[cue Olympic theme music]
I declare open the Lame Blogger Olympics!
Six weeks into the new year and this is my third post. This is why I don't like New Year's resolutions. I'm terrible at them. If I had resolved to be a better blogger this year, I would already be a bug on the windshield of 2011.
Since I was here last, I was there.
Daniel's Summit Lodge in Heber City, Utah for Winterfest. The high temperature the day we got there was 30 degrees. I know. For those of you in other parts of the country, that's downright balmy weather right now. For moi, I might as well have been in the Arctic Circle.
This is the lobby as seen from the staircase. There is a large fireplace down there -- upper right -- with comfortable sofas. There was always a group stitching there in the evening.
This is the view from my room out the back door. There was a little balcony with what looked to be comfortable chairs but it was too cold to test them. Besides, my room had a fireplace, a very comfortable bed and a Jacuzzi bathtub. Why on earth would I be sitting out on a balcony freezing my fat quarters?
I tormented ladies with four different classes -- Route 44, Paganini, Scarlett Queen (a new quilt that is coming soon) and a Mystery Schnibble. For that class, they got to choose between two new Schnibble patterns that are coming in about two weeks. They will be called Honeycomb and RicRac.
If you haven't been to Winterfest, it's an amazing event put on by Ruth Spendlove, Amy Maxfield and Kim Williams. As the Heritage Quilt and Needlework Association, they have been doing Winterfest for about fifteen years, the last six at Daniel's Summit Lodge. They -- we -- essentially take over the place which is a snowmobiling destination the rest of the winter. There are four or five classes going at each session, and there are prizes and table favors at every meal -- everybody who attended went home with a prize! And there's even shopping courtesy of the terrific vendors that make the trip to the Lodge, which is about an hour or so from Salt Lake City. The vendors last month were Black Sheep Woolens, Lazy Daisy Cottage from St. George, Pine Needles Quilt Shop from West Jordan and Corn Wagon Quilt Co. from Springville.
If you're interested in attending Winterfest next January, the list of teachers and classes should be up some time late this summer, probably in August. The schedule of classes comes out in September or October and you'll want to sign up quickly. You can find more information here. A little birdie told me that one of the teachers in 2012 will be a Fig of some sort.
So what else has been going on? Other than training for the the LBO which is kind of easy.
I have finished a binding or three...
This is from Honeycomb. I made my quilt using a Layer Cake of Central Park by Kate Spain. I cut half of the layer cake into two charm squares and then used the rest for the binding and backing. I did something really dumb with the binding though... I'm so used to making bias binding that it never occurred to me it would have been easier to cut these strips on the straight of grain for fewer seams. But that didn't occur to me until about 10 minutes after I'd cut the bias strips. I gave myself one of those Gibbs-head-slaps. The rest of the layer cake pieces went into the backing. I'll show you both as next week. (I know... at the rate I'm going with posts, that's likely to be in August.)
I also finished a quilt top from a kit a bought about four years ago at Country Sampler in Spring Green, Wisconsin -- Lil's Baby Quilt.
How do you define obsessive -- or is it compulsive -- behavior? I bought this kit because I loved the little sample quilt and the fabrics in it. Mostly I loved the yellow -- a yelloware sort of yellow -- fabric, a tone-on-tone print from Sweet Romance by Blackbird Designs. But I wanted a bigger quilt so I bought two kits. Except that they only had one kit with this particular print. So I bought two figuring I could use one for the borders and one for the alternating squares and setting triangles... just in case I couldn't find a bigger piece of the yellow. Which I did, lucky me. But I wanted more fabrics so I started adding scraps and pieces to mine, so I gave the other kit to a friend. After changing the cutting and piecing for the quilt so that I could square up my blocks, I started piecing the blocks last year in spurts, whenever I had a little bit of time, I pieced a few blocks and put them on the stack. The 80 blocks in my quilt have been finished for about three months... just sitting on the shelf. Mocking me. So after finishing a little Schnibble last week, I pressed and cut the yellow fabric and finished my quilt the next day.
