Quilt retreat progress update

LOL - Your comments are so funny! I'll answer them individually this morning!

But seriously -- WAIZE versus Google Maps? Oh dear --- DH and I have this discussion all the time. I'm a Google Maps girl, and he likes WAIZE and never ceases to encourage me to use it. Well, I have had ZERO issues with Google Maps. Any app I use uses Google Maps, like Geocaching, and my house locator (shh -- used for spying, not moving!), and so I love Google Maps! 

The issue with my car is that Android Auto seemed to be timing out - it had nothing to do with the navigation system. So one of the ladies here suggested that I reboot my phone. DUH!!! I hadn't thought of that, and I did, and on our short drive home from New Hamburg, it seemed to work because on the way there, it timed out constantly. The drive home will tell the tale. I hope this works, as I have a lot of driving to do over the next two weeks. 

I had to take a quick trip to New Hamburg to get dinner for last night. You know me, I'm not much in the cooking department if I don't have to. There are several very nice catering/small restaurants in New Hamburg, so you can pretty much find anything you want. MeMes Cafe and The Garden Stand are two that I've bought food from, and everything was delicious. We missed the fresh scones at Phidellias. So that's on our list for the next retreat. 

So many lovely little shops here, and apparently, we've consistently missed the thrift shop! 

Lots of things to update you on. It was a hectic day!!!!

Let's start with the puzzle. 

The jigsaw puzzle

Once I got past that troublesome roof and had some room to work, it really came together. No time to finish it today, so hopefully someone will be happy to see a partially completed puzzle. I even had a dream that the next occupants sent me a text that they wanted the puzzle left. Seriously? 

And what about those bobbins? I always use partial bobbins on the long arm, but they are all different colors, and those bobbins will not fit in my sewing machine, although I could rewind them. But those smaller bobbins for this size of sewing machine? You bet --- I'm using them up. 

Many more empty, old bobbins to give away

I emptied eight more old bobbins, so they are in the bag for the next drop off. In total, I found SIX of the new style with the slot in them, and there are five bobbins left to empty. One is in the machine, and one has pearl cotton on it, so I won't be using that. I doubt that I'll finish them on this retreat, but I can put them in the retreat bag, along with the other bobbin holder for the next retreat!!! So that is a good thing. And one more sewing supply/tool that is being taken care of. I mean, how many bobbins does one need for a sewing machine that they use occasionally at retreats? 

When it comes to enders and leaders, I sewed all I could on those white/black/red blocks. I ran out of fabric, so before the next retreat, I'll have a cutting session, or I'll just bring the scrap box with me. 

White/black/red ender and leader project

Cutting the necessary pieces is a great thing to do on a Zoom call. If memory serves me correctly, all these pieces were leftovers from a project that I inherited from someone. So having to cut the next pieces isn't a big deal. And I really like this quilt. I've made several. But I don't need another one, so it will go in the giveaway pile - the one for community projects!

But never fear -- I have another ender/leader project with me. It's back to sewing those small half-square triangles. These are the cutoffs from a flying geese project, and there are loads of them. 

The next ender/leader project

Sorry for the orientation of the photos, but the ones on the bottom are what I sewed yesterday, and the ones at the top are the last of the triangles for this grouping that need to be sewn. 

What I sewed yesterday

The ones at the bottom of this photo are trimmed. The ones at the top are sewn and need to be pressed and trimmed. That would also be an excellent job for a Zoom call. So perhaps at the next virtual retreat (Sept 27 and 28), I will dig them out. It would be nice to get them done and nice to not have to bring them to the next retreat. 

Those that are trimmed and those that need to be trimmed

So did those eight dog quilts get finished? You bet! Even though I was totally distracted all day, I can't really blame anyone but myself since I'm the one asking questions! I finished the second quilt at 8:21 last night. 

Dog quilt Number Seven

Dog quilt Number Eight

Yeah --- that makes NINE quilt tops completed at this retreat. One of them only required the border to be put on, but still!! I had about eight squares left over, so some of the squares were stuck to each other when I was doing my counting. No worries - there is enough fabric in the bag to make more. I used up half of the dog fabric in my stash, so that makes me very happy. But that means there is enough for eight more quilts? That's obscene. I'll go through it when I'm home to see if I can make quilt backings from what's left or what exactly I should do with it. It needs to be used up, and I'd be happy to have none!

Don't worry that I have nothing to do today, as I have two more quilt tops to assemble. One is the Halloween quilt squares that I laid out at the last retreat. It has 8 blocks across and 10 rows down, so slightly less work than the dog quilts, which had 10 across and 12 rows. There are two borders to add to this quilt. I sewed the first two rows together last night, so I don't see an issue getting the squares together and perhaps one of the borders. I'll see how it goes. We leave today, and we usually leave around 1 PM. 

I need to get home as I have a LOT of work to do this week. 

As if that wasn't enough excitement, here are a couple of pictures from my morning walk. Yes -- fall leaves are changing here as well as up north. I've spotted a few brilliant ones, but not many. Not yet. 

The leaves are changing color

And I spotted the heron a couple of times yesterday, so I managed to get this photo. He was having breakfast, and I watched him fish for a bit. He was just happy to stand there and watch the fish, and from the looks of it from the bridge, there are loads of fish. He can stay here and eat these fish, but not MY fish! 

The heron is having breakfast

Well, that covers another fun day at Spring House Retreat. The last day is always bittersweet. I want to sew more and thoroughly enjoy the dedicated sewing time, but it's also nice to get home. And the next eleven days are going to be crazy. I have a meeting all day tomorrow, a Facebook Live on Thursday, then a machine embroidery workshop in Windsor, and then home to switch out the stuff in the car and off in the other direction for a couple of events. So I'll be in the car a lot! 

