Tuesday 25 February 2014

One Fine Day.....

Let me tell you....one fine day is nothing short of a miracle around here so that makes it a good enough reason to take a photo.    An even better reason is...... being on retreat with the gang when the beautiful day dawned.


The girls and I were down on the Mull of Galloway for a few days of R & R (and a lot of quilting fun and frolics) when the Gods decided to treat us to one sunny day.   What a change from the horizontal rain and gale force winds we've become accustomed to over the last three months.   What a tonic!

When we arrived at the cottage Chris and Kitty didn't waste a second in getting down to business in the best sewing room in the world.


Sally was deep in thought for ages.... cogitating on the orientation of her Pin Wheels.


Here's the quilt that both Sally and I were working on.   I prepped my half square triangles before I left home in the hope that it'd give me a fighting chance of keeping up with Speedy Sal (when she stops thinking that gal is fast).

 
Actually there is a bit of a story behind these half squares.   Ages ago I pieced a lot of 8" pinwheel blocks... joined them all together then decided I didn't like them.  So.... I cut the whole project apart and downsized the pinwheels to 6" blocks.  Guess what... I didn't like those either (now can you see why I drive the girls crazy) so I sliced and diced until they were half square triangles again.  Albeit smaller still.... at this point they measured 2 3/4".    But... I was happy so what's the problem!  

Actually it's quite a stealthy way of getting rid of fabric....trimming it away... cool eh!   Maybe not quite what I had in mind when I decided to reduce my stash but hey... if it works don't knock it.

Here's my workstation and my pile of now 'scrappy' pinwheels taking shape.


No prizes for guessing what Chris is making.   Same blocks... different quilt.


Proof if ever there was that we all share one brain cell.....  except for Kitty who just had to be the odd one out.....


she'd decided to bring her Tailfeathers quilt to work on.     Oh my.... I desperately want to get mine started now.  It's so gorgeous.

We sewed.... we laughed. We ate... we laughed.  We drank wine... we laughed even more.   Good times.

The sunny day came and went.  Then it snowed.....


but only on them thar hills!

The mail got through to the farm.....


and all was well with the world.  

We sewed on until... finally..... Chris produced this gorgeous baby quilt.....


the Prairie Points are just so cute.....


Kitty got all her blocks finished and joined together.....


She did make most of the log cabin border too.  Just ran out of time to attach it.    Did I mention I love this quilt.

Sally made all of her pinwheels and almost completed the sashing too....


she was catching up on me way too quickly but I did manage to stay one step ahead of her.....


Nice to see the same quilt in two different colour ways.  The pinwheel blocks finished at 4 1/2" by the way!

The End...... (of the retreat)

You might have noticed that I've been missing for a good while.   2014 started out pretty crappy here.  After loosing Beau I came down with a nasty chest infection.  Dr. thought I might have caught it from Baggy and gave me some even nastier antibiotics and (after telling me my lungs sounded like a set of Bagpipes) an inhaler!  It really knocked me off my game I can tell you.   My recliner and I were inseparable for weeks.  Still... there is good news.   I don't have M.E.   Yippee!!

Turns out my Thyroid gland is on the fritz.... I'm now officially 100% Hypothyroid!  Well done me!    I've got the right meds now and I can feel my inner engine revving up again.  Oh joy!   I actually vacuumed all the cobwebs off the ceilings today...  lot of spiders homeless tonight... shame.   I never thought I'd say it's great to be doing housework again.

Even better to be interested in sewing again..... I hadn't picked up a needle since I finished my Christmas swap gifts... hence I didn't have anything much to write about till going on retreat got me playing with fabric again.

OK..... I  really have to go.   It's after midnight but I just can't go to bed without watching the next episode of The Walking Dead.........   never expected to be addicted to Zombie TV.

Hope you are having a great time doing what makes you happy....

See ya soon
Hugs
Josie

  

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

lovely pics Josie and i am so glad thatyou had a great time and i am even more pleased that you are feeling better,take care.xx

Anthea said...

Josie my friend, you have really been through the wringer!! But I am ever so glad that you are now getting the right treatment for your health and that you are finding your vigour again♥♥
What better way to renew your sewing spirits that with a retreat with lovely sewing friends in such a stunning location - seems the only thing that room needs is a butler!
I hope you will continue to enjoy your sewing and your life in general, may 2014 be a better one for you xx

Carol Sanin said...

