New Sewing Machine!!!!!!!!11

Don't you just love it. The Baby Lock Symphony! And she is all mine! So excited to get it and play with it. This has been a long drawn out deceision. But once I made up my mind, it didn't take long to purchase it.
My poor old Viking is only 3 years old, but it was time to get somthing a little more advance for me.
So far my projects have been getting done, and I started more since my last posting. Now I am working on a black and cream fat quarter quilt as a birthday gift for my boss.
Also started the Crab Apple Gove pattern over the river quilt. That one will take awile to complete since there is so much hand work to be done.
And now, I promised my youngest granddaughter I would take her shopping so she can pick out some princess material for a Beauty and the Beast quilt she wants in time for her birthday this June. And ofcourse grandma can never say no.
I finally got my camera back from my daughter's house where I left it over a month ago. Now I can post some pics.
Right now, need to focus my attention on learning my new sewing machine. I am hopeful that this weekend will bring me plenty of sewing time.

Putsy Work!!!

This weekend is the weekend I get more of these blocks done for the piece border on my 2010 Thimbleberries BOM. Sorry, my camera got lost and one of my children's house so no pictures to show.
You will just have to envision it.

Well I was down to 16 more blocks to make and I got 9 done. They are so putsy to do. I am suprised I got that many done before I was bored. Once they are all done then I can sew them together into the border. I don't know why this quilt bores me. But I can only work on it for so long and then I lose interest.

So I got the fat quarters all cut out for my next fat quarter project. Too bad there is no pictures, such a great bunch of fat quarters, black, beige and off white. I promise there will be a picture soon. Just as soon as I find my camera.

It is snowing just terriably bad outside today. It started around 10 this morning and should last into tomorrow. Just when everything was melting and I was starting to see green. What a shame, but alas it is still winter and we do live in Wisconsin. Anything can happen in Wisconsin.

Pictures soon.

The Quilt is getting there!

So I am making some progress with my Thimbleberries BOM from 2010. There is a series of blocks that need to be pieced and attached as the border on this quilt.
Here are some of those blocks.
I got Fourteen stars and four heart squares done. Still need to do 16 more tree squares and then I am ready to get the border on. Its friday nite, and I am feeling lazy, (so what else is new) and tomorrow will be another busy day.
I am going to see my girl friend in Chilton. She is wheel chair bound but doesn't let that stop her from learning how to quilt.
We need to stretch out and pin some of my quilt tops. She has a wonderful quilt frame that she inherited from her mother. So that will work fine, and at the same time give us some girl time. I need to take a look at her projects to see what kind of help she needs.
Should be a great day...........

All I can say is "WOW!"

My first Quilt Retreat was a success! How great of a weekend! Words can not describe!
Wonderful company, great house, good food and the attention that the staff provided everyone to make sure their stay was wonderful.

This is my Wizard of Oz Quilt.

This quilt has been sitting in my stash for over two years, waiting for a weekend that I would have time and the patience to do this. Well this weekend was the right time.

I learned some tips, some with sewing some with pressing................made some new friends and had such a wonderful time.

Lisa at the Primitive Gatherings in Menasha has just opened this Quilt Retreat down the road from her store. The details that went into this house, the choices for decor, and the decision to have her mother be the cook, maid, and all around spoiler mom was just spectacular!

I loved it and already put in my reservations for the same weekend next year. What a great way to spend my birthday.

TIME AWAY

Do you feel like you need to get away to regain yourself? Do you feel like the world is closing in on you and you just have to do something different.
Well that is me. Not sure what my problem is, but just don't feel like sewing or quilting or anything lately. I just need to get away.
So what would be the best place to go??????????
How about a quilt retreat. A home away from home. Someone caters to you and all your needs while you create. Or if you just want quiet time, you can do that too.
I am leaving to meet up with my sister this Friday for a weekend retreat (wish it was longer) in Menasha. And to top it off, from what I understand us two will be the only gals at the retreat. How much better can it get.
There will be the house cook there to make sure we take breaks to eat. We will have the run of this huge house. That in it's self might be a mistake, but whatever happens on sister's weekends stays with the sisters....................So excited! Need some time away. Need this me time!

Slow moving winter.......

Don't you feel like this snow will never go away. Does it give you that chilled to the bone feeling? We are experiencing snowstorm Bella right now and it just chills me to the bone. The cold wind blowing all the snow around. The thought of going home from a day of work to shoveling out. Oh my, just the thought of stepping outside from this nice warm office.

I am currently staying at my daughter and son in law's house babysitting the pets and the house. They are on a second honeymoon in Australia. So much fun for them, but for me.....................
Well two driveways and sidewalks to shovel. What a pain!

And I am not getting anything accomplished. No sewing what so ever. I did manage to stretch a quilt and pin so it is ready to quilt, but not at home by my sewing machine, not much I can do.
The quilt retreat is 10 days away and I have so much more to prepare for. Not to mention the packing involved with this trip. I am counting my days.

Got to get Motivated!

You know here it is the 5th of January, 2011 and I really don't have anything to show as far as my quilts.
Well I did get the borders on the Thimble-berries BOM, but there is a huge pieced border that needs to go on now to get it to its' finished stage. I did get the black and white yellow brick road quilt done so now it is ready to be sandwiched. I also did a baby boy's dinosaur quilt that needs to be sandwiched also. But that's where they sit.
I need to get my Wizard of Oz quilt all cut out and ready for my quilt retreat at the end of the month. I am sure that will probably be done in a rush and at the last minute.
Just haven't had the urge or energy to sew or knit. Not sure what is wrong, I know I am getting over a cold but that shouldn't add to my mood.
I seem to want to go home from work and just sit in front of the tv, not even any hand work going. Hmmmm, something is wrong.
My children keep me busy with babysitting. I babysat last weekend and will again this saturday. Maybe that is taking up my time. Not sure.
Got to get myself motivated.