Wait --- have you seen the fabric for the new Trendtex challenge? The theme is Confluence! OK -- seriously, have you heard that word before? I have, but only in the context of two rivers meeting each other, as in the Fraser and Thompson Rivers in BC. That's its predominant meaning, but it can also be thought of as coming together, in the non-river sense. 

What kind of quilt will you make with that theme and the fabric choices? Hmmm. And then, we embarked on a wild search of the internet based on a charm pack that someone had purchased at a store. Well, that led to something else and gave me some ideas, so I ordered the kit! 

We have discussed the Cherrywood Challenge, which features a Storytime theme. I think I'm going to pass this year. I have no idea, and I don't want the stress of getting it ready for the February 15 deadline. That will fall right in the middle of my busy Zoom period, if the past is any indication, and I would not be able to make it happen. Perhaps another year. 

I've got to run!!!

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!

Work work work.....................

When Lifetime first opened, all the classes were open so we could give them a try. I tried Boot Camp which was run by Alwin and I decided it wasn't for me. Too much jumping and cardio!!!!!!   OK - so I am a wimp. I like the slow pace of the one on one training.

Then to use up some credits that I had, I signed up for Team Fitness which is supposed to be one level below Boot Camp - not as intense!!!!  Monday went well - on the eliptical and then some floor work, but lots of people and lots of transitions, but I could figure it out pretty much.

Today was day two (for me) of Team Fitness and we did a circuit on the weight machines and because of the numbers, there were some floor/free weights exercises thrown in. OH MY GOD. I am going to need a nap this afternoon for sure. I have to admit it was a bit chaotic - only because I didn't know all the exercises - there is another newbie partnered with me - maybe that wasn't the best idea.

And Maria needs a TIMER - since I am certain that we did MORE than 45 seconds per exercise. My arms feel like rubber and I had forgotten to eat before I went and that was a BIG no-no. But it is fast paced and there is jumping and cardio!!!!   ICK ICK ICK.

Perhaps I need to go for Team Weight Loss - it might be less intensive!!!!   I just see them on the tread mills!!!!! 

Well - it is fun and nice to work out in a group so I will stick for the month and then see.


Learned how to PROPERLY install the new bike rack on my car. The guys at the bike shop must think I am totally out to lunch. I am sure they get a good laugh out of me.

New bike rack

Now I have to remember that the rack is on the car and that I do not back into anyone or anything as it sticks out quite far.

Took two of my bikes to the shop yesterday. Got to get the touring bike tuned up for its next adventure. Yes - it will be going on an adventure later this summer. Stay tuned to find out the details. And the road bike went in to get a cadence sensor installed. Apparently cadence is a great way to train and I need all the help I can get.

Let's just pray that the rain forecast for this weekend goes away. It is Ride to Conquer Cancer weekend and we DO NOT want rain.


After my errands, I got busy and got another quilt done. (not that any of you will be interested, but there is a BIG difference between blogging on Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. In Chrome, I can highlight MULTIPLE pictures and bring them all in at once. In Explorer, I have to select ONE at a time. Guess which program I use. I only found this out by error when I had the folks in India fix my computer and when I was trying to use Chrome - he said OH - you should use Explorer - so I did and then couldn't load the pictures properly. Basically - you need both!!!!!!

Customer Quilt

Detail of quilt - stitched in the ditch around the stars and stippled the background. Although you CANNOT see that in this picture. It was a pain to stipple because even on the top, I could NOT see the thread.

Here is the quilting

And then I was still pumped and needed something else to do. Got busy with the raffle quilt for the Brampton Guild. Laid out the blocks, decided on what to put in the missing spot - well it will be a flamingo and will NOT go in that spot. I will rearrange the blocks when I get the flamingo done.


OH MY GOD - I forgot to tell you - GUESS WHO IS BACK IN TOWN??????    Not a flamingo, but close - the GREAT BLUE HERON. I caught him browsing the pond yesterday. I don't think he actually went in - I did not see any wet spots on the stone surrounding it. But I startled him and he flew off as I went to the window. They are HUGE. I wish I had a camera. I shall SNEAK up to the window in future to try and catch a picture of him.

There is HUGE coverage of lily pads on the pond, so not sure if that will deter him or not.   OK - back to the raffle quilt.

Blocks for the raffle quilt - Brampton. These are the result of a block challenge. Do you remember which one is mine??????    

Credit to Marian for providing photos of tropical quilts and I got the idea of the flamingo from them. Then I was searching my patterns last night for something for her and VOILA - I found, not one, but TWO patterns with flamingos on them. Now to add some palm trees or whatever and another block done. Did NOT find what she wanted ........................yet.

Then I got busy pressing and trimming those square in a square blocks that I sewed on Monday and the quilt is starting to come together. Sorry - no picture AFTER they were all trimmed.

Cornerstones in place

Wait until you see the sashing. It is pretty cool too. Making good use of the left over fabric.


And for the retreat ladies (doing our retreat exchange) - you will be happy to know that while I was searching through the patterns - I came across some ideas for Pauline's blocks. Even did some of the work and MAYBE - just MAYBE I will be done before Sunday when it is time to pass to Carol. Yes - there is hope for me.

Got another block done for the Halton Hills Raffle Quilt as well - I'll take a picture tomorrow.



On that note - I've got to check the backyard - the heron only comes in the morning. And then I have a quilt to trim and another one to get done today.


Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ciao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!