Anyone Can Quilt

The most fun ever.

I got to go on a quilting retreat!!  Four days of non stop sewing, eating, visiting, laughing, sewing and eating some more, more laughing... you get the picture.  And my mom even got to come with me.  We had an absolute blast.  Guess who my next table neighbor was...

Here's a clue:

 

Here's another hint:

 

It's my friend Monica of Happy Zombie!  She is so fun.  And her sewing table looked just like you would imagine it to.  Full of Happy... and booze.  Ok, not full of booze, but there were cocktails and fun snacks.  We knew we were destined for fun when we realized that we both had a My Little Pony toy from our Happy Meals to sit on our machines.  We put bows in their hair and they became our retreat mascots.

 

... and they got into the booze.  Monica's is passed out and mine is still dancing.

It rained the whole time we were there.  Which was wonderful.  I loved listening to the rain as we all stitched away.  All of our meals were provided too, so we didn't have to do anything but sew!  What a dream it was. 

 

Show and tell was amazing.  There were so many gorgeous quilts.  These were my favorites. 

 

This one was from the 1800's.  Holy cow.

 

 

 

 

 

Robin there on the right makes these huge quilts out of 2" squares.  She makes millions of them!!  Ok, maybe not quite that many.  I love her quilts! 

 

This one above is my mama's quilt.  She lives in Montana and sleeps on a log bed. 

 

 

 

This is fellow blogger/new friend Evelyn's vintage sheet quilt.  Isn't it gorgeous?  I even recognize some of the sheets from my vsq in this.  I love the zig-zags!

Ok, here's where the major heart palpitations started.  I've been wanting to make a Union Jack quilt for a few months now but wasn't sure how the best way to go about it was.  Then there was this:

 

Not only did the beautiful Michelle make this quilt, but she is the designer!  She is the designer of Busy Bee Quilt Designs and is so talented and kind.  She even gifted me with some of her patterns including this one called Liberty Garden.  I am so exited and can't wait to get started on one of these!  Thank you so much Michelle.

 

 

Look at this teapot quilt! 

 

 

One night nearly everyone was off to bed, except for Monica, Karen (the fabulous host of this fabulous retreat), and I.  It was so quiet. 

 

As I strolled around looking at everyone's projects I spotted these.

 

These were my favorites:

 

 

Then somehow this happened:

 

Oh yes I did.  There may or may not have been rollerskating/office chair with wheels races... and synchronized office wheelie chair dancing.  And there may or may not be a video of such an event in existence.  p.s., I didn't fall, and I give Monica a 10.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Monica:

Can you tell we had fun?  The retreat setting was beautiful. 

 

 

 

 

 

The building on the left was where we ate and the building on the right was where we sewed. 

 

 

 

It was sad when it was time to pack up for the 5 hour drive home.

The ponies said their goodbyes:

 

My purple pony thinks she's so cool. 

 

But Monica's pony is a little bit of a tramp.  Look, she's showing off her tramp stamp.

 

We said our farewells and headed on home.  The drive is so pretty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can't wait for next year!  x

What the world needs now...

Homemade slippers, with wool insides.  And with yo-yos and buttons of course.

So do you need some new dainty slippers this autumn?  I dare think that you do.  I made a pair for my sweet mom, and this pair here for my liebe Freundin Sabine.  I have grand plans for a pretty basket by my front door full slippers in beautiful fabrics. 

These are another wonderful project from this book.

Now, how about some more of my Montana trip pictures.  We'll start with Idaho.  We stopped at the Cataldo Mission.  It claims to be the oldest building in Idaho.  And it left me speechless.  It's gorgeous.  Prepare yourself, lot's of pictures ahead.  So out of character for me!!  Not.

Look at the wallpaper.  It's made out of fabric.  Here's a closer look.

It was such a beautiful place inside and out.  On the next installment of the Montana trip pictures, I'll actually have pictures of Montana!  Imagine that.  x

Playing house... and our secret trip.

My girls are having a sleepover tonight, actually for the whole weekend.  The girls have spent weeks planning this shin-dig!  They have made menus and check lists of all they plan to accomplish before their little friends are handed back over to their parents at Church on Sunday.  This morning while the girls were working on some schoolwork I made a cover for their little antique ironing board.  Then we found a bucket that they can use for their laundry.  Next we are going to try to hang a clothesline in their attic bedroom.  Their American Girl dolls need clean and pressed laundry you know! 

My family and I just arrived back home from a week long trip to visit my mom in Montana.  It's a 12 hour drive.  And a drive with a whining dachshund.  I kid you not, the little princess cried almost the entire way there, and almost the entire way back.  We tried everything we could think of but the girl just doesn't like riding in the car.  I'll have pictures of the little furry bundle of joy riding in the car later... you're just lucky we didn't let her 'go back to the wild' at a rest stop...  I'm kidding!!!  But just take a moment to imagine the high pitched whining coming from the back seat.  Close your eyes and take it all in.  Please feel my pain.  TWELVE hours. 

