Too Much Fun!

A group of us went on a quilt retreat to the Waterfall Retreat Center in Warrensville, NC this past weekend. What a blast! Is is possible to have too much fun? We just might have! There was conversation, eating, sewing, eating, laughing, eating, knitting, eating, sharing, and did I mention eating?

Jean is being so very accurate as she works on a quilt for her spring grandchild. Jean also prepared some amazing meals for the group. If you see her, ask her to do her Utz commercial and jingle!

And Michelle is so proud showing off her little green sewing machine to Grace.

Mary Jo finished her doggie quilt for Sam. Lucky dog!

Marianne has a quiet contemplative moment crocheting.

So much was done - sewing, journal making, doll making, cutting, knitting, crocheting, stamp carving, and sketching!

We definitely created to our heart's desire - well, maybe - we're already planning the next retreat!

More Crazy

Just thought I'd share a little more of my crazies! Technically, the square with the beaded heart is not yet finished - still one more seam to embellish. I find myself running out of ideas, pick up the piece a few days later and know exactly what I'm going to do. Remember I said I didn't like to sew on buttons? There's even a "garden" of buttons! Some of the buttons I've used are very old and very thin - I like to think about what kind of garment they were once sewn on.

Then there is the square with the dragonfly. I love dragonflies and needed to put one on this crazy quilt. I like using French knots and I even found little mirror embellishments for this square.

I am now down to one square to complete. The thought of finishing this part of the project is a little sad. Will it be exciting to put them together? Probably, but they'll be in the line-up with my many other started quilting projects. Just like a good quilter should, I'll probably start something new!

Crazy, Crazy, Crazy

Twelve or so years ago, I decided to do a crazy quilt. It has been a crazy journey! I love that there are no rules. Fabrics can be combined, gaudy embellishments added, everything every which way and crazy! More than 12 squares later (hey - that's better than one a year!) I have just two left to embellish. It has been an interesting and wonderful journey and an inconsistent journey. There was better than a year I didn't even touch the project. I'm now also the proud owner of about 6 crazy quilt books and more embellishments than I ever imagined.

I've never been overly fond of handwork. I've done my share of embroidery and cross stitch over the years, but never had a real passion for it. And now I find myself spending hours on just one square - doing embroidery and beading, and handstitching embellishments. Stitching buttons onto a shirt is a dreaded chore, yet I've stitched many a button onto these quilt squares. Part of the enjoyment of the buttons is that they were Bob's Mom's buttons that we found years ago in her "button bag" stored in her treadle sewing machine.

This leaf was done by stamping with Lumere paint then adding beads.

Every crazy quilt is supposed to have a web and spider stitched into it for luck.

Only 2 square to finish. As my daughter keeps asking me, "When will it be done?" I can only hope before another twelve years go by!

Poor 'Lil Daffodils

My favorite season in my yard is when the daffodils are in bloom. There is an army of daffodils in my front yard and it always brings me such joy. Now here we are with snow in March! Poor 'lil things. Many are covered completely. I just hope the bloom isn't lessened and when the snow melts, they will "spring" back to their glory. The good news - the leaves I sitll haven't cleared are also covered! It's supposed to be 65 degrees by Friday. Hopefully the daffodils will once again take their regal place in the yard, and maybe, just maybe, I'll get out there and clear all those nasty leaves!