I have a twin size quilt ready to load on the frame. I told myself this year I was NOT going to finish tops and put them in a pile on the shelf to be quilted "someday". At the beginning of the year I had three tops in that pile, including the one that's ready to go. But did I start quilting it? NO! LOL I started another king size quilt kit that I've had for a couple of years! I've made three blocks so far.

So, I'll either finally load the quilt that's ready to go, or I'll work on the new KS top. Or maybe I'll do something else. :)

Donna

Jackie, I am so jealous!!!! You can use my room if you want to. :-)

No sewing here. I brought some hand sewing with me (hexies) to see what I could do even not seeing very well. Did a couple and then sewed one on backwards.....now I can't see the stitches to take them out. I might get one of the kids to see if they can do it for me. I thought I had threaded a few needles to use, but don't see those either. sigh...... it's ok...... I still have lots to be thankful for. :-)

If anything it will be hand quilting this Summer-weight quilt I've been wanting to make for a long time. I've been wanting to do a very lightweight quilt for just enough cover to be comfortable in the Summer but never got around to it. Only the top and the backing, no in between layer at all. I'm using Pearl cotton #8 and doing the utility quilting technique (AKA big stitch). Nothing fancy, just diagonal lines across the quilt.

I just came back from the Quilt Store. There were no stripes to be found, Rita, but I did get a piece of blue for the binding. Thank you Linda for that suggestion. So today (or tomorrow) I will sandwich and maybe even figure out some quilting design.

While there, I also got some fabric for the baby quilt. Like I really needed more!

And I even bought fabric for DGDs wedding quilt. Wedding is in May, so that one will get going soon.

But first, a little lie-down.

Theresa

And oh, a mini retreat sounds great. My sister quilts but anytime she comes for a visit, it is never long enough for sewing. I may plant a bug in her ear to stay longer next time.

Sharon, so sorry you are having difficulty seeing those stitches. I wish I could help you.

Theresa

Sharon, hop off that highway and I'll help you with the ripping!

I am going to be making the sleeve for the wallhanging and quilting one of two sandwiched quilts. I will probably do something inbetween to give my wrists a rest. I have enough 8" block made (consisting of five 2-8" bricks) for a twin for Africa. I was thinking about interspersing with a plain block and then I could get 2 quilts, but I need to lay it out and decide. Maybe I'll post for opinions. I'm also missing one block for another twin, so maybe I'm make that.

I can't go long without something to applique. So, I've started a quilt with 6 blocks that have birds in them. It will be a gift for my bird-loving son-in-law. He'll be so surprised. And, it's just small enough I might go on to quilt the sucker.

Jackie, wish I was going to Sylacauga with you. Hubby has lots of medical things going plus cataract surgery coming up and I will be stuck at home for awhile. Going to take a week to travel with friends to Hawaii first but then I'll settle down and be good. Sending my best wishes to Bev.

Bev2009, Not close to you this time. Down in Warsaw.....not even venturing up to Michigan this time. Are you planning on trying to attend the retreat this fall?

I would love to, I just have to make a commitment in my mind. I'll talk to my sister again, but i can't get her to pull her machine out so I can see what the problem is. I have an idea she is just threading it incorrectly, since the shop said it was fine.

Got the quilt sandwiched and even started some quilting, nothing fancy. But I did want to do something in those large white squares. Pulled out my disappearing ink pens, those blue and purple ones. Well, the ink has disappeared and they are dry. Someone had given me some ‘washable’ markers. Does that word mean that I can wash the item and the colour stays? Or does it mean they wash out when wet? So before using on the quilt, I did a test. Thank goodness I did. The colour does not wash out. So they can’t be used for temporary marking. Off to the store tomorrow for more wash-out pens. In the meantime, I straightened out a few bins.

Theresa

I made the fourth block of my KS kit Saturday and got nearly done with the fifth one, when I realized I'd sewed a piece of the center block upside down (grr). I decided it was time to call it a day. I thought I would finish it yesterday, but after three church services, lunch and a nap I didn't get back to it.

Donna

I did! I got back late Friday night from a Quilt Retreat in Utah (HQ) to learn more about how to use my long arm. That thing is so intimidating, but I feel so much more at ease on using it now. It was a great class. I also purchased the computer part, so I can do computerized quilting and lots of new toys (rulers, feet, etc). They're shipping them to me and I can't wait to get them.

I'm still working on the center of the Sarah Simms 1816 quilt (all hand embroidery). I'm working on the outside oval, but wanted to get the outside part ready, so I picked fabrics and put together the squares, cut all the border fabrics and the hex's are ready to sew. That is my traveling work, so I worked on it while flying to Utah.