February 2018 was a blur for me...
with the passing of my mom ... things seemed to just slow down
even though my schedule had been filled with retreats and workshops...
needing to find my way and my purpose again...
quilting helps.
The Dresden Neighborhood Workshop
put on by my guild ~ SCQG was a blast!
Michelle Banton of Little Pup Designs
was a fabulous instructor!
Using Kim Lapacek's pattern, Mistyfuse and a Dresden ruler
workshop participants created their very own Dresden Neighborhoods!
Using a cute house fabric for the background and
Cherrywood fabrics for the houses -
This was as far as I got!
It doesn't look like much, but once the
windows, doors and roofs are fused on
the neighborhood will come to life...
This was as far as I got!
It doesn't look like much, but once the
windows, doors and roofs are fused on
the neighborhood will come to life...
for now - my neighborhood is
still Under Construction!
My third retreat with RNQG started off beautifully!
The Sea Crest Resort in just unbelievable - even in the winter!
Arriving on Thursday morning I set up my sewing space
but just didn't feel like sewing ...
Retail Therapy - YES! that's what was needed!
Off to Falmouth Center to meander in and out of all the small shops!
By the afternoon I was mentally ready to Sit and Sew.
Started working on my third star from the
"Nantucket" pattern by Thimble Blossoms
using fabrics from Bonnie & Camille.
This smaller Star of Bethlehem is a nice manageable size!
The pattern calls for nine of them - very do-able!
Not sure I could manage a larger size without my eyes bugging out!!
The quilting room the Sea Crest provided was fabulous -
everyone had an 8 foot table and electrical outlet!
So much space to work on projects, chat with outer retreaters
and enjoy the "Quilty" atmosphere!
And the Food - to Die for! Hats off to the Chief!
My room was just wonderful...
Comfy bed, nice chair to relax and applique and
a beautiful view of the ocean!
too bad I was only able to enjoy it for one night...
The first of Three Nor'easters hit Friday afternoon
and by Friday 5:30pm the hotel lost all power!
But they were able to provide a delicious hot meal for dinner!
After dinner everyone went back to their rooms-
some sat in the quilting room and chatted.
I needed time alone - my mood was still low...
thankfully I had packed my battery operated light
which made doing my applique possible!
By morning the worst of the storm had passed,
however the hotel was still without power and
unsure as to when their power would be returning
(it was without power for a few days!)
the hotel had to close.
SO back home we all went -
the four day retreat lasted 24 hours!
Good news is the hotel is not charging anyone
and will set up another retreat for us!!
~~~~~~
Keeping up with my Temperature Quilt has been a good
way to sew a little something each day
( you can follow me on Instagram - temperaturequilt )
This is my color chart - makes it easy to pick
my fabrics each day!
February had Lots of days in the 20's and 30's!!
Since it was too "plain" for me - embroidery was necessary!
The name of each month is embroidered at the top,
along with any "special" weather condition...
Snowflake, wind, rain etc...
February 5th
my way of honoring my mom...
Slowly getting my "Quilty Groove" back!
Set up a portable design wall in the guest bedroom and I'm using it!!
Each daily Flying Geese block makes two left over half square triangles~
Each daily Flying Geese block makes two left over half square triangles~
which just could not be wasted!!
SO the creation of two more temp quilts!!
On the top are 1" (finished) squares in a strip
and the left is a "calendar" temp quilt!
Loving seeing the colors of the day!
Not sure what will become of all these Temp Quilts - but its FUN!
My mom's bedroom is getting a makeover!
It will become the Guest Room and my "Quilting Annex"!!!
A place to put up my portable design wall and the portable pressing station
which is well designed in my head! Now to just set it up!
More on that later!
My 'Fancy Forest' is finally coming together!
All four quadrants will get sewn together - This Week!!
In the mean time ... I whipped up a cute little Irish Chain quilt
from a Maywood Studio Pods Pre-cut Project.
Just what I need right now - easy peasy!!
The binding is all made and wrapped around a Binding Baby
by Doohikey Designs
Had the chance to meet Shari Butler in Houston - what a nice gal!
Of course I had to get the Binding Baby with the ear muffs!
So New England!!
Had the chance to meet Shari Butler in Houston - what a nice gal!
Of course I had to get the Binding Baby with the ear muffs!
So New England!!
Nor'easter Number THREE rolled in yesterday
dumping 16" of heavy snow!
Number four is expected early next week!!
The snow is Beautiful - until you have to shovel!!
But being snowbound is a great way to slow down and
appreciate the small things in life we sometimes take for granted -
heat, running water, hot food ... Hot Coffee!!
Thankfully the power stayed on while the blizzard raged outside!
Till next time ...
Have a great Quilty Day and enjoy the process!
Janet
