got on the Highway heading home we found truck stops and got gas. Enjoyed the 2 days.

Last week I painted the sewing room and got things back to normal. Then with having Granddaughter 3 days a week I found if I don’t plan to finish things I don’t. Yesterday was a wonderful day. I started making a series of 4 panels. Just practicing free motion quilting. I was so in the zone I didn’t hear the phone ring, or hubby telling the phone was for me. When he tapped me on the shoulder I screamed and jumped. Ever get that into doing something? Well this is the first panel finished.

As I was sandwiching my little piece I remember the advice I got from someone that they spray baste and iron their sandwiches so there won’t be any wrinkles. I thought I will try this especially since it was small. The spray basting and spray starch were side by side, you got it, I spray starched it and ironed. It was damp and NOT sticking together. Frustrated I let it dry and pinned it and quilted. It wasn’t until I was ironing some place mats that I noticed what I had done. I have moved the spray starch and spray basting so they don’t sit next to each other.

Today I will be cutting out a dress for Destiny and a blouse for me. Maybe the dress will be finished by time she comes over tonight. Maybe Thursday is more realistic. Have a wonderful day all.

With all this virus going on and the protesting we just wanted to go for a little outing. We drove around Independence and took a few photos. We do live in a pretty area. Just a little history about Independence. This is where all the Wagon Trains would meet to start out to Santa Fe, California, and Oregon. The travelers would try and purchase enough supplies to last for the long trip. We also have to oldest Court House still in use. We are also the home of President Harry S. Truman.

This is Clinton’t Soda Shop. President Truman would walk from his home to this for a soda.

Court House, still in use.

President Truman’s home with wife Bess

This is the original well house. After this history how about a walk around one of our parks.

This was a fun walk on a nice day to walk. Hope you have enjoyed it.

Last week Hubby had been saying he can’t hear the voices on the TV. We have a sound bar, but that wasn’t helping. So we went to the Audio store. We decided to purchase a surround sound system and they will be installing it. Then the crazies hit us hard and purchased a 55 inch QLED tv. I decided that I might as well stop putting off the painting the inside of the house. It has been about 15 yrs since last painted. I started with the most important room. My sewing room. Walls are finished and I am putting things back in place, and deciding what I want to keep or not.

The room was blue and now a light lavender.

Color on right is the new color.

While I was going thru all the nick knacks and found a diffuser from Hubby’s Parents.

I don’t think I will use it until the cord is replaced. LOL might be a little shocking.

I guess I better get back to work putting things away in the sewing room. Hope you have a great day.

I started playing with all the fabric I got the other day and have made this little Messenger Bag. I think I will keep making them for the fall sales. I added a little bling to add a little sparkle to the horses.

This evening I will be working on some travel games for kids to play in the car. We will see how it turns out.

The weather is getting hot here, but more humid so this Grandma is NOT getting out side if I can help it. That means inside projects and one I have been putting off is painting the inside of the house. It has been a long time since I painted and the grandkids tease me because the last time I painted we had a HUGE, and HEAVY Entertainment Center so I painted what I could reach. Now with a smaller entertainment center and bigger TV you can see where I didn’t paint if you look behind the tv. Just trying to pick colors. May be time to make up my mind. We will see what I decide.

Stay cool, (or warm) and enjoy whatever you do,.

This Last person is Gary, my hubby. Gary does woodworking. He is so patient and particular with his wood working. He are some of his work over the years.

This is just a little of what he has made. Now one thing we do is give our kids a little cash for Christmas and Gary came up with the idea of puzzle boxes to put the money in. They loved these, not sure if he will be making any more, may take some talking into, he has tremors and makes it hard to work with little pieces. We will have to see.

Jim and Ashley are more members of our group. Jim is our Muscle and at some times feels like our protector. Jim does some wood working and spends the majority of his time with Martial Arts. He started taking Martial Arts when he was in Elementary School. He is now in his Mid 30’s and I have lost track of all his belt rankings. He teaches Okinawa Kempo and Weapons a few days a week. He loves it and we still love watching him. Ashley works with making wonderful signs for the house inside and out.

This is one of Jim’s intarsia projects I love it

These are some of Ashley’s signs. They both do such great work.

I know I have introduced the families of the girls and so I would like to introduce you to Jethro. Jethro is not quite 2 yrs old and is a bundle of fun.

This is Jim and Jethro on the left when they got him he was about 8 months old and now almost 2 on the right. He loves giving hugs and knock Grandma and Destiny down when he starts playing.

Ashley is usually the picture taker.

As a boy Jim was quiet and very serious. Ashley has really brought him out of his shell. Now he loves practical jokes and the 2 of them are a dangerous duo, but love them both.

One more to go tomorrow.