February 2018 Quilt Update

Welcome to the Monthly Update.  What does that mean?  Well, it's just little ol me trying to recap what took place during the month so that I can keep track.  I kind of use it like a journal.  Please sit back and enjoy a peek into a month of my life.

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

So . . . . If you have followed me in the past, you know that I have set CRAZY goals each month and it's tough when they just don't happen.  I think goals are wonderful - believe me, without them I fear my lack of  movement.  The thing is -- I just don't want another year of unattainable goals making me feel stressed.  I have a busy year ahead with lots of surprises, family happenings, and retreats.  Those items alone give me PLENTY of deadlines to deal with.  As a result, I am introducing the new goal section - hahahaha, it's the same, only reasonable.  Let's hit the ground running . . . or not.  How about a hot drink and a good read?  See, life is good.  Oh, and the goals each month are at the end of the post now.


The previous 2018 monthly update links are located at the end of this entry.  I hope that you make it that far.

1st -  February is HERE!  Part of me wants to say, "Really?  Where did January go?," but the other part is saying, "Woohoo -- It's retreat time!"  That's right readers, I am off to 10 crazy, fun-packed days in Rainbow, Texas.  I will be blessed by the company of some amazing women and although I have given myself a pretty tough "to-do" list, there will be lots of time for friends.  We have some great surprises in store as well.  It's still dark out, but I am outta here.  Come spend some time with us by clicking on this RETREAT LINK .

It is also the first day for our new Quilt-A-Long.  In Our Quilt World Facebook group, we are doing Bonnie Hunter's Texas Tumbleweeds.  Once I am set up at retreat, it is my first focus.  Here is your Texas Tumbleweeds Week One LINK.  Come check it out and join in.  It's never too late to play along.

Nifty Thrifty by Bonnie Hunter - Quilt-A-Long- Week Four - Finale

Okay --- moving onto the last week of this -- in theory.  Originally, this was slated to be the week of June 2, 2016.  Better late than never, right?  Let's git 'er done.

2/10

I am at retreat and taking advantage of a little time the last night.  It shouldn't take too long to get this together.  Web, web, web and with a little help from Rocky as she hands me the last few blocks, I've got it. 


With a wee bit of time before I all over, the inner borders go together.  The rest will have to wait until I am back home.



Between setting and working on the border pieces, even the label has been completed as a leader/ender.  Go me.  That's it for tonight -- I need to pack up a bit and start the farewell process.  (Keep reading, the post doesn't end just yet.)

Treasure Hunting at Forestwood Antique Mall

It's Mister Birthday Season and he wants to do a bit of antiquing.  I think he is still on the hunt for a sherry decanter and we'll be on that hunt for a long time as he's REALLY picky.  At any rate, I love antique shops and today we are at Forestwood Antique Mall.  Here's a peek of what my little eyes spotted and I'm sorry to say that machines were not anywhere to be found, but lots of quilts and hats along with some other fun linen/sewing items.  Take a peek as I cruise through the mall.

So many hankies and ooooh -- Buttons galore!

Texas Tumbleweeds Week Four

Week four of Bonnie Hunter's Texas Tumbleeds Quilt-A-Long has arrived.  It came in like a lion and I am not mentally ready for it.  Where did Tuesday and Wednesday go?  I shall now stop all other projects in their tracks and focus on this. Why?  Well, because I know me.  Do it the day it comes out or I will get behind.  Does anyone else have this problem?

As with all other previous weeks, I did my cutting way back in the beginning so all I have to do is find the bits.  Now, let the marking begin.

Texas Tumbleweeds Week Three

It's week three of our Bonnie Hunter Texas Tumbleweeds Quilt-A-Long.  Are you keeping up?  It's not too late to join in if this intrigues you at all.  Her pattern can be found in her book:  More Adventures with Leaders and Enders.  Come play along.

Now, again --keeping it honest here.  I did all my cutting ahead of time so I just have to pull the parts from my project box and get started.  Here we go.

