Retreat was awesome!

   Last weekend I had a wonderful 4 days of sewing with my friends from the Museum Quilt Guild on our annual retreat.  We stay at Camp Asbury on Silver Lake- a mere 20 minutes from home!

 I got there fairly early and got right to work on baby quilt number one, which I call "Snips and Snails".  It seemed like it took me forever to get the appliques ready to blanket stitch. 





I almost forgot to bring threads for that, so at the last minute I just grabbed the whole bin!

I love wandering down to Kathi's work station to see what she has pulled out of her stash to work on!










Mary Lee and I used all the space made available due to our table mate not being able to come until Friday.









By dinner time Friday I had the top finished!

So I got to work cutting pieces the second quilt I brought along.  I had thought it would be a nice quilt to hang over the changing table, but it's bigger than I realized.  (I really should pay more attention to the finished sizes in the patterns!)   He will have a big smiling frog mouth quilted on later.  I didn't plan it, but it was pointed out to me the cool way the pieced border has a 3-D look!

Along the way Saturday, I was helping Mary Lee with her "Old Italian" blocks.  She cut these wrong and was going to throw them out.  I asked if I could play with them- and promptly screwed them up worse.  She may use them on the back

This is how they are supposed to look..  It's going to be beautiful isn't it?

I popped by Kathi's spot to admire the free pieced blocks she made.  I have learned not to ask what she will do with them.  :-)

Julie brought the pattern for these birds and invited the rest of us to try one. Aren't they cute?

So now I have 2 baby quilt tops pieced and ready to be quilted- in only 4 days!

The staff at the retreat center provides all of our meals on real plates, which we return to the kitchen to be washed and used again.  They provide us with beverages all day, with real coffee cups and glasses!  The only garbage produced from meals was the paper napkins!  It reminded me of when I was in elementary school- where we did this every day.  Imagine the mountains of garbage that would not exist if this was still done in every institution.  Imagine....

I am grateful for:
Great times with very good friends!
My stomach is feeling much better. (knock wood)
The end of February!
Bad weather has given me some stories to share- and I made it where I was going!
Being completely silly and laughing until it hurts.

It's all about the baby!

 As of today, it is T minus 90 days and counting to the due date for my grandson.

Most of my recent creations are with him in mind.   First I decided to try and use up some sock yarn by making tiny socks.  The pattern for the blue ones did not specify a size, but they look a bit big for a newborn.

I'm attempting to make a pair of frog booties using this pattern.  I am a visual person, and the pattern does not have anywhere near enough pictures for me.  So I am having trouble getting them to look like froggies.  I don't think I like worsted yarn anymore, being so accustomed to sock yarn!  Stay tuned....




While searching for something in the sewing room a couple of weeks ago, I ran across Jinny Beyer's book, Patchwork Puzzle Balls.  I had made quite a few of these when I first got the book, and decided to make one for the baby.  But one is never enough- and they are fun to make!

Here you can see the stars on the one made with scraps of Star Wars fabric.

I know he won't be able to hold them, but he can have them on the floor to look at when he has tummy time.






























I found a tutorial for "self mitered receiving blankets", so got some sweet boy baby flannel to try those out.  Easy and a nice size!

I don't want big sister, Kiara, to feel left out, so I have been picking up gifts for her as well.  I bought this fabric last year to make her a dress, and finally got it finished!  I hope she will like it. 

Next week is the annual retreat with my buddies from the Museum Quilt Guild.  Four days this year, instead of three!  I am taking supplies to make- you guessed it- baby quilts!!!

I recently read an article about a young woman who made NO TRASH for 2 years!!!  You can also read her story on her blog.  I was amazed at her willingness to give up all packaged products.  Think about that- she made her own toothpaste, for goodness sake!  (And I have to admit to curiosity about how she buys the raw materials without any packaging)
I don't think we all need to go this far- although we could all be better off if we did without some of the conveniences.  And we can all do SOME of these things- like it never occurs to me to ask them not to bring me a straw with my drink when I eat out.  Preventing waste is the best way to reduce it.  So think about where you can make a small change- like getting an e-receipt only when that option is offered.  (the advantage there is you also don't get all the stupid coupons and special offers!)

I am grateful for:
My husband who takes such good care of me!
The cold weather giving me an excuse to stay inside and sew.
A rising tide of voices demanding we take better care of this planet.
The  dvr on our newly upgraded Directv
Only a few more days to one of my favorite times of the year!!

