I'm feeling better today

I've been very sick for the last 4-5 days and am starting to feel human again. I did absolutely nothing this weekend. I stayed in the bed mostly and tried to get up a few times only to realize I needed to go back to bed. What ever it was Cliff had a touch of it too. We sure was a pitiful looking pair, but we made it through.
I thought I should post something so everyone doesn't think I just fell off the face of the earth. I don't have much to report because I haven't made much so I'll just show you some of the things I worked on in the past few months.
Here's a pic of the FQ challenge I made for the retreat. I actually made 2 one for me and one for sis. I made the memory board for me so I could display all my COF pic on it in my sewing room. I made the car caddy for my sis because I had seen one over on Sewmanyways blog and thought it would be a great thing to have.
Then there was the t-shirt challenge and turns out it was a challenge for me It took me 3 attempts to get one made that I could actually use. I got my first shirt all painted up and was relieved to have it done, then I tried it on to find it was too small. So, instead of buying a new shirt I thought I just cut the small one up and make a southern bell hat for the challenge, since I am in the heart of the south. But after making that I talked to one of the committee members and she said it we had to have a shirt that was a bill board for our state. So, here's my billboard, I buttoned it to my shirt using peanuts for buttons. I'm glad I had to redo my shirt because I tried thread painting for the first time and loved it. It was so much easier the I had thought it would be. If you have thought about trying it you should it is just too much fun.
At the last minute before leaving I was reading the new regulations for carrying computers on the plane and found that the case we had wouldn't do because of all the layers of leather and metal that was on it. So, I thought I whip something up right quick to carry it in. So, I went and found some (ugly) fabric I thought I'd never use for anything else and threw this together and well it turned out pretty nice after all, and the fabric doesn't look half bad on this. I like it so much that I use it all the time now.
We had the Miranda bag for our group project, but only a few of the ladies actually completed the bag at the retreat. We were just having too much fun to sit and sew. Never thought I'd say that. I didn't think anything would rank higher in my list of fun things to do then sewing, LOL. But I did finish the bags when I got home. They are nice bags, but after carrying it for a few days found I just don't like these handles.
Here is one of the postcards I made for the "I wish" postcard swap. I'm sure we all have the wish in common.
I also made some fabric baskets for a friend, I didn't take pics of these. I have completed my mini for the "Summer" mini swap, I 'll post it after my partner receives it. I'm a bit worried because my daughter says it looks more like Spring then Summer. I never get anything just right so this is just typical of me, but I'm happy with how it turned out and if she loves it then I'll love it. I made 9 more paint brush roll-ups for my sister. I've also been working and my Trash to treasure challenge, it won't win no prizes either but it is for a good cause, so that's the important thing. I have also been picking out things to use in the CQ one block swap. No I'm not really a CQ but I do like trying. I most happy about who's name I got for the swap. I got to meet her at the retreat and instantly loved her. So, I'm working extra hard to make her a block she will hopefully love. Last but not least we celebrated my youngest grandson's Birthday Tues. right before I came down with this awful stuff. This maybe where I picked it up. But We had a ball at his B'day bash and as soon as I upload some pics I'll share those with you. I had my daughter take a few of me and Cliff so maybe one will be good enough to update my profile with. If not, it will just have to wait until after I get some teeth. I've been having them pulled 3 at a time. I'm down to 6 teeth now which makes eating almost impossible. I have about 2 more months before I can actually eat something that I have to chew. Did I mention I am hungry, I found that liquids and creamed foods don't seemed to fill you up for very long. Well, I think I'm going to try and get a few things accomplished today. I won't be making it to the PO until tomorrow. I had hoped to do it Sat but neither of us felt like it, so maybe I can get these 3 packages out to their new homes tomorrow. I hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend.

Thank You Holee

I made a trip to my daughter's house yesterday to deliver something very special Holee had sent my granddaughter. She also sent gifts for my 3 grandsons and me too. She sent Katelyn a collectible Scarlet O'Hara Barbie. Isn't she beautiful!! Katelyn just loves her. She had to open her but doesn't want anyone to play with her so she now lives on Katelyn's shelve with all her bowling trophies. Holee made many outfits and a sleeping bag for Barbie too. Katelyn adores them. I made a video of the kids opening the gifts to send to Holee. I won't be posting the video but will share a couple pics I captured out of the video. The boys all got some really cute pillow cases which they love, but the little ones went stright for the candy. Keith could not get to those lolli-pops fast enough. They kids just played and played with their things and my daughter told me Katelun was still dressing her Barbies at bedtime. I don't have pictures of all the outfits because they went straight to playing with them, but here's a soot of some of the first outfits Katelyn dressed her Baribies in. She was singing going to the prom while dressing them. It was so sweet and I'm glad I got that captured for Holee. Do you see the red. white and blue dress Holee made. Well, my daughter said she want a dress just like that one only knee length. Wonder if Holee has that pattern in a ladies size 8,. LOL. Now I'll have to see if I can find a pattern that I can make this dress from. Holee I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My daughter says Katekyn is wanting to make you something now. I want to thank you for the pattern and FQ pack also. I hope watching the video brings you as much joy as the gifts did my grandbabaies. I hope to have it in the mail to you soon.

