QUINCY COPPER MINES

 I left Eagle Harbor, drove north as far as I could, then turned and headed back down the peninsula to Quincy, where there is an old copper mine, and the  building above the mine shaft.  They give tours, but there’s no way I was going down there.  I really love the shape of this building.  I walked through the upper part. It was amazing.

EAGLE HARBOR

 I left Calumet and drove up to Eagle Harbor in Keweenaw National Park.

I wanted to sketch the lighthouse there.  I also had a very nice chat with 5he old gent that was selling tickets next to his little round shelter which was blaring loud Celtic music.  I asked him about how to pronounce the names of everything. Now if I can only remember…

Didn’t see any eagles, but it spectacularly beautiful here.

ADVENTURE BEGINS

 I left Madeline Island yesterday afternoon and stopped at the Visitors Center to get a stamp for my National Parks passport that I wasn’t able to get the other day. 

Then I headed south for an hour to the only hotel I was able to book, in Ashland. On the way, I stopped at Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge for a short, one mile loop walk. 

The next morning I was off to Keweenaw National Park. It was a bit of a drive.  I arrived at the visitors center in Calumet around 11:00am. I talked to the Ranger there and got some suggestions on what to do and see in my limited time there.  I walked around the town and enjoyed the old buildings.  I sat and sketched the old fire station turned museum.  At 12:30 the siren on top of the building went off and startled me!  It was very loud!

Then I headed north to Eagle Harbor.

DAY FIVE AT MISA

 The last day at MISA.  It’s been so great.  I’ve learned a lot and now have more tricks in my toolbox.

I want to thank the great instructors: Cindy Grisdella, Sarah Bond and Maria Shell.  All were very generous with their time and knowledge.  I’m very grateful.  Thank you.

Here’s how my project looked before I packed it up to go home.  

DAY FOUR AT MISA

 It’s Thursday, the fourth day of the Piecing Perspectives Workshop.

We are working on building a composition and making fillers, coping and bridging pieces.

Here’s how my work wall looked at the end of the day.

MORE THAN JUST SEWING

 Lots to do at MISA.  Today the instructors talked about composition.

Then we have great meals three times a day.  Tonight we had a absolutely delicious fish dinner.

I went back to my room and sketched.  I had to, all of the instructors serendipitously had worn red shoes.

THIRD DAY AT MISA

 It’s the third day of the Piecing Perspectives Workshop.  We are just starting to think about composition.

Here is how my work wall looked at the end of the day.

SECOND DAY AT MISA

 Today we worked on pointy pieces.

Here’s how my work wall looked at the end of the day.

FIRST DAY AT MISA

 Monday, the first day of the Piecing Perspectives Workshop with Maria Shell, Sarah Bond, and Cindy Grisdella.  They each talked about piecing an element or two.  Today we are focusing on Linear Piecing.

Here’s how my work wall looked at the end of the day as I put up the units I made.

BAYFIELD WISCONSIN

I left St. Croix and headed north.  It rained most of the way.  I went up and around stopping a few places to see the lake.  I was headed to Bayfield, where the Apostle Islands Visitor Center is and from where the ferry to Madeline Island loads.

The Visitors Center was closed.  That was annoying because I had looked up their hours and they should not have been.

I saw the MISA headquarters, they were closed, too.

But it was soon time to get on the little ferry to Madeline Island.  I did a quick from the car while crossing.

MINNEAPOLIS

 I got my rental car and headed to the Mississippi River National Recreation Area Visitors Center in St. Paul.  It was in a large building housed by a Science Museum, where I was greeted by a large dinosaur.

The Ranger suggested I go across the River to Harriet Park to sketch.  There were two different wedding parties in the park, shooting photos of the wedding party.  

I found a nice place to sit and sketch this boat, which is a bed and breakfast apparently. 

Then I headed to the state capital, but when I got there it was just closing.  I did get a photo though.

Down the street was the church I had seen while sketching.  I headed there to investigate.   It is the Saint Paul Cathedral.

Then I headed north to visit the St Croix National Scenic Riverway.  I got my passport stamped and explored around a but.  I spent the night nearby.

 

FLYING TO MINNEAPOLIS

 I started my adventure this morning by flying to Minneapolis Minnesota.

I sketched my breakfast, and it was so good.

NAME TAG

 I made a name tag to take with me.

GHOST!

 I made this week's Art East Quilting Mini Charm block.

Here is #38 The Ghost:

HUGS AND KISSES BOUND

 I made the binding for Hugs and Kisses.  Then I sewed it onto the back, pressed it and folded it over to the front and sewed it down.  

It's done.

It's a really nice quilt.  I hope I can find it a good home.

HUGS AND KISSES DONE

 I finished the quilting on Hugs and Kisses today.  It has ruler work all over.  I used a small circle to make point-to-point arcs in the squares (what is this pattern called?  I forgot).  Then I outlined the Xs and Os and put straight lines, spaced an inch apart, behind them.  I alternated the direction of the lines in each square.

COMPUTER ILLS

 The computer on the Q24 won't turn on now.  But, I've been able to keep stitching.  In fact, Erik is stitching beautifully.  I got another row quilted before I ended for the day.

Then I called Sewing Machine Service and spoke with Cevin.  I explained the problem and he asked me to check a few things.  He said he'd call Bernina and get some advise and call me back.

A short time later, he called with instructions.  Apparently, there is a little battery inside the computer that went dead and needed to be replaced.  I ran to McLendon's Hardware and got the battery.  Then I asked Darrell to help me.  He did pretty much the whole thing.  Which is wonderful.  He always has the right tools.

And, lo, that fixed it.  It's ready to go now.

FITTING AND ADDING

 I'm quilting on Hugs and Kisses and also messing around with the little improv pieces I made during the BP-Monday Sewcial 30 Minutes of Improv.

I'm adding fabric and pieces to filling places.

I love these colors!