And the nail-biting continues…..

Posted on October 28, 2011 by Barb

Many of you know about my obsession with baseball.  It’s an obsession that started just over a year ago.  My friend, Suz, got me into this mess.  And now I’m a stressed-out wreck after last night’s World Series game.  I should be blogging about retreat things.  And showing you pics of fabulous quilts or even recipes that I promised.  But I repeat.  I’m a stressed-out wreck.  I have a tightness in my chest if I even think about tonight’s Game 7.

And this is sort of related to retreat things.  I’ll give you a few retreat pics here to whet your appetite for more.  As if you needed your appetite whetted.

Here’s a pic from retreat!  Suz brought us all Cracker Jacks and tossed them out during the games last Sunday and Monday to all who were there.  There were leftovers.  And I ate 27 bags of them during last night’s game.  It saved me from biting my nails.  The nails have no hope tonight.

We also had this issue at retreat on Wednesday. 

Which could be related to the way we were getting our signal?  Do you like our crazy Christmas tree antennae?  We even adorned it with a quilt block star at the top in hopes of making it better.

Anyway – it’s probably just as well that this happened:

Which actually was a good thing at retreat.  We all got more sewing done!  But because I wasn’t quite sure I should believe the 643 news stories I read or even the texts that other retreaters received about the rain delay, I turned on the TV at game time on Wednesday.  Only to be greeted by this:

Sigh.  The obsession would have to wait for Thursday night at home. 

In the meantime there are great stress-relievers at retreat.

How about sitting out on the porch with a cozy cat in your lap?  Lynda and Suz did just that on Wed afternoon.  Nice way to get in a little relaxing in between frantic sewing.  Because it’s imperative that everyone work on no less than 14 projects in 3 days at retreat.  I’m a rebel.  I’m lucky if I work on two.

Lynda discovered how stress-relieving it can be to have a purring cat in your lap.  Well, except for those talons this one has for claws.  Ouch.

And about 5 minutes later, Kitty was ready for the Game That Didn’t Happen, too.  Can somebody bring me a beer, please?  Isn’t it about time for the game to start?  Sigh.

Here’s another stress-inducing happening at retreat.  Karen unrolled a roll of fusible fleece and found what she claimed was a little dead friend inside.  We all jumped up to take a look.  And I mean all of us, cameras in hand.

Only he wasn’t dead, he was only taking a nap!  And he yawned, stretched and headed out as we all watched.  Some a bit closer than others.  Brave Davene, armed with a rotary cutter, took care of him and we all went back to our sewing.

But I must admit, I was a little nervous as I stuck my feet down into my sheets in the dark room that night.  I would have felt better if I’d had the light on and could throw back the covers to make sure there were no tresspassers hanging out in my bed.  But my sleeping roomies might have taken offense.  So I slid into bed carefully and prayed I was there alone.

I really didn’t need this guy to add more stress to my life.  My beloved Rangers are doing enough to induce cardiac events for me lately.

I even had two very good friends attend the game last night!  That’s Angel Brian on the left (who helped move my parents from Colorado last March) and our Youth Pastor, Adam on the right.  They drove all night Wednesday night to go to last night’s history-making, stress-inducing game.  At this moment I don’t know if they were able to score some tickets for tonight’s game too.  Or if they are traveling home right now.  I’m keeping up with them on Facebook.

So tonight I will, once again, be glued to my TV.  Perhaps if the Rangers could please score about 10 runs in the first inning, I might relax enough to blog about more retreat things during the game?  In the meantime, I might have to head to the store for more Cracker Jacks.

And if any of you have a spare defibrillator laying around, you might want to run it by my house this afternoon.  I have a feeling I’m gonna need it.

Go Rangers.  Please, please, please GO RANGERS!!!!!!!!
Your adoring fan, thanks to Suz,
Barb

Posted in retreat stuff | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Which Block Doesn’t Belong?

Posted on October 26, 2011 by Barb

Things happen in the night at JSS Retreats.  It is not safe to go to bed.  Things move around.  Quilt blocks play games.  It’s like all the toys in Toy Story coming to life.  You never know what’s going to greet you in the morning.

This morning as the gals at retreat get out of bed, they are greeted in the sewing room with a new game called, “Which Block Doesn’t Belong?”  And you get to play along!

We’ll start with some easy ones so you can get the hang of it……

Can you pick out the block that doesn’t belong in Madelyn’s quilt?  I bet you can.  This one was extremely easy.

