Wow! It's November already

I can't believe that it is November!  It doesn't seem like two years ago that we started planning our guild's quilt show.  It was last weekend and it was, I say modestly since I was the chair, a great success.  My committee was wonderful and worked very hard.  The quilts were just stunning as usual.  The Small Quilt Auction and Silent Auction were very profitable.  The Peony Shop (items made and/or donated by our members) was very popular.  Isn't it funny how you work and plan for something for a long time (Christmas, a party, etc.) and all of a sudden you are looking back on it?

My  friend Aljean (we've known each other since her youngest and my oldest were in preschool and they are both turning 40 this year!) came last week and worked her tail off.  Her flights were delayed and she didn't get here in time to watch the judging but she did get to help with setup, hanging, white gloving and takedown.  I told her I would work her if she came.  Boy was she surprised!  I don't think anyone realizes how much work it is to plan and carry out a quilt show until you actually take part in it.  She left on Friday to go visit her sister in California and to get some much needed rest.


Actually while she was here we did get quite a bit accomplished.  She finished a jelly roll quilt top that is quite stunning.  She left it for Jennifer to quilt.  She also made the back for a top she brought with her and we got that over to Paul to quilt.  Her grandaughter who is living in Indy for the next three years while her husband is in law school will bind both of them for her when they are quilted.  I finished quilting my Debbie Bowles quilt and sewed on binding and sleeve.  No time to stitch down the binding but I hope to do that this week.  It was my October UFO for Judy Laquidara's UFO Challenge so my finish will be close.  

I have also been knitting - I have finished one scarf for Special Olympics and am working on the second one. The color in the picture isn't great - it is red and blue. Here is the link for the patterns in case anyone is interested in making one or two (http://www.scarvesforspecialolympics.org/).  They are easy patterns and go very quickly.  I also bought more yarn (just what I need!!!) yesterday when Jen and the kids and I went to Threads of Time Quilt Shop and Retreat Center in Danville, IL.  It is a dangerous place for me as they have a yarn store in the middle of the shop.  Jenna picked out some pink yarn for a hat which shouldn't take me too long.


On Wednesday, Aljean and I went to stitch group.  I finally got to work on Jen and Mike's wedding announcement (I should finish it soon as they were married 11 years yesterday) again.  I had put it aside for the last couple of weeks while working on the show.  While at Needle Fever

I picked up a quickie project that I did one day since I had forgotten my huge bag of floss (talk about a senior moment!) and wanted something to work on.  Karen framed it for me and did a great job.


I plan to get into my sewing room today and get packed up for our bee workday tomorrow.  We are going to do a jelly roll challenge.  I sewed my strips together when I had my weekly sewing day with Kathy and Kay on Thursday so I am ready to go.  Can't wait to see how it turns out.

Last weekend was the Shipshewanna retreat.  Jen, Kathy, Loralei and I went last year and had a great time.  We sewed with Judy Laquidara and made some new friends and really enjoyed ourselves.  We had to miss this year because of the quilt show but have already printed out our forms for next year.  Can't wait to go back to Lolly's again - their bargain basement is larger than a lot of quilt shops I have been in.


In addition to everything else that has been going on I have been keeping my boss's dog Yukon for the last week and a half while she and her husband have been at Quilt Market (Whimiscals)

and then on a cruise to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.  He is a lot of fun and Jenna has absolutely fallen in love with him.  Next Wednesday morning will be a sad day when she gets her in the morning before school and he is gone.  She knows he will be going home but I know how much she will miss him.

Can you tell that I finally figured out how to link websites to my blog?  Amazing for an old lady!  Hope you have a good week and gets lots accomplished!