Saturday, April 12, 2014

Getting Caught Up


A lot has happened this week … with not much time to blog about most of it.  Which means that it’s time to get caught back up.

I attended a Mastering the Art of Precision Machine Piecing class at The Quilted Fox over in St. Louis Sunday afternoon.  I picked up a lot of pointers that seem to help … and even after having sewn for 50+ years, my piecing accuracy needed help. 

My sister came down Monday to watch the Cardinals home opener.  Here in Cardinal Nation, that’s a pretty big deal.  To celebrate the occasion, DH and I stopped at The Cup to pick up a couple of cupcakes.  The Cardinals won, so it was a good day.  photo (4)
While we were out at my Dad’s, he gave me a quilt of my Mom’s.  It had been one she’d been using when she passed, so it’s especially precious to me (you might get a better look at it if you click on the picture below).  This is one that will probably not be an everyday quilt … I’d like this to become a family heirloom.photo (3)

Wednesday I took a freezer paper applique class over in St. Louis.  It was a small class … just another classmate and myself.  I love the technique and am definitely going to make an applique project soon!  Here’s my little classroom project.photo (1)

For the first time in weeks, I didn’t have something to do or somewhere to go on Thursday.  I have to admit that I just took it easy.  I packed for my one-day retreat, did a little stitching, and just took it easy.  It was a delightful day so we had the doors open … perfect for a lazy day.

I attended the “I Like to Sleep in My Own Bed” retreat hosted by The Quilted Garden Friday.  I attended last fall’s retreat and met a swim mom … who invited me to join her and her quilty friends for breakfast at St. Louis Bread Co. (aka Panera Bread) – their tradition before heading to the retreat.  At the retreat, I shared a table with a couple of her friends … very sweet women that made an enjoyable day even more pleasurable.  After we packed up and headed out last night, my new quilty friends and I headed over to The Cup for a post-retreat cupcake.  They’ve invited me to check out their guild on Monday … it meets in a town about 30 minutes from here, but I’ve been looking so long for a guild that I’m willing to drive a little ways.  Here are some pictures our hostess shared on Facebook (I was too busy sewing to take any pictures).Retreat 1Retreat

My retreat plan was to piece together the top for our bed.  I left the instructions for the block at home … thankfully it was a pattern I found online (and even more thankfully, I remembered WHERE I found it Confused smile), so I was able to use my iPhone to open the pattern.  Thank goodness for technology!  It is a simple top, and I had already cut my fabric into the 2 1/2” strips.  But it took me a couple of blocks to get into a groove and figure out that the 16” block is constructed of 4 equal 8” mini-blocks.  I was able to piece together several little mini-blocks that are all ready to be sewn into 16” blocks by the time the retreat drew to a close.  I’m going to spend this weekend working on the top … I’d like to get it pieced so I can start on DD’s herringbone quilt next week.  I need to make a total of 42 blocks for the quilt.  photo 4
The blue is nowhere that vivid (yikes! Surprised smile) … it’s definitely a subdued navy blue and the gold isn’t nearly as washed out (they’re Kansas Troubles fabrics after all).  I’m please with how it’s coming together.  My piecing still isn’t 100%, but it’s much improved … and it seemed to improve as the day went on. 

DH and I took a bit of a walkabout around the yard this morning … more of my hostas are coming up, our pear tree is about ready to start blooming, and our cherry tree has started blooming.  While my butterfly bush, hydrangea and azaleas aren’t looking very promising, we ARE seeing signs of spring here at Chez Nana!photo 1 (3)photo 2 (3)Look at that gorgeous blue sky! 

Have a marvelous weekend!
Kathy

16 comments:

  1. How special to receive your Mom's quilt! Definitely a treasure!!
    That sounds like a fun retreat. I could use a getaway where I still got to sleep in my own bed! I have a hard time sleeping on anything else.
    I'm glad you have found a group of quilters who are reaching out to include you. That must feel good!

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  2. Oh I am so jealous!!! Your mom's quilt is so beautiful, and it should definitely be treated as an heirloom! Looks like your retreat was not only fun, but also the perfect one for you to meet new friends and find a guild - woohoo!!!!

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  3. Oh Kathy there is so much in this post I want to comment on, I am sure to forget something, lol. First the quilt of your mom's is sooo neat. Was she a quilter too? Did she make this? And then, all the classes you got to take...how fun, and how informative I am sure they were. I am really like the block you are putting together for yourself. I am trying to decide what quilt to do next. It is time to start one for myself this time I think. And as for the quilting guild, I would LOVE that! How many times I have wished we lived near each other so that we could enjoy these things together. But it is nice to have blogging friends I can visit and see their work and hear their triumphs and struggles. Enjoy your week-end! Oh, and that cupcake is quiet cute. Sounds like a good place to visit!

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  4. How nice it must be to be able to go find shops like that. Then to take classes.
    The cupcakes are lovely.
    Your Mom's quilt is very pretty. I would keep that too. I like the dark one as well.
    It is so nice to see your trees budding. Have a lovely weekend.

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  5. Your appliqued heart looks beautiful.

    I'm glad you were able to pull up the pattern online. Whew!

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  6. I love the bowtie quilt! And such a treasure to remind you of your mom.

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  7. My, what a week you have had! Love your mom's quilt...know you are pleased to have it. Glad you enjoyed the retreat and hope the guild is a good fit for you!

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  8. Yes,that is definitely an heirloom. I have 2-3 quilts that my Dad's Mom quilted and I treasure them for sure.

    Looks like you ladies had a productive good time.

    I hope you daughter is well and feeling good now.

    Happy weekend!

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  9. How I miss blooming pear trees!
    What does a quilt guild do? I've been curious and a bit reluctant to look into one. I'd hate to join a "cliquey" one.

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  10. How I miss blooming pear trees!
    What does a quilt guild do? I've been curious and a bit reluctant to look into one. I'd hate to join a "cliquey" one.

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  11. Looks like you had a really busy, fun week. Your mother's quilt is a treasure, and it looks like the one you're building for your bed will be one, too. Glad you had fun at the retreat and met new friends!

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  12. Your retreat day looks like it was a lot of fun - how I miss retreats!

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  13. Cute cupcake! Your mom's quilt is so pretty and nice that he gave it to you. That retreat sounds like it was a great time for you. You definitely have signs of Spring and I love Hostas plants, they lined the front of our home in Illinois. Have a lovely Sunday.

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  14. What a treasure to have one of your mother's quilts. I like the fabrics and the quilting in the alternate blocks. VERY nice! Keep out of direct sunlight. Your pink applique heart is good. I need to practice applique also.

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  15. So glad you have your Mom's quilt - a very precious gift. I would have enjoyed your precise piecing class - I can always learn more! Your retreat sounds like it was fun - I am so happy that you have met some new quilting friends and maybe a guild. I just returned from 3 days of sewing with friends - a very welcome respite for me right now. It was great. ~Jeanne

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  16. Sounds like you had a fun full week. I love the applique and also the adorable cupcake. And how special to have your mom's quilt. I know its one you'll treasure.

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I am SO glad you stopped by! No proving that you're a robot here ... I want to hear what you have to say! ;-)