A ruler, a gel pen, and my squares are all I need to get started.  Oh, wait --- I also have Netflix and old Friends episodes.  It's time to mark.  As I have said before, there are other ways to do this but I like the diagonal line method.  It works for me.  An hour later and all the lines are drawn.  Now to head for the machine.

Brazos House Retreat - Black and White/A Black Tie Affair

It's time for round two of our February double header.  I've been looking so forward to this retreat and tried super hard to have all diamonds here, but it just didn't work the way I wanted it to.  It will give a reason to spotlight the last two throughout the year and that will make for fun times.  At any rate, bring on group 2.

This weekend, our startup lunch is at Hammond's BBQ in Glen Rose.  When we arrive, we have two tables but as soon as we can -- the move is made to one.  We all want to be together ya know.  Yep, I'm taking the picture.

Nifty Thrifty by Bonnie Hunter - Quilt-A-Long- Week Three

Soooo --- This step was supposed to take place at the end of May, 2017.  Hmmmm.  What can I say.  It became a UFO.  Let's get back to it.

8/6 -- I am putting blocks together as l/e while working on my A Day at the Beach mystery.  They go together so easily and are perfect for this task.  Here is a question for ya'll.  Do you care if the lines are all straight while using recycled shirt plaids.  It's pretty obvious that I don't but does OCD kick in for some?  This one looks decent but when I lay them all out . . .

Texas Tumbleweeds Week Two

It's WEEK TWO of the Quilt-A-Long.  I am still at retreat and thus, this group was precut as well.  All my little squares are ready to make their way into the ladder blocks.  Are you playing along?  This is a Bonnie Hunter pattern and can be found in her More Adventures With Leaders and Enders book.  It's never too late to join in.

2/8  - Today is "get started on week two" first thing.  Again, I want this finished today and have set that goal.  It's a great goal for a retreat day and the second group of ladies are arriving as I work.  The first block is laid out --- I like it.

February Tweener Time

It's TWEENER TIME.  Now, granted that is not quite the same as at the beach, BUT Val, Debi and I look forward to it so very much.  I am so thankful these women are able to keep me company the entire time.  Occassionally, we have others that stay an extra night or come an extra night early -- this is one such time.  Brenda is keeping us company for a couple of extra nights.  Woohoo.  Some one on one time with her is perfect.

The minute we are down to the four of us, on goes the music and we are bobbing to Malt Shop Oldies.  How fun is this?

It's a pretty empty room.  We have one station that is still set up as Paula is returning next week.  (I can only have so many stay the whole time and just as a FYI -- extra nights come with a fee.)

Brazos House Retreat - For the Love of Quilting

It's RETREAT TIME!!!!!  November was a long time ago and I'm so ready for time with the ladies.  My new car is packed to the brim and ready to roll.  It's the first time I'll have a car at retreat when there for 10 days and I'm pretty excited about it.  Not that I go anywhere while there, but still.

It's still dark as I leave the city and I have the moon in front of me and the sun rising behind me.  What a fun sight.  As I just get out of Dallas, Stephanie calls to let me know she is at the house.  WOW.  Well, girlfriend, I'm about an hour out still.  See ya then.  (Yes, I invited her to come early and help me set up --- No, she didn't just arrive at the crack of dawn without permission.)

Texas Tumbleweeds Week One

Welcome to the Texas Tumbleweeds Quilt-A-Long!  Each year in the Facebook group, Our Quilt World, we tackle at least one group project like this.  Today starts the first week and everyone has their books and fabrics so let's get going.  This week we are making the four-patch and rectangle units that will be in the ladder block.  On your mark, get set, go -----

First up --- cut, cut, cut.  I am leaving for retreat this week and want to take this along but am cutting it first.  I know -- perhaps one could say this is cheating a bit but we have limited cutting space at retreat and it's just more productive to be ready to start sewing.