2019 April Quilt Update

Hello and welcome to the fourth Monthly Quilt Update of 2019.  Have you joined us in our theme for this year?  Do you know what it is?  Here is your hint and if you want to know all about it -- here is your LINK.  Always remember that in this group all links open in a separate window so you don't lose your place here AND there are no ads or popups EVER.

If you are new to the blog, you may be asking, "just what is a monthly update?"  I decided long ago that I just can't keep up with blogging daily.  I just can't.  Sooooo, what happens is I document a day in my life within one post and if something special happens, a separate post takes place.  See, you can stay caught up with a once a month check and then, if you're interested, see the other posts too.  It's a great system for me.

In years past, I have set goals for each month and I will continue to do that simply to keep myself on track.  I AM still in UFO mode around here and trying oh so hard to use or clean out the stash.  It will be an ongoing project this year.  If I want something to come in -- something has to go out.  That is one goal.  The balance change each month (hopefully) and will always show up at the bottom of the update if you read that far - and they are joined by links to the previous monthly updates for the year.

Now, grab a cuppa and sit back for a fun, if not long, read and perhaps a new idea or two.  (P.S. I format on a computer, so if you are reading on a phone, well sometimes the pictures will be before or after the story.  It is what it is.)

1st -  April Fools Day has arrived and I'm not pulling a single stunt.  I think that means I am either lacking creativity or getting old.  Whichever it is, the day has decided to fool me instead.  I have searched and searched for a jewelry set all morning.  EVERYWHERE.  I'm heartbroken and cannot understand how I lost it.  I also cannot function when I can't locate something.  Thus, I am going to look through everything one more time.

Success!!!  Way back in the corner of my jewelry box and under items I haven't used in years, I find my little gems.  How they got there remains a mystery, but I am able to move forward once again.  Now to start packing for retreat, grocery shopping and phone calls to my mom and sis.

Now, to tackle my list.  I am adding the last borders to my Good Fortune quilts today.  Eight more strips and these will be completed tops --- with 32 border strips between them.  Oh my goodness.  TA-DA

Water Marbling Silk Scarves at Artscape

My friend, Bonnie, is in town with me today and we get to play at the Arboretum.  It has been planned as a day of just enjoying the scenery and no quilting involved.  You can follow all the fun in this personal POST.  However, somehow fiber finds it's way into our world.

The Dallas Arboretum is also hosting Artscape, a wonderful festival out in the garden.  As we are roaming the tents, we come to this one on water marbling and it stops us in our tracks.  Literally.

I am mesmerized and need to watch the entire process.  Notice, I said NEED.  It's just so crazy cool.

They had already started the first part when we arrived and so the paint feathers had been made before I got my camera out.  It was with a stick and a quick movement through the water.

Next comes a comb with a slight back and forth (narrow end to narrow end, not side to side) motion.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Dawn's Early Light Class

Since it is our last day in Mineola, I am loading up the car this morning.  As I do, I notice the sunlight on the wildflowers across the parking lot.  Must get camera.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Idaho Square Dance Class

I have been looking forward to today's class ever since BEFORE Bonnie's String Frenzy book was published.  Watching her work on it was enough for me.  Today, we get started.

Stitchin' Heaven is the location, Mineola is the town.  Somehow, sitting in a Bonnie Hunter class all day is as close to heaven as it gets right now, so the whole thing seems fitting.

Come along and see how it goes.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Emerald City Class

For those who remember my 600+ red and white triangle cutting mistake, well today I get to put them to use.  I had really wanted to make this quilt in green, but the universe had a different plan and so instead of Emerald City --- my quilt will be Ruby Slippers and, yes, Bonnie supplied the name.

Breakfast in the hotel with Bonnie and Irene (check out that Val has a HUGE waffle) and then we are off to Stitchin' Heaven and day two of our classes.  I am a bit intimidated by today's class and am still aiming for about the same amount of completed units, but time will tell.

Let's get this class started.

Mineola With Friends - Bonnie Hunter Pfeffernusse Class

Wow!  It's crazy hard for me to believe that two months have flown by since Denton, but the calendar tells me it is so.  Mineola is up next and four more days of classes with Bonnie Hunter is on the plate.  A few changes to my plan have been made, but the house is clean, I am packed and the road is in front of me.  Wildflowers are everywhere, but I am kind of on a mission to get into town, check into my hotel, grab a treat, and be at the shop in time to set up before they close.  Hello DQ.  Meeting up with Stephannie, Val, and Eveline -- it's girls out for dinner once our machines are in place.  Woohoo ---- the fun begins tomorrow morning (and, yes, it's all part of this post).

Mid-Arm Transfer

I am so very blessed by the women I associate with.  I am indeed grateful to have them in my life and to be surrounded by women who epitomize the very meaning of love.  A few years ago, I was gifted with my mid arm machine and frame.  Oh wow --- what a sheer treasure.  I have learned so much on her and we have come to be very good partners.  However, once again, a bountiful blessing is coming my way and her larger sister is coming to live with me.  As a result, this time I get to be the one who "gifts" as I pay it forward in love.

Full disclosure on this post - I stole some pictures from her.  HAHAHAHAHA

After the last quilt came off this morning - she's empty and waiting.

Brazos House - Bluebird of Happiness Retreat

With only two and a half weeks between retreats, time is zooming right along.  I am on the road once again and it is a foggy drive down to Rainbow, TX.

Even though there has only been a couple of weeks, I am more than ready for this weekend although I am a bit distracted.  My grandson invited me to jump out of a plane with him on Sunday and I'm feeling just a tad bit distracted with that right on the horizon.  At any rate, onto Brazos I go and I will once again miss the sunrise due to crazy weather.  Why, oh why, will the sun not shine on the weekends in Texas?

I'm moving along fairly well, until all of a sudden it's a standstill on the interstate.  I lose over half an hour and since I left a little late anyway, well, let's just say I'm pretty positive I won't be the first one at the center.