Friday, March 28, 2008

Friday news

I'm close to being ready to head out for retreat. Haven't even started packing clothes yet - that shouldn't take more than 10 minutes - but the sewing stuff is in the CRV. It's a good thing there is no one here that needs to ride with me - we'd be in big trouble! I always take my good sewing chair whenever possible - sitting for five days on a folding chair is not a good thing for this aging back! I still need to pack the laptop also - so far I can't find the case my daughter gave me to carry it in. Must be in a closet here somewhere!

Those of you who have been reading my blog for some time are familiar with the classes I'm taking with Eileen Trestain, and AQS certified quilt appraiser and fabric dating expert. Last night was our last mid-century Album class, which covered the period from 1830 to 1859. We received our last packet and the fabric for the final border of the quilt. There were several print pieces to choose from but none of them really thrilled me, so I choose to take 4 yards of the natural background and will do an appliqué border on my quilt. Eventually - this is going to be a very long term project.

We also had an introduction to the class that starts next month, which covers the Civil War and Centennial period of 1860-1879. Like the class that just finished, we will receive patterns for a sampler quilt, including twelve different layouts! Both appliqué and pieced blocks will be included. Eileen brought one of her antique quilts from the period from which she drew many of the designs. I just went nuts over this quilt - I have a feeling I will be doing something like this!

Notice the first of my 2008 goals listed on my sidebar? I've been doing great so far - but this week I took a huge nosedive into negative territory. I may not be able to recover this year - oh well. Why should this year be any different from the years before LOL! I've ordered a twenty yard bolt of Kona Cotton for my Dear Jane background, and I came home from Eileen's Tuesday class with a large sack full of fat quarters representing the 1880-1910 period. It wasn't until I washed them all, pressed them, and put them in a basket for retreat - along with a bunch of stuff from my stash - that I realized that I'd no idea how many yards I bought. So I just now dug out the sales slip. 38 fat quarters, which equals 9 1/2 yards. That's 29 1/2 yards bought this week, and now I'm going to be spending five days in the basement of my most favorite of all quilt shops. I already know there is going to be no hope of decreasing my stash this year - not unless I sew like a mad woman and don't stop to eat or sleep.

It is March 28th - where did March go? The weirdest thing is this - it is snowing outside! And it's actually sticking a bit! This is western Washington - where it rarely snows even in the winter! Weirder yet is that it's snowing at the ocean, with accumulations of 3-5 inches expected by evening. Talk out strange, mixed up weather!

OK - need to pack clothes and finish getting ready. Everybody have a great weekend. I'm going to try to post from the hotel using my laptop - if I can figure out how to do that.

************
Gratitudes:
1. Quilt retreats
2. Safe travel home for my kids
3. Fascinating quilt classes
4. Marvelous quilt shops
5. Retreat snack foods!

24 comments:

Anina said...

I'm SO jealous! Enjoy your retreat (and the snow). It is weird, isn't it? Drive safely.

Shelina said...

That is a beautiful quilt - I can see you making it too. :)

Have a wonderful time at the retreat.

Lily Boot said...

oooh patti, that vintage quilt is amazing - but what a lot of work! You won't be able to sleep for the rest of the year! With regards to fabric buying - well I'm beginning to think we are doomed - it's just not possible to put a halt to it when there is so much beautiful fabric constantly being thrown at us - we are actually the victims :-0 !! Have a great retreat and keepp safe, warm regards, lily

KC Quilter said...

Ooooh, have a super time on your retreat. Smart idea to take a comfy chair!!!!

Mavie_q said...

Love your quilts, that 30's quilt looks like alot of work but would be fun in a class!!!! Mavie

Lily Mulholland said...

Patti I'm still chuckling that clothes packing will take less time than it will take to say goodbye to your family :)

Have a wonderful time. Sometimes a gal just has to buy fabric!

Tanya said...

Have a great time. You never know. You may use that 29 1/2 yards of fabric in the next 9 months and still meet your goal! I imagine that you give pretty good shot at it!

Jeanne said...

Have a wonderful time at your retreat! The new quilt class sounds really interesting. I bet you're anxious to begin.

Pam in KC said...

What a wonderful quilt. Enjoy your retreat. I hadn't thought about taking my own chair -- I know I wouldn't have room in my car, there are 3 of us traveling together!

Darlene said...

Have fun, fun, fun! I can't wait to read all about it. :-)

Pam said...

That is a beautiful quilt Patti! I can see that it certainly could inspire you to make one like it.

Sounds like you have been shopping up a storm -- too bad I couldn't have come along I would have enjoyed it thoroughly I am sure!!

Have a great retreat!

Libby said...

Oh have a wonderful time . . . can't wait to hear all about it!

YankeeQuilter said...

What a great quilt! I am so jealous that you get to go to these classes!

Hanne said...

Have a lovely retreat Patti!

Buying with a purose is not that bad, is it - please say no :-) - I am guilty too!

I a looking forward to follow the progress of your new project.

mary-myneedlethead.blogspot.com said...

Wish I could go too! Beautiful Quilt, Have Fun on your Retreat, Hugs, Mary

vicki said...

I'm jealous. Going on a retreat sounds like a wonderful way to enbrace spring. Be sure and give lots of details when you come back

Teresa said...

Fun fun fun!!!! I hope you have a great time at retreat!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh have fun! I"m so wish I could be taking that class with you! What a wonderful experience! And that quilt is awesome!

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

Wow, what a juicy post! So much to comment on, first, have a great time, let's see if we can get the week's buying up to 50 yards, a nice round numberlol!! You are getting so much inspiration, I don't hold stash purchases against anyone, I think Elain just said, and I have often said, those stashbuster diets are just like normal ones-hard to keep!
Have fun-and don't stress about the clothes, I have sewn on retreat in the PJ's!, tracey

Quilting Pirate said...

Hope the retreat was fun and wonderful!!

Lynn Dykstra said...

8 scrap bin quilts in 2008! I'm impressed!

MARCIE said...

What wonderful classes you have been able to enjoy! I have enjoyed seeing your photos. Have a great weekend!

sewprimitive karen said...

What a wonderful series of classes. The topics are to die for. So you all make a quilt for each class? Very neat. Your yards-acquisitioning this past week, I'm sorry, I'm just sitting here laughing, but so understandable. Most especially the Dear Jane bolt, I mean it would be silly not to get all of the background fabric before you begin. So you're being very smart :-).

The Chicken Lady said...

Hope you had fun at the retreat ~ phsa, "quilting retreat"...that just SAYS fun! :) Oh, btw, since you have a CRV, you may be interested in this place... http://www.crvownersclub.com/ We have an Element and go to the Element OC page. Lots of fun info. :)