Since I made a bigger quilt for a little bit bigger baby, I'm thinking of calling my quilt 8.15.
Not that I make any pretense about actually working while on a trip, I did manage to get in a little bit of quilt-related shopping.
Pretty Pinny Pincushion by Cori Blunt of Chitter Chatter Designs. (www.chitterchatterdesigns.com) I bought this from Sandy at Pine Needles... at Winterfest, she had several finished pincushions in her booth just calling my name. I think they were calling a lot of ladies' names because the patterns didn't last long. Dana of Lazy Daisy also had pincushions and patterns... while they lasted.
How cute are these? These little pillow patterns came from The Material Girls in South Jordan.
Sweet Little Trio -- Strippy Little Valentine -- To be loved, love and be loveable. The little pillows were even more wonderful in person -- I sort of hoped one of the samples would accidentally-on-purpose fall into my purse but no such luck. They are the creations of Kirsten Goff of Pieceable Pear Patterns. The ladies at Material Girls told me that Kirsten always has new things for Christmas and other holidays.
One last thing to share... I love little boxes and "organize-y" things. I saw these in a magazine and since the only Office Depot in Arizona is in Tucson, I ordered one. Okay, three. If I was going to pay shipping for a $5.00 item, I might as well buy more than one. If it was ucky, I could always give it away.
Do you think three will be enough?
This is my "binding box"... I have another box for my clips. A bigger box. These Organizer Tray boxes measure 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 1". Office Depot. I hope you have a store near you.
That's all I can think of for now.
I'm off to see if I have to work tonight... or if I get to go play with some Pom Pom.
Cute boxes - thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Krisgray | February 10, 2011 at 02:27 PM
Sounds like so much fun...great vendors...I've been to three of their shops! And the pincushion pattern is adorable. Can't wait to see the Central Park quilt...and what you make with Pom Pom!
Posted by: sherri | February 10, 2011 at 03:06 PM
It's always good to hear from you Carrie. It sounds like a very fun trip. I LOVE the pincushion. I actually won one from Miss Chitter Chatter herself. Just have got to get busy and make it. You know the story ;-)
Posted by: Jocelyn | February 10, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Scarlett Queen, count me in, with a name like that the quilt must be amazing, and red, my favorite color. I've always been a fan of Gone with the Wind, and would have loved to name my daughter Scarlett, but folks didn't take to it when they asked if I had a baby name, we went with Ashley instead, another good name from Gone with the Wind.
I just love how you spend my husband's money, how can I pass up those adorable pin cushion patterns and storage boxes...Happy Valentines Day to me!
Posted by: Thelma | February 10, 2011 at 03:36 PM
That looks like a wonderful place to be hunkered down staying warm!!
What sweet purchases, especially the pin cushion.
Posted by: LoriD | February 10, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Hi Carrie, I have read about Winterfest and even checked into go because I'm here in Utah but just haven't ever made it yet. Somehow, finances and health issues get in the way...not necessarily in that order. Ah well, I live vicariously though you and other quilters that travel a lot anyway thanks to blogland, LOL. Ah but I digress...aren't the Utah mountains just gloriously beautiful in the winter time? Of course incredibly cold too. But if it was 30 degrees up there when you were up there it was a heat wave, LOL. What a beautiful lodge *sigh*. I love the patterns you got from the vendors. I adore Material Girls in South Jordan. My hubby drives me down there every now and again, the store is amazing but you have seen it I'm sure. It's about 150 mile round trip drive for us but I make it worth the drive, much to hubby's chagrin, hehehe. Now, about those organizer boxes...I'm going to have to find an Office Depot, they look perfect for my stitchery tools and trinkets. Those leather sticky thimbles are the best thing since pre-cuts. I have trouble finding them at my LQS and I'm about out of them so I guess I better hit some online shops soon. Once I used them, I put my other thimbles away. I can't wait to see your new quilts, two weeks you say??? Sounds like forever...Hugs to you and scratches for Rosie.
