Cruise prep

Hi all! Long time no post...so what else is new?

This retirement gig is the greatest...love not having to live on a schedule (aka someone else's schedule) but it is really easy to get lazy and spend way too much time in front of the computer when I should be (in no particular order): working in my flower garden (weeds! DIE!), sewing (I do do that a lot) or doing domestic chores like vacuuming, dusting, laundry, etc. Laundry and cleaning the kitchen are pretty routine and since we keep the house open as much as possible during nice weather, it is rather futile to vacuum the hardwood floor and dust! The kitchen is in need of a mopping right now (thanks to some ham juice that spilled all over) but since I plan on canning some peaches tomorrow I might as well wait.

So, what does the subject line mean? I'm leaving on a cruise next Friday (8/19) for a week long quilting cruise to Alaska with Stitchin' Heaven! Carol Doak is one of the teachers and the main reason I wanted to go on this particular one. Just found out that this will be her next-to-the-last quilting cruise for her, so I'm glad I have the opportunity to go. It's still a week out but believe it or not, I am already partially packed. It will be much cooler up there than it is here, so it is easy to pre-pack cool weather clothing. In fact, I plan on having everything packed and in the car the night before (we need to leave early on Friday morning to get me to the ship on time) except for my makeup and my cpap! We'll see how that all goes in the final moments.

I've purchased an internet package on the ship (Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas) so I hope to be able to post to a blog with my adventures. Stay tuned for the URL!

Until then, I hope you have had a creative day and see you back here soon (if I can manage to post again soon!)

Barb

Projects and challenges for the coming year

I'm trying to improve my sewing, quilting and appliqué skills this year so have signed on to Craftsy BOM, a twice a week block challenge and a couple of self assigned challenges. I tend to piece large projects so I want to work on piecing skills and expand my appliqué skills.

The Craftsy BOM is only about 6 or 7 months long and I've completed the first 2 months. January's was the center part with the hourglass blocks and February's was the flying geese along with making the star blocks for a future round.

January and February BOM from Craftsy

I also ordered the optional pillow sham kit and have those completed, too.

Pillow sham kit from Craftsy BOM 2016

                                    

Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson have teamed up present what they are calling The Splendid Sampler and I decided to join in with at least 10,000 others around the world. I have chosen 2 sets of fabrics plus have anothe set for samples. There was a sample block they put up so here is that one in reversed color ways. 

Practice block

The first real block (there are 100 blocks, 2 a week coming) was put out today so here are all three color ways:

February 14 block

The heart on the blue one was done as hand appliqué using freezer paper. I had never done this technique before (I've only done a little bit of hand appliqué...see below) and grabbed a Craftsy class noon hand appliqué by Mimi Dietrich. Very informative as I didn't know there were so many methods. Lots to learn! The other 2 were done with machine appliqué. 

Speaking of hand appliqué, I dug out the Classic Santa kit that was designed by Susan Garman in 2004. I was able to get one of the last kits with the fabrics, though the patterns are still available. I have one block done but it was done before I watch the class...just a bit of what I read online about hand-turned appliqué. Doesn't look to bad for the first one...hopefully by the time I finish the 12th one they will look better!

Classic Santa block 1 - design by Susan Garman. Needle turn appliqué

I've also set up a personal challenge for myself to complete the Patric Lose Mini Quilts, one for each month that are about 12 inches square and fit on my tabletop stand. Here are January's

January block - Patrick Lose

And February's

February Block - Patrick Lose

Oh, and I still have lots of other projects! Almost finished with a baby quilt for next Sunday, has another one that is needed by spring. Also going to Sewing Expo Ina couple of weeks and have a gazillion UFOs to finish and many more to start! Stay tuned!

Way past due!

Well, I'd better get caught up on the major points of the past year if there is anyone still looking at this! If nothing else I recently used this as a diary to verify when I purchased something.

Biggest news is that I retired in June so I have more time to sew and quilt! We spent a good part of the summer working on outside projects that we have neglected for the past several years including having the house painted on the outside. Fall was spent on the inside of the house, tossing a lot stuff that has accumulated. Now that the holidays are over I can joyfully spend a lot of time in my sewing room!

We did take a trip to St. George, Utah in late August so I wasn't I town when school started. My sisters and their husbands were with us and we had a great time seeing the beautiful scenery and spending a lot of time visiting. It is wonderful when you can count your sisters among your best friends. 

In July stepson Eric got married and I made them a quilt in browns to go with their decor. I'll have to post the picture later as it isn't on my iPad!

In October I started my retirement/quilting travels by going to Houston for the International Quilt Festival. I was able to stay with a cousin who lives just north of Houston so that was part of the fun. Both the exhibits and the vendors were phenomenal! I'll be going to Sewing Expo at the end of the month but this time I will be going for the entire time. June will bring the quilt retreat in Leavenworth and this time a friend will be going with me. I've scheduled 2 cruisers, too...Alaska in August for 7 days and the Caribbean for 11 days next February!  

I've started the Craftsy BOM this year, purchasing the kit.  I've completed the first 2 months, so I'm keeping up! 

I'll post a few more pictures of projects when I get back on my computer and hope to keep this up now...though I've said this before, haven't I?