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Thursday, June 03, 2021

Sew When You Can!


Some Cabin Corners blocks happened in the QPO Studio yesterday.

It was one of those crazy "hurry up and get there in time to meet the fridge repair guy" mornings -

And I hadn't been there but 10 minutes when he drove up.

While he fussed with the freezer and ice maker, I finished up all of the making-ready in anticipation of the June Quiltvillians arrival later in the afternoon.

Paper goods stocked? Check!

Salt & Peppers refilled for the eating areas? Check!

Recover the ironing stations with new freezer paper?  Check!

Porch dining tables wiped down (Oh so much pollen on the tables! YUCK!) and porch décor put out? Check!

Front steps swept of boxwood bush debris?  Check!

MAKING ICE ALL DAY in the counter top unit just in case? Check!

I was just about done with all the things when the fridge guy called me into the kitchen with the proverbial round of "Good news/bad news."

OH. NO.

It turns out that the entire icemaker needed replacing, and he didn't have the parts on the truck. We have rescheduled for next FRIDAY when he will come and just replace the unit.

While the house was empty for his visit yesterday, I told him it would be full of 12 quilters next Friday, but that I would make sure they are dressed and presentable! LOL!

I also told him that if he knew nothing about quilters, to not be surprised if they also offered him coffee and breakfast while he worked!

It's a good thing I kept that counter top ice maker going ALL. DAY. LONG - I think we've stored up enough ice to last us this retreat weekend and then some.

The upside?  Going back and forth from the QPO to the Inn next door every hour ran my step count up to about 12,000 by the time the day was done.


And while the ice machine was making ice -

I was making more blocks!

All of these blocks are coming from "orphan scraps" that really don't even qualify as strips.  It's the dregs.  And it's going to be beautiful when done!

Making quilts out of what would normally be discounted and discarded as old, ugly, outdated or dull fulfills me like no other kind of quilting can.


My view as I worked and waited, the kitchen timer ticking on my counter, dinging when my hour was up and it was time to go empty the ice basket on to a cookie sheet in the freezer so they could freeze hard before bagging.

On the TV - Unforgotten on Amazon Prime video. SO GOOD!


And then the fun happened!!

The June Quiltvillians began to arrive - by car, truck, and SUV -  There will be more arriving today.


The rain began to fall about the same time so there was a quick unloading of vehicles onto the porch keeping things as dry as possible.

I posted this photo to Instagram/Facebook last evening and the first thing folks zeroed in on was that CAKE! LOL!

Just so you know - this is the contents of only TWO vehicles.  We quilters sure know how to pack for a retreat, don't we?

It wasn't a hard rain, just an early summer sprinkle, and the temps hovered right around 68 degrees, perfect for dinner gathered on the porch.

I tell you - it was hard for me to leave them all when it was time for me to come home for the night.


This also happened last evening!  We got the on-demand hot water heater installed, ready for today's delivery of the  new washer/dryer that will turn a corner of the garage/shop into a second laundry area.

Little by little, day by day, improvements are being made around here!

Let's continue on to our next stop in Pat Sloan's blog tour for her new book Holiday Celebrations.


Another sneak peek on my Holiday Celebrations project!

Just a couple more days and I get to show you the WHOLE THING.


Come join the fun as Pat Sloan takes you on a joyful journey through a year's worth of celebrations. You'll find easy patchwork and fusible-appliqué; projects for Valentine's Day, Easter, the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. 

Stitch welcoming lap quilts and table toppers, plump and pretty pillows, trick-or-treat totes, cozy Christmas stockings, and more. Keep your home décor looking fresh and cheery as the seasons change, and always have the perfect pattern on hand for a housewarming or holiday gift. 

With inspiring photos, easy-to-follow instructions, and 17 terrific designs at your fingertips, you're on your way to a great year!

I have added Holiday Celebrations to the Quilting All the Time category of the Quiltville Amazon Affiliate Store. Use your PRIME from wherever you are and have the book in your hot little hands in just a few days! 

