Post Retreat Withdrawal

I returned home on Monday excited at all I accomplished at the Winter Retreat.  I'm guessing I have about 12-15 hours of sewing left on my Cattails Quilt.  Ryan was a huge help unloading the car and taking my things to the basement studio while I took Mom to the OT.  Her arm looked great after the treatment (a nice long massage mostly).

Tuesday was my MD appointment.  So did a few household chores before I headed to Ann Arbor.  The test was easy (except for the fasting for a 3:00 PM appt).  Mild tummy issues that are easily treated.

Wednesday was laundry and mail catch-up day.  And a meeting of the guild Quilt Show Committee tonight.

Thursday will be a trip to Macomb -- where I will hook my friend up with some local ladies who have offered to help.  It will be WONDERFUL for her to have resources that drive just a phone call and a 5 minute drive away.  I have felt terrible not being able to get there more often but with all the MD appointments, Ryan's schedule and my schedule -- finding free days are very hard!  This will be so helpful for her... and for me!

I'm tired tonight and will be eager to get home tomorrow because then I'll have all day Friday to work on my quilt.  I am so very eager to get it together so I can send it off to Molly to quilt.  So very, very excited at how it is coming together!

That's it for tonight!  Ready to call it a day!

Quilt Retreat in Sebewaing, MI

Day 2 is done.

Arrived around noon yesterday and was actually the first one here!  The drive was nice -- no weather or traffic problems of any kind.  In years past we have had issues of either or both so this was a very welcome change.

I had prepped all the foundation papers for the Cattails quilt before leaving home.  But I hadn't yet cut any of the 20 batiks needed.  So all of day 1 was spent cutting.  Long day but worth every minute because once that is done you can just sew... sew... sew.

Which is what I did today.  There are 6 bags to this quilt (which is the way Judy Niemeyer organizes things.  I finished 3 of them.  That doesn't necessarily mean I'm 1/2 done -- because some of the bags are more intricate than others.  Some have more pieces.  It is just the way the quilt breaks down.

Tomorrow I will be assembling the Cattails component.  These sections have lots of small pieces and the appliqué of the cattails.  Will probably take the better part of the day - but only time will tell.

I did lose a few hours of sewing time today because our group was on dinner detail.  We were assigned "Mexican" and went with it.  Friends, Mary, Ann and Ellen and I laid out a nice spread.  I did Ryan's Taco Casserole, Ann did a great chili, Ellen did tacos and Mary did a FANTASTIC dessert -- a caramel/chocolate flan.  I don't think anyone went away hungry!
    
It's after 1:00 AM so need to shut down the computer and go to sleep.

Good night!

My Crazy Life

It's been several days since I've taken the time to write.

Last week to Mom to her MD appointment and they found another problem that resulted in an overnight stay.  Everything is fine but was in the ER until after midnight and then had the pleasure of driving home on mildly slick roads alone.  I was very grateful that Bob and Ryan had gone earlier in the evening to Mom's place to rescue Kirby so I didn't have to swing by there first.  I have a good guy!

So spent the past 3-4 days trying to get things prepped for our guild Winter Retreat.  I will leave Thursday morning early (8:30-ish) to get there by noon.  We stay at a church camp in the thumb on Saginaw Bay.    Only one small town nearby (Bay City is about 20-30 miles)...  so no shopping or running around.  4 1/2 days of sewing!  Can't wait!

My primary goal is to get my Cattails in the Meadow (Judy Niemeyer patter - www.quiltworx.com) top started and finished.  Lots of work -- almost all of it is paper-piecing (a technique I love).    I will be using similar colors 1) because I love it and 2) because it will look gorgeous over my fireplace!

The weight loss journey continues.  This week I had a lapse or two (bought an old favorite -- Jujube's -- shouldn't have bought them -- but only ate 1/2 of the box -- gave the rest to Bob).  While there will be tons of food at the retreat, I always sit with my back to the snack table so to not be tempted when I look up and around the room.  There will be 24 of us and we are assigned to one meal to bring what we need and cook it.  No clue what the others are doing but I will be packing more than a couple protein bars just in case.  I am on Friday night detail...  which will be (by the planners design) a Mexican themed meal.  I'm stealing Ryan's Taco Casserole recipe and just making enough of it for 24!

So a few more loose ends to tie up tomorrow, finish packing and then get to bed early!  I'll be sure to post a picture or two (or twenty) on Facebook over the weekend.  Not sure I'll have a computer with me, still trying to decide.  In the meantime, I hope you all have a very wonderful long weekend, too!

I Quilted Another Quilt! WOOHOO!!!

Okay -- it was another little one from Jo's Club.  But I quilted it!  All by myself!  I love the cutting and piecing part but have never been competent enough to enjoy the actual quilting.  It seems that no matter how hard I try when basting (I've used pins and sprays and fusible batting and thread) -- I ALWAYS end up with tucks and pleats on the back.

This quilt was another that is approximately 15" x 24" and again I did my go to Stitch in the Ditch.  It looks far better from the front than the back because I used light thread to outline the square-in-a-squares which showed up brightly on the solid black backing.  But unless the walls have eyes (or somebody peaks) no one will know.  What it showed me is that I really could have done a better job piecing this one.  While I didn't cut off points (or at least not many), they really didn't join perfectly where 2 blocks came together so the back shows this black space between them where the threads should meet.  Practice makes perfect.  I guess I'll have to make more quilts!  (and get the binding sewn down on this one!)