Josie , I am so happy to hear you are doing better health wise.. I also have the a thyroid problem. A few years ago I had part of my thyroid removed now I'm on medication and I feel fine. I love the quilts by the way. Have a great week.

Marilyn said...

So pleased you are feeling more energised now - must be to make those spiders homeless. All the quilts from the retreat are looking gorgeous and you all were very productive. Must be the beautiful surroundings and the day of sunshine.

Elizabeth said...

Hi Josie,
It's lovely to hear from you again, lovely to hear you are feeling better and lovely to see so many wonderful quilts that were created on your retreat - I wish I lived nearer as I'd love to join you for inspiration as I've lost my mojo for quilting of late. Have a happy happy day, big hugs, Elizabeth

Helen said...

What a marvellous time you have had and deserve. It wonderful to hear that you are doing so well the quilts look fabulous .

Shirley said...

Wow Josie. Glad to hear you are beginning to feel better. There will be no stopping you now. I am not sure I would stitch a thing because I would be too mesmerised with that view. You ladies certainly made the most of it.xx

Susan said...

So good to hear your health is getting back on track. I'm sure that gorgeous retreat helped, such a divine venue. You all got so much done too.

margaret said...

looks like a great time was had by all and very creative too. Good to here you are feeling a lot better, that certainly was a nasty chest infection. Good to find they have diagnosed the thyroid problem too as they can now get you stable again

Diane-crewe said...

what a wonderful location I am amazed that you got ANY work done .. so well done x

marina said...

what a wonderful retreat to spark your mojo again.
Great news that you are on the mend!
love both the pin wheel quilts they are amazing.
Well done!

Jeanette said...

Looks like you all had fun. A friend started her Tail Feathers before Xmas & of course I had to get mine out to start. Only have three blocks to go. :). Hugs, xx.

Quilting Moesje said...

A story with a happie(er) ending :0)))

the quilts are so .lovely and pretty and sweet (the grey one with the triangels too !

all the best wishes with your healt !
For a lot of quilt and houskeeping fun ; 0)

Quilthugs,
simone

Muv said...

Hello Josie,

What a beautiful place to be, and nice and warm indoors sewing. A totally perfect break. I just happened to be listening to this CD - here's a snippet on Youtube - when I saw your pictures.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWNmEFEZ9Ps

Sorry to hear you haven't been well, and glad you are feeling much better.

PS FMQ is tons easier than it looks.

Love,
Muv

Lynda said...

What a beautiful place to sew or just sit and stare at that amazing view. Looks like everyone accomplished a lot and had fun too. I do love pinwheels and that Tailfeathers quilt is the cutest. Glad you are feeling better too.

FloS said...

Hi Josie ! I'm glad you feel better now with the right pills !! I hope to see a lot of your work in the next weeks !! Retreat with friends are always so good to refill the batteries !
I haven't seen your last post until today and I'm very sad to learn about your beautiful Beau…
Big hugs ( late but sincere !)
Florence

Mara said...

That is one gorgeous sewing window to look out of and all of your quilts turned out beautifully.

Lynda said...

Such a magnificent sewing room! So wonderful to have friends to spend time with and having such a great time. I love the quilt top you finished - the colours and design are beautiful. Tail Feathers is really sweet - I have it finished at home waiting for a special baby to come along.

Leanne said...

Hello Josie
I'm so happy to hear your are on the mend and you don't have ME what a relief for you, that retreat sounds like just the therapy you needed. Your quilt is looking beautiful and your friends sewing projects are lovely.
Did you ever get my email about our easter swap? No worries if youre not up for it this year, we can do it later on if thats easier for you.
Hope to hear from you soon
Love leanne xx

Chookyblue...... said...

i'll swap you all my clear days for all your wet cloudy days..........

so pleased to hear your well........

Raewyn said...

So good to see your post Josie (albeit a little late!!)(I have been worrying). So good to hear your health is sorting itself out. So good to see that you have been sewing. So good that you had a wonderful retreat and you have wonderful friends. So good. Hugs.

Nicky said...

Fantastic!! Both that you've got your sewing mojo back, and especially that you are getting your health issues sorted. That is fabulous news, and I hope you're completely back to normal real soon. The quilts are all lovely, the pinwheels are so pretty with the alternating square blocks too, love them! You will have to get your Tail Feathers underway for sure, after seeing Kittys one, it's beautiful.
Stay well, and I hope you're enjoying some nice days of spring sunshine... xx