Four Days...Four Tops

Four days of retreat. Four tops complete. 

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Obviously, I didn't piece the Pineapple blocks at retreat, but it's now a top. The small tops will be donated and the Plaid-ish will be done with a flannel backing and given to the C's for a couch quilt. 

Katie and Barb seem to be doing well and they caught me up in all their kids/grandkids/kitty stories, as well as ASQ happenings and what's been going on with them personally. 

I had a few drop-offs and one pick up while I was there, and got to know some new friends up here a little better as I would drop by their tables and chat...or they would come over to mine. As always, there was plenty of energy and laughter around the room. This group was a little bigger than in January and there was a herd of kids who came on Friday to liven up the place. 

Today I'm back into Debs Coral Reef top and will be working that all day today and again tomorrow. The studio was put back to rights last night so I could start right in working and I've caught up on all the house chores so I can really focus on her piece. I miss my long arm and can't wait to get into my normal work day. 

Retreat Day!

Because my truck was gone for five days. And because we've had bad weather, I've only been out of the house once in two weeks. I am so looking forward to seeing quilting people again! 

While I'm waiting for the retreat doors to open at 10:30, I'm going to get a few stitches into Debs quilt and pack up what I forgot to pack last night. There's always those few items you remember while showering. 

Here's some of the detail going into Debs quilt...

Inside corners

The arcs

The leaves

I'll keep chipping away at this during the weekend while I'm here. Probably not a whole lot because I'm usually bushed when I finally arrive back home at night. But maybe in the mornings if I get up early enough.

While Jim has been home during our ice storm, he's been working on my thread cabinet. He's waiting for some more glides to arrive before he can finish, but it's in the studio and he loaded it up with the threads I had in the ugly plastic cart. And in baskets. And in bins. 

My new thread cart

I'm going to have to do some rearranging I think because he's also made a ruler rack to go on the side and it's going to interfere with the ruler rack on the wall if I don't rearrange. Not a problem. I'm flexible!

Ice Storm!

This is the view outside the studio window this morning.

Look at all that ice!

It's pretty, but very dangerous, especially since the winds are coming up. While this picture looks like we've gotten through of the worst of it, it was a brief sun appearance and we are now getting (more) snow. And wind! The trees are creaking terribly. Here's hoping the electricity stays with us today since this is what's on the frame...

Deb's Coral Reef. Pattern by Judy Niemeyer

I've started the piece already. But it's a LOT of detail, change of quilting, change of thread colors, marking, registration placements, and rolling back and forth to get the whole section done. It's going to be on the frame for a few days. 

Tomorrow is supposed to be day 1 of retreat, but I'm afraid of the roads and the weather on whether we'll be able to actually have retreat. I have another quilt top cut out giving me three projects to work on, but our county is in a state of emergency and travel is to be done ONLY for emergency vehicles and plows. 

Putting Something Where?

It drives me nuts when I put something somewhere so I'll remember where I put it...and then completely forget where I put it. This is what happened yesterday. I was looking for a particular book and some 1-yard cuts that went with said book to take to retreat this weekend. 

I tore the studio apart, tore the craft closet apart, went back into the studio to take another look in there. Did it all again this morning. Jim asked what I was doing (he's home from work today due to an ice storm we are in the beginnings of) and I told him. He knew exactly where I put the things and got them out for me. Okay...Jim can't die before me. Just sayin'. 

Found!

I was doing all of this while Nanci's quilt was stitching the inside section with the computer. The rest of her quilt is being done custom with rulers and a LOT of marking. Here's what's going into her quilt...

Can you even see the detail?

I ran out of light last night while working that very dark blue so held off finishing this until this morning. I kinda need to see my ruler and registration marks to quilt accurately, but, moreover, need to see to be able to make those registration marks and I just couldn't. I need to get a light for that very dark corner!

I'm playing the electricity game this morning. We've been warned we are probably going to lose our electric at some point today and I'll just keep doing electric things while I can.

