Quilt Retreat- Day 3

 This day dawned bright and with the promise of more rain this afternoon. Sounds like a great reason to settle in and stitch all day with a chance of a nap. 

Breakfast was delicious! Eggs, Bacon, pan fried potatoes, REAL oatmeal, sliced avocado, and a coffee cake, with juice and coffee.

I'm working on 'Ring Cycle'/ 'Jacks Chain' for today. I started this quilt in a class with Cindy Page at Myrtle Beach Quilt Party in 2022. I have taken a class on this quilt TWICE, so it's time to really concentrate on getting this top together. I only have 7 rings pieced, so I have a long, long way to go. With the exception of making a ton of 9 patch blocks, everything has set in seams. I should get really good at that technique by the end of this quilt. 

As I sit in this room stitching, I am surrounded by seasoned quilters. I don't have any beginners in this group this trip. However, I am constantly amazed at the sharing aspect of my retreats. They share ideas, techniques, fabric suggestions and totally constructive criticism with each other. They are all in 'teacher' mode, even though most have never taught a class. There are no 'newbies' with me this trip, so there is  more  teasing/harassment going on between a few of us. We try to keep that to a minimum when there are new 'Frayed Knots' in the group until they get to know everyone and realize that it's all in fun and not malicious.

Lunch today was Ruben Sandwiches, potato salad, sweet potato fries, Chips and red velvet cookies for dessert. 

Now back to sewing!!!

I did spend my afternoon working on some side rings. Once I finished all of them for the left side of the quilt I had to stop and do more cutting and marking of the background fabric. That's what I'll do all evening too. 

The rain has really arrived!! but now we are off for supper.

On the menu tonight was chicken pot pie with puff pastry, a beautiful salad and Mango sorbet for dessert. FABULOUS!!

Now we are back in the Ireland Room with the music on and the machines humming for the evening. Looks like the rain will hang around for a while. 

I have decided to just cut and mark for the rest of the evening. Then I'll take down my machine and my sew-ezy table and work only on my project with English Paper Piecing (Tumbling Cosmos) tomorrow.

That's it for tonight from Retreat with One Loose Thread. Tomorrow will be our last full day of sewing and I'm sure that we will make the most of it. 

Joyce--One Loose Thread

Quilt Retreat Day 2

It has been a fun filled day here at the One Loose Thread November retreat. We are all sewing in the Ireland Room of Cole Lodge. There has been lots of laughter. Many, many topics have been discussed and none having to do with politics. 

It was Taco Tuesday for lunch. (I ate too much) Dinner tonight was roast beef with gravy, potato wedges, fresh corn on the cob, tossed salad, and dessert. I did much better with portion control. 😉 

Show and tell was wonderful. All of the quilts can be viewed on the One Loose Thread Group facebook page. Stories were told and quilts were shown. That is always a highlight of retreat.

We did have rain today that was a surprise to all of us, but, we just kept sewing. 

That's it for tonight. 

Joyce--- One Loose Thread

Quilt Retreat with One Loose Thread

 It's November 4, 2024 and I am currently hosting a retreat at Gravatt Camp and Conference Center outside of Aiken, S. C. Yes, we are in the woods. The weather is beautiful!! We can actually wear shorts and be comfortable. The trees still have a little of the yellows and oranges of fall. 

Dinner tonight was wonderful. Chicken Parm, spinach ravioli, marinara sauce, broccolini, artisan bread and tossed salad with pumpkin pie for dessert. It was enjoyed by all. Top it off with not having to cook or wash dishes for the win!

I have a small group this trip since this is a 'during the week' retreat. Monday to Friday isn't so great for those that are still working outside of the home. That said, we are all sewing in the Ireland Room of Cole Lodge. Gravatt has been doing some renovations to this room with new flooring and paint. It's not done yet but they have some other things they will be doing in this room that I am excited about. 

I'm going to add pictures of the sewing space we all have. Everyone has a full 6 foot table to themselves. Many of us have Sew-Ezy tables for our machines and and extra ironing surface. I have furnished 2 large ironing tables with nice 'hot' irons along with 2, 6 foot cutting stations for everyone to use. Also in the room is an 8 foot table for sharable snacks and 2, 6 foot tables side by side for measuring/pinning borders or just for laying out blocks. 

It's a great set up for us and everyone is just working away. 

I do love being here at Gravatt and away from the world for 5 days. We have great internet connections and good cell service if we want to contact 'the outside world'. 

