Day 3 - Virtual Quilt Retreat

All Done!!

My blocks and the Quilting Retreat!!

YEAH! I was able to wrap up all the piecing on my Route 44 blocks today.

I only had to resew two, not too bad. I'm happy with how they went together and how they look on my design wall.

I'll give my design wall a rest for tonight,

then check out my placement again tomorrow before I start connecting all the blocks.

Once I get the blocks all connected, I still have a little work ahead of me, the border on the quilt really sets it off, I'm eager to get going on it.

I had these blocks leftover.

Thanks Susan for hosting the Quilting Retreat. I plan to get out and see what everyone else has been doing in their sewing rooms.

Afternoon Update

I'm making great progress, the blocks are cooperating!!

So, fewer of these on my sewing table . . .

means more of these on my design wall!!

I'm determined to get them all done TODAY!..It may call for drastic measures, like asking my husband to pick up pizza for dinner!!

Noon Update

I'm making progress,

and so far, I have only had to unsew/resew one block!

It's been a peaceful and relaxing morning.

I'm enjoying making each block, the color combinations are really speaking to me,

the next block, so far,

always seems to be my favorite one.

Today is the official last day of the Virtual Quilt Retreat.....

One last sock fashion show,

it was hard to decide what pair to wear today, I didn't realize how many pairs of Halloween socks I owned!

I only ate two pieces of my chocolate bar yesterday,

so I've got plenty to get me through today.

Just in case you're stopping by for the first time,

here's what I'm currently working on,

Route 44 from Miss Rosie's Quilt Company ,designed by Carrie Nelson.

I started this project while attending one of Carrie's classes in Rockford, IL.

I'm loving this pattern and my fabric choices, which has made my time in my sewing room fly by.

So today's goal, the last day of my virtual quilting retreat, sponsored by Susan,

is to fill my design wall

with these.

24 more to go!

I think it's a pretty optimistic goal, 4 points to line up on each block, it may take some time and patience.

I have two hard fast rules for these blocks, no cut off points and no really cockeyed points. I can live with a little more or a little less fabric above the point, and a little off center....the definition of "little" may change as the day progresses.

I followed Carrie's directions to the letter when trimming up my blocks, and took my time to be sure I left 1/4" of background fabric beside each point. I hope the time I spent trimming yesterday, saves me some time today, I don't expect any missing points.

Here's how I piece my blocks to give myself the best chance of success.

First, I take a needle that I use in my sewing machine, nice and fat, and I push it through the front point on one block.

That allows a little daylight to shine through.

Then I push one regular pin through that hole, on the backside of the fabric.

Then through the point on the front side of the other block.

Almost there, then I move my pin up, down, all around, until it is straight.

I leave that pin in place and then carefully pin the two pieces together and continue pinning to the edges.

Then I hold my mouth just so, cross my toes, and slide the unit through the machine.

So here's what I ended up with,

not perfect,

but one I can live with!

Here's to hoping I have a day with little resewing!!

I'll post an update around lunch time.

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Day 2 - Virtual Quilt Retreat

End of Day Two

My afternoon wasn't as productive as I had hoped....

I've decided I need to make one block at a time, to make sure I don't have any like fabrics side by side. I'm funny that way.

But I've got my options spread out and ready to go for tomorrow.

Mid-Afternoon Update

All trimmed.....

now to make some blocks.....finally!

Midday Update

Well the fun just continues at my house, hope the same can be said for you!

It took me a little longer than I expected to sew on the setting triangles. Yesterday's setting triangles zipped right through the machine, no pinning required. For some reason, these smaller 4 patches required a little more tender loving care. If I didn't pin down those corners, they were stretching every way but the right way.

But they're all pieced

and pressed...woo hoo!!

Now for the trimming....

The pattern directions say to line up the points of the four patches and the 2 3/8" line on your ruler and to make sure there's at least 1/4 of an inch of the background fabric above the point before cutting.

I marked my ruler so I wouldn't make any mistakes. Somewhere along the way I must have cut something wrong, I've gone through all my background fabric and have only three extra 4 patch units!!!

While I was sewing this morning, the movie, The Blindside was on HBO, I had seen that movie once before, but had forgotten, what a wonderful story, what wonderful people.

Beginning of Day Report

I had the nicest day yesterday, snacking, sewing, blogging....what could be better?

How about ANOTHER day of snacking, sewing and blogging!!

Today is Day Two of Susan's Virtual Quilt Retreat.

Yesterday, Cooper had daycare, which was great for two reasons; I had a pretty interruption free day, with Cooper otherwise occupied, plus since I was out and about, I nabbed some Starbucks.

Today I'm brewing my own coffee,

but I've got

fresh socks to go with my same sewing shoes.

What's scarier, the ghost socks, or the fact that I have TWO pairs of pink Halloween socks?

Today's treat is hard to beat...

If you're a chocolate lover, and have not tried this chocolate bar, you're missing out! The chocolate is amazing but it's that little touch of sea salt that really drives my taste buds wild!

It gets even better, this 100 gram bar of silky smooth chocolatey goodness..this WHOLE bar is LESS than HALF the calories of yesterday's Starbucks pumpkin scone. Plus, I bet this bar lasts me all day!

That scone was yummy, but gone by 11.

Today's focus continues to be my Route 44 project that I started while attending class with Carrie herself in Rockford.

I feel great about finishing all my Block "B" blocks yesterday, so today, is Block "A" Day!

I need 100 of these

to make 25 of these.

I sewed these while at class.

Ready, set, GO....

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Day 1 - Blackberry Creek Home Arts Virtual Quilt Retreat

Last Update

So here's where I stand at the end of day one,

a perfect place to stop,

plus it's time to pick Cooper up at doggy daycare.

Tomorrow, Block "A"

3 pm update

I've got all my Block "B" blocks pieced,

pressed

and

trimmed

Now to find the perfect arrangement on my design wall....

1:30 pm update

The pattern directions say to clip these these little wings.....

and I ALWAYS follow the directions.....

All clipped

and done with lunch....

11:30 Update

Two sides down,

and pressed.

Pumpkin scone all gone,

good thing, it's almost time for lunch!!

10 am update

Pumpkin scone's half gone.....

One side of setting triangles on....

Posted at 8:30 am, CST

Today is Day One of the virtual quilting retreat sponsored by Susan at Blackberry Creek Home Arts.

My first virtual sew along, so to get in the spirit of things, I 've decided to get out some fun Halloween socks...

a girlfriend gave these to me, and I've been saving them for just the right occasion...I think staying indoors, in the privacy of my sewing room, is just the "right occasion"!

I'm also wearing my sewing shoes,

I have to be able to sew with my right shoe off to drive my machine....are you like that too? I noticed at my retreat several ladies had this same issue. I drive my car with my shoe on, but for some reason, not my sewing machine. I just slip that right shoe on and off. I've been doing this so long, I don't even stop and think about it, it's just habit.

And what's a sewing retreat without snacks....

One Grande White Chocolate Mocha

- Half Caff

- Non Fat

- No Whip

- Only Two Pumps

- Extra Hot

With a pumpkin scone please

Thank You Starbucks!!

So today's task, finishing up the 24 Block B blocks for Route 44.

It takes eight of these,

to make one of these.

Add four setting triangles,

and I'm done.

I had my four patches all pieced before class, so today is all about the setting triangles.

I'm not sure how or what to blog when it comes to my virtual sewing day, so just stay tuned!

Ready, Set, GO.......

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