Not for "our" baby

I finished a baby quilt last week that I had started last year, intending it to be donated at the gathering of my online quilting friends.  Due to some confusion over where the quilts would be  donated, I never finished this one in favor of one an older child or adult would be able to use. It is made using a pattern I developed as a "Scrap Therapy" bonus.  It's not an original design, obviously- but I rewrote it for the sizes of the cut squares. 
Anyway, when I told Al I was working on a baby quilt, I added hastily that "It's not for our baby- just some random baby."  I have fabric ready for three quilts for "our" (grand) baby.  It's what I'm planning to work on at retreat this year. 

 

I wandered through the designs in several quilting books before I found this- I hope it shows in the picture.  Easy and perfect for this pattern!  I'll definitely use this one again.







 

I also finished my first pair of socks for the year.  I got this yarn last fall when I had an hour long lunch break from jury duty.  I had already eaten my "elevensies", so I went downtown to the Dancing Goat Yarn Shop to poke around.













I'm very surprised and honored to have found out that my challenge quilt won three ribbons from the judges this week!  I certainly didn't think my piece was the best one there. 

In the "Save the Planet" segment is one of the many items I am always shaking my head over- those Kuerig cups.  They have vowed to come up with a reusable alternative by 2020!!!  Why will it take so long?  Other companies have already made them, and every day they delay creates hundreds of thousands more of those blasted cups to wind up in landfills.  If you have a Keurig, please let the company know you are demanding they show more environmental responsibility than that!!!!


I am grateful for:
Al's cold is getting better- and it wasn't the flu!
Fresh Cuba cheese curds
Giving Guy a long distance sewing lesson
Being able to help a very happy man adopt a kitty
Reading a book that stays with me after I have to put it down and go back to the "real world"

Challenge reveal

 I goofed.  I didn't take enough pictures before I put this together.  This year's challenge theme was " show us your best blooms".

There is also a fabric component to it. Naturally I don't have a picture of the fabric, either.  Sorry the picture is sideways- I took it with the phone and some of those refuse to straighten up!  Anyway, the challenge fabric is circled.  It has been altered a bit.  (Mine is still recognizable.  Some of the ladies altered it so much I had to really hunt to find it.  There should be a prize for the best camouflage!)

 Anyway, this piece uses techniques from three different books- four if you count the crazy quilt book I referred to when I did the hand stitching!
I made dozens and dozens of the "Kanzashi" flowers a couple of years ago, and saved the blue ones to be a bouquet on a quilt at some point.   Fortunately, I found the excuse to do it!
First I made the vase using tiny scraps of fabric and Susan
Carlson's Serendipity Quilts.

After auditioning it on several fabrics, I decided this background was the right one.  Next, I played with Carol Ann Waugh's Stupendous Stitching techniques- which I LOVE, by the way!

 I didn't think I would do much hand stitching on it.  But once I got started, I didn't want to stop.  The book tells you to stop 2 inches from the edge to prevent the hand stitching being trimmed off of the final quilt.  I think if I do this again I will know how big the final piece will be so I don't end up with the "empty" spots I have on this one.

 


After the stitching, I appliqued the vase, layered and quilted.  I laid the flowers I had chosen on it and decided they were uninteresting.   So I tried some different ones, and was much happier.


















When I made the label, I had to come up with a name for the piece.  I decided on "Garden Jewels".  Jewels are sparkly, so I added some glitter! (which doesn't photograph well)

For my second entry, which I actually finished first,  I used some of my "Scrap Therapy" squares--Hey, I spent all that time cutting them, they have to get used up so my kids don't feel bad throwing them away when I die!!    The pattern is by "This and That".  It's a quilt as you go- very easy and a nice sized bag. 

Here's some good news- the Senate has agreed that climate change is not a hoax.  However, there is still a faction who thinks it is not due to human activity. (sigh!)
In an effort to make this whole save the planet thing more real to you, here is some good news about recycling your cans.  Thanks- and remember to peel the labels off them and recycle that with your paper!

In case you are one of the 4 people I haven't told this to three or four times- I am going to be a grandmother in May!  It is a boy, but he doesn't have a name yet.  I have three quilts kitted up and ready to work on at retreat in February!!  And I haven't stopped smiling since they told us!

I am grateful for:
Perspective
Al is feeling well enough to be back at work.
The "have-to-dos are finished for a while.
Cats who don't mind getting a pill shoved in their mouth!
Sewing time

Is it the first project or the last?

 Last summer I decided to make a portrait quilt for Cait, using this picture of her and Kiara, which she uses for her Facebook cover.  Aren't they gorgeous?  Just look at those eyes!
It was supposed to be a Christmas gift.  But there were quilts I needed to finish for the quilt show, and that renaissance costume, and- well, you know.  So I never started it until Thanksgiving.  It wasn't finished in time for Christmas, but I did get to give it to her at our sort of second Christmas last weekend while Guy was home.

I realized I should have been collecting flesh tone fabric as I traveled about in the Lancaster area in October, since I had almost nothing!  Mary helped me add to my stash and I got started.  Once you have all the pieces fused and cut out, it's time to put the puzzle together.  Along the way, I found I had done this on my ironing board.
It doesn't look at all like Cait!










  I had a difficult time with Cait's face, and am still not 100% pleased with it.  I just couldn't get the area around her nose to look right at all.  The first piece I tried was way too dark

 A different spot in the same fabric was better.





















Here they are together before I fused them. 







Once I fused them, I had to find a background.  I work from the top down rather than the bottom up.  I decided Cait would be wearing a t shirt so I didn't have to figure out yet another flesh tone for her arm.

 I've had this hand marble for several years waiting for a "special project". 

 I used watercolor crayons, colored pencils and wax pastels to enhance the fabrics, add shading or alter the colors a bit for the finished portrait. 

I didn't count this in my tally for 2014, even though most of the work was done in December.







Some news:

My "Zendala Mandala" has been juried into the AQS show in Lancaster, PA- in March.  I haven't stopped smiling since I got the notification.

And the news I have long wished for- I am going to be a grandmother in May!!!  (I did mention baby quilts last post, so you probably guessed)

If you care about environmental issues, you should be very scared for the next couple of years- while the republicans are in charge of both sides of the legislative branch.  I know I am!

I am grateful for:
Having Guy home for a nice visit!!!
The cookies are all gone!
Good laughs with great friends.
Only two more tests to retype.
Free wifi

A Look Back at the "old" Year

As we tend to do at this time of year, I have spent some time looking back at 2014 in the past couple of days.  One way I measure my year is the number of projects I have completed.  (I ma obviously a product person- needing some tangible- quantifiable?- result for my time)
This year I had felt as if I accomplished nothing.    However, when I added it all up, it looked like this:
Sewing
functional quilt (lap or bed): 4
wall/ art quilts: 6
Quilt tops: 4
garments: 10
toys/ decorations: 10
accessories/ bags/ home decor: 15
Knitting
kitty blankets:14
toys/ decorations:3
garments/accessories: 7 (including only ONE pair of socks!)
Oh- and one reupholstered chair

I think this is my favorite piece from this year, mostly because I really liked the quilting.

I also really enjoyed the "Creative Girls"- and hope to make more of them.

 (dear blogger, please add the option to "layer" pictures!)

This year, I hope to make more- as always.  I do know that I will be making some  quilts for a very special baby boy!

One thing I am proud of, even though I personally have nothing to show for it, is that I fostered 27 kittens in 2014.  I loved every one of them and keep a bit of them with me long after they go to their "furever" home.


I wish you all a very happy and hopeful 2015. 

I am grateful for:
The friends who accept me as I am.
The luxury of working part time.
Kittens to cuddle when I am feeling "dark brown".
Family, near and far- biological and those life gives us.
Music and laughter, which sustain me.

A quickie

Last weekend, I rediscovered the sharpie plate decorating stuff I bought last summer after we did it at an ArtCGirlz meeting.  So I decided to play for a bit.   I have been doing a daily zentangle just for the meditative quality of it, and some days it is the only creative thing I get to do.  So I decided this would be my daily "doodle".  (Don't ever call zentangle doodling if you are with someone who has been to a "CZT" workshop!)



Anyway, this is the plate I ended up with from it.  It's just a sandwich plate- but may find its way to the holiday table with some fudge for my family. 

I am in panic mode otherwise- having under a week to make 2 more gifts- one of which isn't even started!  So no time for a long post.  Soon maybe....

I am grateful for:
Things that are quick and easy.
Potato soup.
The "kids" stayed for dinner.
Matt and Ben have both been adopted.
An excuse to eat cookies for another week or so.