November Quilt Update

Any links that you click in this post will open in a DIFFERENT window, allowing you to continue reading this without losing the page.

The previous 2016 monthly update links are located at the end of this entry.  I hope that you make it that far.

Goals:  I am no longer even attempting to comment on those that were not touched.  They'll just stay on the list until they are achieved, even though life jumps in front of them now and then.

Easy Street (ES) - quilted, bound - on frame - does that count?
Old Tobacco Road (OTR)  - Clues 4, 5 - 

Roll Roll Cotton Boll - quilted and bound -  
Mad City Mama (MCM) - quilted and bound -
Razzle Dazzle (RD) - quilted and bound - Quilted by Allison and FINISHED
Tree Skirt and Owl samples made for retreat - BOTH FINISHED
Weed Whacker set, back, binding, label made, quilted and bound - Set, Back/Label made

1st -  The first of the month comes around and I want to post the update from the previous month.  Usually that means a rush to finish entries it is linked to and try, try, try to get it out as quick as possible.  Today is not an exception.  The entire day is devoted to doing just that -- getting the October Update posted.   I am going to try so much harder this month to stay caught up.  Can I?

2nd -  I started working on the owl phone/tablet holders while at retreat last month.  Today they are to be finished.  My first task is to somehow figure out a way to get the rice inside these buggers.  Apparently I left the openings a week bit too small.  After several fruitless attempts, I cut the handle from an empty milk jug and slide it into the hole.  Presto -- instant funnel.  Oh yeah -- doing the happy dance here.  Next, the holes get filled with some fluff and then hand sewn closed.  What else today?  Laundry.  Yes, those wonderful household chores that we all wish elves would show up to do.  Oh and packing.  I'm leaving for Houston tomorrow.

En Provence - Clue 1 - Bonnie Hunter - Mystery Quilt

It's here!!!! It's here!!! The wonderful day we have all been waiting for - Black Friday.  Not because we want to shop but because we want to sew.  And have fun.  I have a house full of family so I will be honest and tell you that this is the first time I haven't gotten up in the middle of the night to check and see if the clue is posted.  I slept.  I slept well.  I left it to everyone else to do the peeking and fidgeting.  Now it is 6:15 and I see the clue posted 15 minutes ago.  Perfect timing for me.  Neutrals?? Of course since that is the only fabric I haven't pulled yet.

Tiptoeing quietly past sleeping grandchildren, I make my way to the studio and the neutral bin.  I just start grabbing and bring in the right size strip box as well.  Hopefully I already have some strips cut.  With a grand flourish, I dump my fabric on the sofa and head back to the studio for supplies and items to set up a sewing room for Allison and I.  She will arrive shortly and we have all day together to knock out clue 1.  I am ready when she arrives.  We are quiet as can be so as not to wake the household.  First up:  ironing for me.

Brazos November Retreat - Third Year

The November retreat has finally arrived and it seems like it has been an eternity since we were at Brazos.  It was May and as I cross the five cattle guards and reach the gate, I feel like I am going home.  This is such a good feeling.

Hello Old Friend.  I've missed you.  My heart is already happier and I am not even out of the car yet.  Yes, it is that glorious here.  The donkeys have been moved back down here near the house and there are a LOT of them.  I'll have to take a little walk right away and check things out.

The Making of a Tree Skirt

A year ago Debi K. asked if we could make a tree skirt at the November retreat.  Well, given a year's notice it is pretty dang hard to turn a request down.

In February we were making Quilt As You Go table runner with winter fabrics and since the previous Christmas Mister and I decided to do a blue themed Christmas this year, I set aside enough fabric strips for this project.  And there they sat.  For SEVEN months.  Now I am in Oh My Gosh mode and I need to get this project finished if I am going to attempt to help others.

This is the Moda Bake Shop FREE pattern entitled Peppermint Swirl.  It is a bargello type tree skirt and I took it a step further (much to my chagrin, but more about that later).

10/31  It's Halloween and I have been invited to Valerie's for the day.  You can read all about our day by clicking on this LINK.  Since I cut all my strips back in February, I pull them out and start sewing them in panels, trying to keep the bargello effect going.  I'm doing well until the very last panel and I discover that I am out of several of the strips I have been using and will need to substitute others in.  That means I have to strategically put them in throughout all the panels so that it is not so obvious.  Wonderful.

Antiquing in West Texas

Today is a bit more casual since we really don't have any specific agenda or place to see.  As we arrive in Anson, TX, I spot the Anson Antique Mall and Mister quickly makes a turn to check it out.  Yay.  I love antiquing and we haven't really had much of a chance to enjoy it lately.  Note to self:  do this more.

I grab a few pictures to share with ya'll as I wander the aisles.  Enjoy the eye candy.  Do YOU remember these comic books.  I lived for each new one to come out.  Yes, I was that silly pre-teen/teen girl.

