Jelly Roll Races

At retreat we had a Jelly Roll Race on Sunday morning.....yeah, after only about 4 hours of sleep and LOTS of coffee, I decided to "do" the race. I had thought of making a Jelly Roll quilt so was prepared, just hadn't thought of competing! Sure glad I did cause I WON!!!!! Saturday they had us "prep" our rolls into one long strip so that made it easier for the race.....

Have you ever sewn 1600 inches of fabric strips into a quilt in 30 minutes?????

Dare you!!!!!!

You can find a tutorial here: http://quilting.craftgossip.com/tutorial-jelly-roll-1600-quilt/2011/12/09/

My top with borders added AFTER the race:

My Batik FQ Bouquet for being the first one done!

Irene

Quick Trip Quilt Top

While attending a retreat last September, I was intrigued by a "Trip Around the World" quilt that was being made by an 80+ year old lady...I had never made one because I was afraid of all the square pieces and was just sure I couldn't get a decent top! I was introdeced to the book: "Quick Trip Quilts" by Eleanor Burns. Debi at "Somewhere Sewing" (http://www.somewheresewing.com/) got me the book and I started pulling baticks from my bins....I "kitted" this before retreat and it became one of my projects. Why was I so afraid of this pattern????? It totally rocks!

My top before borders...not sure what fabric(s) I am adding to make the borders? Maybe none??? I will let it hang here for awhile and see if it talks to me. If you have a suggestion--PLEASE post it!!

President's Day Weekend~~~~

I had a medical appointment Friday morning and didn't know how my body would react to the testings, so took the whole day off (good thing I did too, my tummy didn't like me for a while!) The "tech" didn't see anything amiss, but we have to wait on all the lab reports altho I'm not worried.

After my tummy had calmed down...I hit the road! I met with some friends for some shopping and food on the east side of Columbus before heading on west...FUN!! FUN!!FUN!! After quite a few breaks along the way, I arrived in Bellbrook, OH. Spent a few hours with Lesa then we headed over to help set up for the retreat..I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a retreat sponsored by the Miami Valley Quilt Guild (http://www.miamivalleyquiltersguild.org/) that was held Saturday-Monday. No school Monday, so this was a real treat for me!!Three days of NO cooking, NO cleaning, No laundry, NO "Mom!" awwwwww!

Can you imagine 110 ladies at a retreat just sewing and quilting?? What a blast! Lots of fun, fellowship, and food! Gained a lot of new ideas and made new friendships..lost A LOT of sleep but worth every minute of it!!! This is where the retreat was held: http://www.bergamocenter.org/. Would I go again--yep, in a heartbeat! A huge thanks to the retreat committee for all the wonderful work they put into the planing! really hated to have to leave Monday night and make the 3+ hr. drive home but.......

(will be continued...)

POP POP FIZZ FIZZ

Oh what a relief it is!!!!

* Feel almost 100%!!

* Michelle's taxes are done!!

* Studio is 98% clean!!

* Caught up on all BOM's!!!

* Our taxes are done!!!

* Semi packed for upcoming retreat!!

--Now this week I have to:

--work

--finish cleaning up the house

--finish retreat packing

--get those tests done Friday morning

--travel
--meet friends for lunch

--retreat

Is it FRIDAY yet?????????

Irene

"At Home" Retreat

was held this past weekend for the "Ohio Quilters." I didn't know how much time I could spend in the studio since I was scheduled to work on Saturday. Well, due to the snow/ice, I got the day off on Friday and got rescheduled for Saturday, but..that also meant Hubby was home and...... (won't go there!!)

Friends, Pat and Becky, were in town so met up with them on Friday after the roads cleared. We headed to a neat quilt store, http://www.somewheresewing.com/. Didn't buy a lot--a backing, a spool of thread, and a WOW to add to the stash. Ann met us here too.

After lunch, we did a little local shopping and browsing...basically relaxed and enjoyed our time together. Dinner was a fun time with Debi and Dennis!!

