This spring has been endlessly windy and stormy in a way that many are not. I was sure we were on the road to an early spring, but it clearly has not been the case. Since the blog hops of March, I have been focused on the move…and really thought I would have at least thrown a benefit quilt on the frame, but that is not to be. I will share with you my Q1 review (late) and some fun I had at New England Expo!
What Have I Been Doing?
Well, honestly, not much on the sewing front. I started this post 10 days ago and am just getting back to it. First, we had Easter with our son in Maine. We have not done holidays here, due to the ties in Massachusetts, but this is the year to change that up a bit! The weather was not awful, as we were between storms, but it hasn’t been very warm or sunny. Here are our neighbor’s bunnies all decked out for Easter.
Then we went to Boston to do the last pack of the apartment, and send some things to Restore/Habitat for Humanity. This first picture is much of what was in a very oversized closet. The things behind the yoga mats are where the sewing secrets are hidden. A few are projects from when I was teaching (cathedral windows) and longer term projects (hand pieced Kaffe Fasset solids/plaids and La Passacagalia) and the beginnings of a T-shirt quilt. Now, we have little storage in Maine…a little scared but I am up for the challenge.
This second picture is some of the kitchen/living room stuff. Not as frightening to me…as there is a little more storage in the kitchen than any place. The little table is coming with us, the other things went to Restore/Habitat for Humanity. The furniture served us well for our many years in Boston, but it will be good for it to have a new home. This is the 3rd time downsizing from the house we had in Somerville…but the big difference is we did not add storage space in the cottage. Wish us luck!
And, of course, we were in Maine for the eclipse. I didn’t purchase/obtain glasses figuring there would not be sun – dumb! But it was fun to experience it…the quality of the light was different and shadows changed. Our bright kitchen was sun-less – so strange. I did want to record it, so this is my own picture.
How Did I Do in Q1?
Here’s a quick look at my first quarter. You can see the goals post here.
- 6 blog hops or SALs : I participated in 3! 3 more to go.
✔ SAHRR SAL – hosting
✔ Villa Rosa Blog Hop – hosting (no details yet)
✔ It Moose Be Love Hop – hosting - Make 6 original pieces – No Update
- Unify the design of my current patterns – No Update
- Learn more about Prostitcher Designer: 4/5 classes are done. You will see a quilting design I did on a benefit quilt soon. I also have a signature I can add to quilts (in a very cool way). I hope to show it to you soon.
- Continue to DeStash.
- 6 machines became 4 – HQ16, Bernina 570, Pfaff Passport 3 and Featherweight
- Fabric donated (more coming)
- Fabric down by 34 yards and a few more to account for
- Organize patterns and fabric better in my space (a constant battle in the small cottage)
- Reorganization is my serious goal this week before the things come from Boston.
- Website/Business Decisions – No Update
- Last year website woes made me postpone this. I am not feeling committed to it, but it may happen; when something catches my eye that I really like.
- Re-evaluate my affiliations (I make little from them) so I don’t know if it is worth pretending that they are doing anything.
New England Quilt Exp
This is a local show, growing each year, that takes place in Manchester NH. I had a view of the Uncanoonuc Mountains, the two peaks hiding just beneath the clouds. Yes, the weather was not ideal which seems to be our theme this spring. The good news was the rain broke for 2 events – walking to dinner and meeting a friend for lunch!
I took classes on maintaining my longarm, and Scrap Attack with Kristina Whitney. I also met up with friends, saw quilts, and made some purchases (Famore Rotary cutter, couching feet, needles, thread, clapper were the primary items…very little fabric 4 yards total). The quilt above was by Kristina Whitney, the instructor for my Saturday class.
This one was by Kim Sandberg; both of the instructors are HandiQuilter educators. I love the varied designs, but did not get to ask how they were done. I may shoot Kim an email as it would be great to know.
The class I took, was taught by Kristina and was called scrap attack. Here are her two pieces. I am not convinced I love the couching materials used (yarn and chennille it), but I have a lot to move on and thing this could be great for benefit quilts.