Today, head over to visit Scott Hansen of Blue Nickel Studios for his post about Holiday Celebrations and his gift-away!

Scott lives in Washington state, is 3 hours behind me time-zone wise, so we'll cut him some slack if his post isn't live when you click the link.  Be sure to come back and check later today if it isn't there yet, you don't want to miss his gift-away.

And if you haven't already - Enter the TWO mega-giveaways from Martingale happening now (see the prize packs on MONDAY'S POST). You can enter on their blog here, and over on Instagram here. Tag a friend in the instagram comments and they can receive a free book too!

Okay, I think that catches me up to NOW.  Time to pull myself together and hurry up to do the "expected delivery between 8am and 5pm" waiting game on the washer/dryer.

((Actually it is just an excuse to go play with the quilters at Quiltville Inn!))

What's up for your Thursday?


Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Vintage grandmother's fan quilt found in Kentucky.

So much to love in this quote!


Today is all about generating some motivation - There are some exciting new things coming in the next several weeks and I need to dig in and get some things done. 

How is your Thursday looking?⁣


 

13 comments:

  1. Today is Haircut Day for me followed by a little grocery shopping. Then I hope to relax and sew a bit! Have a great day, Bonnie, playing with the quilters!

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  2. I always had to laugh when my husband asked if I wanted him to go to Quilt Odyssey with me. I might have been able to squeeze him in the car but there would have been no room for his suitcase.

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  3. I’m wondering why you use feeezer paper on the iron board?

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    1. The paper is protection for the ironing board cover. I had not been using protection and found my cover becoming sticky with spray starch. When I washed the cover (which seemed to be fine) the entire center fell out. I now use freezer paper when starching.

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  4. That photo of the loaded porch, reminds me of the excitement I felt when working at a summer camp and each Sunday, a new round of campers unloaded. What fun! Today, I have 3 shirts to finish(sleeves, hem, buttons) and 3 to sew. If I finish these, then I can be back to quilting. And I finally found my copy of Quiltmaker with your "Ins & Outs" pattern!

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  5. I see that badger and I want to break out and sing "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK..." He is too cute! Can't wait to see what you made.

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  6. WOW!! So much stuff!! LOL!! I can only imagine!
    Glad that things are improving slowly. I can't wait to see what your playtime becomes. I am going to play as well...
    Loading up the longarm and getting these projects done so my customer can get them this weekend (hopefully while she is in town). Then I can get on with my summer plans! Also wishing for a couple of dry days... sometimes you can get too much of a good thing. But, that is South Texas for you! Hot and dry, then we get soaked, and then we get turned off again and cook for the summer! HA!
    Have a great day and enjoy that new group! ( and cake!) HAHA!

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  7. I’m loving those cabin corner blocks! They’re similar to the style of blocks I’m making right now, for my Smith Mtn. (Christmas) Morning 😊 After making ONE block at your workshop in Fall 2016, I’m finally making great progress! I’ve found my sweet production spot! I’m using Lori Holt’s idea for design boards & those are so helpful too, especially for putting together scrappy blocks!!

    I can almost feel the excitement of the June Quilters!! Woo hoo!

    Good thing you think ahead regarding ice!! Whew!!

    Blessings! Marci H

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  8. My Thursday gave us a new great grandson at 2:21am. 8 lbs,1 oz and 22" long.

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    1. Congrats !! Did you stay awake waiting? He will need a quilt or two, of course !!

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  9. In my next life I'm going to be a quilter in the US. The pics truly warm my heart. Enjoy!

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  10. Bonnie, your excitement with the new quilters arriving and about your' secret' quilt is contagious! Loved your picture of the first 'load' on the porch of the arriving quilters who're giddy with excitement, I know!!!I love your daily blog! You're a treasure!!!

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  11. Today I will be standing watch over my ripening strawberries, Birds

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