I’m back from another weekend away, this time sewing Improv with the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild.

I had such fun on Saturday! I spent about 5 hours with a wonderful group of ladies, demoing and talking about piecing improvisational log cabins and watching everyone’s different blocks come together.

Huge thanks to the super sweet and funny Andie (above) for coordinating this workshop and inviting me to come teach. And also a big thank you to the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild for hosting me (and showing up!) and those that traveled several hours to attend.

Me, explaining block layout options

My mom and sister even came to join in the fun.

Lots of happy in-action photos…everyone made such amazing blocks!

And my sister will tell you – quilting is not for the faint of heart. It was 85 degrees in the room! We are all super tough troopers though and quilted through the heat.

Finally – completely unrelated but while I was in Cincinnati I found out from Jeni that Heather Ross has some fabric at Hancocks! I rushed to the store by my parents house and picked up some prints. These are from the children’s book she illustrated, Crafty Chloe. (Which my daughter happens to love!) I was so excited to see them, I am a huge sucker for any of her artwork. If you want some for yourself, be sure to check out your local Hancocks store in the Girl’s Novelty section.

So yesterday afternoon I was looking around on Flickr, minding my own business, when I see an amazing photo upload from Malka Dubrawsky. If you know anything about Malka, you will know that everything she uploads is pretty much amazing!

As I’m reading the caption on the photo, I see something about creating samples for an Improvisational Piecing class. Then I see the word Chicago. My heart starts beating a bit faster. I click on the link. Then I see the word Lisle. Now my heart is beating out of my chest. Lisle probably doesn’t mean much to most people – but it is where I live! My suburb of Chicago!

Yes, it’s true. Malka is going to be teaching 2 classes at the Create Mixed Media Retreat in late August. I was so excited that I could barely focus my eyes to read the website on how to get myself into her class! But I did. And I am. I signed up and will be there with bells on in the front row.

Of course, almost immediately after I paid I had thoughts of What if I make a complete fool of myself there? and What if I make the ugliest thing she has ever seen? I haven’t taken a class in a long time. Maybe 10 years ago I took a ceramics class. I am self taught and I’m sure I don’t do most things by the book. I’ve never taken a sewing class (well, does high school Home Ec count?) But I’m going to put on my brave – and extremely excited – face on an enjoy every minute.

So who is with me? Chicago sewers! Wisconsin, Indiana people! I signed up for the Thursday class from 9am – 4pm. Does anyone want to come, I’d love to meet some new friends!