August 2009
Hi Everyone ~
I’m writing to you while on vacation with my girlfriends …. we’re on the west coast enjoying the coolness of the weather and quilting up a storm! If you’ve never had the chance to get away like this, I highly recommend it …. Nothing is better than quilting and enjoying your friends at the same time.
This newsletter and retreat flyer contains lots of months with lots of retreats at various locations. Hopefully there’s one that might interest you for next spring/summer. As you look through the flyer, you’ll find I have a new location, I’ll be introducing a retreat in Grass Valley, CA at a great quilt shop know as Sugarpine Quilt Shop …. A fun and exciting quilt shop with great people.
A little recap on what’s been happening with Linda Ballard & Co since the last writing …. I just finished my 2nd cruise to Alaska in June, boy was it ever fun! We had great weather, great classes and wonderful quilters with us …. Yes, a good time was had by all. The next cruise is the first of September to the Baltic Capitals …. Wow, who would have thought …. Quilting and seeing all of these wonderful places! We’ll be visiting London 3 days prior to the cruise and then off cruising for two weeks. When I return, I will try to send all of you a little update on what happened. And speaking of cruises …. Looking to the future, it’s off to the Caribbean with a pre visit to New Orleans for a few days. We’ll be scheduling this for the end of March 2011. Hope you’ll consider coming as we have so much fun and we see such exciting places.
What else has happened since last newsletter? Probably the biggest item is being nominated as Teacher of the Year 2009 by The Professional Quilter. What an honor this has been …. Even though I didn’t win, I’m still a winner in my book. I hope to live up to this great honor. I’ve been to many guilds, quilt shops, taught in PA at Quilt Odyssey (what a blast), I had back to back retreats in Brookings, OR (way fun) and so much more. Of course I love it all no matter whether it’s a first time or an annual event. Boy what a great job I have …. I love being with everyone no matter where or what I’m doing.
As to the future, here is a brief summary of what’s happening. Of course look at my website for more details ….
September …. Mostly spending time in Europe (a girl has to do what a girl has to do) – teaching for a guild in the Sacramento area and then off to Mammoth Lakes, CA for the 13th Annual Quilting Retreat.
October …. Lots of my Mystery Quilting Retreats (openings still available for all three Weavervile’s) - teaching in Houston for Quilt Festival (are you coming?) - quilt shops in CA and OR.
November …. This is the last month of the year to teach, will find me in Tyler, TX and Huntsville, AL …. Excited to be there and can hardly wait to be with everyone!
January …. Off to Road to CA (teaching 4 classes, hope you’ll be in one of them), guilds ( a long running relationship with the quilters in Yuba City) , quilt shops in Northern CA.
February …. Retreats start this month; I have some guilds booked and a visit up to Oregon City, OR to teach at a quilt shop called Let’s Quilt which is going to be great fun (FYI …. Let’s Quilt has been my ‘tag line’ for over 18 years) …. Our joining force’s was meant to be.
March … Continuing my Mystery Quilting Retreats in Paradise, Chico and Grass Valley – the 3rd Annual Retreat sponsored by Material Girl Quilt Shop in Sebastopol (you need to come) – off to Kansas for a great guild and a few guilds here and there in CA.
April …. This is retreat month for sure, you’ll find me in Northern and Southern CA (the ocean house is waiting for us in Ventura, 4 days of bliss).
May …. I’ll be visiting guilds in central CA and then off to NV to be with the Carson City guild (too fun!).
June …. More retreats, classes and some R & R with the girlfriends.
July … Blake’s 4th birthday (I love this little guy) – teaching at BJ’s Quilt Festival – back to back retreats in Brookings, OR and then off to Quilt Odyssey in PA for their big conference. I end the month with the group of gals from Shady Cove, OR (those girls know how to throw a party!).
August …. And here we are, back in August and with more quilt shops, guilds and retreats.
I’m continuing to always have new items for sale on my website …. Always new patterns and notions. Here’s what to look for:
* Bendable Bright Light and extra Adaptor
* Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover
* Bohin Chalk Pencil and the Clover White Marking Pen (fine)
* Amazing Tape
* Newest ruler – Olfa Frosted Ruler™ 6 x 12 ….
* Continuing all the other rulers and notions that’s been offered prior
* Project Bags are still a big hit …. Remember the sizes I offer are 17x17, 13x13, 8x10 and 6x8. All have a zipper, a gusset and a very cute logo on the bag (if I do say so myself)
As always, I give you a little rundown on my family ….. many times I think I should drop this part, but then I hear from you that you enjoy knowing what’s happening with my family:
Dave …. He’s staying busy with both his business as well as mine. While I travel, he’s always there to take care of everything and be the ‘go to’ guy. He’s been doing a lot with our grandson Blake …. Babysitting and even camping with the family. Of course he’s finding time to enjoy life since he tells me he’s retired.
Jim and Family …. Our son is in his 3rd year residency at OHSU in Portland, OR. He has one more year left then a 2 year fellowship. When he has this all done, he’ll be a Board Certified Vascular Surgeon. What an undertaking he’s gone through and so has his family. Courtney is a darling, a great wife and mother. She’s keeping the home-fires together and raising Blake to be a well rounded boy. And speaking of Blake ….. our pride and joy! He’s just turned 3 in July and he’s learning that he can scream, have a temper tantrum and guess what, no one cares. I think soon he’ll put it all together, that it doesn’t work and he doesn’t get his way when he does it. I do believe he skipped all of that in his 2’s and brought it into the 3’s. But regardless, we love the little guy …. The baby is gone and it’s now all boy. His imagination is amazing …. Cars and books are his joy. We get up to the Portland area as often as we can, usually every 3 months. We’re so lucky to live this close …. The other grandparents aren’t so lucky.
Cheri …. She’s so busy with her life and her job, but always finds time to be a daughter and an aunt. We’re so lucky to have her live near us so we can see her more often. She’s been told she can’t move away either, someone needs to be near mom and dad.
For myself, I’m still the same. I’m staying busy; some say my schedule is too busy. I understand what they’re saying but I never want to say ‘no’ to anyone. When you love what you do, why would you not do it? I have had several outings with Dave and we’ve seen a lot of fun places during vacations and on the cruises. And of course staying home for a few days or so is always a treat, whether it’s cleaning house or playing in the sewing room, it’s a place where I can regroup myself. My health is staying good even though pounds have come and gone, but all in all life is good.
And for those who’ve been with me a long time, you know I always talked about my mom …. Well I can tell you she’s putting her magic touch in my yard …. She’s made my newest tree bloom into something spectacular …. Yes I still talk with her and remember some of her funny stories …. She’s always in my heart and I do miss her terribly.
So that’s it for now. Please look over the flyer and see if you can find time to come to at least one retreat. They’re really fun, a good time with lots of great quilters. If you haven’t ever experienced this, I would love to be the one to introduce you o it. If you’ve been a ‘long timer’ with me, you know I would love to have you back. My goal is to please you and to make this a memorable experience for you with no stress. As I always say in my closing …. Thank you so much for your support …. I wouldn’t want any other job and you make it just the best.
Enjoy!