My sister’s grandson is always so excited to go stay with his Nanny and Pap and he is always counting the days until it is time to go. The easiest way for him to understand is to count the ‘sleeps’. I think it’s adorable he does that. Lately I’ve been counting my sleeps until it is time to leave for retreat, and as of today I have one. more. sleep! As if I wasn’t excited enough, counting sleeps builds the anticipation. I feel like a little girl getting ready to visit Nanny and Pap! 🙂
Last week I asked you for any suggestions you could offer to help me prepare for a 5 day, 4 night quilt retreat. The most offered tip was to have all the cutting done for any projects I plan on working on. That is a great suggestion, and I’ve been taking advantage of every spare moment I have to cut fabric, label pieces, and make sure I have everything needed for each project.
Instead of taking a project box for every individual project, I am trying to condense most of the projects into one larger plastic tote. I am packing the precut pieces in gallon size storage bags and labeling each bag. Then I can just pull out the bag for the project I want to work on, and won’t have to mess with a bunch of project boxes around my work area.
There are four projects prepped in this box!
The projects in the large tote are my priority projects for the retreat. They are projects that will be given as Christmas gifts, so I want to make sure I work on them first. If I can stay focused (!), not talk too much (!!) and move a bit faster than my normal turtle speed (!!!) I just might get three of these projects turned into finished flimsies! That is the goal.
In addition to the projects in the large tote I have three additional projects prepped and ready to go. This next one did rate it’s own project box, because there are so many pieces and I’m not sure I’ll have time to get to it. It’s a new quilt pattern that I am testing again using a newer fabric line than the previous version I made. (Which still needs to be quilted…)
I also cut into that scrumptious ombre fabric I bought a few weeks ago when Tish and I spent time with Julie, Sarah, Meta, and Irene. If I have time to play with these awesome blue/green strips okay, if not, I at least have them cut for when I do have some time.
And finally, I have one more project I have prepped. It’s a Disappearing Nine Patch pattern, so pretty easy and hopefully quick. I’m not going to share a pic of that one just yet. It’s a gift and if the person who is receiving it sees the fabric he/she will know it is for them and I want it to be a surprise. I’m not sure they read my blog regularly but I’m not taking any chances!
So for the next several days I’m going to be getting my stitch on! I hope you get in some quality sewing time this week as well. I’m taking my computer with me so I’ll be able to read about the projects you’re working on. And now it’s time for you to link up your projects. What has you excited to be in your sewing space? I would love to have you link to Main Crush Monday! You can link up any blog post, Instagram, or Flickr pic – here’s how:
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Have fun!
Have a wonderful retreat!
So much fun!!! You have a ton of fabric all prepped. Good luck – I LOVE the blue hombre fabrics. Just gorgeous.
Our family also counts sleeps. No matter the age – my boys are in their 30’s and when something exciting is coming up they all text “just two more sleeps”. It makes me smile and I am glad they do this even as adults. Just shows how important these things are to them. 🙂
FIVE whole days, whoa!! Now THAT’s a serious quilt retreat! ‘if I don’t talk too much’ ‘if I stay focused’ Good luck with those goals my friend! Seriously, I’m rooting for you to get the 3 flimsies done, and that is just gorgeous ombré fabric in my favourite colour!
Enjoy your time at the retreat. It sounds like you are well prepared. I hope you sleep well tonight and have lots of energy to have fun and sew up a storm!
Have a great time!! If you don’t complete the projects at the retreat, they will still be neatly organized for a finish when you return.
I so enjoy going on quilting retreats. I’ve found I must have every thing cut in advance and organized like you do. And, over the years I’ve decided that easy quilts make much more sense than complicated ones or even ones with directional fabric. I hope you get a lot of stitching done but remember to take time to visit and relax.
Hi Beth, I hope you have an amazing time on your retreat, no matter how much you get done 🙂
Sounds like fun and you are well-prepared. Those blue/green strips look so yummy.
good luck getting things done I always feel I would be too distracted with everyone there to get things done at a retreat
You are packed and ready to go, girlfriend! The only thing missing is me 😛 I totally have to retreat with you to this next year! I know the others are top priority but I am sooo gunning for those Bonnie and Camille fabrics to get all sewn up together!
Hi Beth! Love the idea of counting sleeps and especially one.more.sleep. I know you will have so much fun, and in five whole days lots done. In theory anyway! You have set yourself up for success, and I’m wishing you lots. Happy Monday to you. ~smile~ Roseanne
Oh, that sounds like fun! I missed giving you a tip, so here’s a late one. Make a list (on your computer) of everything you are bringing. Print out one copy and bring it with you to the retreat. You can add items you should’e brought (for next time around) and also have a checklist to make sure you get everything back home. Have fun! Can’t wait to see your projects! (I forgot to note link ups in my blog — argh!)
That is such a good suggestion Wendy!!
We know you will have fun at retreat, don’t forget to get some sleep too;) We’ll be watching for your progression on your projects:) How far do you have to go to your retreat?
Looks like you are prepped and ready to go. Have fun!
Enjoy your retreat! Sounds like you are well prepared 😉