Long Beach Quilt Show

Well, Jane and I are home after a half day of walking around the Long Beach Quilt Show. 

Unfortunately, the computer guy did something yesterday to my connections here and I can't download pictures.  I'll try to tell all about our day without those, and will add them when (or if) I can get this problem sorted out.  My poor computer guy.  This will be his third trip out.

First stop, Primitive Gatherings.  I did buy a kit -- gasp! -- for a beautiful neutrals full size quilt.  The pattern is Prairie Bride and it was absolutely gorgeous!  The pattern has three sizes on it, so something for everyone.  Trust me, the picture does not do this quilt justice!

Then I went into Sandy Klop's booth and she signed her book Quilts for All Seasons for me.  She's such a sweet lady and her booth is so bright and cheery!

Then I had to rest.  Walking on concrete floors covered with a thin carpet was hard on my back so soon after surgery.  We rested often!  Jane was a trooper about that!

We found a cute pattern by Freckleberry Farms, "Anything Goes."  I don't see it on their website.  The sample they had made up was with Vintage Modern by one of our favorite designers, Camille Roskelley.  To answer questions in advance, no, I didn't get the kit -- but I did get a fat eighth bundle as that is what the pattern called for.  I'll have to hop over to the Fat Quarter Shop tonight and get the inside and outside borders before the line is all sold out!

I always seem to pick up a Crabapple Hill pattern while I'm at Long Beach, and this year was no exception.  I fell in love with the sample hanging of Snowmen A to Zzzzz.  It was really stunning.  Thought it might be a long-term project for my soon-to-be-born great nephew, something to put out at Christmastime.  One of these years.  When I get it done.  Someday.

And FINALLY ........ I had the great pleasure of hugging on Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts!   She had in the booth her book, Skip the Borders, all of her patterns and her new Hex N More ruler.  Her booth helpers were her mom, dad and boyfriend.  I hadn't met her mom and dad before and they are just as delightful as Julie!  I had met her boyfriend at Road to California, and he's even cuter than I remembered!!  Julie introduced me to them by explaining that I was the person who talked her into doing Stash Reports a couple of years ago!  Sheesh.  :)  Anyway, she was a fantastic end to our day and we headed out.  I was getting really stiff so time to call it good.

Oh, I also picked up a pair of applique scissors by Famore Cutlery.  I tested the cut and they're really sharp.  I don't see the particular pair on their website, but they're 5" two tone fine point detail scissors.  They were much more inexpensive than the applique scissors I use, and they'll sharpen them for you for a very nominal charge.  It was interesting that they had both right- and left-hand scissors.  I picked up the left-hands first and was cutting away on sample fabric until I realized I really should be using my right hand.  Did I ever tell you that I'm ambidextrous?  I forget all the time and will find myself using the wrong hand to do something!  I know, you can say it -- I'm weird!  I try to do all quiltings things with my right for consistency.

I really think tonight would be a good one to turn in early.  I felt really good walking and standing, so I think I can call the surgery a success once I build up my stamina.  For sure, there will be sweet dreams of quilts and booths floating in my head!

It was a lot of fun today.  Thank you, Jane, for going with me and walking slowly!!

Small Progress

This is such an easy quilt.  It's a good thing because I found I could only sit comfortably for a couple of hours.  At least the rows are all made and just need to be sewn together.  Hopefully I'll get that done and borders on next weekend.

Hooray!  I sewed!!

Back at it -- I think!

Between the new blogger and  the new computer, I'm totally lost here.  Can't find pictures, can't find documents.  I'm like a little puppy lost in a fog on a swampy day in the Everglades and there's an alligator nipping at my tail.........

Sounds pitiful, doesn't it?

I was planning on sewing today for the first time in months and months.  See the new charm pack in the top left corner.  That's to replace the gnawed on charms on the bottom right corner.

I heart my dog!

The past month has been an interesting one.  I went back to work thirteen days after surgery.  Man, that was way too soon!  I'm a month out now and feeling a lot better but still have a ways to go.  The good news is that I can, for the most part, sit without pain.  That means I can sit at the Bernina, or I'll try that today and see how it goes.  First I have to stand (which I can do now without pain) and finish cutting the quilt.

I walked on the beach last weekend - in the sand - in sandals - and paid the price.  I didn't walk far, but no one told me sand would be such a workout.  I grew up on the coast so I should have remembered that, but back then I was  young and foolish and a stroll in the sand was no big deal.  Trust me, do not walk in sand three weeks after back surgery!  They really should put that on the surgery instructions!

Speaking of dogs -- you know, the one that I heart so much -- she is talking to me again.  After spending three days at the vet while I was foolishly walking in the sand, and after a thorough teeth cleaning, bath, mani/pedi, shots, etc., she didn't like me very much.  She was so grateful when she saw me - notice I said "grateful" and not "happy" to see me.  She pouted a bit around me for a while when we got home.  Then I opened a cup of Jell-O and all was right in her world again.  She is on antibiotics for seven days after the teeth cleaning and she just won't take the pills.  I mean, I can get them down her, but since she's not sure she likes me any more, I thought it best to bribe help her take them by hiding them in Jell-O or cheese.  Hey, it works!

I'm off to get a haircut and hopefully get the car washed if the line isn't too long.  Then I'm home for the whole darn weekend! 

If I manage to get anything accomplished in my sewing room today, I'll be sure to post about it. 

Wow, Vicky in her sewing room! 

That's surely a bloggable moment!!!

Heading to the Beach

I'm off bright and early in the morning for two days at the beach.  I was supposed to be at a sewing retreat this week but my surgery precluded me from flying.  Still so sad about missing that!  This is kind of a consolation prize, but you know what they say .... I'd rather be quilting!

Penny will not be talking to me on Monday.  She's spending the weekend with her favorite vet and getting her teeth cleaned, etc.  Yep, I'm going to be getting the cold shoulder from her.  Or at least until I start cooking.  That usually does it!

My gratitude today:

* Feeling a LOT better.

Catching Up

I'm so far behind on everything, especially quilty things.  I was feeling kind of poorly this week, but it was my first week back at work and I fully expected that.  It was good to stretch out yesterday and not be a slave to the alarm clock.

But .... I wasted the whole day!

On July 4th I appliqued one little bitty Dutch Treat block.  It was only fitting since I started this quilt on 7/4/04.  I have 111 blocks done, 85 more to go.  I'd like to focus on this one a bit more and get almost all, if not all of the blocks done this year. 

I have a couple of errands to run this morning as soon as the world wakes up, and then I plan on cutting out the Park Lane quilt by Bunnyhill Designs.  Or I'll cut as much as I can of it.  No, no, I'll get the whole thing cut out.  I think I'll be able to sit for short stretches to get the top made.  I'm behind schedule on my baby quilts!

(I need a new computer.  I'll get that ordered up next week, too.  I'm tired of fighting this one.  I can't see but half of the Blogger dashboard, so I have no clue how this post is going to look!)