So much for good intentions...

Four months.  Okay, four-and-a-half.  I didn't think it would be that long.    

I wish I could tell you that my morning would be spent here...

But with a long list of things to do before leaving for Salt Lake City and Quilt Market this week, that's not likely to happen.

It's odd that I find myself sitting here not really knowing to write about - I know, I'm usually much chattier than that.  The past four months have passed quickly - too quickly in some ways and not nearly fast enough in others.  Just as I find it hard to believe it's been four months since I was "here", it's crazy to think I've been in Texas for a year-and-a-half.  It seems like longer than that... and it seems like I just got here yesterday.  

Did I tell you that I moving in January?  I did.  Have you heard of the company, Two Men & A Truck?  When I called, I told them I needed the men, not the truck.  They sent three and it still took the better part of the day.  I moved across the street to a different apartment floor-plan in a different building of the same apartment property.  As much as I loved my "old" apartment, this one is much better suited to me.  The upside is that I did take advantage of the opportunity to clear out some things, the downside is that I really need to clear out a little more.  

Then I was in Pasadena for QuiltCon, that was February.  If you ever get the chance to go, it's worth it.  If you're expecting to see all sorts of young tattoo'ed hipster quilters, you won't be disappointed.  You'll also see a few old tattoo'ed hipster quilters.  And a whole lot of people who look just like you.  My favorite part of this year's event was the exhibit of Gwen Marston's quilts - she was the Keynote Speaker.  

I don't think I'll ever get tired of looking at Gwen's quilts.  It's the style of them, and it's her amazing use of solids.  While I've made several quilts using only solids, it has been awhile since I've done that so maybe I'll add one to my to-do list.  Though I don't think it will be improv-piecing because as much as I enjoy doing that, I've had to accept certain realities about my personality - I really like points that have points.  And I'm too much of a planner to not have some kind of a plan.  And I really prefer prints.  

So much for my being "liberated".     

I also went to the Dallas Quilt Guild show in March - at least I think it was March.  As beautiful as the quilts at the show were, my favorites were in the Pilgrim Roy exhibit.  

While there won't be any sewing today, I have plenty ready for what I'm hoping will be a lazy, slow, not-much-going-on couple of months.  :::snort:::  It sounded good in my head.

In January, I shared a block for a "maybe-quilt".  It's now a "work in progress".  I'm using different colors of crossweaves for the backgrounds, I think I've nine different pieces cut out.  One or two might not make the final cut but since I like making extra blocks anyway, the "rejects" can go on the back of the quilt.  

The prints are all cut from charm and mini-charm squares - it is my favorite way to get a really, really big variety of color and pattern. It's also the easiest.  (It's also easier to slip a charm pack or two past Chelair... just saying.)  

This is another one of my charm-pack projects, it's another "work in progress".  It's cut out and about one-third of the rows are sewn together.  

I'll get back to work on this in June - after I replace the iron that "died".  While it's a bit of an inconvenience to have to replace it, I consider myself pretty fortunate that this one lasted almost three years.  I don't know about you but I'm a bit hard on irons.  I'll replace it with another Rowenta steam-generator model - I love those.  Using a "regular" steam-iron the past week has reminded me how heavy they are and I how much I really, really dislike that auto-shut-off feature.  First world problems.   

What did I forget?   

That's it for today, I'll try to be "back" before September.  I'll set a goal - I'll be back when I finish one of the two quilts-in-the-works I shared.  

Of course, back in January, I set a goal of being here more frequently.  

I'm a "work in progress" too and that's apparently a very, very long process.  

 

Comments

[carol fun]

Happy to see you pop back in here... I enjoy seeing your WIPs makes me feel better about mine but inspiries me to make more! I love Gwen's quilts and some day hope to see some in person... and I'd like to see some of Freddy Moran's... part of my bucket list... take care!

[Hildy]

It's so great to hear from you and to see what you are working on. Sometimes time fly by and passes in a blink. I can't believe it's May already and I have so many things on my sewing-to-do-list sometimes I don't know where to start. Glad to hear I'm not the only one;-) Hope you have a great time at Quilt Market and wish you post a lot of pictures!

[Mary]

Nice to see you on your own "space". Congrats on your move to better living quarters. Have a wonderful time at market. My guru Jo will be part of your pack now-so exciting!

Mary

[Leota]

Welcome back...just checking "in", just in case. What a happy way to start my soggy, wet Monday morning. Can't wait to see the finished quilts. Have a great time in Salt Lake. Maybe someday...for me.

[kshackabq]

Always great to "hear" from you. Glad you are moved and hopefully resettled. Enjoy Market, and then hopefully some sewing at home time. It's always inspiring to see what you are making!

[Lynne @ boutschoisis]

Lovely to see you back. Your brother will be so pleased with you! Enjoy the Salt Lake event!

[Laura]

Really enjoyed Moda's booth at QuiltCon and chatting briefly with you. :-)

[mimi'sdarlins]

I love the look of your charm quilt in progress...even though I've developed a taste for some modern quilts and fabrics, my heart still belongs to the pretty, old-fashioned prints :)

[Linda H]

Regardless of when (or how often) you post it is always good to hear from you. Loved your QIPs and appreciate your sharing. Moving is a pain, regardless of whether it's far or near. We used Two Men And A Truck (just the men, too) and did the U-Haul thing when we retired and moved from Pittsburgh, PA to Traverse City, MI ... been 3 years and STILL have boxes in the sewing room that I haven't opened ... do you think there is too much fabric in my life? But that doesn't stop me from shopping! LOL Loved the quilts in the Pilgrim exhibit ~ would have loved to see them up close. Will look forward to your next post ... someday ... or whenever ;-)

[Mary Samaniego]

I am looking for a past pattern from Miss Rosie. It is "Come On A My House". I have found out it is out of stock. Is there anywhere I can obtain it. Thank you.

[Diana Wylie]

So glad to hear from you here again! I love your works in progress. I am hard on irons as well and have pretty much given up on the rowenta's. i broke down and got an Oliso and so far so good. We will see if it can make the long haul so to speak. Have a great weekend!

[Elizabeth Eastmond]

My last iron, from Target, lasted 12 years. The one before that lasted 20 years (Proctor and Silex, sadly not made anymore) lasted 20 years or until I wore out the soleplate. I use mine a ton--so maybe try one of those domestic models for longevity? I always pick one that feels good in my hand and has lots of steam vents. I hear more and more how the expensive irons fail so quickly--that's really a shame because so many people swear by them.

I'm late to commenting on this--always fun to see you at Market, and I love your line-up of quilts here. It's hard to run two blogs at once, so I understand about sporadic postings. Just know that we are all your fans, no matter what's going on.

[Mary Ann]

Oh my, I missed this post by weeks! It's fun to see you hear Carrie and working on your projects. I will look forward to seeing one done by September...seems a very doable kind of thing!