Whirlwind trip to Chicago....

I don't have much to share about my trip to Chicago other than it went by way too fast. 

We drove 5 hours Friday morning to get there; took a train into the city from the little town we were staying at; walked the "magnificent mile" (although it felt more like 10 miles); did very little shopping (that's why you don't go with your husband); took the train back and crashed at the hotel.

One thing that really caught my eye though were the windows for this really neat clothing shop.

How can a quilter pass this up?

Then, of course, there was Marilyn.

I didn't get close enough to look up her skirt though.  There were a lot of men having their pictures taken  right under her and it was kind of funny.  Personally, I thought this statue just didn't fit in the area, but what do I know?

Saturday we visited friends who had just moved into the area and had a new baby boy just a couple weeks ago.  Then the main reason we were in Chicago was to go to a friend's son's wedding, so that took up pretty much all of Saturday. 

Up bright and early on Sunday and headed home. 

I think I will make plans to go back to Chicago with my daughters so that we can do some damage where shopping is concerned.  Of course, I did break the bank at the Ghiradelli store.  You know....quilting and chocolate go together. 



Chicago weekend

No sewing for me this weekend.  We are headed to Chicago for some shopping, eating and more shopping and then we will be attending a friend's son's wedding and then heading home. 

The baby quilt at last Sunday's shower was a huge success.  I think it was the only "blanket", "aphgan", quilt that was actually opened up fully and shown in its totality.  That was a good feeling.

Also, want to shout out a thank you to my son who took "out" the "date" that appeared in my header picture.  I think he did a good job.  Thank you dear son. 

See you next week. 

In the knick of time.....

I have just completed my "zig zag baby quilt".

The shower is tomorrow afternoon, so this afternoon I was making the binding and sewing it on along with the label, too.

It is now in the wash to give it that comfy, "want to cuddle with" look after a quilt has been washed and dried (100% cotton).

I had seen the idea of the zig zags on someones blog and I believe there is a pattern out there somewhere, but I just winged it.  The random zig zags was the result of my friends' suggestions when I had it up on the design wall.  I have plenty of other zig zag rows that I could make another quilt or two....which is a good thing since baby showers are always popping up. 

Now, I guess it is time to get back to some of quilting projects that are calling my name....namely Beyond the Cherry Trees.  I have one block that is very near completion, so that will probably be the first thing I do. 

So, thanks for stopping by.  Hope you are getting some stitching in this weekend.  Enjoy...whatever you are doing. 



Had a great get-away.....

Back from my mini retreat refreshed and with some things to show.

The first project on hand was to bind my Gwen Marston basket quilt.

What a great feeling to have this one done.  As you can see, I have decided to use this quilt as my header picture in a little vignette that was on the porch of the Harbor Star (the retreat site in East Tawas, MI).

I, also, got an apron made  that my daughter asked for.  This is  for my youngest who was recently married and is now Miss Suzie Homemaker.

She wanted something funky and fun ....and wouldn't show any stains.  I still need to add some buttons on the bib and the pocket.

Prior to going on retreat, I prepped all my half square triangles and had them ready to stitch together.

Got them all made and added them to the ones that I had already made and came up with this design for a baby quilt.

....and here is the quilting that I did on it. 

Just need to bind it and it will be ready for the baby shower this weekend.

As for my friends' progress....here's Nancy's projects.

ABC quilt ....and she has a blue one that she is making for her twin nieces. 

Here's the start of her jelly roll quilt.

and here is what she had done by the time I left.

Here's her granddaughter's solar quilt top.

Then we have Sharon's "men's shirt quilt".  She bought blue striped shirts from Salvation Army and some of them were 5 for a $1.00.  Isn't this striking?

and how about her orange shirt purchases?

and here it is in a vignette with the borders along with Sharon.

Plus she was busy quilting a baby quilt that has been on her pile for awhile.

Now, something new at the "Star" where we stayed.  Ever wonder what to do with your left over blocks?  How about this for an idea.

I, also, have to share with you one more thing that wasn't related to my retreat.  My youngest daughter is finally starting to follow in my crafty footsteps, but she has been knitting for a little while, but this time she tried something a little different than scarves, one-stitch baby blankets, etc.  She knitted herself a MONSTER.

Does a mother's heart some good. 

Well, I hope you can have a relaxing few days away to feel refreshed and ready to take on the world again.   Even if it is a day or two in the sewing room with nothing else requiring your attention.We all need this one time or another. So....happy quilting and thanks for taking a peek at my relaxing few days away. 

Leaving for a mini retreat....

Taking off for a few days with my friends to shop, chat, eat and sew.....not necessarily in that order.    I should have plenty to show you when I get back.  Have a great weekend.  The weather here in MI sounds like it is going to be our Indian summer....high 70s and even 80s.  See you when I get back. 

Moving right along

It's been a very busy week what with work and my mom in the hospital, but I did make a little progress. 

The infinity scarf was started ( remember I was only going to cast on my stitches) on Thursday evening and by Sunday, I had soaked it, blocked it and waited for it  to dry.

I love it.  It is theeeeee softest yarn and was so easy to make.  I have been wearing it all day.

I am still plugging away on my next Cherry Tree block and have made just a little progress on it. 

I even threw together another zig zag row of half square triangles that eventually will go into a baby quilt.

The next set of half square triangles are all laid out to make the next row.

I may be making some major  progress this weekend as I have to get myself ready for a mini retreat with my friends next weekend.  So as not to have to take half of my sewing room with me, I need to get my projects cut, pinned, planned and whatever needs to be done to make my load a little lighter.  So....hopefully (barring any unforeseen problems with my mom, health, weather or any black cloud that may be following me) I will be headed up to one of our favorite places to hole away and sew to our hearts content.  I should have plenty to show you  the week after next weekend. 

Happy stitching everyone.



Self control.....

I have none......apparently.

I said I was going to finish another Cherry Tree block before moving onto another project, but I was tempted by my knitting projects.  I have been working on my Cherry Tree block though.  Here's the proof.

Doesn't matter that I still have one more block and one border that I am behind, but that was my deal to myself before I could start knitting.

The first mistake I made was to go to the yarn shop and buy the needles that I needed for one of my knit projects.....then I said, "oh....I will just cast on my first row of stitches" and then it led me here.

I only have to stitch 8 inches worth before it is done.

Hard to believe that these 24" round needles will produce this Infinity scarf.

But I know once I start to bind off the stitches that are on the needles, this thing is just going to GROW!

Oh....and while I was at the yarn shop my eye was drawn to the shawl pins.  I have always admired  them, but just didn't have a need for one.  Well, of course the variegated yarn I bought along with the infinity scarf yarn is for a shawl, so why not buy a scarf pin BEFORE you make the shawl.  Well, that's my reasoning and I am sticking to it.  Guess what I will be starting as soon as this infinity scarf is done?

Isn't it pretty?  I figured shawl or no shawl, I just had to have it.  It is fruitwood with an ebony inlay.  Maybe it is like buying a pair of shoes that you just love and then having to go out and buy an outfit for it.  What do you think?

and...during all this time, I finished another Elm Creek Quilts books, too.

Another good read. 

Pays to have a day to yourself when you  can do anything that you want.  Actually, laundry doesn't count even though I squeezed that in today, too. 

Hope you get to do what you want to do this weekend.