Where do I start?

Well it has been a whirlwind 2 weeks! As you may remember I mentioned that Mr. O was away for 2 weeks. I was fortunate enough to have so many things fall into place while he was away. I had 2 quilt retreats back to back, a workshop scheduled, and my old quilting buddy (who had moved home to Newfoundland and was back in the province because of her husbands work) was able to come and stay with me while Mr. O was away. Now you may be wondering if it was because I am nervous to stay alone, but that was not the reason at all. When we used to be neighbours she would come and stay with me when her husband was on the road and we would stay up till the "wee" hours quilting and piecing and enjoying each others company.

It was just like old times to be able to do this again for 2 straight weeks. I neglected the housework, yard work, and anything else that might have stolen time away from quilting. It was like a holiday and like most holidays you need to come home to rest afterwards. Well for me I needed a couple days rest afterwards too. We were up till 1 or 2 (or 4) almost every night and hard at it again the next morning.

It was fun!

I managed to finish the top of my Winter Wonderland quilt, and I hope to take it to the long arm quilter today.

The workshop we took was for a tree skirt and it is finished and bound and ready for gifting.

I also made a quilt for my niece's baby. The pattern was courtesy of Moda Bakeshop, and I added a few prairie points for a little interest. 

I purchased the fabrics at "Life's A Stitch" in Sault Ste Marie while I was visiting Mom in August. I also managed to find the perfect backing..have a look.

  

I used a Hobbs Heirloom 100% fusible batting. This was new to me. It was a pre cut packaged batting sized for a baby quilt. It is a little thinner than most cotton battings I have used but was sure a breeze to sandwich. Just layer and press and quilt. Easy Peasy!

At our guild meeting we had Sande Gunning from The River Gallery make a visit and introduce us to wool. She brought a nice selection of batiks, threads, wool cuts and books. I know I said I was buying nothing else until I used some of what I had but what can I say I am so weak, and actually I have used some from my stash, so I guess it was ok. I also purchased a lovely book of wool projects.

We made a small wool needle book and then the next day Cam and I took a wool penny workshop. I will be making a candle mat in scrappy colors. Here is the start of it.

Before Mr. O left for Australia I left a little note in his wallet with the names of some Australian quilting magazines. I said I really wasn't interested in Opals or other trinkets but I would love a few magazines. Look what he brought me!

13 magazines, one of which came with a finishing dvd! 

If you look close you may notice that 2 of them are actually American magazines (which made me chuckle,) but hey his heart was in the right place; and the nice thing was I didn't have those specific magazines! Thank you Mr. O.

Well my friend has gone back to Fredericton to be with her husband for the remainder of her time here in the province and life is somewhat back to normal (whatever that is) here at home. Mr O is having trouble adjusting to the time difference of 13 hours and can't seem to settle into sleeping during our night hours, but that will come. I know I won't be able to keep the same sewing pace as the last 2 weeks , but I am motivated to get at some projects that have been dragging, so I hope it won't be too long before I can show some other FINISHED projects. Till we meet again...

May your fingers be nimble,

Your threads seldom tangle,

And your love be apparent

In all you create.