I did manage to get the "Sand and Surf" top sewn together after making it home in another snow storm Friday evening~

Saturday I was so bummed after my trip was rescheduled--I couldn't contact the gals since my phone just wouldn't work....grrrrrrr (it did reset itself late Saturday afternoon, was it due to the weather?????)and meet up with them. So, I decided it was a good time to work on binding a quilt. I could easily do this while the laundry was being done:

Didn't accomplish all I had wanted to in the studio but I am pretty happy with this much done! It seems I never get much done during "home retreats!)"

Irene

Retreat time:

Once again I was able to attena a quilting retreat this past weekend in Torch, Ohio. (hey, didn't wash all those busses for nothing!) Was winderful to get away from all the "mess" at home for a few days!

Sure didn't get everything accomplished I wanted to, but enjoyed myself--

New SCRAPY (gasp!!) project started:

And I made another purse/bag (not that I needed one!)

Also made a block to add to the "comfort quilt" that is being made for a fellow quilter diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Thoughts and prayers go with Sherry.

Churn Dash in 30's forals

Still working on using up my "stash," I made twelve Churn Dash blocks using my 30's florals. I strip bordered them at retreat last weekend and made the top---now to get it quilted!!!

Disappearing Nine-Patch

Had a chance to escape last weekend!! Went to a small retreat down in Torch, OH. Had a wonderful time with some pretty awesome quilting friends!!! Wasn't sure what I wanted to take to work on? I wanted "mindless" sewing! I needed to regroup and refresh, not only my body, but mind also! The BOW/WOB/brights 9-patches have been sitting here. I had started cutting and resewing them but just didn't have the stick-to-itness I needed to finish, so to retreat they went! I've also added a solid black border and and trying to decide what to do for the last border(s)????? Got a few great suggestions from the other quilters at retreat, now have to decide! What do you suggest?????? (from 9-patch to a disappearing 9-patch)

So peaceful...........

This past weekend I was privilaged enough to attend a "multi-arts" retreat in beautiful southeastern Ohio! Altho it was raining as I drove into the drive, a feeling of peace just enveloped me after the fairly stressful week I had....I love this place and can't wait to go back in the spring!

Retreat:

..was awwwesome! Had a lot of fun chatting, eating, sharing ideas, eating, sewing, eating, shopping, eating with the other gals there! Seems time just goes by so fast when we are together and all to soon it's over!

Wedsnesday evening I picked up Pat and we headed out to find dinner somewhere--ended up at Mrs. Yoder for a wonderful buffet--yummy! I left for home soon after as I still had to do the 4:30am on Thursday :(....I did take my sewing machine and project bag into the conference center before going to work at 2:30 Thursday afternoon. I could hardly wait for 5:00 to roll around that day! Ann's daughter brought her down and I convinced her to bring us some taco salads for dinner--yummy! I only stayed until about 10:00 Thursday evening as I was sooo tired from getting up early and working.

Friday: Up and out of the house by 8! (actually was awake earlier) The machines were already humming when I arrived at the conference room---coffee and I was ready to go- I spent most of the forenoon working on my BOM's, trying to get them caught up. In the afternoon I started a new project(s)....I know, I'm supposed to be finishing up all the UFO's around here...but.......... Catered dinner this evening followed by an awesome "show-n-tell" time. Took Ann home then vwent to find my bed around 1AM.

Saturday: Started sewing about 8:30. Still working on my new projects and also getting very inspired by some others I see coming together--more wannados! Just like I need those! NOT! Took Pat on a drive with me to find lunch and also a filled corn crib she wanted a picture of....sooo much fun! I was kind-of sluggish for a while in the afternoon, think I needed a nap! Mic stopped in on her way to Stacy's and brought me a Pepsi--thank you again! I did manage to get one project about 3/4 done, didn't cut enough yellow, and the other is about 1/2 done, before I had to pack up and leave. I didn't go back on Sunday morning this year as hubby had to leave by 12:30 and Mic was also leaving by 2, so wanted to spend a little time with them.

But, the question is....Is it retreat time yet???? I can hardly wait for the next one!