Summer's End

Every August I panic. After months of warm days and still warm evenings, I realize that the fall is about to approach and it is necessary to prepare for cold weather. Do not misunderstand me; I love the cold weather. There is nothing more lovely than cross country skiing through the woods on a day when snow has recently fallen. I love the smell of burning oak in the woodstove. And homemade soups, pumpkins, crisp, tart, juicy apples.

But there is a change of activity and focus from spending all one's time out of doors to the move inside when the weather changes. Summer activities such as swimming and sunbathing become more limited. The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails, however can be followed year 'round. Autumn leaves add indescribably color to the landscape. The smell of fallen leaves decomposing on the ground is intoxicating.

This fall plan to follow some, if not all of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Stop at Hunters Valley winery and pick up a bottle to save for the upcoming winter holidays, hike in the Tuscarora State forest. Have a coffee in Vicksburg and look upclose at a remarkable quilt square. Just like a cup of hot tea on a cold night exploring central Pennsylvania via the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is warm and inviting.

Send photos and I will post here and on Facebook.

Happy Travels!!

Dinner and a Cupcake

The other day a good friend and I went to a favorite local restaurant for dinner. We decided to order two entrees  splitting both, so we could enjoy the tastes of two entrees instead of one. After a few tastes of both, I decided that one was not to my liking and gladly surrounded my half to my friend. Disappointed, my friend who had chosen the "unliked" meal, was concerned that my dinner was ruined. My reply was, "We also have a  cupcake and any meal that ends with a cupcake is a good meal."

I think of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails as meal ending with a cupcake. Each trail site is chosen for its surroundings, culture, beauty and opportunity. Central Pennsylvania is a picturesque  area making the journey to each quilt square memorable. Occasionally roads may be detoured, traffic (though not likely), inclement weather, grumpy passengers, grumbling stomachs, cramps, headache, etc. yet once the trail square location is reached, a delightful trail piece (the proverbial cupcake) awaits the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails traveler.


Follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Don't forget to pack a cupcake!

Inspiration

Because of my interest in quilt trails, I receive notification from Google when even a quilt trail is mention on the internet. I thought it would be great to share some of the photos I have been privy to finding:

 North Georgia Quilt Trail

Barn Quilts of Madison County 

Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina

 

 The Callaway County Barn Quilt Trail / Callaway County, Missouri

 

Miami County, Ohio Quilt Barn Trail / Miami County, Ohio

Friday July 20, 2012 PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails "Meet and Greet" party has been moved to a new location because of pending thunderstorms. New venue is at:

 Skills of central Pennsylvania facility 

17  East Industrial Drive
Mifflintown

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Only Days Away

10 reasons why YOU should attend the meet and greet on Friday, July 20, 2012 from 1:30 - 2:30pm at Heirloom Cabinetry:

1. You will get to meet some of the 80 + people that have had a part in creating, installing, designing, promoting the Heirloom Cabinetry quilt square.

2. Not only will you get to see the newest square on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails, you will be privy to a fabulous view of central Pennsylvania farmland.

3. There will be cake and cookies!

4. You can pick up the newest updated brochure of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails.

5. You can see the result of hard work and perhaps be inspired to sponsor your own quilt square.

6. It's an outdoors event. Who doesn't love the outdoors in July?

7.  What else do you have going on Friday afternoon?

8. You can leave work early citing, "I have an important event to attend."

9. You may meet the next love of your life, make a new friend or see someone you haven't seen in years.

10. Why not?

Join Community Partnerships RC&D, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Juniata Valley Quilters Guild and Heirloom Cabinetry for a "Meet and Greet" at the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails newest quilt square site at Heirloom Cabinetry, 977 Nelson Road, Mifflintown, PA on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 1:30PM-2:30PM . 

Cake and soft drinks to be served. This is a public party. All are invited and welcomed!

RSVP by Thursday July 19 administrator@paquilttrails.org.717-248-4901 ext 326

It's Time to Party

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE 

THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE PA QUILT (AND RUG) TRAILS 

MIFFLINTOWN: Join Community Partnerships RC&D, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Juniata Valley Quilters Guild and Heirloom Cabinetry for a “Meet and Greet” at the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails newest quilt square site at Heirloom Cabinetry, 977 Nelson Road, Mifflintown, PA on Friday, July 20, 2012 at1:30PM-2:30PM . Cake and soft drinks to be served.

This is a public party. All are invited and welcomed! RSVP by Monday July 16 administrator@paquilttrails.org.717-248-4901 ext 326

Independence Day

July 4th is celebrated with much gusto. Communities throughout the nation have "down home" festivities, such as: soap box derbies, parades, fireworks, ball games, family reunions and picnics. In Central Pennsylvania, July 4th is often overshadowed by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts which occurs each year beginning on the Wednesday following July 4th.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, commonly referred to as the "Arts Festival" is one of the biggest affairs of the summer. Started many years ago by a  group of artists who displayed their artwork on a snow fence along the Penn State side of College Avenue, the Arts Festival has grown into a multimillion dollar industry with nationally known artists, musicians, puppeteers, dancers, as well as local performers entertaining the masses.

While the Arts Festival rocks State College, the rest of central Pennsylvania offers a necessary reprieve from the over stimulation of Kettle Korn, live music and sand castles. This year, if you are going to the Arts Festival take a break and visit the PA Quilt and Rug Trails.

The Trail Rug at the Tuscarora State Forest is situated in an idyllic forest, quiet and peaceful, cool among the trees, a perfect place to revitalize and regroup before going back into the trenches of activity. Hunters Valley Winery also offers quiet beauty. Enjoy the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails' first quilt square, sip on a glass of hand-crafted wine in the vineyard's shaded gazebo and gaze upon the a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River. All stops on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails have been designed to offer peace,beauty, and cultural appreciation for central Pennsylvania.

This July make it a tradition to follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails along. Be save, enjoy your loved ones and celebrate!

Happy 4th of July