I did get the border on my Esher Christmas this morning. I have spent the rest of the day just stitching away on a 2015 project of 'Wild and Goosey' blocks. Tomorrow my project will be to work on an 2019 Bonnie Hunter mystery, Frolic'.

Well, let's see if I can get these photos to load.

That's it for tonight. Hope to have more for you tomorrow when we start 'Show and Tell'. 

Joyce-One Loose Thread

Queen of Diamonds and Penelope Statler

 Well, today is Saturday, September 7, 2024. This project came into the studio April 8, 2024. This was loaded on August 18, 2024. I did have rotator cuff surgery between these times and could not touch my machine. Today is delivery day for this beautiful girl!!!

This quilt is hand pieced using the English Paper Piecing method of construction for the center diamonds. The client applied the small diamond borders and the sashings and larger border by machine. The quilt was designed by Pink Door Fabrics in conjunction with Tula Pink and Free Spirit Fabrics. They did a fabulous job with this Block of the Month series. I can say that because I have also stitched the diamonds for this quilt, just haven't gotten it together yet. 

The digital quilting designs are from 'A Bit of Orange'. The designs on that site seem to primarily be for embroidery machines so they are entirely in 'node' form for my Creative Studio software from Gammill. I had been told that I would have significant problems with placement and adjustment of the designs in Creative Studio. I want EVERYONE to know that was not the case. CS handled these designs like the fabulous software that it was designed to be. The only problems that I had were user error.

 For instance, I really had not noticed how the sashing had to go in a certain direction to form a new design around the corner stones. So, needed to rework a couple of those at the beginning. I had to rework more of them when I didn't pay attention to my top tension and had to take out 2 rows of sashing. (Watched 'Yellowstone' to make that an easier process) There again, user error, not a software problem. I keep talking about my software because someone had told me it was antiquated........... I find it absolutely amazing!!!! Very easy to use and super educational in that I learn more and more every time I do use it. I do love my Statler and Creative Studio.

I am so please at how this project turned out. Thankfully, my client has been very patient with me getting this to the end. 

We double batted this piece. There is Quilters Dream Cotton Select on the bottom and Quilters Dream Wool on the top. This gives excellent definition to the quilting along with the stability to hang the quilt for show. 

The back of the quilt is just as pretty as the front. I was very pleased that my Gammill allowed me to use a cream thread in the bobbin all the way through, even though I used a gray/silver thread on the top in all of the black areas. Yes, it took some 'tweaking' but it was manageable.

I am very happy that this quilt was entrusted to me for this type of quilting. Many of you have commissioned me for heirloom quilting of your beautiful quilt tops and I really appreciate your trust. I say trust because, you hand them to me and tell me to do what I think is best for the piece. That says alot about the faith you have in me as a quilter. Not only that, but you understand my process and that is is not fast. Thank you.

So, with all of this said I present to you 'Queen of Diamonds':

I am so sorry that I cannot show you a full on picture of this beautiful quilt, but, it is raining outside so I can't hang it anywhere to get one. Maybe my client will send me one from a 'show'. 

Have a great day!!! Remember to register for the November quilt retreat with One Loose Thread.

QUILT RETREAT - NOVEMBER 2024 !!!!!

NOVEMBER 2024 QUILT RETREAT

3 or 4 nights!! Your Choice

Gravatt Conference Center, Aiken, S. C. 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4 – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2024

This retreat is open to ALL QUILTERS!!

 This is a UFO event. You work on your own projects and just have a relaxing good time. Quilters of all levels from beginner to professional.
All meals are provided by the fantastic Gravatt kitchen!  No dishes to wash!!! 
Walking paths all over the camp so that you can get your daily exercise. Walk by the lake and just lose yourself in your surroundings.
Nothing is structured except meal times.
Your fee includes
Neat and clean lodging in either Cole Lodge or Our quaint cottages.
The rooms in Cole Lodge sleep 2 and have their own bathrooms.
The cottage rooms have adjoining rooms, each sleeping 2, with a shared bathroom.
Meals begin with dinner the day of your arrival and end with lunch/brunch the day of your departure.

A 6-foot table all to yourself as your work area
Raised ironing and cutting surfaces furnished by One Loose Thread
Snack Area

Massage available

Lots of Laughter
Of course, a few surprises will be thrown into the mix. 

