Last Day of This Retreat

This is my last day of the Quirky Quilters quilt retreat. They go by so fast...

I've been working on a pretty intense project this whole week. Lots of little pieces and parts. Many have stopped by my work station to ask what I was up to (as we do as a group) and they are loving the pattern; not loving the tiny pieces and the vast amount of them...

Three of the 'bundles' for the next pic

I have four more of these to go...

I already know how I'm going to quilt these

And all the big books are done...

A sideways view

I'll be working here in the studio on Bernie on the door hanger and getting Jim started on his fourth Shop Hop top on DW this morning before heading up to retreat. 

Hopefully DW will be better behaved this morning as he was having issues yesterday. We ended up pulling a lot of thread out of yesterday's project and may end up just redoing the whole thing depending on what the customer decides. At any case, it's a no charge job since it's become such a problem.

I did get about half the door hanger done yesterday but forgot to grab some pics of my work so will hope to remember to do that today. 

His Old Tricks

DW has had a little quirk ever since I can remember. He'll lose electrical contact at random times while he's doing whatever; basting in, quilting, digital work. 

When he does this during a digital stitch out, he misaligns himself and then all is chaos. Unless you know what you're doing. 

Here's where he 'choked' yesterday...

Hardly even started

This occurred after I left and while Jim was here by himself. He didn't know DW did this (or forgot about it) and hasn't a clue how to realign the motif within the area he needs to quilt. 

Today's lesson is repositioning and getting things back on track. And this is reason #412 why you can't just press GO and expect instances like this not to occur if you don't keep an eye on things. This is reason #413 why I prefer to do custom; I'm in control and not some computer. 

I worked on my book pattern at retreat and will head back up there after lunch. I need to get Jim going again and I need to start the piece on Bernie this morning before heading off to play with my friends. 

Retreat #2 (of 3)

This week I'll be retreating with the gang from Oscoda; the Quirky Quilters Quilt Guild. I seldom go to the meetings, but am still a member. It's a two hour drive up there and retreats are about all I participate in. 

The only 'quilty' thing I did yesterday was make a half dozen or so yo-yo's and order some batting and thread. 

My yo-yo bin

I was cruising along with these yo-yos and then the kids called from Germany. Most of the discussion was how to virtually do a baby shower and the abysmal game outcome from the previous night against Michigan. Bleh. 

But today Jim and I are back to doing quilty things. He's going to be working on another (#3 of 4) Michigan Shop Hop top and I'll be heading to retreat here in a few minutes after I get him set up and running. I'm actually going to sew most of the day, but I'll stay back tomorrow and Wednesday morning to long arm. 

Phone Time

Ya know, if the machines aren't running, I'm not making any coin. BUT, talking with customers and quilt groups is a necessary to make sure I have business to keep those machines running. I've been on the phone all morning and hopefully, this will be the last of it for the day.

Janice's quilt is still incomplete. I worked 10 hours on it yesterday and at 8:00 my foot was telling me that was enough. I'll finish that this morning and then start on this quilt later this afternoon...

Kathi M's second quilt

This one is going to be a doozy. It's a large quilt and is going to need a lot of ruler and thread work done. 

Meanwhile, and since we are now in October, I'm starting to wrap my head around the three (yes, three) retreats I'll be attending from October 7 through November 17th. So excited! The first one starts next Monday up at The Springs for the Quirky Quilters Quilt Guild. 

I'm going to have to think about projects I need to cut to get them ready to go. I need to round up projects that are still in progress to finish at retreats, and the logistics of which machines to take when. And then there's my mother. Who decided to not wreck her summer by having foot surgery, but waited until this fall to talk to a doctor about her issues. I'm thinking positive thoughts and praying her surgery doesn't interfere with all of the goings-on this and next month. 

Full Moon

The moon is so cool. And viewing it over one of our great lakes as it rises for the night is even cooler. 

Moon over Lake Huron

I think this may actually be Saginaw Bay, but nonetheless, it's spectacular. And we had a marvelous sunset on the other horizon to accompany us home. Later last night, we were able to see a partial eclipse of said moon but I could not get a pick of that. It was just the top portion but also very cool. 

Here's what I'll be working on today...

Bernadettes halloween quilt

This is going to get a spiderweb edge-to-edge in it this morning. While that's stitching out, I'll be auditioning/starting this one on Bernie...

Judy's Twisted Bargello

I was initially going to put wavy lines following the twists, but I may do something different. I'm playing around with a few things in my head. I'l get the iPad out and sketch some ideas while DW is working.

