Machine quilting, Fifteen Minutes and More Retreat Musings

Halfway through machine appliqueing 300 leaves it occurred to me that I would have to quilt around each of these leaves. Actually, my thought was, "Holy smokes! What WAS I thinking?"




However, I am now almost at the halfway point of having quilted around them and they are looking GOOD! Yipee!





I have been managing to get a little 15 minutes of sewing in. So that this pile of scraps is becoming these.




Aren't they looking good? I plan to make one of those string appliqued tulip quilts from these. I'm thinking ahead.
At our retreat, one of our discussions was about how far 15 minutes of play could take you (both creatively and just for getting something finished). I have done this before and it is addictive! Try it! Sometimes it is hard to stop!

I also had a few more tidbits about our retreat that you may not know. Rene' had the cutest pajamas you have ever seen (and she snores.) Amanda Jean sometimes buys and uses JoAnne's solid white instead of Kona. And Grubers quilt store in St Cloud, Mn will probably have sold more fabric in June than ever before, simply because Doris and Toni did some "serious" fabric shopping.
Happy sewing and enjoy your 15 minutes this weekend!

Home Again

I'm back from retreat and to say it was wonderful is an understatement. It was beyond FABULOUS! We sewed alot, talked alot and laughed a whole lot! The most fun you can have with your clothes on! I met some amazing women. I hope I can do them justice with my descriptions.

First of all, there were Toni and Doris. These two ladies come from one of the "I" states and they are NUTS! (Luv y'all mean it!) You don't want to get in between these ladies and fabric. It won't be pretty. However, don't worry, you will hear them before you see them.
Next,was Terri. She makes beautiful bags and the woman is another serious fabric shopper. If you meet her in "real life", check out her purse, you will be impressed!
And then there is Rene', she is a lovely, lovely person. She was also the only other southerner at this retreat (which was a good thing, because although we were all speaking English, there are somethings that need translation.)
Next is Shelly. She is a genuine cowgirl and she has a cowboy named Scott and a pair of pink cowboy boots to prove it!
And then there was Mary. Mary has a pretty new grandbaby and the pictures in her purse to prove it, too! Mary's sister lives near me and when Mary comes to Texas I'm taking her to my guild for show and tell. Yipee!
And then there wasAndrea. Andrea is a beautiful, sweet Mormon girl and she is a "sick ticket". If you see her on the street, ask her what Pilates can do for you. She is also a good quilter on her way to being a great quilter and I can't wait to see what she produces on her journey.
And then we had the amazing Amanda Jean. Do you want to know if she is really crazy? She is! Hey Amanda, you know I think you rock! I can't wait to see what you do with your batik scraps!
And last but certainly not least, was my fabulous friend Miss V. What can I say about her that I haven't said before? You are an amazing quilter, a wonderful friend and an incredible person and I sure am glad I know you! (Especially since you are the one that invited me on this trip.)
It was an incredible weekend, ladies and I can't wait to do it again next year!
Happy quilting!

Visiting the Border

I spent Tuesday at the border. No, I didn't go to Mexico and I wasn't walking that thin border between sane and crazy. (Although I have been there a few times lately, but that is a story for another day.) I was putting a border on my quilt.




Looks good doesn't it?! And it will really look good once it is quilted! But first I have to go piece the back. (I can't help myself, I LOVE a pieced back!)

And lastly, do you like my new blog look? I have to thank my fabulous friend Miss V. Isn't she great! As if she didn't have enough to do. (Believe me!) Thanks Victoria, you know how much I appreciate you!

Know I gotta go piece a back. Happy sewing!