Where in the world did May go?.........

Last time I looked up it was April - wow, so much has happened!

Here is a quick update on all that has been going on:

Visa application is in, attorney has been paid and everything is in the hands of The Universe (or the American Embassy).

The engineer's daughter graduated.

Training has been ongoing and a 5K race was run (if slowly) and the emphasis is now on getting faster.

Quilts done for the designer to go in the magazine.

Fixed the very expensive sewing machine that I broke because I did not read the directions - does that make me a man??

All bills paid (for the most part).

The guild challenge quilt is made and just needs to be quilted.

The Hoffman Challenge quilt is put together and needs to be appliqued and then quilted.

I have a bunch of ideas for new classes.  English paper piecing is going to be HUGE and I have sooo many ideas, my head is busting.

Here is a rough mock up of Hoffman - still a lot of work to do!

 

OK - W.G. gave us permission to post this - a fabulous dragonfly quilt that she allowed us to choose the pattern - and she has modern leanings.

 

 

 So this is the front, on it's side, but you can still see the pattern.

 

But just look at the back - a fabulous pattern!!

 

Now it's time for a break - the engineer's daughter has her wedding on a cruise next week, so we are all off on a jaunt.  The wedding will be on a beach in the Bahamas and the celebration will be for five days - sun, sea and sand.  It has been a while since I had a break so I am willing to learn how to do fun things.  I closed the studio at 6.30pm today and, apart from packing, I have nothing pressing to do - now that is a very strange sensation.  So, of course, I will leave the packing until the last minute!

 

The kennel is now in it's busy season and the sun is shining.  Bandit is still hanging in there and I have decided to get another four legged friend to keep is both company.  I am going to work on that when I get back from the cruise.  I really would like a doggy friend who can run with me on 5K races.  Bandit is too old to do that now, but he used to be so good - I would have him on a loose leash and he would run about two paces in front of me and at exactly my speed - a complete natural!  He's asleep on the office area rug right now - covered in threads from the studio!

 

So - time to do my nails (really - I said that!) - it is a wedding after all.  And packing since we leave in the morning. 

 

Happy quilting in the meantime and if I remember to take pictures I will post them in a week or so.  That is if I remember to take the camera!

 

 

A little bit of sunshine today.....

makes everything seem better.  The visa application is at the attorney's and there is nothing more that I can do - there may be a few little questions but it's all done.

I had a wonderful weekend and lots got done.  The guild meeting on Saturday morning was the 'Gullah Lady' and was a huge success.  She was truly a wonderful story teller.

So what are the priorities now?  Well, catching up with custom quilting, the Hoffman Challenge, the guild challenge and patterns for upcoming classes. Oh and running!  I ran last week on the treadmill but tomorrow I want to get out on the track - be right back, got to set the alarm.......

Done - and the pork chops are cooking for dinner. 

Just to tease you all a bit - here are some clues to the guild challenge (Blue and the letter 'B'). 

 

Very definitely blue, but that's all I am giving away!

 

Now on to the Hoffman Challenge.  The challenge fabric is the first folded fabric on the left in the picture below.  I laid out all the fabric that I will use on the background fabric.  Since last year's quilt was a disaster (due to the hanging sleeve!) I am using a variation of the same design, but I have started much sooner so I should have much more time to get it right.

 

And this is were I finished today - interesting eh?  Much more to do, but I will post more pictures in the next post.  Obviously I cannot show the finished thing but I will let you know how it's going.

 

Aside from running (there is a race this coming Saturday), I have decided that I absolutely have to finish the house renovations before I go back to England for the visa trip.  I am determined to come back to a completed house!  These renovations have been going on for well over two years and it's getting very old!  Below is a quick rundown of what is left to do.

 

 

Excercise Room - window treatment, so no-one can see me sweat!

 

Living Room - baseboards (skirting boards for the UK).  A quilt over the door, nicer window treatments and an area rug.

 

Master Bedroom - not much to do here except a TV and another quilt.  And, yes, that is a king size bed - go big or go home!!  I am especially pleased with the bedside lamps.

 

 

OK - Master Bathroom has a lot to do - painting, edge the wainscotting, molding and hang all the rails etc.  Plus window treatments.  A good long weekend in here I think.

 

 

Funny little microwave and new closet area - taping, mudding, painting and general what goes here questions?  See that certificate on the wall above the microwave - it's the original specifications for the mobile home and it's registration number etc.

 

 

Above and below is the utility room - painting, floor and hopefully all the tools can go back in the shed once all is finished!

 

Above and below - the office - just a tidy up, some paint touch up and get that ladder out of here!  Oh and hang a couple of needlepoint pictures - they are lurking next to the archive box. 

 

 

Guest room - done!

 

Guest Bathroom - paint touch up, baseboard and it's finished.

 

Oh Boy!  The kitchen - needs baseboard, cabinets painted, countertops, oh - that's it!  Not so bad - maybe a new sink and faucet (tap for the Brits).

 

 

So that it - the full list.  When I think about what needed to be done when I started this, I am amazed at how much has been done.  I did most of it by myself with some help from the engineer in the last year - so, even though there is still some to do, an amazing amount has been achieved.  And I love the floors!

 

Wow - time to close - a glass of wine calls.

 

We are almost there......

and I have to acknowledge the help I have received from the people around me.  Tomorrow I should finish the documentation for the visa application.  Not a moment too soon - it always has been and will continue to be very stressful and a worrying time.  But after sending the last of the paperwork it is all out of my hands - I just have to wait and hope that everything I have done over the last five years has been enough for them to let me stay.

So moving on - it will be what it will be - the challenges remain.  The Hoffman Challenge, my local guild challenge, the deadlines for all the AQS shows and the challenge to create a 'Best in Show'.  Wow, do I have a lot to do!!

I have some great ideas for designs and I think it is time to share some of them.  So as I get to them over the next few weeks I will post pictures.  

So good night for now and I will post pictures soon!