Monday, August 31, 2015

Monday Musings

It's late Monday, and I meant to get this up earlier in the day but it just didn't happen.....I'm just plotting and planning the week, and these are the things I am ......


Watching - podcasts, lots of podcasts....this week I am super excited about the OhLoops Podcast that they released last night....

Craving - strawberry shortcake, I think it's the end of summer thing....

Doing - nothing....I made a mistake on a pattern so the project is in time out. And I can't get motivated to do something different at the moment.

Obsessing - about the Harry Potter KnitALong (KAL) that starts tomorrow. I will be at platform 9 3/4 as precisely 10am to get aboard the Hogwarts Express for the KAL. Can't wait!!!!

Loving - getting organized -- finally. Really organized. not that I am anywhere close to finished, but it's nice to be seeing progress.

Reading - The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo.....her approach to things is brilliant but a bit overwhelming. 

Wanting - more time. Market is quickly approaching, and I am feeling a bit behind.

Pinning - knitted blankets....there are several I want to work on.

Dreaming - about knitting

Writing - patterns. Lots of patterns.

Crafting - new pillows for the couch

Sewing - samples for market

Knitting - on my Razzle.

Listening - to Luke Bryan's new album. So far, I love it. It's very different, more serious, but loving it. 

Wearing - long skirts and tshirts, it's so much cooler than shorts in this crazy summer heat....

Needing - to clean out the car. Seriously, it's disgusting. It needs a bath.

Planning - out the booth for the San Diego Quilt Show in 10 days....

Trying - Stitch Fix - I got my first box last week. The process was awesome, and I loved the quality of the items, and the styles, but we need some adjustment in fit....I heard from my stylist and from a few friends that it sometimes takes a couple of fixes to get it perfect, but not to worry. So hopefully, it will all work out!!!

and that is all the verbs in my life this week....

what are you doing lately???



Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Task List Tuesday

Well, it's Tuesday and there a bazillion things to catch up on after 15 days away. A puppy to be loved on, laundry to do, and housework to catch up on, but of course all that I can think about is all of the things I want to get done for upcoming shows and Market....which is only 2 months away (how did that happen???). I was going to be so ready this time!!!

Thankfully, most of the major designing is done, and it's just samples to finish making before market, but it is still a lot considering how little time is left between now and then....and of course, throw in a couple of Judy UFOs that are a.) bothering me or b.) needed for a class soon after Market, and life is suddenly very very busy on the sewing front....so, I've made my lists for the next few weeks, and reviewed the schedules, and here is what I am left with for this week....


Week of August 24-30
1. Make a backing for Shooting Stars
2. Make sample #1 for Market, including writing the pattern
3. Teach - Wednesday (Monica's in Palm Desert), Friday (Orange Quilt Bee in Orange) and Sunday (The SewnSew in Glendora).
4. Bind Split Up
5. Finish unpacking the garage - that will likely require all day Saturday

Do you write lists to help you manage things???

Happy Quilting
Catherine

Monday, August 24, 2015

Monday Musings -- and a List

Because I love a good list....

It's Monday, and I am back from a lovely trip to Montana. I hosted a retreat group with some lovely ladies, whom I would now consider friends. We were a small group, just 5 total, and the size of the group was ideal for retreat. We ate great, simple food, we enjoyed each others company and we really got to know each other. It was a great respite in what has been a tough summer. I'm not complaining, life is good, but this summer has been a tough one with a multitude of changes, and it's share of stress. I am glad to be moving on from summer and gearing up for a very busy and productive Autumn, and some lovely upcoming projects and experiences.

I thought we would start this monday with a list (because you know just how much I love a good list).....so lets get started...

Feeling : a bit sad that I missed a friend's wedding this weekend (congrats Brooke and Luke, love you guys), and excited for a week at home to recover from 13 days on the road.

Watching : knitting podcasts, I have become a bit obsessed (and a bit stalkerish)....

Craving : French Onion Dip -- we had some at retreat, I had forgotten how good it is, fattening, but yummy.

Lunching : brown bagging it -- this week PB&J

Doing : lots of catching up on things

Obsessing : over the new Malam Batiks that arrived at work.....Jinny Beyer you are a genius!!!

Loving : my Viking. I forget how much I love her until I use something else.

Reading : Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon

Wanting : yarn -- specifically a skein of Sun and Sea on the Assockilate Base from The Cyborgs CraftRoom - one of my favorite online yarn shops


Pinning - Organization and Back to School Hacks

Dreaming - of painting my bedroom the palest teal in the yarn above....