How about this one in Lani’s?  Again, not too hard.  Don’t be fooled because there are two.

This quilt by Kay got a little extra touch of color.  I bet you found it right away.

The block that doesn’t belong in Karen’s quilt is at least close to the right color.  I bet you found it anyway.

Surely you can find the block that doesn’t go in this cute Dr. Seuss quilt by Newbie Barbara.

And you should be able to find two blocks that don’t belong in this quilt by Newbie Barbara since you saw it here the other day.  Even if the fabric almost coordinates. 

By the way, Newbie Barbara is being way too productive.  We’re going to have to put her on Newbie duty today before she outshines us all.

The game’s getting just a bit harder now, isn’t it?  Can you find the wrong block in Debbi’s beautiful quilt?

Uh, oh.  I’m not sure who’s making this quilt!  Sue G, maybe?  Well, anyway, your job is to find the block that doesn’t belong!

This one is probably hardest of all and there are two blocks to find in Peggy’s fabulous T-shirt quilt.  Can you find them?

Now wasn’t that fun?  What a great way to start your day.  You got to see beautiful quilts by JSS ladies and enjoy a fun game over your morning coffee.  Who knows what will happen next at the JSS Retreat!

By the way, quilt blocks are not the only things that move around while we sleep here.

Sometimes thread just has a mind of its own……

Happy Day!
Barb
P.S.  Thanks for voting in the “To Green or Not” blog.  Janna’s quilt is coming along quite nicely!  More pics soon…..

Posted in quilts, retreat stuff | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

To Green or Not to Green…….

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Barb

….. that is the question.  Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to add green to the borders of Janna’s T-shirt quilt or not?

So how about a little help from you, my blog friends in cyberspace?  Janna too, of course.  I think we need a vote.

So get ready, Janna….. for the first unveiling of your quilt!

Remember yesterday when we saw the back?  Here it is again to refresh your memory…..

The back has grown since this picture and I considered making Janna toil through another picture of the back.  But she’s probably already scrolled down to the bottom to see the quilt.  Some things I can’t control.

So here it is!

Do you remember all those shirts, Janna?  Does it look like you expected?  I sure hope so.  I am not doing it over.  And of course, it’s much better in person.  Quilts usually are.

So now the question is this – and I need help from everyone.  Does it need a pretty green batik border?

Here it is with the pretty green fabric that is used on the back.  What do you think, Janna?  And everyone else too.  Does it need that extra border or not?  We need lots of opinions here.  Even if you all have the same opinion.

I also should inform Janna that, as of right now, the size is 68″ x 72″  If I add the green border it will be 80″ x 84″ – just in case the size is important.

Janna is right now calculating how many more retreats it will take to get her quilt if she votes for the green border.  I know how she thinks.  It’s OK, Janna!  I’m on target to finish it at this retreat.  Promise.

So leave a comment and cast your vote.  Green?  Or no green?
Hugs,
Barb
P.S.  I reserve the right to overrule all of the votes, if I don’t like the way the voting goes.  Just because you vote, doesn’t mean this blog is a democracy.  Just sayin’.

Posted in quilts, retreat stuff | Tagged , , , , , | 16 Comments

Progress

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Barb

There’s a lot happening around the Retreat room.  These gals are staying true to the theme of this retreat – Sew, Sew, SEW!  Wanna see some progress?

Here’s this quilt by Sue H before I went to bed at 4:30 this morning……
 

And here it is now!

She added an extra column on the right to even it out.  And borders.  Nice, Sue.

4:30 a.m……..

And now……

Lani was in the fabric room, auditioning borders.  She’ll have this one done and 26 more by Thursday.

4:30 a.m…….

About 2:00 p.m……..

????

And now……

Phew!  I was wondering where Sally was going with that vine.

Earlier today……

And now…..

It’s growing!  And Kay is getting really tired of hourglass blocks.

Newbie Barbara had this whole thing pieced before I could get a “before” pic.  Isn’t it spectacular?

Newbie Barbara also put these cool roosters up on the wall earlier today.  Aren’t they fabulous?  She’s an overachiever, that Barbara.

And look at them now!  They’ve been surrounded by little rooster houses and nine patches as the day has progressed.  But you absolutely need to see a couple of these guys up close and personal.

Cool…..

Aren’t these great?  This Newbie is gonna keep us on our creative toes around here.

Suz pieced this quilt lickety-split today and then the whole room spent 23 hours and 45 minutes moving the leaves around for her.  Because it was a requirement that everyone had to agree on their exact placement.  She’s gonna be here until a month from next Friday working on this one to get it just right.  I’m looking for a ride home.

This is a T-shirt quilt on the wall earlier….

Here’s the same wall now…..

I think it’s done, quilted and put away.  Where did it go, Sue G?  You have to be quick around this group to get pics of everything.

And I made some progress today too…..

Recognize those T-shirts, Janna?  She’s probably forgotten what they look like.  I worked on your quilt all day today, Janna!!  The gals here are keeping me focused.

Well, not anymore…. next up……. Our Texas Rangers!!!  And Suz is ready to toss us all some Cracker Jacks as we prop up our feet and watch the game.  Because the guys need us to cheer them on.

Goooooooo Rangers!
Barb

Posted in quilts, retreat stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Goals

Posted on October 24, 2011 by Barb

It’s JSS Retreat time again!  I know that you’ve all been anxiously awaiting another JSS retreat.  The theme of Retreat this week is “Sew, Sew, Sew!”  However, if you had been reading the emails from this group of ladies recently, you might think my personal theme is “Blog, Blog, Blog!”  You’d think I hadn’t blogged in awhile.  Oh, yeah.  I haven’t.  I’ve been very lax in the blogging department lately.  Hopefully retreat will help to get me back on track.

So as usual, everyone is gone to bed and I’m up blogging.  But I was also sewing until just a few minutes ago.  After the Rangers’ game, that is.  Who plans a retreat right smack dab in the middle of the World Series anyway?  Oh, yeah.  That would be us.  It must have been planned before I was a fanatical baseball fan.  But I’ve only been a fanatical fan for just over a year.  It’s all Suz’ fault.  Since she got me into this mess, it’s a good thing she brings a nice TV to our retreats.

You’ll love our TV arrangement.  I think you’ll especially love the TV stand.

5 minutes later it looked like this:

Several of the gals just couldn’t stand watching the game and staring at the box at the same time.  But it elevated the TV to just the right height and made viewing easier for everyone.  And it’s a nice sturdy box.

My goals of this retreat are simple.

1.  Cheer the Rangers on to victory on Sunday night.

2.  Cheer the Rangers on to victory on Monday night.

3.  Cheer the Rangers on to victory on Wednesday night.

4.  Finish Janna’s T-shirt Quilt.

There.  I said it.  Now I have to do it.  Janna just fell off her chair.  You remember Janna’s quilt?  I think this makes the third retreat where it’s made an appearance.  You can read about it and see pictures of the beginnings here:

Janna’s T-shirt quilt

Please do not, I repeat, not look at the date on that posting.  It’s embarrassing.  I was going to try to surprise Janna with the quilt one day.  But I’m over that surprise thing.  I just want to get it done.  So I can be her favorite Aunt again.  She had given up hope of ever seeing this quilt.  And she’s dying for a look at the progress.  I sewed on it tonight, Janna!  After the Rangers’ game.  So here’s a peak at a new pic.  Just for Janna.

It’s the back!  Isn’t it exciting?  Look how much is sewn together.  Aren’t you impressed, Janna?  I promise I’ll show pics of the front before retreat is over.  I can’t give it all away in the very first blog posting, now can I?

Oh!  I almost forgot…..

5.  Blog

I have much to blog about.  Food, for one thing.  Retreat food has taken on a whole new meaning for me since I’m eating so healthy now.  Tonight I brought a crockpot and everyone chipped in ingredients for a new recipe I had tried recently.  Sweet Potato Chili.  It was a big hit.  Please don’t tell the gals here that there weren’t any sweet potatoes in it.  I think I fooled them.  I will post the recipe very soon.  With the variation that I used tonight.

I also brought a Pinto Bean Cake.  And the girls declared it very good.  Even after I told them there were pinto beans in it!  I’ll share that recipe too.  Healthy cake.  Sort of an oxymoron, isn’t it?

There will be lots of pics of all the JSS gals, laughing and sewing and having a wonderful time.  And there will be quilts in progress and lots of completed things too.  These gals sew like the wind at quilting retreats.  The Newbies are off to a good start with fabulous name tags for all.  So those will have to be shown too, now won’t they?

Stay tuned.  Lots of fun stuff to come.  In between Rangers’ games, of course.  And Janna’s quilt.  After all, blogging was #5 on the list. 

And by the way……. apparently sleeping is optional.

Hugs,
Barb

Posted in retreat stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments