Congrats Caleb and Lia and Happy Birthday Tristan

First, let's talk about continuing education. As a professional in the teaching and nursing field, we were required to attend a LOT of continuing ed classes throughout the year. It was constant. I didn't understand at the time (hated the term 'best practices') but now that I am in charge of my own business and see how quickly change occurs even in the quilting world, I am more aware of the need for con ed. 

I have not taken a hands-on or on-line long arm class in a long time. Probably at least three years. Okay, I did watch a number of YouTube videos on how to do one motif or how to handle a problem situation, but attending a class on actually working through a quilt was nil.  

I invested in myself (as well as the business) last night and am now attending the Quilters Groove Academy with Lisa Calle. She's a multi award winning long armer and her works are just stunning. I wanted to have the ability to make a quilt go from nice to oh wow! 

I've only delved into the introduction phase and have some homework to do before continuing in the class but I'm so excited to not have to stop and stare at a quilt to decide what goes in, or, better yet, just put in the old standbys to get through it. I have a tendency to do that with my personal quilts.

In the meantime, here's some quilting going into the Tilda Sampler I'm currently working...

And we got some good news last night about the grand baby we're expecting in late January. Caleb got out of the field yesterday and Lia waited until she could tell him first, before letting the world know, but we are going to be welcoming a new baby girl into the family. I'm over the moon because I'd been saying it was a boy all along. I was secretly hoping I was wrong. So glad I was! 

A happy birthday to our eldest grandson, Tristan, who turns 12 today. Holy cow. I have a grandkiddo nearing his pre-teens. UGH! 

I never did fire up DW yesterday. I didn't want to listen to him screaming behind me all day (bad headache day) but maybe today I'll get Pat's quilt worked through. 

After working on customer stuff, I started cutting out tops for the retreat I'm attending in about a month. I like to have everything cut out and ready to just sit and sew allowing me the ability to chat with people while I'm doing that. This is a new group and it would be nice to get to know everybody on a more personal level.

I have the first one all ready to go and will work through the second one probably not tonight. I have to get my homework done for the Academy before being able to move along in my "studies". 😊