Sunday, June 7, 2015

It's Good to Be Back Home

Wow, I can't believe that I haven't blogged since last Sunday.  :-o  It was a busy week, and while there isn't much on the calendar for next week as of right now, I have a feeling that it'll change. 

I had an absolutely wonderful time at our guild's retreat.  We got there late Thursday morning and were able to spend Thursday afternoon free sewing.  I put together one more pineapple block and got about halfway through another.
 Pat Speth taught a workshop on Friday, so she presented a trunk show Thursday evening.  I took several photos, but I'm not sure that any of them are truly blogworthy.  Between my less-than-spectacular photography skills and the fact that the quilts were all big (we should have had 4 members holding up the quilts rather than 2), the photos really didn't do justice to the quilts.  I did get a picture of Pat holding up her Labor Day Stars quilt, the quilt I signed up to make in her workshop.
I got 4 blocks finished Thursday ... the construction was very easy but a little time consuming (at least for me ... my tablemate managed to finish at least 10).
The pattern calls for each block to be constructed from 2 fabrics ... but unwittingly, I picked up 4 fabrics to make my first block.  I was all done and holding it up for all to see when my tablemate remarked that I'd made a scrappy block.  Ooops!  I really would have preferred the 2-color blocks (you know that I'm not into scrappy ... I was approaching the limits of my comfort zone by choosing to make each block from 2 different fabrics), but I definitely was not going to unstitch that first block, so I proceeded with Plan B.  I have made progress on more blocks ... I need to trim down my components and then piece them into blocks.  After that, I will have only 4 more blocks to construct.  I don't know that I'm going to rush into finishing up the blocks as I still need to choose fabric for the sashing, setting triangles and borders.  But I do plan to finish this quilt as I love those stars.

Mickey Depree gave her trunk show Friday evening and her workshop on Saturday.  I wasn't able to get any pictures of Mickey's quilts because I volunteered to help hold up her quilts.  I got my fabrics pieced together for 3 rosettes, but that's as far as I got.  :-(   I did come to the realization that 1.5" hexies are bigger than I like to work with.  Ha!

By the time I got home, I had just enough energy to unpack the van and put everything away.  The rest of the evening was spent with my feet up, stitching on EPP Bow Ties.  Which is what I'm thinking I'll do today as well ... all that bending over to cut fabric and trim down Labor Day Stars components has taken a big toll on my back, so I'm definitely going to take it easy today and get in some slow Sunday stitching on those Bow Ties.   


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

15 comments:

  1. I wondered what you had been up to that you have been so quite lately - it looks like you have been busy the blocks look great - it really isn't all that hard to do scrappy!

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  2. I wondered what you had been up to and where you were. I am so glad it was quilting!! I love those stars! I think that is a great start to a great quilt.
    I am so glad you had such a good time. I hope you have a lovely quiet Sunday stitching.

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  3. Kathy, sounds like you had a GRAND week then! Thanks for sharing and esp your quilt blocks you are making! I love those stars too :) Kathi

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  4. What a great time you had the the quilt retreat! Our club will have our first in September and I'm signed up for it. In our case, we're leaving it all open sewing, but your workshop format sounds like fun too.

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  5. I am so glad you enjoyed the retreat! Personally I like your four color stars! Welcome to the world of scrappy! I would say you were a natural. I really love those Pineapple blocks and your bow ties!

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  6. Sounds like a fun time! I made that quilt years ago and the alternate one - green and browns. One is Greg's quilt and the other was the fist HS Graduation quilt for my nephew. I love your scrappy one.... if it needs a home =) Enjoy the relaxing bow ties.

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  7. I know that was a fun time and the quilts you picture are so pretty. I love quilts and so admire those, as yourself, that have the talent to make them. I'm so glad that I have several that my paternal Grandmother made. I know about back hurts and sure hope yours is better. Happy week!

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  8. Well like i said i just KNOW how much I'd love to go one of those retreats and this one sounded like a great one. I am really loving that star block, and I think the "scrappy" way you did it looks GREAT! I'll be anxious to see it altogether Have a good week!

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  9. Sounds like a fabulous time! Now you will have to relax and do some slow stitching to recover from all the excitement!

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  10. I just envision you behind a sewing machine at all times :)

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  11. I'm so glad you had a nice time at your retreat. Wow, quilting patterns are limitless, as I've learned since "meeting" you! All are beautiful, and it would be hard to choose a favorite! Take it from one who learned the hard way, take care of your back... Thanks for the encouraging words you left on my blog :)
    Kathy (from Reflections by Kathy)

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  12. Glad you enjoyed your retreat and got so much done. And it's good to stretch yourself once in a while. ;) I like scrappy, and the more I use it, the more I want to use it. Really glad you were smart and rested! Hope you're back to feeling good today.

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  13. Sounds like it was a great retreat - having fun and getting lots done. Hope you are all rested up today. ~Jeanne

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  14. I LOVE the scrappy block you made, Kathy. It looks fabulous.

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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! ;-)