Ever Have a Work-cation?

I did not go to Tennessee. I wanted people to think I was going, but because of space constraints in the truck, it was not possible for me to tag along. And, I needed a few days to deal with this...

Quilts/Tops laying in wait

Day 1: Load and start Paulettes 365. I also hung and organized the customer quilt tops by date in. 

This top is so gorgeous! And heavy!

Here is the border treatment put into it.

Very time consuming but so worth it!

Day 1 and 2: All while working Paulettes border, DW was being stupid. I always check the needle position when I get my machine back because my tech has a tendency to move the thing around. And, for some reason, he decided to move my thread guide as well???

Needle at 7:00. Thread guide now at 5:00.

I was getting so much shredding, which I NEVER get and an occasional long stitch. I struggled through Paulettes quilt going only left to right and top to bottom...otherwise threads would shred. For two days I did this! While I was finishing my pineapple blocks that second night (yep, they're all done), I put on my physics hat and started thinking about this.

Day 3: Here's what I put on the frame with the "fixes" I put into place...

Nanci's batty crazy top

DW performed like a champ! Yay! That night I celebrated by making this...

A grocery bag to put into your purse. Isn't it cute?

Saturday night I loaded this to "play" with on Sunday...

Angela Walters Quilt-Along

Day 4: I only got it half way done and had to remove it from the frame for today's work. But here's what I've gotten done so far...

Pretty!

I gathered "all" my projects for retreat. Only two!?!?!?!?! What the heck? I'm going to have to scrounge around here and find a few more I think.

Ready (?) for retreat

Here's what's on the frame this morning...

Nanci's Snowflakes

I'm going to custom her border and edge to edge the center I think. I have to look at it through the kitchen and see what would be best. Anyway...Jim made it back safe and sound and he's glad to have slept in his own bed last night I'm sure! Maybe Hazel will quit being so nervous about the routine being changed now too?

Happy Early Morning

Jim and I are hitting the road first thing this morning. I have a nail appointment and while I'm there, he's going to gas up the truck and get supplies for the trip. His mom and sister won't be here until after lunch sometime. 

Here's what's on the frame this morning...

Mickey's Home Sweet Home from the Row by Row a few years ago. 

This is Mickey's third top I'm finally getting done from December. DW was acting naughty again last night and I'm not particularly pleased with how the needle position was timed and the alignment hole above his needle was also moved to a not good position. 

This was the "secret" project I was working on yesterday...

For Jim...or his sister

This was made for Jim for Valentines Day. But I'm asking him to gift it to the cancer-stricken sister. If he packs it, I'll know he wants to gift it to her. If not, then I'll know he's actually really into the quilt and I'll have to make Teresa a different one. I just put an all over hook swirl in it yesterday morning to get it done quickly and before leaving today. 

I'm going to try to long arm as much as I can after our errands this morning and before the family arrives. Lots of luck on that one I suppose. 

Tennessee Bound

Jim sister (the one diagnosed recently with stage four Pancreatic cancer) lives in Tennessee...JUST above the Alabama state line. A trip was planned for last week but was put off due to her hospital stay/issues. Then it was rescheduled for this Thursday. But the weather isn't going to play nice and now it's been moved up to tomorrow. 

Jim took the truck in for a check up/oil change last night and I have to clean it out later today at some point so everybody has room to move around. We have the biggest/newest vehicle for everybody to go down in and with two almost 90-year old women, they need room to adjust and move. 

Well, enough about that depressing situation. 

Here's what was on the frame yesterday after completing Mickey's second top...

Sometimes simple is all you need!

I'm just loading for today so no pics yet. 

Jim surprised me yesterday with a single rose (and he hadn't even read my blog yet). 

My VD rose

So much for not celebrating Valentines Day. Well, he has a surprise coming today as I'm working on something kind of secretive all day. Pics to come tomorrow.