Back Home Again

The time has come to return back to a normal schedule. What an absolutely fun and laughter filled retreat we had. There were tears, in-depth discussions, information, advice, and so much laughing. Oh the laughter. I cherish the annual time with some of these ladies I won't see again until next year. 

But alas, all good things must come to an end. However, in my case, goodness continues as I get to spend the day with the big guy(s) (man and machine) who I missed terribly. Especially yesterday while I was fighting with some borders. More on that in a bit. 

Here is what I put together the first three days...

The body is complete

Yesterday I had every intention of getting this completely finished. The table and room situation had other ideas and I only got the first border on. While attempting the second border I was becoming frustrated, I messed one of them up and decided to work on it here where the thing wasn't sliding off the slippery, plastic table while trying to pin or sew. Quilting should be fun; not frustrating.

With the left over second border pieces, I made a quick Easter table runner...

Just enough for the bar during the Easter holiday

And after that was finished, I had to find something else to do. As luck would have it, I was the next name called in the raffle and there was a pillow case kit still available as a prize, so selected that to make in the time I had left with the group.

My last project for this retreat

I always leave while everybody is at dinner. I get too choked up saying good-bye and just like to sneak out before having to endure all the tears and depression. It's still sad to leave the parking lot, but it's easier without trying to drive through watery eyes. 

Until next year...

Today I'll be on Bernie continuing on with the Tilda Girls for Carla. I'll enjoy the music and hum of the machine as I do each day I'm working while watching a new light snow out the windows of the beautiful place where I create. Jim is working in the downstairs bathroom and it'll be wonderful to be able to see him all day long as I miss him terribly when I'm away. 

Post-Retreat Check-in

Here are a few things I was able to get done at our weekend retreat...

A new "crazy" quilt top

Two Pillow Cases

Elijah's new big boy quilt top

The center of the Cotton Cuts BOM and a new carry bag

Once I was home and had everything put away yesterday, I started right in on the Dream Bigger. I'm not sure how many petals I actually did do but here are the pics...

It looks to be about eight. Today (and tomorrow, and probably the next day) will be spent chipping away on this piece. My goal is to have it off the frame by this weekend (Memorial Day) because we are expecting all the neighbors up with the holiday (despite not having a lake). 

4 + 4

The four quilts from last week are done and ready for pick up.

Yesterday, four more came in. The difference in last week to this week are two versus four customers.

And it seems the quilts coming in are becoming even more complex than the previous. I'll shoot and share pics as they are loaded and waiting for quilting. Maybe even some of the quilt detail if the lighting is right.

12 Nutcrackers

Detail of one of the nutcrackers

Obviously, the light is right this morning so here is quilt number one from yesterday's drop off. The customer would like a tight (smaller than dime size, but not a micro) fill behind each nutcracker. And no stipple. And the fills need to be varied for each of the 12 nutcrackers. And the nutcrackers can't be touched. AT ALL!

I'm putting arches in the outer black border and a rope-like design in the green small border. That's about all the decisions I've made for now on this one. I'm going to have to dig deep to find some appropriate fills to put behind these, which should be fun. No really, I LOVE researching stuff like this.

In between customer quilts, I've been working on Christmas presents. Here's a few pics of those in the works.

The start of a turtle for Penelope

This will need to be loaded after the nutcrackers are finished so I can get the turtle shell textured. Meanwhile, I can work on the legs, head, and tail tonight after long arming all day. And after working on Caleb and Lia's cookbook.

One for each of the kids and grandkids.

There were two more made but those were for Jim and me for the current quilt on our bed. The pillow cases I made earlier for the Stripe Me Happy quilt don't really go well, and the new pillow cases fit perfectly. We'll use the others for spares around here when people visit.