Gorgeous Sunday

Look what else I got done this past weekend.  I had this little zigzag quilt that needed finishing.   It feels so good to have completed so many small things.  Now to get all the bindings done that I need to finish.

After I got home Sunday, my husband and I decided to take advantage of the beautiful day, and take a drive in the country.Here is a view of the Fox River.

Got this picture of a butterfly. He was kind enough to sit long enough so I could take it.

Found this wildflower by the river. The starting of the colors of Fall.

Another view of the Fox River

Chrysanthemums

Fields of pumpkins. We checked for apple cider. Because of the strange weather we had this Spring and Summer, the apple crop is not very good, but the pumpkins thrived.  They liked the hot dry summer. 

Hope you are having a great week. Sew on.

Mary

Tree Quilt

Here is a picture of the tree quilt I worked on during the quilt retreat. It is another project off my to do list!!!! Yea!!!
I went through all my projects this weekend, and eliminated a few, that I don't need to do! But I still have a lot. To date I have completed over 135 things, of which 67 was pillowcases, using up fabric in my stash. Some have been new things that came as the result of the clubs at Prairie Stitches. It will be nice when the container starts looking like I am completing things.

Prairie Stitches Retreat

Went on a quilt retreat sponsored by Prairie Stitches Quilt Shop in Oswego last weekend. I had a ball. It started on Friday, September 18. I got there about 10:00 a.m., most everyone else was already there. I got to work right away. We were at DicksonValley Center, which is between Plano and Newark. It is out in the country. It is dormatory style, bunkbeds, and we had to bring our own linens. The center provided the meals. Food was good and substantial. I started working on a Christmas Tree quilt that I had started several years ago. It is an Alex Anderson pattern and is dated 2005. She had her trees with white background, I did mine with blue backgrounds. I got it done, and borders on.

Saturday, I started working on "Spin City". Another quilt I had started a couple of years ago. It was something I had won as a door prize at Prairie Star. I think Ginny Reid had kitted it up and it was a give away. It had blue and yellow fabrics with it. I resized the pattern and decided I would make it with a lot more blocks. I had the fabrics with me and started cutting and making. By the end of Saturday, I had at least a lap size quilt put together. It is turning out great. Kathy

Elstad, who does the Apron Club at the shop came on Saturday. When I went to change for bed I found a cute Flamingo tied up with a pretty purple bow on my pillow. Found out it was Kathy that had brought it. Well, I had my Flamingo slippers, pajama bottoms, and a t-shirt from Flamingo Row, in Paducah. Jan, caught me on camera as I entered. I did not know who my secret admirer was. We all got a great laugh. I have said, that people can look at Flamingo's and remember me. It was a hoot!!!!!!

The store was very generous. We got a cool plastic container filled with goodies. A neat t-shirt, and a great big tote bag. On Saturday they, also, gave us a cute pattern for a pincushion and trash catcher, and the fabric and supplies to make it. Saturday night I started mine, and had it almost finished by the time I got on the road on Sunday.

Jan got at least 6 quilt tops done. Pat got two done. Gail got the baby quilt done that she wanted to do, even though her machine was not cooperating. (It wanted to shut off and take rests now and then.) Kim got some of the blocks done that we will be doing with the "Farmer's Wife" quilt we will be starting in October, plus she worked on several quilt tops. (They are so cool.) Susan worked on a Clothesline Club project and is making the quilt for a new Monica Dillard pattern that we get to see at the half square triangle party. Lisa got a couple of tops done. Kathy got several purses and quilt tops done. I would say it was a productive weekend.

No cell phones, no interruptions, you can sew as long as you like, there are all sorts of snacks to munch on. We are not far from a quilt shop or Walmart. There is lots of wildlife. Plenty of food, and of course friendship. Everyone is willing to help or offer advice. It was a lot of fun. I want to do it again.