A Retreat and an Embroidery Jackpot!

 The week of April 17 I got to spent time in Tennessee with some of my quilting friends. Twice a year we meet and have a retreat at a friend's house in Crossville. What a wonderful time we had! I finished binding a bargello quilt, a toddler's quilt, a bed scarf or bed runner, and three table runners. I also did some hand quilting on an art piece I have started.

(I'll show you all these pieces when I get my grandson to hold them up for me to photograph.)

The picture below shows you the "haul" I took home. I have the MOST generous friends. They knew that I had really enjoyed working on my latest embroidery piece and wanted to do more. They gave me LOTS of goodies. Check these out. I went home with...

a box of silk threads,

a box of wool threads,

a box of row numbers,

a box of metallic threads,

a box of miscellaneous threads,

a bag of embroidery floss, and a box of various variegated threads.

I have to tell you; it was like Christmas! I have already set some threads aside, along with a piece of fabric I have "marbled," to work on when I'm traveling or need an easy take-along project. (I'll show you that later.) What a lucky girl I am! Thank you Pam and Berniece!

I don't know about you all, but I love pickled okra. I can't get it where I live in Indiana, so I picked up a jar or two while I was in Tennessee. I also grabbed a jar of sweet garlic and some bacon jam. I think I have enough to last me a little while!

As you can see, the "girls" were REALLY happy to see me when I got home. (They are both on my lap in this picture. Libby (my 19 year old) likes to be way up on me by my neck. Macy (my youngster) takes up my entire lap.)

Don't you just love spending time with your quilting friends AND your furry friends. 

Finishing Up Some Things and a Visit

I have been finishing up some UFOs while practicing quilting on my new Bernina Q20 sit down long arm machine. I need to get A LOT of practice in before I attempt to quilt my two Phoenix art quilts. I DO feel like I’m getting better, and I’m feeling more comfortable on the machine.

This is my latest finished work. I had made the table runner awhile ago, but got it layered, basted, and quilted before I left to visit my sister and my son’s family last week. (I finished the binding while I was gone.)

 

You can see the quilting a little better in the photo below. I’m thinking this is the type of quilting I may be doing on my Phoenix quilts.
 

Speaking of my son’s family…

June Beth had a good dance competition. It has really helped her to gain confidence and be more outgoing. She’s become quite a good little dancer.

Asa is enjoying dance too. He’s excited to get to be “Jack” in their “Hit the Road Jack” dance. (He’s the only boy. I don’t think this is his “Jack” costume.)

Sebastian, my oldest grandson, turned 20 while I was there. It’s hard to believe he is SO grown up. He’s a REALLY good young man. I’m very proud of them all.