And here is the inspiration for a quilting design from the wall paper in the room. Maybe I will work on this for my class assignment.
Winners!
Congratulations to the winners in the 2 blog hops in March. I know we are still waiting to hear who won the Grand Prizes (there were 3) in the Villa Rosa Blog hop. I am so grateful for all who followed and commented.
Stay at Home Round Robin Winners:
Island Batik: 3 fat quarter bundles:
Eva, LeeAnne, Lianne
Hobbs batting: Wool Batt:
Deb
Quiltery: For the Love of Geese: A pattern of winner’s choice:
Jacomina
Aurifil Thread: Laura
Prairie Spirit Alpacas 12″ x 18″ Alpaca /Wool pressing mat:
Chris
Oliso: Pro Plus Auto Lift Iron:
Robin
Fat Quarter Shop $25 gift certificate and 2 charm packs of winner’s choice:
Janice
Zipper Valley: $20 gift certificate:
Judy & Lynn
Villa Rosa Blog Hop Winners:
Sponsor Prizes: Carole C, Donna O & Mary F
Pattern Pack: Jannette B
Grand Prize Chances: Mary B, Julie S & Kate C
Winner of Charm Pack (mine): Tracie H
Coming Up on My Blog
I expect I will get a benefit quilt or two done in the next few days. The rest is the hard work of combining and moving things. The goals are simple and there are plenty of projects to work with, so no shortage of things to do, once the mental and physical space is cleared!
Tips and Tutorials 4/22/24
Purple Passion
Diatom
Sea Glass Joy 2
Fusion
Linking Up
Stash Busting
Fabric in this month: 4 yards
Fabric out this month: 7 yards (friend received quilt)
Fabric in this year: 6 yards
Fabric out this year: 40.75 yards
NET Fabric: -37.75 yards [3 yards more than last time]
Seems like one of the skills needed at our stage of life is the ability to adapt to change….good change and challenging change. I’ll look forward to hearing what your life “ only settled in Maine “ looks like. ♥️
I enjoyed the peek at your packing. Is that a photo of your new place? I had not heard of the Famore rotary cutter – from what I read it sounds pretty neat. Love that wallpaper! We do draw inspiration from everywhere, right? ;)
I can’t imagine downsizing, how hard to get rid of any quilt related stuff for sure. But at some point we all must do it I suppose. Fun that you got to attend a quilt show!
Nice update on your busy life – I hope by this time you are moved, and settling in?
Moving is a time of transition and I hope that it goes as smoothly as possible and you find the perfect home for everything as you get settled in. I think you are off to a great start on working toward your goals for the year, and it sounds like you have a great mindset about knowing what you may need to release from being a firm goal if it no longer suits what you need.
I see you had an ice storm on Palm Sunday, Kathleen! We had enough snow and wind to have to cancel church that day. All is good now, with daffodils blooming. I love the quilting done by your two teachers!!! Sounds like an educational quilt show for you!
Oh my, you have had a lot on your plate. Good luck with organizing, it is not easy. In my previous home I had a small sewing room, my quilt frame in my office, AQ dies in a third room, and hardly any storage space. Combining all of this into one larger room has been fun, but frustrating because there are things I cannot find after organizing.
Downsizing and all that goes with it is tough stuff but feels so good in the end. You start to evaluate everything in your home but in future purchases too if that makes sense. Different eyes. The quilt show looks to have been fun and classes are always a good learning opportunity.
What a treat to meet Kim and Kristina. I watch a lot of their videos. Good luck getting your studio set up!
Lots happening at your house Kathleen. Getting into the swing of a new season is on my personal list. Winter lets me stay home and cosy, but now with the snow gone and the hours of daylight increased, life will want me to get out and become more active. Hope you have had time to catch your breath and welcome spring
Wow, you have been busy, Kathleen! I hope you were able to find a home for all your secret sewing boxes! Your photo of the eclipse was very interesting with the ring(ishes)!! around it! I hope you are all set up now and enjoying your new goodies from the show. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings!