Monday, May 11, 2015

Ahhhhhhhh

That's exactly how I feel when we cross the bridge onto the Island. I literally feel the tensions and stress lessen.  We got the opportunity to get an even earlier start on our get-away, and after the frustrations I encountered at my one-day retreat, I definitely needed to get away.

Normally at retreat, I take my machine and work on some of the projects on my ever-growing to-do list. I decided to work on the May block of the month for my Facebook hand quilting group. The instructions that I found weren't written as well as they could have been, so I had to rip out - twice. Not a good thing when working with triangles, even when trying to be careful. And sure enough, my triangle tips were lopped off. Not horribly, but I wasn't pleased. I set the block aside, unsure whether I'll go with it or try again (perhaps I can at least salvage the squares). My next project was to finish putting my mini pineapples together. That didn't turn out very well either ... I didn't have any trouble with the corner pieces lining up when I sewed the blocks into rows, but when sewing the rows together? Ugh! Let's just say that several things on that project conspired to make it a nightmare to piece. I'm contemplating whether to try to rip out those tiny stitches (I neglected to increase my stitch length since I was no longer chain piecing) or to call it done (since it will never be perfect ... perfection is never my goal since I quilt for pleasure). I suspect that I'll try again ... after all, while I may not strive for perfection, I do try to do my best, and surely I can do better. After those two "disasters", I was ready to put my machine away and get to some handwork ... alas, I didn't bring anything to work on by hand, so I pulled out those CW blocks I'd been gifted and started sewing on the washing. Thankfully that went better. I'm sorry to say that I didn't take any pictures ... of any of my work or anyone else's. 


So after my day at retreat, I was more than ready to head to the beach. I was more than ready, too, to get back to handwork. I basted bow tie blocks to while away the hours and hours it takes to get here. ;-)  After we unpacked and had our inaugural walk along the beach, I was able to start working on piecing blocks together. 


And that, my friends will be my plan for the next two weeks. Stitch, walk along the beach and then stitch some more. It certainly can't get much better than this ... well, at least not without having my 6 favorite people here with me. 

I know that quite a few bloggers have started to supplement their blogging with Instagram. I, too, have finally bitten the Instagram bullet.  Initially I joined just to follow a few friends, but I will be posting pictures if/when I have something worth sharing. You can find me at nana_quilts ... and if you're on Instagram, maybe you can share your IG moniker so I can follow you?  

I'm not sure how much I'll devote to blogging (posting or reading) ... I'd like to check in periodically, but there may not be much blog-worthy to report, given that my days will all be pretty much the same - stitching, walking the beach, and more stitching.  ;-)

I hope that whatever you have planned for today includes a little something that brings you joy! Have a great day!
Kathy



20 comments:

  1. Enjoy the beach time. You deserve it. Sorry the retreat was aggravating but it sounds like you are in your happy place now. Enjoy those sunrises.

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  2. Well sorry the retreat didn't quite go as planned, but you are in a relaxing joyful place now so relax and enjoy every moment of it! I could certainly go for a couple of weeks with my toes in the sand. Have fun!

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  3. have fun! I haven't gotten on Instagram yet but have been thinking of it.

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  4. Sounds like a great get awyay. Hope the rain doesn't keep you from enjoying the beach. Looks like a rainy week here so hopefully I can get a lot of stitching done.

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  5. I am so glad you are there now. It sounds like the perfect vacation to me. Two whole weeks! I hope you have lots of time to do every single thing you want.

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  6. YAHOOO!!! Instragram !!! I'm off to find you right now :)

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  7. Have a wonderful time, relax and enjoy each moment!

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  8. Sorry you had such a frustrating time with your quilting....but now it's time to relax and have fun! Enjoy your beach time!!!!!

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  9. So jealous of you being at the beach...it's been calling my name for far too long! Have a wonderful time, Kathy! I'm thrilled you're on Instagram! I just followed you! Find me at: Aprils_world89_fs!

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  10. Enjoy your holiday! I felt the stress leaving me just reading about it! The bow ties are so cute...a perfect project to take along!

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  11. Sorry your retreat was a bit challenge laden. But now you can enjoy time to relax and walk the beach!

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  12. Sounds like you can use the beach time to wash away the frustrations of retreat. Enjoy!

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  13. All's well that ends well! Have fun on the beach with your Sweetie. ;)

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  14. punkydoodle53 on IG. Off to follow you, Kathy!

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  15. Have a wonderful time! Guess I'll have to heck out Instagram...just haven't gone there yet. ~Jeanne

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  16. So glad you have arrived at your "happy place." Enjoy your walking on the beach and stitching.

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  17. Kathy, I am not on instagram as I don't understand how to be a part of it... I do see instagram stuff sometimes on my fb feed from my friends that are instagramers... IF you find time to blog any on your trip or once you return from your paradise .. can you share more about this? Would love to find out more from someone like you :) Love your little bow tie blocks! Hope you get a few made between enjoying your beach :) And sorry your retreat day wasn't productive this time. Kathi

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  18. Love, love, love Instagram! (@tnslp) Have a wonderful time...walks on the beach at your leisure sound wonderful!

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  19. Enjoy your vacation. I sure wish I was on a beach somewhere feeling my tension melt away, too :)

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  20. Waving at you from farther up the coast! I just arrived today.

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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! ;-)