Ok moving on.  So, as you can imagine I took 696 pictures on my trip.  And it was THE most beautiful trip.  It really was.  I'm going to have to spread the trip photos over a few posts.  I think my favorites were of the oldest building in Idaho.  A lovely Spanish mission.  It was amazing.  But, I'm going to go in chronological order so I'll show you one of the most beautiful places in Oregon first.  Multnomah Falls.  The very place where my wonderful husband got down on one knee and asked me to be his bride 14 years ago.  We got to show the girls that very spot, it was sweet.  Even though I was on edge from the first two and a half hours of dachshund whining. 

 

That's the spot where my husband proposed.  I love that spot.

It's a beautiful walk up to the bridge.

Oh look, my husband and the whiner.  Sorry, I know I'll get over it someday.  She is a precious angel who can really do no wrong.  Except for when she eats cat poo that she finds in the front yard maybe.

Looking down from the bridge.  Leaned over the edge to take this shot.  It was scary. 

After our quick stop at the gorgeous falls we were back on the road.  I can still hear the sound of the rushing water, and feel the cool shade on that warm summer day.  It almost calmed my nerves to face more hours of Rosie's high pitched whining... almost. 

More to share soon.  Have a wonderful weekend my friends.  I'm off to make sleepover food, and maybe pick some blackberries for jam.  xoxo

Wish you were there... Part Two

Ok, let's see how many pictures I can fit into one post THIS time!  You can't blame me can you?  What would you do in a situation like that?? Gaaa!... (Napoleon Dynamite anyone?)  Moving on. 

Monica lives in beautiful Astoria, Oregon.  It's right on the Columbia river near the ocean.  It's full of historic buildings and old houses with tons of character.  You can see the water from almost every point in town.  Including from our hotel balcony. 

I snapped these pictures from our balcony after tea and stitching group. 

Cowgirl Rosie was rewarded with a special treat after the long car ride earlier.

Then it was time to go to Monica's house before dinner!!  Yippee!  On the way we drove through town and went up to 'The Tower'.  It's amazing.  Do I know the tower's official name at the moment?  No, that's how mushy my brain was from the dreamy day.  But, it was amazing.  Have a look see. 

The tower is at the top of this hill.  You can see the whole town from there.  Here's the famous Astoria bridge.  We crossed that sucker to go to tea and Karen's studio.  Once you cross it you're in Washington.  It's beautiful.

The tower depicts the history of the area.  We couldn't go inside because some restoration was going on. 

We gave the girls each a quarter to enjoy the view.

What gorgeous sights could they be looking at?  I wonder....  It must be fantastic...

Well naturally my little nut cases were looking at each other.  Of course!  Why not with all of the natural beauty around.  Crazies. 

That's better pumpkin.

I wish you could have smelled the cool air.  Take a deep breath and pretend while looking at this picture above.  Aaaaahhhhhh... so nice. 

Now we're driving to Monica's house. 

Are you ready?  I loved her house.  It's pretty and cozy, full of quilts and full of charm.  I didn't take tons of pictures inside her home as she gave us the grand tour.  We were chatting too much!  And I didn't want to appear too creepy...  but I got some in her studio.  It was SOOOO CUTE!!!  Just as you imagine it would be.  Full of humor and beauty, charm and love.  My girls loved it too.  There was so much to look at.  The sun was fading so not all of my pictures turned out as I hoped they would.  (sniff sniff)

Look!  It's Triskit on the stove, naturally.  Where else would she be?  Josie, and Big Sis, were so exited to see her. 

Their first meeting.  Josie looks suspicious, Triskit looks exited, and a little shocked. 

The girls and I love little Triskit.  She's so cute with her braids, rubbery little legs and her tramp stamp. 

Look it's the shelf!  THE SHELF!!  When you see it in real life you want to gently rub your hand on each item and say, "oooooooooooooohhh". 

I had to slap my hand to keep from touching everything. 

That's it for the studio.  I know!  Sorry I don't have more for you.  We were just having so much fun chatting.  I thought I took more pictures of her studio than I actually did.  And I was a tad worried about Cowgirl Rosie being naughty outside.  Monica's sweet dogs were so playful and kind to Rosie, and she just ran away from them and showed her mean teeth. 

Time to head out to dinner. 

Monica has such a great backyard too!  It's perfect for a summer backyard barbeque.  Really perfect.  I'm thinking the husbands cooking food, with us girls lounging in chairs, drinking margeritas and watching Cowgirl Rosie show her mean teeth.  Perfect!

