The snow keeps coming and I'm still stippling. I work at my shop 5 or 6 days a week, approximately 6 hours each day. But I don't stand at the Gammil all 6 hours. Bad knees and other issues always interrupt so that I probably actually quilt 2 to 3 hours on a good work day. That means when a 108x108 double wedding ring comes in to be stippled, I know it will take 6 to 8 of my quilting days.
When the Level 2 snow keeps me home, the retreat closes me for 3 days, and my knees give out, it takes longer. It's the end of February, and I am still working on this quilt. It's not all my fault. The backing isn't big enough and I have had to add more muslin to it. The quilt was sewn with a partial row that connected to another row as though continuous; I had to take that off.
But I do feel responsible; I like to get my work done in a timely fashion. If I don't, the big time stress begins and the fun of the job ends. So, this quilt will be done by Saturday finally, and I will do other quilts after it that can be finished in one day. This way I can feel productive. I have never caught up with myself -- meaning there have always been tops waiting to be quilted since the day I received the Gammil. This in itself is somewhat nerve-wracking, but it also pays the bills.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Retreat Report
The retreat is over and I hope everyone had a wonderful time. I finished Lisa's quilt top with cornerstones, adding another 12 appliques to sew around, to the 108 I had already sewn. I also finished two other baby quilt tops. Now I just have to find time to quilt them. I like to do smaller projects at the retreat so I can feel as though I accomplished something, especially when some of my time is taken up with actually running the retreat.
Strip poker was a great success at the retreat! Not what you're thinking -- we used width of fabric strips as the currency. Some people were stripped of their strips while others had enough to make a quilt when they left the table. It was strictly voluntary and a few quilters just kept their ten strips for a later day! The theme was "Cowgirls Know How to Kick Up Their Heels! " so we tried to go western in every way including bandanas for everyone, sheriff 's star name tags, and a shoot'em up stage coach robbery to hand out some of the favors. We had large cowboy and cowgirl figures on the wall and the cowgirl, all dressed in pink, came home with me for 5-year-old Quinn who helped me put it up on the hallway wall- it' a bit startling when you first notice it but Quinn loved it and also has worn her pink bandanas -- she looks a bit more like a mini-snowboarder than a cowgirl.
The weather has not cooperated and the snow is piled in small mountains everywhere. Now that I can get into the shop, I've lost a bit of my retreat inspired get-up-and-go after being trapped at home for 4 days. I am currently still stippling on a 108x108 double wedding ring which I hope to finish next week. The owner has been very patient since the Level 2 snow has kept me from getting into the shop off and on for 2 weeks and I've been out of town at the retreat as well.
Next I'll quilt the three baby quilts as they each have a destination and a deadline. They're my favorite type of quilting as I can do one in a day and be creative since they are mine. I have heard rumors that there is more snow coming. It's more than a quiltin' cowgirl can take!
Strip poker was a great success at the retreat! Not what you're thinking -- we used width of fabric strips as the currency. Some people were stripped of their strips while others had enough to make a quilt when they left the table. It was strictly voluntary and a few quilters just kept their ten strips for a later day! The theme was "Cowgirls Know How to Kick Up Their Heels! " so we tried to go western in every way including bandanas for everyone, sheriff 's star name tags, and a shoot'em up stage coach robbery to hand out some of the favors. We had large cowboy and cowgirl figures on the wall and the cowgirl, all dressed in pink, came home with me for 5-year-old Quinn who helped me put it up on the hallway wall- it' a bit startling when you first notice it but Quinn loved it and also has worn her pink bandanas -- she looks a bit more like a mini-snowboarder than a cowgirl.
The weather has not cooperated and the snow is piled in small mountains everywhere. Now that I can get into the shop, I've lost a bit of my retreat inspired get-up-and-go after being trapped at home for 4 days. I am currently still stippling on a 108x108 double wedding ring which I hope to finish next week. The owner has been very patient since the Level 2 snow has kept me from getting into the shop off and on for 2 weeks and I've been out of town at the retreat as well.
Next I'll quilt the three baby quilts as they each have a destination and a deadline. They're my favorite type of quilting as I can do one in a day and be creative since they are mine. I have heard rumors that there is more snow coming. It's more than a quiltin' cowgirl can take!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Being a Bump
We're on the last week and a half of the dash to the retreat. Denise, Rosie, and I are whirling with ideas and last minute details so that the 2010 Retreat on the 12th, 13th, and 14th of February will run smoothly, and we will also have some fun and some time for our own sewing. We are turning the reins over to someone else for next year's retreat so we can just be bumps (you know, bumps on a log).
All three of us are a bit burned out and are trying for major bumpage next year. However, I am going to be working on the webpage (www.heartofohioquilters.com); Rosie's already agreed to help with the retreat 2011, and Denise will probably let all her free time get swallowed up by her involvements with her students at Licking Valley High School.
Being a bump is hard when you are used to being involved and having your opinion heard. So we will see if these threee bumps are able to lay low for more than a year.
All three of us are a bit burned out and are trying for major bumpage next year. However, I am going to be working on the webpage (www.heartofohioquilters.com); Rosie's already agreed to help with the retreat 2011, and Denise will probably let all her free time get swallowed up by her involvements with her students at Licking Valley High School.
Being a bump is hard when you are used to being involved and having your opinion heard. So we will see if these threee bumps are able to lay low for more than a year.
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