One customer already here this morning dropping off a backing (the one that was too short last week) and another coming soon to pick up. The rest of the day is free to quilt away and it's supposed to be warm (unseasonably) and sunny again. Beautiful fall so far!

A Quick Post

Yesterday I finally got Judy's Pickle Dish quilted. It's still on the frame waiting for the marks to disappear. I'm going to start DW first thing after I get this post done and hopefully it'll be done before I have to leave today around 3:45 to head to Oscoda for our guild meeting. 

After getting the quilting done and all the paperwork around (it was after 6:00), I moved over to Bee Happy. I got the pinwheel blocks completed.

There are eight

Why do my centers never really line up despite accurate cutting/piecing and lining up when joining the two halves? I think I'm destined to just long arm.

Another beautiful, sunny, warm day ahead today. Unseasonably warm for a mid-September date. 

Teaching

It's great to teach if you've been classically trained. Like I have. Yesterday was a great day and while I was nervous going in, I settled right back into teaching mode and had a blast. It doesn't matter what age you teach, whether it's six-year olds or 86-year olds, repetition and availability is key. Having smiles during the process and successes after the lesson is priceless!

Happy faces and lots of progress!

I didn't get home last night until nearly 9:00. It was a long but wonderful day. The weather was gorgeous and here's a view of one of Michigans great lakes...

Lake Huron in the morning

I usually only get to see this lake in the afternoon/evening hours, but the morning views are spectacular.

Two quilt tops were picked up while I was up north and after logging those in and getting them into the queue (another fall finish deadline) I'll be working on Sandy's quilt on DW. But first I have to return phone calls that came in yesterday. 

Tomorrow I'll be out of the studio too. I'm (hopefully) heading to Grand Rapids to the AQS show. I haven't been in two years and it's time to pay vendors and quilt makers a visit. 

Guild Meeting

I pulled off that Twirly quilt about a half hour before having to leave for the guild meeting. Suffice it to say I didn't work on anything else. So, today is buckle down day. 

Here are a few of the quilts shown at guild last night... 

I didn't get a great pic of this, but it was so cool!

Love anything colorful!

More colorful!

I'll be working on the birthday banner today on Bernie this morning. I've already had a customer come and both pick up and drop off and that's all I'm expecting so should be pretty productive. 

Guild Meeting

Yesterday's work day was cut short to head up to Oscoda for our monthly guild meeting. Yeah, it's a haul, but this is an amazing group of women who are friendly, helpful, and giving. Even though I don't see them often, we connect as soon as we see each other. 

We had a guest speaker last night. She is from Saginaw and she's pretty nationally known. Her name is Beth Ferrier and her appliqué techniques are dy-no-mite! No plastic glue (fusible). No hand sewing. My kind of appliqué. She was kind enough to provide us each with a few patterns to try on our own...

This quilt is spectacular

Not only did we get this free pattern book, but she gave a very long trunk show identifying how she has improved over the years; how her growth has pushed her into discovering new ways to do piecing, appliqué, and quilting. 

Jim and I didn't get home until after 10:00 last night.

Today I have one coming to pick up. Laura's quilt is done and I'm frame ironing Gails next up on DW. I'll be working on Deb B's quilt today while frame ironing the rest of the back for Gail...

Back on Bernie

This was loaded once already but pulled it off to do the second of two for Rae last week. 

First Snow

While I was working on Janes quilt yesterday morning, that familiar unwelcome (to some) white stuff started floating past the studio windows. And then a little more started falling. Within an hour we had white ground. 

Three days after my birthday

Of course, it didn't stick around, but it was pretty for the little bit of time it was here.

Continuing on with Janes quilt today (seems like it's been on the frame forever) and it should be done. I was supposed to go to Oscoda for the QQQG meeting, but my grandson decided to share his cold with grandma and so I'm not feeling particularly well. Sore throat, stuff nose, headache. Bleh. I don't want to spread this around so I'm going to stay here. Plus, there's more snow in the forecast. 

I did get the charity quilt quilted before shutting down for the night. I'll get that off today and get another one loaded; if my energy stays with me (crossing my fingers here).

Guild (Guilt) Day

I really wanted to go up and sew with the ladies all day in Oscoda. BUT...Lucy is not even a week post-op and I have a mountain of tops still sitting here in the queue. I'll run up tonight for our monthly meeting but to be gone all day right now just wasn't in the cards.

Here's what's on the frame today...

