September 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 -  Good Morning!  How are ya'll?  Yep, it's me.  I'm up at 5:30 ready and waiting to post Clue 1 of Autumn Splendor.  I hope you are as eager as I am.  Let's get this ball rolling.  Here is the link in case you're just now hearing about it as it is never too late to start in.  The directions will stay up for quite awhile.  This week it is little nine-patches and some HST's.  Have fun.

Mister and I are off to the zoo and a new brewery opening.  It's the weekend! A FULL day together starting at the zoo checking on the baby gorilla and hippos.  You can follow our fun while there in this Blog Post LINK.

Autumn Splendor - Clue 5

Oooooh, it's already week FIVE!!!  Wow.  Now it really starts getting exciting and bigger things are just around the corner.

My yard has started showing some of the colors from this week.  LOVE the pampas grass but mine is nothing compared to the ones I just saw at my MIL's house.  Oh my!  Yes, creamy neutrals definitely belong with fall colors.  I DO love the green as well so it must show up somewhere, right?  Hello binding.

maria the quilter

For those of you who loved the quilting on my Beach Quilt (yes, that IS a link), please meet my friend Maria Denise Hall.

Autumn Splendor - Clue 4

I am home from a wonderful 10 days at the beach.  I am relaxed, refreshed, and ready to get back on track with some projects this month and I'm betting you are ready for today's clue.

It is officially the first day of Autumn and fall is definitely in the air and I'm loving it.  The state fair is a week away here and art festivals are popping up everywhere.  My eyes explode each time I am outside for even a small bit of time.  Take a few minutes of your day to enjoy the beauty that is around you.  It's there -- just look around and you never know where it'll pop up.  Sometimes, we have to look up.

Surfside Beach Retreat 2

13th -  Round two ladies have arrived and we're off again.  Tonight is dinner at the Purple Cow.  I have not been to this restaurant before although many have.  It's a deconstructed burger for me and fries.  Oh so yummy fries. 

After dinner, we discover that the ocean is providing sea foam like crazy.  It is coming in waves and packing up on the beach.  A little research shows that it is not at all harmful to humans and, in fact, is a sign of a healthy ecosystem.  Might as well have a little fun with it.

Autumn Splendor - Clue 3

I have had ample opportunities over the years to photograph this time of year.  Last year, my view from the back door is the inspiration for today's clue.  Just look at the way these browns, golds, oranges and wines play on nature's canvas.  Ahhh, my  heart.

I am still at the beach with an amazing group of women and hoping for at least one sunset picture with these gorgeous colors in it.  I'll sure be trying.

Those who have done previous mysteries with me know that I really like to build as we go.  Today we will have some fun with some of the units already created and create a few more too.  It's a rather easy week so just enjoy the process and bask in the colors.

Surfside Beach Retreat Tweeners

11th - This afternoon begins "tweener time."  The time between two retreats.  It's when we kick back.  No one really cooks.  Everyone is on their own.  Naps ensue, beach walks reign supreme, and bonds are formed that will last forever.   Hahahaha --- waxing philosophical here, but it is all entirely true.  Come along and peek in on our free days.  It's pretty carefree and unstructured.

First thing I notice is that there is a shark in my shower.  Perhaps it has been here all along, but today it has caught my eye.  Oh Sharron . . .

I'm not really up to a walk this morning, but others definitely want to go and play in the rain.

Surfside Beach Retreat 1

The day for the beach retreat has arrived!!!  As difficult as this summer has been for me and how nervous I am about seeing all my friends right now, I NEED this time at the ocean to refill my soul.

I loaded my half of the car last night and Lydia has arrived this morning.  We are PACKED to the gills and ready to go.  Lookout Surfside, the ladies are returning.

We have an easy drive with our usual rainstorm around Houston -- it's not possible to make this trip without at least one downpour slowing our time.  As we approach Surfside and start to descend the bridge, I spot our house and already feel amazing.  We are here and early.  Perhaps we can be unloaded and have the house set up before others arrive.  Please let the house be ready.

Ooooooh --- this is my first view of the beach today.  (As a side note, NOTHING has been done to this picture.  It really does look this way upon our arrival --- with a storm heading in, it will likely change quick, but I truly love seeing this.)

Beach Friendship Quilt

I've been asked to do a block exchange at the beach retreat this year (2017) and there are 20 of us participating in it.  We have to have twenty 12 1/2" blocks ready for exchange upon our arrival there.  As usual, I have grand plans and poor time management skills.  I've known about this for EVER and am just now getting around to working on it.  I am in the middle of summer with grands and very little time (of course -- as I said, poor time management skills).  What to do, what to do?  I've got to go simple so that I can sneak in little bits of sewing time.

7/25  Simple it is.  I am involved in another project for a friend the next couple of days so first up is to get these pieces cut.  Then it will become a leader/ender for the block I need to make.  I know that sounds backwards, but this block has 100  1 1/2" squares and easily a fourth of them are HST's.  It'll take a bit of time.  Another reason to keep this simple.

Autumn Splendor - Clue 2

Week two has arrived and with it, even more color.  The logo picture says it all this week.  Truth!  So, so pretty.  We do have a couple from our yard that are fitting as well, so I'll share.

Autumn in Texas comes much later than it did when I lived in Montana, but it is every bit as beautiful.  We have lovely oaks, pecans, and maples in our yard that give such beauty in the dark colors.  Ahh, my soul is so happy when all the color is out.  It also means the scarecrows come out and I decorate the house in colors that two redheads are oh so comfortable living in.

Autumn Splendor - Clue 1

This November will be the 5th year that a specific group of quilters has gathered in Rainbow, TX for a retreat right before Thanksgiving.  Each year when I leave for retreat, it seems as though fall has not arrived yet.  BUT (I know, never start a sentence with but, but . . .) it seems that each year when I return our yard is in full regalia.  I always try and capture a picture of the day I return home  In 2014, this is what greeted me and this is where this week's inspiration originated.  Ohhhhh, the golds and browns.  So, so beautiful.