Where is that safe place?

Yep -- I'm back-- well, for ONE day. Who the heck arranged my schedule? Oh - that would be me! But things just worked out that way. 

As I showed you yesterday, we have snow! Let's say the girls were happy to be out in the snow. 

MOM - we love the snow!!!

But Lexi? She was ecstatic to be out! She is usually at the end of her leash on a regular day, but on this day, she was leaping and bounding, wanting to run! This is her weather! I wish I could have let her run!

MOM -- HURRY UP!!!!!

When I got back from walking the dogs, I decided to shovel the driveway and the sidewalks on both sides. And that snow was heavy - it was saturated with water! And then it mostly melted throughout the day. Oh well - it was good exercise and only took 20 minutes!

I got quite a bit of machine embroidery done, and well, I had no choice because my other sewing machine was being used by my SIL, who is making a quilt. It's her first "by the lesson" quilt, and so there is a lot of learning happening. She's making good progress, and is a good student!. 

I'm off on another writing assignment and did pretty well at organizing and designing. But there will be loads to accomplish when I'm back from the retreat. I've decided not to take it with me. I need a mental break where I can just sew what I want! 

But as we were chatting yesterday, I realized that there is a machine embroidery project that I want to finish, but where the heck is it? I searched high and low yesterday. I dare not say I searched everywhere because obviously I did NOT. I can't find it, nor can I remember what type of box or bag it was in. Maybe while I'm away for the next week (quilt retreat), its location will make itself known to me! I just love it when we put things in a safe place and then forget where that is. I saw the project somewhat recently, but I have no idea what the context is. Hmmm—should I search my blog? 

I did a quick search and didn't see the embroidery project, but I found out that I got my orange down sweater for Christmas in 2012!!!! 

However, I managed to finish another customer quilt! It wasn't big, but the design was simple, running straight across, so I had to babysit it to restart each row. I don't trust the machine to do it on its own, although I could have set it that way. 

Customer quilt - DONE

And this person wanted the binding on, so that is also done. 

The binding is on the quilt

Some things got put away, but I'm leaving with them not the way I'd like. But I won't let that bother me, and when I'm back, I'll be back to work as I have plans for the remainder of the year. It'll mostly be quilting: a few customer quilts remain for this year, eight community projects that will also require binding, and then those 11 "favor" quilts, which do not need binding. I doubt I can finish all that by the end of the year (especially since I'm away for 6 days), but I'm going to try. 

OH -- and we'll quilt the quilt that my SIL is working on, so that has to fit into the schedule. Some of those other quilts are small, and I could potentially get two done in a day if I don't have anything else on my plate. 

But WAIT -- I still have a couple of classes to prep for. I'll do what I can. 

I came across a few things that I purchased while I was away. These were just too cute to leave in the store. 

How about this cute knitting counter? You strap it to your finger, then click the silver button each time you do a row. Hopefully it works, and I don't accidentally add a row or reset it! That would be bad. I'll see how I make out. 

Knitting counter

And these little charms are used for markers. They were just so cute, I couldn't leave them behind! 

Knitting charms

They are made in Victoria, BC, so that is even more exciting that they are local. Well, local to that store. I purchased these at Salt String Yarn in Ganges on Salt Spring Island. 

And then I added those items to my almost overflowing tin of knitting supplies. I'm sure there are plenty of ordinary markers and gosh knows what else in there. I'll have a look when I get to the retreat. 

My knitting accessories

I grabbed my pack of Addi-Turbo circular knitting needles and the bag with the afghan. It's packed for the retreat, and I hope to get something done while I'm away. 

So everything is packed and ready to be loaded into the car. Murphy is being her usual separation anxiety self, and she can be very persistent! But she will survive - she is getting extra love while I'm away. Now, some of this stuff won't come back home, but it still seems like a lot!

Ready to pack the car

Here is the last of the QUILTsocial posts for last week. This time it's all about another textural machine embroidery technique, and I LOVE this one - fringe embroidery. While I used the Husqvarna Viking Designer Topaz 65 to stitch the designs out, this technique can be done on any Husqvarna Viking Wi-Fi-enabled embroidery machine, so be sure to check it out and start stitching!!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!