Writing -- patterns for market

Sewing - backing for Shooting Stars -- I need to get it to the quilter this week

Knitting - My Razzle, still have quite a ways to go, the short rows are no longer short. I really wanted to be done with this one, so it better behave or it might get frogged.

Listening - the new Gloriana CD -- I can't remember the title at the moment, but it is on repeat in the car

Wearing - Harry Potter tshirts - It's back to school time!!!

Needing - to clean and organize, see Pinning above

Planning - October trips, and 2016 Q1 speaking engagements

Trying - to get back on routine

SO, that's about all the -ing for me this week...what about you??? are you -ing anything exciting???

Do tell.....


Catherine

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Montana a Retreat Day 3&4

Somehow I lost a day.....not sure how that happened, but it's Thursday....which is Day 4...so somewhere a day has disappeared.

This is one of the days that you love as a teacher, when you start to really see things come together....


Bali Wedding Stars begin to appear....


Cactus Rose made it to the wall in a sudden proliferation of flowers....I'm loving the dark background she used on this one...

Tomorrow is our final real day at retreat, and it will be fun to see how it all turns out....

What have you been working on this week....

Catherine


Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Montana -Day 2

Today was crazy busy at the training center, but not a lot changed on the walls....

We ran into town for a little shopping, and stopped at Norm's News for lunch. The burgers and fries were amazing, and the soda fountain was open for made to order custom shakes, malts, and floats. Of course there was huckleberry ice cream, and licorice ice cream....licorice ice cream, can't say I tried it, but I did think about it! Just to say I did....

We came back to the training center late in the afternoon and got some sewing done, and watch a couple of chick flicks while we sewed. Tomorrow, we are planning to watch the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice, and I am super excited about that!

Here's today's boards as of 11pm... Yes, there are still people sewing, but I am going to bed!

Shooting stars 


Feathered Star

Tomorrow is all about the wedding rings!!!!

What have you been working on???

Cat


Monday, August 17, 2015

Montana - Day 1

It's the end of Day 1 of my retreat at the quiltworx Training Center in Kalispell, Montana. We've had a great day.....we sewed quite a bit, visited across the way with Cindi,Carolyn, Shila, and Tammy Doane (hey girls!), and met some new people that have joined the team. It's always fun to put names with faces, as well as see old friends.

I wanted to show you the gorgeous quilts that adorned the walls of the classroom when we arrived...Shila did a great job prepping everything for us, and did a great job decorating the classroom....


Osprey's Nest on the Lake on the West wall of the classroom...


Also on the West wall (on the other side of the front door), were Prairie Pinwheels and Compass Rose Tablerunner.


The south wall had a pair of Summer Solstice quilts, I love how versatile this pattern is.

 

The east wall held Bali Fever, Landscape Chevrons and For all Seasons Tablerunner. 



The north wall was home to Prismatic Star, and Arizona Cactus, two great beginner patterns.

That's a quick view of the classroom decorations, I'll post pics of the rest of the Training Center, and our in process projects later this week...

What are you working on this week....???








Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Settled??? Normal??? Yeah, right...

Well, it is mid-August...we're squarely into the 2nd week of August and just a few days away from a long awaited trip to Montana!!! I'm hosting a retreat at the Quiltworx Training Center in Kalispell, and I am ready. I think. Ok, I technically haven't packed, but the lists are made, and the plans are all settled....and I am as mentally ready as I can get at this point. Hopefully, I have everything, and if not, then hello Walmart!!! What did they do before Walmart (or Target) were everywhere....

But before I get on with my adventure, I have a couple of other things to do....

1. Guild Presentation and Workshop at Antelope Valley -- the presentation in Thursday Night, and the workshop is on Saturday. I am super excited about this return trip. Last time we worked on wedding rings, so this will be a nice change of pace.

2. Pack

3. Figure out which projects I am taking for #30minutesadaykeepscrazyaway. Because I'm on a bit of a streak this week, and I wouldn't want to ruin it by not having enough things to do (hello binding).

4. Update the website. I have about 15 new products to add, items that have trickled in this month in a one off scenario, I just need to get them up on the website.

5. Update the online calendar on the Quiltworx site....there are so many things going on that aren't on there...it is kinda sad....


So, back to work for me....I leave for AVQA at noon tomorrow, so I better get to it if I wanna get packed....

See you soon!!!
Cat