We had a blast at dinner.  I really wish we could have stayed longer.  The husbands had burgers, Monica and I each had a rueben.  They were YUMMY.  The kid food was served in dog bowls. 

Big Sis loves Elvis.

It was so nice to be with people who didn't think I was a total weirdo for taking pictures of our food.  Did I mention how great Monica's husband is?  He is GREAT.  So nice and easy going.  We also got to meet their cute boy who just graduated from high school.  He was great too!  We really really enjoyed the whole Zombie family. 

Sadly it was time to part ways after dinner.  We said our goodbyes and promised to get together again soon.  Monica and her husband couldn't have been more kind or more fun!  They were both so sweet to our girls, and to Rosie.  We had such a great time and wanted to stay longer.  I can't wait for our next trip!! 

The next morning my husband and our girls brought back breakfast to our room.

The girls bring books everywhere we go. 

This one below is my favorite.  "Harriet Tubman... Secret Agent".  You go Harriet!

Friday morning was a rainy one.  I love Oregon rain.  I had to take pictures from the balcony again.  It was so nice to sit out there after breakfast and listen to the rain. 

After getting some fish and chips for lunch we were headed back home.  The girls quietly worked on their stitching.  Rosie caught up on some sleep. 

Thank you so much for inviting us Monica!  I am truly blessed to call you my friend. xo

Wish you were there... Part One.

What do you do when a Zombie invites you to her stitching group?  Which just happens to be a beautiful three hour drive north?  You pack your bags and hit the road that's what you do!!  I still can't believe I was there.  Getting to meet Monica, her friends, and her wonderful family was such a treat.  Let's start at the beginning. 

Upon arrival, Monica, my girls, and I met the stitching ladies for tea.  We left my dear husband and Cowgirl Rosie at the hotel for t.v. cuddle time. 

Big sis was sure to bring Josie, her Blythe doll, who has been eagerly waiting to meet Monica's mini Blythe, Triskit.  Josie just had to try on Monica's camera case, which is a mini backpack.  It's the cutest camera case in the world! 

Tea time was full of yummy treats, and lots of laughs.  Monica's friends were all so welcoming to my girls and I.  I even found out that a couple of the ladies read my blog!  That was so nice to hear.  A special shout out to my girl Blop!!!  Wooooowooooo!!!

Josie had a change of outfit mid tea.  I think she was eyeballing Blop's scone. 

The kid food was so cute!  And we all loved this plate.  I wasn't quick enough to slide it into my bag.

After tea we headed out to Karen's studio for the redwork stitching group.  It was so fun, and a bit overwhelming (in a good way).   Every detail of Karen's home and studio were divine.  She is such a kind and welcoming lady, and has a beautiful smile!  I hope I wasn't too annoying with all of the pictures I was taking.  I took lots and still didn't take quite enough!

While stitching, there was show and tell around the table.  There were gorgeous quilts and beautiful stitching projects, and me walking around with my camera.... sorry ladies.

 

Here's my show and tell.  Finished cottages!  Woohooo!!  And look, Karen's butterfly shirt matches her studio.  She's a snappy dresser!

Linda stitched her name on the pocket of her apron, when she was 5.  So cute.

Little Sis's stitching.  She loves pie.

Big Sis stitching away.

I loved this lady.  I have to ask Monica what her name is again.  She had THE BEST laugh!  One of those laughs that makes you laugh each time you hear it.  And she's a talented quilter and stitcher.  I keep saying 'stitching'.  Should I be saying 'embroidery'?  I like saying 'stitching' so there. 

Monica is even MORE sweet and funny as you would imagine her to be.  She's always cracking up.  I love that about her. 

Can you believe this studio?  Karen has really done an amazing job with it.  She's a wonderful fabric designer and had shelves of her fabrics for sale.  If I wasn't so overwhelmed I would have done some shopping.  Next time!  Next was a tour of her beautiful home. 

I didn't take too many pictues inside the house.  Oh I would have if I knew Karen a little better.  I didn't want to be some weird girl that she just met snapping away pictures of the inside of her house.  But, I did take a picture of this.  I almost fainted when I saw her kitchen.  And this fridge.  I want one of these!!

You'll never guess what's in the woods behind the house.  A little mini cabin for the grandkids.  My girls couldn't believe their eyes.

 

After visiting the enchanted cabin, we walked through the backyard, and then back to the car.  This was SO much fun.  Thank you Monica, and Karen for sharing her lovely studio and home.

In the next installment..... a visit to Happy Zombie's studio.  Can you imagine?!  It was FABULOUS!!!!  I'm a lucky girl.  See you tomorrow!  x