Posted by: Nancy | February 10, 2011 at 05:46 PM
Great to hear from you again. Winterfest sounds like a lot of fun and sewing. Thanks for the tip for the boxes. They're really cute and we have an Office Depot nearby so will check it out.
Posted by: Heartsdesire | February 10, 2011 at 05:53 PM
Can't wait to see what you've got in store for Pom Pom. I have a fat quarter bundle and two charm packs that I will not cut until I see what magic you make. Even though they are crying to be made into valentines. Should I order a layer cake and fat eigth bundle just to cover my bases? Another charm pack or two? My hoarding gene is tickled by this fabric!
Posted by: Amber | February 10, 2011 at 06:03 PM
As usual, you crack me up!!! And I was missing you!! Can't wait to see Honeycomb, love that name, must be something sweeeeeet!!!
Posted by: Linda P | February 10, 2011 at 07:12 PM
Scarlett Queen!
Sounds like a quilt I must make! I would have named my son Rhett, if it were up to me... and he has told me that he would be DEAD if I did so!
Posted by: Lovezao | February 10, 2011 at 07:59 PM
What an amazing trip! Winterfest sounds like the event of the season for sure. And to toss in some Carrie Nelson classes as well, it would be heaven.
Posted by: Nicole | February 11, 2011 at 08:40 AM
My, you have been busy. Glad you didn't freeze your fat quarters! Too funnny. Winterfest sounds like a lot of fun :)
Posted by: AnnieO | February 11, 2011 at 09:56 AM
I knew you weren't just being "absent"... you were off working "hard" in the cold and snow! Do you hear a lot of sympathy in my voice??? You're right!LOL I love the photos and that sounds like an amazing place for a retreat... I'm going to have to go check it all out! I like Utah:)
I can't wait to see your new patterns! I'm already starting to do the happy dance! Now I just have to go find my Paganini pattern... I get to teach a class in it next week/I need a refreasher course myself! Any tips???
Posted by: Sinta Renee | February 11, 2011 at 12:21 PM
Can't wait to see your new patterns, but have a question. I was going to participate in a sew along with Eventide, but can't locate the pattern anywhere within a 100 mile radius and not even on-line. Is it not available any longer?
Posted by: Deb A | February 11, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Hey Carrie you'll never guess who this is. First clue, you once sent me a box of flip flops. Second clue, I've always thought your dad was one of the smartest and most interesting people I've ever known. No more clues for you. Cindy Dubbers, that's who. I would love to talk to you, looked for you at the Long Beach Quilt Show last July. It was the first show I had been to. I think of your dad often, we had a terrible falling out with Alice, after G'ma passed away. It was very sad and really crazy. But it made me see a lot of things in a new light. Would love to connect with you. My blog is crimsonheartstudios.blogspot.com
Posted by: Cindy Dubbers | February 11, 2011 at 03:10 PM
Oh cool! I"ve got 2 Office Depot's by me. I"m going!
Posted by: Dawn | February 13, 2011 at 09:26 PM
Can't wait to hang out in that cozy little lodge next year. Thinking of dragging the fam with me. Maybe.
Love,
the "Fig" you mentioned
Posted by: Joanna | February 17, 2011 at 12:59 AM
Winterfest sounds and looks absolutely lovely--thank you so much for the very nice comments about my little valentine pillows!!
Posted by: Kirsten Goff | February 17, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Oh, I'm safe! I too adore "organize-y" stuff and fell in love with that box in the great green color, but the closest Office Depot that had it in stock was 25 miles from my house. Even I'm not that crazy. Whew! That was close!
Posted by: The Calico Quilter | February 18, 2011 at 05:32 PM