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!!!!

The aftermath of a sewing retreat

I am thrilled to say that it took me three trips to unload the car once I got home from the sewing retreat. One for all the loose stuff in the front seat - water bottle, glasses, etc. And two trips with bags and the sewing machine. Wow -- I love that and I didn't run out of stuff to do! 

In the morning, we stopped in at a local quilt shop as they were having a sale, and a few things went into my bag. Suitable for backings at that price! I should take pictures to share. However, I have other things to share this morning. The store is located on a farm, and they raise Clydesdale horses. They are beautiful! 

Beautiful Clydesdale horses

While I was sewing in the morning, I peeked out the window to spot a chicken taking a stroll through the parked cars. I wonder if it thought it was going to find some goodies? 

Cluck - cluck! 

While I love being on a sewing retreat, I also love coming home and sorting through the project bags and getting ready for the next one. Don't ask! 

I made great strides and progress on that black and white project. A strip was sewn to both sides of the red squares, and I believe there are 40 of them. I don't remember. Then, my job was to sew the remaining small rectangles into pairs, so I could sew them to the sides, as shown in the bottom left, to form a square. 

My ender and leader project

I think I've completed about five squares. At least with this round, as there is another round of black on white to go on. I had a fifty-fifty chance that there was an even number of rectangles to make the strips. I lost! 

One rectangle left over

No worries. As soon as I got home, I grabbed the box with the black and white scraps and cut a new piece. I've no idea if I have enough or too many. I'll just keep sewing and let it be a surprise. 

My black and white scrap box

Now that the project is bundled back up into a plastic bag, it is ready for the next retreat. It's a good, mindless project to use as enders and leaders at a sewing retreat. 

Then I got serious about emptying the two project bags. The black and white quilt top I completed has been stored in the storage room, and I will add a backing when I get to it. The small Christmas one also went into the storage room, as that is where I store the community quilts. 

One of the project bags to unpack

These plastic bags that sheets come in are the BEST for UFO projects, especially those you are taking to retreat. I see people carrying plastic tubs filled with all kinds of stuff. I just want to take only what I need. For smaller projects, these zippered bags are the way to go! And nothing falls out of these ones with the zippers. They don't take up a ton of room either! They are my new best friend. You can put the components of a queen-sized quilt in one bag! I may have a few extras available if anyone is interested. I got a ton of them from Diane. 

Zippered bags

Someone brought me some new books, so they went onto the bookshelf. 

"New" books to add to the reading pile

As I emptied the bags of their contents, I went to my large retreat basket, which sits under a table, to find what was next on the retreat list. Usually, I'd take this huge thing, but it's heavy when full, so I now take the two smaller tote bags and it works! I filled my two project bags, and there are still three projects in this tub. They will have to wait for another retreat. This area was jammed before I removed the items for the last retreat. 

The holding basket for retreat projects

There are two bags filled with retreat projects for the next retreat. They don't take up a ton of space, they are light to carry, and when you have two - one for each side - you are balanced. No MORE taking copious amounts of stuff, and I will NEVER take a hard plastic case to a retreat again! Two trips into the house - and that included my clothes bag, my office bag, food, and the sewing machine! TWO TRIPS!!!!! Less the first one with all the crap stuff from the front seat. 

Almost ready for the next retreat

I also examined Diane's triangle project. Oh boy - I was right - it wasn't cut properly. 

The pattern said to cut equilateral triangles using a blunt-tipped ruler. I dug through my rulers and found these two. 

Checking for proper cutting

Depending on how you position the ruler, they are NOT equilateral triangles with a seam allowance at the top. So I'll position the ruler as shown above and trim off one side. Then it will sew back together again with zero issues. 

NO seam allowance at the one corner

It's going to be a great project to work on during the virtual retreat. So it is sitting beside my computer. And I must get out my heat press to prep the pieces of the Mondo bag lining and prepare the handles. Then it can go back to the next retreat so I can get it done! 

The project is waiting to be pulled apart

Of course, the girls were happy to see me. They had a dog sitter while I was away, as DH was also away. Not good timing, but that's the way it works at our house. They were quite clingy to say the least, but they didn't really want me - they just wanted a walk, and the second I went to the front door, they were right there! Look at those faces! Lexi is lecturing me, and I think Murphy thought I had food! Such cuties!

MOM -- we need a walk and we're hungry! 

I didn't sleep well last night. No - that's a lie. I slept well once I finally fell asleep. I got up many times - to use the bathroom, get water, eat, and mindlessly scroll on my phone. It wasn't until I wrote out a to-do list and started reading a novel that I found myself drowsy and asleep before I knew it. Sigh!!!!

But I was up at the usual time and off to the gym to see Brooke. Oh boy --- so much weight lifting! I'm tired! I think it's going to be a two-nap day! One for sure!

And YES -- there is a Virtual Retreat this weekend. It's going to be loads of fun as people recap what happened at Quilt Canada. Not that anything bad happened, but it'll be fun to hear people's perspective! The Virtual Retreat is open to anyone and is available on Zoom, completely free of charge. Here are the links. 

June 28 - STARTS at 6 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82693702241?pwd=QpQkm8Ppppy1XwCPOqva1bcgJCWKdP.1

Meeting ID: 826 9370 2241
Passcode: 795071

June 29 - STARTS at 3 PM  (NOTE - the later start time!) 

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81073536036?pwd=uxRqMnK1aSKrmrcSO78w8QQs5g44eA.1

Meeting ID: 810 7353 6036
Passcode: 596838

And on that note - I'm out of here. I have a very long to-do list, and I still need to clear that cutting table so I can get some work done! 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!