Back on track and rain, rain, rain!

The day began okay; I worked on a tee shirt quilt for a friend and got it all quilted and ready to go. Then I put on one of my quilt tops, made at the retreat. I have promised a quilt to the Peace River guild for an auction and thought it would be a good one for that purpose. A swirly pantograph to go with the swirly Kaffe Fassett fabric on the back seemed just the ticket. Off to the races!
Hmmm...when I rolled the first row up, there were some little knots of top thread on the back. Bad sign.

I changed the needle, re-threaded the machine and started row 2.

Oh dear!! Even MORE knots! I adjusted the top tensioner a bit and tried again...

Aw! Come on! It has taken me almost two hours to do these short rows because of all the picking and re-sewing I had to do. Let's add a Bobbin Genie to the bobbin case. These are promoted by Sharon Schamber as an alternative to the anti backlash spring  to prevent knots and nests on the back. Now we're cookin'.

Or not...

I finally decided to replace the anti-backlash spring and really clean the bobbin case. If this didn't work, I was ready to scrap the entire project. Three hours gone on a 54 x 66 inch quilt! Ridiculous! I was now on the last full row and saying a little quilty prayer.

Oh well, a knot or two was better than a whole row of knots. Maybe it was the Bottom line bobbin thread or the King Tut top thread...heck, maybe it was the quilt! Whatever it was, it tried my patience. The quilt it finished and waiting for binding. I don't know yet if it will be the auction quilt...not perfect enough for my standards. I just know this had better not keep up or I will never get all my customer work done. Thank goodness it happened on my quilt.

Here is the (almost) finished product.

back looks okay now.

Oh yes, the other topic is the never relenting rain storms we have been having here. Everyday the heavens open and torrents of rain pour down. Poor Molly hates the thunder and takes refuge under Mr Wazoo's machine. The rain has let up for now, and it's time to make some pizza for supper. Mmm-mmm, good!

Bumpy road

Sometimes we have things happen in our lives that make us question what we are doing and why we are doing it. I have had such a week.
After the retreat, it was difficult to get my mojo going for the next quilt. It took several days to finish, but I got it together and finished, thinking it looked fine.

Sometimes, the customer isn't happy. Strike one!

The girls came over and we worked on the applique for the guild raffle quilt. It was a lovely day, full of happy chatter and handwork. The blocks are almost done. The quilt is taking shape!But people felt excluded from the process even though I have asked for help every step of the way. My friend and I were maligned publicly while we were away at the retreat; none the wiser until that happy day at my home, hand sewing with friends on the guild quilt. No chance to set the record right, or defend the way we went about making the quilt. Strike two.

Sometimes I unintentionally ruffle feathers.

All week, Mr Wazoo and I have worked on quilts, fixed things in the house that need fixing to make the house more 'saleable', dealt with contractors and horrible weather (rain, rain, go away!) and pretty much got on each other's nerves. Even Molly got in the act by pooping and peeing on the newly cleaned tiles! Bad doggie! Cooking has suffered...there were raised voices and nasty words.

Strike three, I'm done.

 Bit of a quarrel. We'll be fine. I think we have had way too much stress with the impending yard sale, showing the house and getting ready to move, and all the backbiting from the disgruntled guild members. I'm not done with my work and the date is looming when we will have to leave here. I'm crying over stupid things. I will miss my guilds (at least two of them) the Sebring retreats, Nifty Fifty, Red Hat outings, and mostly, my friends here in Florida who have made this sauna of a state bearable.

So you see, I am not always sweetness and light. I stumble and make mistakes and act like a jerk sometimes; but I am still the Wazoo quilter, and will always have that accomplishment to buoy me up!

On a bright note, My mojo is back and I am in the groove. Quilting continues and I am determined to finish all the quilts in the queue before loading the truck to leave town. Thank you, Mr Wazoo, you're still the butter on my bread.

My project sample for the retreat all finished

Sweet quilt done by the Man

another lovely scripture quilt, done by Mr Wazoo

I loved working on this Christmas embroidered quilt! So fun.

some of the quilting

More quilting

I love the kooky penguin!

Mr Wazoo again

GIANT quilt done by yours truly

Tomorrow is another day and I am raring to start the next customer quilt. Plus, I will be sewing with a friend on Sunday and having a laugh. I hope you all have something to laugh about, and do it often.
A grasshopper walked into a bar and ordered a scotch and soda. The bartender said,"we have a drink named after you", to which the grasshopper replied,"You have a drink named Irving?!"
Happy weekend!

Inn on the Lake September retreat

We had a wonderful time in Sebring sewing, laughing and enjoying being pampered. The girls all loved having food from a chef and a bar on premises...but I still like the homey atmosphere at the regular haunt. I am there to sew, and the room is huge at my fav spot. This venue was beautiful and the rooms comfortable and well appointed. No Granny Sue for shopping sent us out to the shops to get our fabric fix. When weighed side to side, the two places have the same amounts of pros and cons, so I will let the ladies decide which retreats to go to. No matter where we are, though, we all have a good time. After all, it's about the camaraderie!!

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Sewing in Sebring

We are here in Sebring, FL having a great time getting to know the staff and happenings at the Inn on the Lakes hotel. Everyone is having a good time and I have been able to sew more than usual because I haven't had to run all over town for food and supplies! The lunch was great and we have been laughing and sewing most of the day when not shopping for more fabric.
I have two more days of quilty friends before heading back to Punta Gorda and the work that is waiting for me there.
Wish you were here!

Georgia on my mind...

We got home to Florida late Sunday and spent a lazy evening with delivery pizza and our dog Molly for company. Mr Wazoo worked on a quilt today while I was at guild, and I fixed an errant block in the raffle quilt and got the retreat project cut out and the blocks made after I got home. Tomorrow, I have to get the quilt top done (and hopefully quilted...), grocery shop, do the laundry and get packed for the retreat on Sunday. I had better go to bed!
Enjoy this short video of the sun setting , taken from the deck of the Georgia house. We spent the night there and enjoyed having the windows open, listening to the crickets and watching the Super-moon out the window. Wonderful!

New home in Blairsville, Georgia

We closed on the house in Blairsville and are scrambling to get utilities going and appliances installed. Thanks to my son for taking a few days off work to help load and unload the truck! We couldn't have done it without help, and he volunteered without hesitation.
We went out to the house after dropping our son off at the airport in Atlanta, and the appliances had been delivered and all but the stove installed. We'll deal with the gas company tomorrow, and it will be the last task this trip.
Uncle Leo is keeping watch over the new kitchen, and my rooster is crowing on the fireplace until the rest of the stuff comes. We won't be there for awhile, but our friends will be stopping by to watch over Leo and Buster, the peeing dog. I hope we will be able to get away for the leaf-peeping time...at least for a weekend. Until then, it's home again, home again, jiggidy jog.

Big truck arrives! Mr Wazoo is such a good driver.

Before unloading...nice empty garage

Cabinets with their countertops!

I like the island!

Guest bath

Master bath

Fans are in and I'm ready for a toddy on the deck

The boys unloading my pie safe

Yippee! First piece of furniture in the new place.

Looking good in the guest room.

Everything we brought is now in the garage...one of those boxes has the fabric for my friend's quilt back. We are going to find it tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

Garage cabinets and sewing room equipment ready for the new digs

Buster is 'christening' the fireplace.

Uncle Leo is watching out for the appliance men

Oh, I am sooo happy! Gleaming new appliances!!

The kitchen is looking good

Unloading the flat boxes that will be a bed tomorrow. Thanks, Ikea.

My rooster holding down the fort