More Vacation Quilt Shop Time

Hello there -- We start out our day at the Carlsbad Caverns.  Have you been there?  It's absolutely amazing and I am delighted no matter where I look.

A Couple of New Mexico Quilt Shops

Mister and I are out and about in southeastern New Mexico today.  While in Artesia having lunch, I spot a cute little quilt shop called Martha's and make a quick beeline over there while waiting for our food.

Along the way, I am stopped in my tracks as these murals appear between two buildings and the colors are just so vibrant that I have to take a closer look.  This little courtyard is perfect for quietly reading or getting organized for the day.  I do love the flavor of this area of the country.  My greatest desire is to have a adobe home that surrounds a center courtyard.  What joy that would be.

Half a Day at Sunset - With the Gals

It has rained ALL NIGHT and I am out of the house by 6:15 a.m. so that I can get to Allison's by 7:00, transfer to her car and make it to Sunset by 9:00 a.m.  The rain is horrendous to drive in and my state of mind is not very nice when I arrive at Allison's.  She lets me share my worries, we make a plan for the day, and are soon on our way.  It's a lot of driving for a short time there, BUT the time in the car gives us a chance to visit.  Perfect.

It is NOT raining in Sunset and I am thankful for that.  My mood has lightened tremendously and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone, even if only for a short time.  Our renewed efforts to "travel light" are rewarded with ALL of our things fitting on one rolling cart, except Allison's machine which is rolling on it's own.  Well, not technically on it's own, but you know what I mean.

My project for today is to somehow make sense of the bargello tree skirt that I cut up yesterday in preparation of today.  I managed to cut not one, but TWO, sets of the wedges the wrong direction and need to somehow put them back together again.  Where are all the king's horse and all the king's men when I need them?

Houston Quilt Festival - Day Three

It's day three and I am up before the sun.  Well, that happens when you crawl into bed at 8:00.  There is a flurry of activity on the streets below as they gear up for the Rocket Run which starts at 7:00.  Streets are closed off and people in red shirts are running amok everywhere.  I can hear barely music coming from the park nearby and once in awhile cheers are raised for something of which I know nothing about.  It is all quite magical.  Oh look -- here comes the sun.  It's behind me so I can only see some color on the buildings in front of me.  Gorgeous.  It certainly bodes well for a wonderful last day here.

Houston Quilt Festival - Day Two

Good morning.  As I step out of bed, I gingerly put my feet down.  Do they hurt as much as they did last night?  Nope.  Yay.  I am good to go.  It's time to get dressed and go to breakfast.  Val calls just as we are heading up and meets up with us for a wonderful visit.  It's always so good to be with her.

Okay, after breakfast it's time to get started again.  I have a plan.  Let me say that a bit louder.  I HAVE A PLAN.  I am going to go and finish the vendor area (and start that by redoing the last two aisles I did yesterday as I think I was a walking zombie by then) AND start on the quilts.  The show opens at 10 and I am giving myself until 1 to get into the quilt area.  Can I do it?  I'm gonna give it the old college try.

Houston Quilt Festival - Day One

One year ago people were posting like crazy about the Houston International Quilt Festival and I didn't understand what the big deal was all about.  I  mentioned that I had never been and was looked at in amazement.  "If you want to call yourself a quilter, you must go at least once."  I was told this multiple times.  So, being the obedient person that I am, I watched for the hotels to open up their rooms for the next years festival.  YES, I booked the room ONE YEAR in advance.  How crazy is that?  I have absolutely never booked a hotel room more than 3 months in advance.  This is as bad as the dang beach retreat.  I put out a post seeing if anyone wanted to go with me and Lydia answered with a resounding "ME."  Fast forward to today.

Round Robin Fun

Last year I became involved in a "Row Robin" and enjoyed myself so very much.  If you don't know what that is, please click on this Row Robin Journey Link.  It was a fantastic learning experience for me and if you have never participated in something like this, well do it at least once just to stretch yourself a bit.

This year the group is putting together a "Round Robin" and it is hitting at a time when I just don't have a moment to spare to build a center medallion.  The group is short a person so I ask if it would be okay to use a panel.  I get a resounding "yes" and quickly order the panel and get it in the mail to the first person on my list.  Now to see what they do with it.  I have asked that it simply stay wall  hanging size and to keep it sewing related so that I can use it behind my quilt frame in the studio.  Let the fun times begin.  My first one should be in the mail to me soon and it has to be out the door by the end of January.

Sondra's RR is the first to arrive and as I am off to Telluride, I run to the studio to pull fabrics from my batik bin that will match, pack it all up and away I go.  She has a beautiful Mariner's Star as her center and I adore the colors.  Now, please let the creativity come.