REGISTRATION FORM

Any Questions should be directed to:

One Loose Thread Quilting

https://oneloosethread.blogspot.com/

oneloosethreadsc@gmail.com

Questions? Call 803-776-5801---the Studio 

ONE LOOSE THREAD HAPPENINGS

 Good morning!! Today is Saturday, July 6, 2024!!! I am amazed that it has been over a year since I have posted about the happenings here at One Loose Thread Quilting. Time certainly does pass faster as you get older. 

I have continued to quilt for the public. Longarm quilting is challenging and fulfilling all at the same time. I think that is what keeps my brain working at this stage of my life. With each quilt top that I put on my frames I have to design, problem solve, and use different methods of communication to get the best product for the client. What design to quilt on it? What thread and thread color to use? What batting to use? How best to enhance the top but not over power the piecing? I still love what I do since each day is different.

However, I have gotten seriously behind schedule with client quilts over the last 2 months. I had to have unscheduled rotator cuff surgery. I was led to believe that I would be back to work in 2 weeks......... Don't ever believe what someone who has never actually had this surgery tells you. I have not been allowed to touch my machines in 6 weeks. However, I have been talking to my physical therapist and we think we have worked out a way that I can get back to 'light' work next week. I sure hope so. My clients have been so supportive during this time, but, I still feel bad that I have not been able to meet deadlines that I had promised. I have been cautioned not to 'over do' or I'll be back in surgery and this time for total shoulder. I CAN'T ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN. So, slow and easy will win the race. Strength training will not begin until 10 weeks post op. I'll behave so that I can accomplish the goals set. That said, I will be caught up by the first of September and ready for Christmas work.

Now, I'm also registering for August quilt retreat. Thankfully, I have a lot of support from the 'Frayed Knots' with prepping and executing things for retreat. Then there is the needed muscle to move and set up equipment that is provided by my son and Gravatt Camp and Conference Center. Retreats could not happen without the help and co-operation of all involved. This particular retreat will be a 'bring your own projects' type of retreat. I have planned a specific project for the weekend and that activity will be led by K. Rollins. I'm looking forward to that. Then there is always the sharing that goes on between everyone that attends. Wonder what neat things we will learn this time? Wonder what 'have to have' tool we will all need to order?

I have had a small garden this summer. Dusty came over and prepped the water troughs for planting. The green beans that I planted did beautifully and I was able to share with several people the harvest. My tomatoes have done nothing. I have been better off buying them from a local vegetable stand. I did manage to grow enough squash to freeze some for this winter. Now it's time to pull all of that out and get ready for a fall/winter garden. I will plant collards and I have ordered my garlic (3 different kinds) to grow over the winter. I love looking out the window in the middle of winter and seeing the green garlic tops and those wonderful collard plants thriving.

Now, what personal projects am I working on? I have finished all of the diamonds for 'Queen of Diamonds'. Now it's time to border and sash these blocks into a full quilt top. My next EPP project is also Tula Pink. It's Tumbling Cosmos and will probably take me about 2 years. The slow stitching for English Paper Piecing is fun and relaxing. I haven't been piecing anything since my shoulder surgery since I can't use a rotary cutter. That will continue as time passes. 

Loosey is doing well. She stays close to me but really likes it when I allow her to visit with people here in the studio. I have to be careful there because she gets so excited and jumps all over people. She will forever be a puppy. She had appointed herself as my personal dishwasher and has to inspect and clean every dish when I finish eating. She does help me out alot with food prep in the kitchen. She likes to test avocado. celery, lettuce..... any vegetable that happens to be on the counter. I can't leave a tomato on the counter or she helps herself to it. 

Well, I've been up since 4:30 this morning just playing around in the studio. Now, I've had some breakfast and I think I'll go and try to load a quilt on Penelope Statler. I'll go slow and use the left arm as much as possible..........not the right arm. It would be really good to hear my longarms running after such a long period of time. 

Plus, I have rambled enough. It's too hot outside to be out there. Loosey told me to chill in the house so that's what I'm doing. Hope everyone has a safe Saturday. Stay cool and keep stitching.

LET'S GO SEW!!!

Terribly Frustrating Day!!!

 

Here I am trying to complete the Zoo quilt and Facebook has screwed up my personal account. They seem to think I don't know my password. Well, maybe I don't. However, they keep sending me an incorrect code to try to reset it. This has taken half of my time today and I don't have half of it to give away. 

So I am hoping this will get to my 'Friends'. 

I finished the frog this morning.

Now I am currently working on the Flamingo while trying to deal with facebook. 

If you have suggestions on how to actually handle this problem, feel free to email me with possible solutions. 

Thanks,

Joyce