Nothing on the calendar for tomorrow! (Well - except to take the King of Carts back and forth to work) so I plan to throw in a load of laundry and then head to the studio!  I'll start by making my list of projects to take to the Winter Retreat.   I'm thinking my Edyta Sitar Spring Bouquet blocks which are all in the process of doing the blanket stitch around the applique.  I've not even started fusing the borders yet.  But I'd love to get the blocks finished up.

Then there is Cattails in the meadow.  I need to prep all the foundation papers.  And organize the fabrics (making sure I have enough and that the colors are all clearly labeled -- I probably should make a color board.)  I'll be teaching this as a class later this spring at Creative Quilt Kits in Brighton so I need to make notes about concerns and tips/tricks along the way.

Then to start the Notions & Tools list.  I leave next Thursday morning and have to take Mom to the OT on Monday and I teach on Wednesday, and Tuesday I'll get the house and meals organized so Ryan will have a master list while I'm away.

And some time before Wednesday I need to prep the materials for the EQ class!  Life is busy but that's good!   Now if my generous husband would just be greedy with his current cold or flu bugs -- I'll be even happier!

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Long day today.

Bob survived the trip to the Cotton Bowl but came home with a terrible head cold that only got worse over the weekend.  You know when he goes to bed early and sleeps in late that he doesn't feel well.  He stayed home today and I think has been in a reclining position for 23 1/2 of the past 24 hours.  Sure hope he feels better soon!

Took Mom to an MD appointment in Ann Arbor today.  Drive was okay -- clear roads and not a lot of traffic.  We have the pleasure of a repeat performance on Thursday.  Oh well...  if the roads are clear it's not a big deal.  A swing through Starbucks to get Ryan a hot chocolate around 2:30 on our way home.  Average temp today -- about 10° and Ryan worked an 8 hour shift in the Kroger parking lot.  How he does it with a smile I'll never know!!!  But the hot chocolate was eagerly welcomed!  Grabbed a few groceries for Mom and then home to check on Bob.  Then off to our guild Sit - N - Stitch.

The Sit - N - Stitch started at 2:00 so I got there late.  But I was able to visit with friends and work on my EPP diamonds until it was time to go pick up Ryan and take him home from work.  Then back to quilt guild for another 2 hours.  They did pizza and salad but I was good.  None for me.  Came home and had a cup of chili.    2 pounds away from the next 10 lb loss so still working on it!

One of my friends reminded me that we leave for retreat a week from Thursday.  10 days from now!  AACK!!!!  I have so much to do before then!  Several household chores - like meal planning and shopping for the 2 bachelors.

But more important!  Deciding on which projects to take.  Prepping them and getting everything packed and ready to go!  And only 10 days to do it in!   AACK!!!!

Tomorrow no real plans except laundry and sorting through the stack of mail I've let accumulate. Then to the sewing studio to start on the To Do List for retreat!

Okay - off to bed...  Looks like it's going to be another long day!

Busy Day at Home

Finished gathering all of the Christmas decorations with the exception of the red and gold tree.  That will keep me busy Saturday and Sunday.

Holiday quilts have been changed out for Winter ones.  Still a few more needing to find their spot on the walls.  Ryan's favorite was in its spot waiting for his return.  My Snowman Hold-up Quilt.

Guest  rooms back to guest-ready.  Bathrooms cleaned.  And one lonely load of laundry yet to fold.

Headed to Lansing for a routine car service then to pick up my Cotton Bowl boys.  I suspect they are ready to be back at home and I did miss them.  So did Sam and Jazz.   I did sneak in a little EPP at the airport while waiting for their plane to get in!  Even a little sewing is a good thing!!!  Lots of "littles" will one day add up to a lot!

A nice dinner at Tomato Brothers and then home!

I definitely plan to stop at my LQS tomorrow to grab a little backing fabric to work on a few more of my small Jo Morton quilts.   One of my goals is to get caught up and get all of my quilt tops quilted -- no more backlog!

Next major quilty task:  Prep the materials (papers & fabrics) for my next Judy Niemeyer quilt -- Cattails in the Meadow.  I plan to work on it at our guild quilt retreat President's Day weekend so I hope to have everything set and ready to sew!  Check it out here:
http://www.quiltworx.com/patterns/cattails-in-the-meadow/

Next major non-quilty task (after red/gold tree):  sorting through 2014's financial records and receipts.  Needs to get the health care flex spending receipts in so we can get that check!  Then to gather all those receipt Bob will be looking for when he sits down to do the taxes.  This year I pledge to have them ready BEFORE he asks!  We'll see if that happens!   (Don't hold your breath -- but I'll try!)

Happy New Year.... day 2.

I'm a Blogger... Well, Trying To Be One!

Happy New Year!  

Where did 2014 go?  It  seems the days and weeks just fly by anymore.  

I've never blogged before but I thought in 2015 I would give it a try.  This can be a place to share my thoughts, makes notes of things of important to me and just a place to record things that happen.

So here we go.  This was my last quilt of 2014.  A Jo's Club (Jo Morton pattern & fabric) that I quilted and bound on New Year's Eve.  I have several more tops from the past 2 years of Jo's Club waiting to be finished.  This year I resolve to get them completed.  I resolve to challenge myself in new techniques and to spend a few hours every month practicing free motion quilting.

Other resolutions (more like a To Do List) include:

Clean out every closet in the house.

Reorganize my sewing studio.

Clean out the laundry room.

Spend more time behind my sewing machine than my computer.

Continue on my weight loss journey.

Find 30 minutes every day to be overtly physically active.

So in keeping with some of these resolutions...  I will sign off, get up and get busy!