Time out

I need to take some 'Me' time. and won't be posting for a while.  Yes, I am sewing and quilting but I'm feeling deflated lately and having a hard time being my usual cheerful self. I will post what I am doing, but keep the monologue short..."Just the facts, ma'am."

Here are the latest pictures.

The tee shirt quilt is finished. I just have to add the label and binding.

Mr Wazoo will mail it tomorrow.

I love this panto for tee shirt quilts!

The backing was so perfect for the quilt, I am also using it for the binding!

I'm sure you've seen the latest craze in the quilting world, sea glass quilts.

I am destined to make one of these, but I'm going to use garden rocks instead!

Mr Wazoo used these in one of our border beds in the yard, and I love how they look.

This is the class sample from  the Draw-Sew-Trim class I took last week.

I'm struggling with the technique, but am convinced I'll get it as I go along.

Stay tuned for that.

The bumpy road of grief

 The last three days have helped me to get sewing again. I just haven't felt like making anything or quilting. What's wrong with me?! The blahs continued until Thursday when the guild retreat began. Day one, I made blocks for the outreach groups and visited with my quilting friends. Day two, I made a small charity quilt and some more blocks. Day three, I was sewing happily, making a new Stars over Lake Minoqua that will be a prize at the end of the next trunk show. I'm feeling energized and ready to get things done.

The first quilt in the studio was this delightful Christmas project from 

a  favored customer.

I love this Falling Snow panto.

The backing is a companion print of the panel.

The same customer made this baby quilt

Panto: Bubbles

The pattern looks good on the blue backing.

Another customer made this stunning row-by-row holiday quilt.

I used the same snowfall panto.

It also looks wonderful on the white backing.

Last week, I attended a series of longarm classes at the shop where I purchased my machine, and some of the students were interested in what my studio is like, and how I store my batting. I took some pictures (without tidying up first) and maybe you'd like to take a tour, too!

Here is my Handi Quilter. I love it!

This is Big Gammill. I think I may retire her soon.

Mr Wazoo made these pull-out drawers for me for the cone thread.

I purged many rulers down to these. These are ones I actually use.

Two bobbin winders; Gammill and Handi Quilter.

The sewing nook. My happy place.

Fabric that is less than a half yard.

Design area, office and TV corner.

All those things that don't fit elsewhere.

Display space. I change the big quilt  out recently to stay inspired.

The fabric 1/2 yard and over, plus the strip bins up on top.

The studio. My place of comfort and renewal.

Mr Wazoo made these rolling batting holders from Rubbermaid trash can bases and plumbing supplies from Home Depot.

They are perfect for storing, transporting and using for my batting rolls.

The retreat and some unrelated snaps from the last week.

A big forest fire outside Portland, Oregon captured at dawn by my daughter from. the hospital where she works.

Outreach  groups competing for participation from retreat goers.

Some of the quilters who were still sewing at 5:00.

The die hard people I love!

People who participated in the quilted pumpkin challenge.

Homecoming at the University of Wisconsin.

Big Bucky and little Dechen.

My backyard, glowing with Autumnal color.

Two trees competing for attention

Yellow sassafras trees in the edge of the forest.

So pretty.

Leaves against the cool, blue sky.

Yup...beautiful.

My latest project is this tee shirt quilt for my granddaughter's roommate.

Hard to see. Puppy trying to weasel in on my reading time.

She always wins!

Back in the saddle!

 On Saturday, I ventured out to a quilt shop and did a bit of retail therapy. That did the trick, getting me back into the studio and quilting. I started with this beautiful Kaffe project a friend made. Even the back is lovely!

The blocks are fussy cut and feature different flowers.

Did you spot the photobomber?

Its big!

I used a periwinkle thread and a spiky floral and leaf pattern for the quilting. Can't see it...

The backing is primarily this fabric with a band of leftover blocks down the center.

Next was this little table topper. It is perfect for the season, don't you think?

The little pumpkins frame the center perfectly!

Pumpkin patch panto in a rusty orange thread.

The backing compliments the top.

I've been following the hurricane recovery on YouTube, and it is heartbreaking. The area we moved from has been devastated again, and Pine Island is pretty much destroyed. I have been calling my two friends on Pine Island, but the phone just makes clicking noises. I'm guessing the towers are gone like they were in hurricane Charley. If Barbara and Betty read this, email me and let me know you're okay. I did reach my neighborhood friend in Punta Gorda. She had massive damage to her old house from Charley, but made it through Ian in her new home with only the carport blown away. She rode out the storm in her massive walk-in closet with her sister, a dog and a bird. She said the bird has acted funny ever since the storm, but hopes he'll recover soon.

This is a picture in Punta Gorda where I used to live. I am so fortunate to have moved away from there. I don't think I could endure the storm and aftermath again.

This is what's happening in our front yard! Fall is here, nights are crisp and cool and days are sunny and mild. My favorite season does not disappoint!

My girlfriend from High School has been in Australia and New Zealand the last couple of weeks. She has ridden a camel at Ayer's Rock, held a koala and climbed the Sidney bridge as well as other fun adventures. I plan to go visit her when she returns to get the full story and look at her photos when she comes home. Australia is on my bucket list along with another trip to France. I'm still working with my pain specialist on my back and hope to have a good result with this last treatment on Thursday. Learning to live with pain isn't easy. I have great respect for people who have chronic pain and keep on moving forward with their lives. At least I am still able to sew and quilt!