Quilt Retreat Part Three

It's the third and final installment in the Milford Quilt Retreat series.  After such a productive weekend, I've managed to accomplish absolutely, positively nothing today.  I think I used all my initiative at retreat.

Sunday morning I slept in late (5 a.m.) but was still the first one up.  I got all the blocks pieced for a Karen Montgomery pattern titled Pops Alot.  It uses 2 1/2 inch strips (I used the Cappucino Bali Pops).  If you use a Jelly Roll or Bali Pop, the pattern will use up every bit of it...no waste, which is nice.  I'm debating whether it needs horizontal strips between the rows.  I'm thinking a charcoal gray.  Opinions were an even split at retreat.  Maybe I'll just go with a nice border instead.  Decisions, decisions...

My co-worker, Linda, who doesn't like her picture taken and displayed for all the world to see was working on this the entire weekend...

As the afternoon was winding down, I got out some charm squares and threw together the beginnings of a baby quilt.  I'm trying to decide on the border color, but it'll be a solid.  I believe this line is Sugar Pop from Moda, but it's best not to quote me on that.

You have to see it in person to truly appreciate the garish colors and it's not at all me but I figure it's baby-steps to breaking out of my mold.  Or maybe that's me busting out of my jeans.  Hmmm...diet time!

Hope you enjoyed seeing what we got done and if you've never retreated, find one and give it a try.  The first time I ever went Hubby wanted to know what it was like.  I told him someone cooked all the meals and did the cleanup, picked up after me and I didn't have to make the bed.  I summed it up by saying It's a lot like being a man.  He wasn't amused.

Happy quilting, y'all!

Random Stuff That Doesn't Fit Anywhere Else

This is the post that's all about the stuff that made me go 'well, that's frightfully interesting' or 'holy crap am I ever a clever gal'.  It'll probably make you go 'big whooo' and twirl your finger or suggest I take my medication, but it is what it is.

Called a 'Moonflower', this plant is right outside the retreat center and it smells wonderful.  At night, the bush is full of blooms that close up by about mid-morning.  The unfortunate name conjures up images of drunken, obnoxious males dropping their pants with subsequent video showing up on YouTube.  I know...I should get out more.  Bite me.

I made a name tag for my Featherweight from fabric flowers my Mom discarded and a couple of buttons.  It says 'I'm not ANTIQUE, I'm RETRO-CHIC'.  I think it spiffs Lennie up a bit, don't you?

A box of clementines all the way from Israel...in a tiny town in Texas.  I have no idea what Orla, Shvils, Trumot or Maasrot mean...I'll have to go Google it.  Good fruit though.

And a view out the back of the retreat center.  I'd live there if they'd let me, but DH would probably divorce me or at the very least send the children out there so I guess I'll just stick to my once a year visit.

It's back to work tomorrow and the house is a wreck so I'm off to clean. 

Who'm I kidding?  I'm off to peruse my weekend purchases and watch mindless crap on TV.  OH, happy day!

 

Quilt Retreat Part Two

Somehow I managed to leave the house without being loaded down with projects...maybe it was that double dose of good sense I took before leaving home.  I always, always seem to stuff my little car so full it groans and come home a little let down because I didn't get more done.  I guess I forget at some point a break is necessary to sleep and eat...oh, and bathe. 

Saturday morning I was up at 4 a.m. (my usual wake-up time) and had the sewing room all to my lonesome for about two hours.  A cup of coffee at my elbow, this is what I started on and managed to finish by the end of the day...

I purchased it as a kit about six years ago...yes, I said six.  The pattern is Stix and Stones by Karen Montgomery.  I had everything already cut out and ready to go so it went together quickly.  My daughter's already requested this one.

Mom and I went back to Waxahachie to The Crafty Scrapper.  This retreat was a mix of quilters and scrapbookers and they raved about the shop...which interestingly enough was right around the corner from the quilt shop, Common Threads.  How fortuitous!  And if I were so inclined (which I wasn't this time), the Purple Dragon tattoo shop is right around the corner from both the other shops...double fortuitous!

There's an awesome quilt shop in Italy (not the country, the town in Texas) called Suzzett's that we like to frequent as well so we couldn't pass her by without a look-see.  Her's is mostly internet sales but she built a fabulous new shop behind her home and Mom wanted me to see it...not because it's stuffed with fabric, mind you.  For fun and entertainment I'll tell you the locals pronounce Italy not as I-ta-lee but as It-lee.  We made that mistake once...never again. 

Saturday evening, Sister Margarita stopped by for a visit...you remember the good Sister from last time, right?

Sister makes sewing so much more entertaining plus a visit from her makes a massage much more relaxing.  I started another project post-massage but didn't make it very long...I was in bed by 10:30.  Yep, I'm a party animal!

Stay tuned, there's more...but I've gotta get the kids to school.

Happy quilting, y'all!



 

Mama's Quilt Retreat

My mother is to blame for getting me into this really expensive hobby known as quilting, otherwise she's an awesome mom.  Hey, I've gotta blame her for something!  This is a showcase what she got done this weekend...

Getting a (good quality) picture of my mother is a task on par with getting one of Bigfoot.  I had to snap six pictures to get one decent shot...mouth open, eyes shut, focused anywhere but AT the camera.  You get the picture...pun intended.

Heeeeeeeeere's Mama!

And here's what she got done...

A pajama set and apron for Co-Defendant #2 and a pajama set for #2's baby doll.  She also whipped up about a dozen or so tote bags that she stuffs with items for the local crisis pregnancy center.  She makes, I repeat MAKES, for each tote a fitted sheet, receiving blanket (for summer), fleece blanket (for winter) and bibs.  She buys pacifiers, onesies, burp cloths and socks for the totes as well.  They come with everything but the baby and instructions...really nice!

Happy quilting, y'all!

Quilt Retreat Part One

Mom and I headed north Friday morning to Tracy's Spring Fling quilt retreat at Our House in Milford.  Such fun!  Someone to cook all the meals and clean up...all we had to do was sew.  Throw in a couple of trips to area quilt shops and a massage for good measure.  Boy, am I ever tired!

Here's what I finished up on Friday...happy dance time!

YES!!  It is finally pieced!  I opted not to go with a large outer border like I'd originally planned, thinking it would detract from the airplanes.  Not to mention the fact I'm not getting any younger and I just wanted the darn thing d-o-n-e!  The color's not so good here because I took the picture inside but it's the only place where I could get the whole thing in frame.

Here's a better shot of the actual colors, taken outside...

We went ahead into Waxahachie and stopped at Common Threads, the local quilt shop (it was such a hardship, but we managed all the same).  Mom picked up an apron pattern for herself and Co-Defendant #2.  Here's #2's finished apron...

In case you're wondering just how far out this place is, here's a picture of the view from the front porch...

It looks like the middle of nowhere, but it really isn't.  There are plenty of cows, horses and assorted wild critters...but not a man in sight...or kids, for that matter.

There's plenty more to show you but I'm pacing myself.  All that sewing, eating, sleeping and being able to use the bathroom uninterrupted has just worn me out.  I think it's naptime.

Stay tuned...I linked up to Richard Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict!

And happy quilting, y'all!