Tina's Vintage Flea Market

I've already started the border and have rolled once. Hopefully this will go rather quickly since I have another duplicate top sitting there right behind this one for another client. 

Speaking of Lucy. She wanted some attention yesterday and kept creeping closer to my feet to get some loves. 

"Here I am Mom"

Terribly hot weather again today but at least there's a little breeze to help those who have to work outdoors in this kind of stuff (Jim and Ben). 

Blogging Delayed

Just as I was finishing laundry this morning, mom came over for a visit. Jim showed up just before lunch and he just left to go back to work. Mom left to do whatever it is she likes to do: Run the roads. 

Now I get to work. Here's what's on the frame today (and probably the next week)...

[Another] Dream Bigger for Mary M.

Each one of the Dream Big panels (whether it's a small or large size) get quilted differently. I never (ever) quilt them the same. Here's the first petal so far and will keep the pics coming between today, retreat, and the weekend. 

Speaking of retreat, I have to start packing up for that. I think tomorrow I'm going to work on my retreat bag. If I finish it before the night ends, I can always come home and get the other sewing machine/supplies for the rest of the projects I want to work on. The Springs is only five miles down the road after all. 

Seven New Tops

Between the (new) guild and a customer this morning, I have seven new tops to work. While I was waiting for Janes top to dry (from the markings) and while waiting for Hazel to get picked up from the groomers, I was able to finish my "Summer" banner... 

Is it ever going to get here?

It was fun driving along Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron yesterday afternoon heading up to Oscoda. Fun, but kind of lonely since the summer folks haven't arrived yet. It was spitting snow at me on the way there so it's no wonder the places haven't opened yet. 

I have a new retreat I'll be attending in May. So excited! Meanwhile, Janice's backing is being washed and I'll load that on today and get it started since it has an immediate deadline.

I also noticed on my log that I have a couple of needs-by-the-end-of-April tops I'm going to have to slip in after Janices is done. Whew! When it rains and all that happy jazz. 

Happy Veterans Day to all my Fellow Veterans

I take my military experience pretty serious. I grew up (a little) being in the service. I relinquished all prejudices I may have had (although I don't think I really had all that many), I was honored to have achieved the promotions and commendations I received. And most recently, the recipient of a Quilt of Valor. Remember the sacrifices your service members put forth so that YOU can live a safer life. 

Yesterday was a testament to the hard work I further learned (because farming is pretty hard work as well) in my formative early 20's while in the military. Two baby quilts done in the morning. A large queen loaded in the afternoon and I'm already into the blocks after setting in the border last night. 

Jill's baby quilt

Penny's baby quilt

Border detail

Stephanie's top I'm working today 

This is a pretty intense top to work so it will probably be on the frame a couple of days. Jim is on-call this weekend so we aren't planning on going anywhere too far and should be able to concentrate on this one fairly easily. 

And, I. AM. MAJORLY. BUMMED! I'm going to join the Quirky Quilters Quilt Guild and their meeting is next Tuesday...moms surgery day. And chances of her staying overnight in the hospital is pretty slim, meaning I won't be able to sneak away and attend the meeting. The chance of weather holding out another month is probably pretty slim since we've been playing nice-weather-roulette over the last few weeks. 

Trunk Show and Quilt of Valor

The trunk show at the Quirky Quilters Quilt Guild went very well. Thank you to my husband for all his help, my mom for cataloging the quilts as we were pulling them, Linda from Pieces of Thyme for helping to handle them after showing them, and Linda and Susan both from Pieces of Thyme for coming to the Quilt of Valor presentation.

I've only ever had one quilt made for me and that was by my grandmother (I still have it) a very long time ago. This was the quilt I was presented with last night...

My quilt and the certificate to go with it

Another huge thank you to Paulette (seen on the left) for making this quilt for me!

It was a HUGE surprise to be awarded this honor. You don't just get one willy nilly. You have to have served in the armed forces and have been nominated to receive it. I will cherish this quilt for as long as I live, and since Caleb is the only one in the family to have served in the military, it will get handed down to him when I'm gone. 

This quilt guild is about an hour and half from the house, but it was an absolutely beautiful drive along the shores of Lake Huron and worth every minute we spent with these wonderful women (and Jim). I am still looking for a quilt guild to join and I think I just found it! I won't be able to head there in the winter, but that's really only four months out of the year. They sew during the day and then have their meeting at night. Which is perfect!

I received four tops last night to quilt and another customer dropped off this morning. I have to write work orders up on all of these and do a little cupboard rearranging before I can get on the long arm. Bet get to it!