The 2009 COF Retreat

I had a blast at the COF quilting retreat. I'm been totally exhausted this week, but thought I'd share a few things with you. Here's at group pic of most the ladies that attended. We are all members of the HGTV quilting and needlework message board and it was so nice to finally get to meet so many of them. I have never laughed so much and just can't tell you how wonderful of a time we all had. New Hampshire was just beautiful and the weather was perfect. We were up early and to bed very late. Every minute was filled with fun and laughter. We did the Miranda bag for our group project which was taught by Christine. They also offered many classes(around 20) to choose from. I choose to take the Shuttle tatting, machine quilting and overlay applique. I loved the overlay applique and hope to work on it soon. I'll be doing Quiltbeas Victorian Ladies, she taught the class and you can see her beautiful patterns on her blog. I also learned some great tips and techniques from Jayardi for machine quilting so maybe I won't be stuck on stippling forever after all. The shuttle tatting class was great and I hope to find time to work on that some soon. We all took a charter bus trip to Keepsake quilting were I'm sure we broke a record for the biggest sales in one day, LOL. Then many of the ladies and I hit 3 bead shops, wow I know we had to of boosted the economy in that small town. We had 3 fabulous speaker from our group. We have such talented ladies that the committee members didn't have to look far to find some of the most amazing and inspirational speakers. I wish I pictures of all the treasures and things they showed. Some of the many things they shared with us was some quilts that had been quilted on the LA by Thearica Burroughs, she is a impeccable quilter. Her work is jaw dropping and I've seen pictures of her work but they just do not so her work justice. Then we got to see some of Kathy Shaw's fabulous Shadow applique, CQ, and another amazing red and white quilt she is working on that just blew me away. Next we had Quiltbea show us her stack and whack quilts, replique(which look just like stained glass) these were gorgeous and some of her overlay applique, which is to die for. Her quilts were just stunning. They shared with us there methods and tips, which made my to-do list grow twice as long. There was a show and tell session also, which was so inspiring.The meals were delicious but the time we shared while enjoying them were the best and I'll cherish them forever. We had our meet and greet where we each got up and showed our t-shirts we made to represent our state. This was not an easy challenge but the results were just fantastic. I was just totally in awe of the creativity of this wonder group of ladies. It was so much fun that it made my hating to get up in front of a group so worth it. We did some speed dating which really gave us all a chance to meet and get acquainted with each other. It was so nice to finally be able to put a face to the board name of the ladies I've been online friends with for the past year.I shared a room at the Inn with my sister and Lois and I couldn't have had better company. I hadn't seen my sister in many years but that won't happen no more. I have the best sister, to know her is to love her. Lois just made me feel right at home, easy to talk to, kept me laughing and is so energetic. She taught me how to do filet crochet, hand piecing curves. I got to see some of the things she was working on, one was stunning kimono quilt blocks and her things were so beautiful that she has got my sister wanting to start quilting again. My sister has already went and bought her some of the Asian fabric. Lois does all kinds of quilting, needle work, CQ, beading and just about anything thread related. She also won on the FQ challenge we had. I can't say enough about the ladies I got to meet and am already planning on getting together with them again soon. I'm sure I've left some things out but it was just packed full of so much fun memories and I just can't quit thinking about it. It was more then I had ever dreamed it would be. We took up the Bed and breakfast and most of the main building and had the conference center where most of the events took place. Everything was so convenient for those of us that wanted to arrive early and stay later to explore on our own. Here another pic of just a few of us, 4 of the comittee members(Nickilee, Quiltingnewbie, Ely, and Auntie Reba)They done a fabulous job of putting this all together. Then there is my sister, Lois Kathy, and I. I'm on the left with the yellow shirt. My sister is on the right with the black jacket. You can't tell in this pic but we look a lot alike. My roommante Lois is front center with the diamond appliqued sweater, and next to me in the back row is Kathy, I just love her and she doesn't live too far from me(YEAH!!!) I have more pics to share but that will have to be another post. Gosh, I also want to tell you I got to meet Tisme, she hosted the first swap I was ever in and she has always been such a great friend to me. It was a dream for me to finally get to meet her. The only thing that could have made this any better was if I could had got to meet Holee.