2 Finished Tops

Yes, the two tops are done! Here is one of them hanging up. 

I only bothered to get a picture of one since they are basically the same. It is very rainy out so taking a picture outside is just not an option so it isn't a great picture but it will have to do.

In my last post I said I was working on the last of the 120 blocks for the border but the more I thought about it the more I was thinking I didn't have the right number of blocks. I finished the last 48 and realized I needed 8 more of that type of block - no wonder I had about 8 strips of each size left over!!! I got all the blocks finished by last night and today I was determined to get the borders put together and attached!

I had the blocks made into rows when it was time for lunch. Today I made dinner for lunch so I am done cooking for the day! After lunch I spent a little time on the computer and discovered that Bonnie Hunter, over at Quiltville, had her quilt cam on so I brought the laptop into the sewing room and listened to her as I worked on attaching the border strips. 

So now those two tops can be set aside until I am ready to quilt them. One of them will likely be for the Bluegrass Festival stage next August and the other will be to sell or for a gift. 

Next project is quilting the butterfly quilt and getting that sent off to North Dakota!

Retreat Report

Had a great time at quilt retreat this past weekend. I had a total of three quilt tops cut out and had a few other projects I could work on. Everything was packed in the car and I headed across the state. Luckily, the weather was beautiful for the drive. 

One of our church's former members moved to Idaho to be closer to her niece and is in a skilled nursing facility. I didn't realize that she was so close to where I go to my quilt retreats but when I did I decided that I needed to stop in and see her. She was so happy to see someone from home and I was so glad I drove those extra miles to see her.

Spent the first night at my sister's new house and then in the morning we headed to the camp. Once my sewing station was set up I got started on my first project, a baby quilt for my cousin's new granddaughter. It is the same pattern I used for my niece's new baby girl that was born last December.

I finished the top before heading to bed the first night. Our devotion theme for the weekend was God's Butterfly Effect so my quilt top had a place of honor on the podium in front of the fireplace.

The next morning I pulled out all the strips and squares that I cut for the other two quilt tops. I decided I would work on both tops at the same time. I got both centers done by bedtime the second night.

I started on the borders on Saturday morning and worked hard at it but just didn't finish the 120 blocks needed so I packed them up and will get the last few strips on the last blocks this week maybe and get the borders on so I can share the finished tops with all of you. 

Another project I need to work on is mittens for the grandkids. My grandson asked for a new pair of mittens a couple of weeks ago and of course I said yes. He wants green and black. I have the crocheting done so they just need to be sewn up. I am also making a yellow and green pair for the granddaughter. I have the first one crochet and should have the second one done tonight and then I can get both pairs sewn up.

Two Quilt Tops

are cut out and in a bin ready to head to the quilt retreat.

I have started cutting out a baby quilt also and should have that ready by tomorrow evening. That will give me Tuesday to pull together all the other stuff I need for the retreat. Hubby has cleaned and oiled and tested three of my machines so I should be set!

This weekend I also got the quilt for Nadine basted and quilted and I have the binding ready for the hand sewing. I will probably get that done before the retreat so I can get it washed so I can see how the quilting turned out. I think it should be pretty good. Still can't show pictures of that one but I think it will be worth the wait!

Planning, Preparing and Partying

It is now about 3 1/2 months since I started working again and I am still loving it! Before I made the decision to go back to work I thought it would be a struggle to get up each morning and head off to work but the reality is that if you love your job it isn't a struggle. I'm not saying it isn't hard to get out of bed in the mornings but I don't dread work. The getting out of bed part just means I need more sleep! 

For about a year now I have been part of the 'band' at church. I don't play an instrument, I am one of the singers. This past Sunday, along with singing at worship in the morning, we led the singing at our Community Blessing of the Animals. I had Princess Lucy in her pouch on my chest and she was very well behaved. There were lots of dogs and cats but also 2 llamas, a goat and a cockatoo. Here you can see the cockatoo as part of the children's message.

After the blessing we had a party at our house. A bonus was spending time with my niece, Sarah and her significant other, Josh, who came up for the party on Saturday and spent the night. They also helped with getting things made and set out since I had the Blessing of the Animals right before the party. 

Luckily the house wasn't too much of a mess and the yard was pretty good. We made a number of tasty treats and made sure there were plenty of beverages and then guests also brought treats. It was an awesome spread! 

The reason for the party was a final goodbye to my good friend, Karen, and her family. Karen, Louie and their two youngest children left for Japan on Wednesday. Their two older kids are in college and so will be staying here. The party was also a chance for people to get the tour of our daughter's little house on wheels and my garden shed. 

As far as I could tell, the party was a total success!

I have spent some time in my sewing room. I made the following two blocks for the Flickr Quilt Block Exchange. I have received one of my blocks in the mail so far but haven't gotten a picture yet.

I have the top for the quilt exchange done and have a back for it so I am hoping to get it basted this weekend and maybe even get it quilted. Next week I am heading to the fall quilt retreat so I am working on getting some things together to work on. I hope to have everything cut for three tops and then I have at least one quilt that needs a border. I also got a box and a bag of t-shirts to prepare for a quilt this week so that will probably come with. 

Well, its time to get in the shower and head off to work. Have a great day!