April 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 -  April Fool's Easter -- Were you fooled this morning?  My family in Montana is inundated with snow so I mentioned that they should just leave the eggs white and have them hidden outside.  HAHAHAHA.  At any rate -- Happy Easter everyone.  My day is being spent with family for a brunch and then just relaxing with my sweetheart.

We decide to end the day with a lovely cheese tray and wine.  Perfect.

Museum of Textiles - Lyon, France

Our last stop in Lyon, France - before boarding the train to Paris -- is at the Museum of Textiles.

It's a bit of a walk from our last location, but Mister is really encouraging us to get with it and fit one more thing in.

Off we go and when we arrive, we discover that there are really two museums there and we could spend all day but only have a little over an hour left in this wonderful city.

Upon our entry, it's pretty clear that they are really focusing on silk and that makes all kinds of sense.

Silk Screening in Lyon, France

We are in Lyon, France and wandering The Presqu'ile.  It is a bit of land (French for peninsula) between the two rivers in Lyon.  Atelier de la Soierie is a silk workshop and the public can drop in to see silk printing, block printing, and screen painting by hand.  This is a lost art that today has been mostly replaced by machines.

Come on along and share what we saw.  As we enter the room, a gentleman is demonstrating the silk screening process.  He is working on entire bolts of silk, making scarves in groups of six at a time.  He shows us how he changes colors and patterns as he goes.

Blue Ribbon Quilt Shoppe

Today is a Red Hat Day and as I'm driving up to the cafe where we are meeting, I spot a quilt shop and suddenly I have an after-lunch plan.  Yes, a quilt shop two doors down really needs to be explored.  Look at the sweet entrance to Blue Ribbon Quilts Shoppe in Wylie, Texas.

As soon as I open the door, I am thrilled.  Oh my -- what an incredible place.  Color bursts from absolutely every corner.  Isn't that exactly what we all want in a quilt shop?

April Brazos Retreat - Rainy Day Fun

The last three weeks have simply zoomed by.  Seriously.  However, that means that we are back at retreat and I am thrilled.  I am pretty focused on arriving and setting up as my neck is still giving me some grief.  Therefore, no time for pictures.  When Maria arrives, though, her camera comes out.  She has quite the welcoming committee greeting her.  I have to admit, I'm a bit jealous.  She deserves it as she is the "chicken whisperer" of the tribe.

Gal Time at Jennifer's House

Sometimes it feels as though I am always on the go and unable to attend the little gatherings that take place in my own quilting community.  This week, the elements all have come together and I am on the road to Haslet and Jennifer's wonderful home.  If I wasn't driving, I'd literally do a little jump for joy.  (You've heard of speech to text, right?)

At any rate, I am the first one to arrive today.  I jokingly say that because Paula showed up yesterday and spent the night.  Lucky her.  I have determined to just work on my redwork embroidery block so I have just my bag to carry in.  Smart cookie, that's me.