No news on the weather here. It's been the same for most of the week. Maybe a little more humid than last week. UGH. This week it is suppose to get to 95˚ (that's 35 C.) Heaven only knows what the "feels like" temp will be. On the other hand I'll be up in some local mountains. Nothing that high but hopefully slightly cooler. But I'm going to be in quilting heaven -- it's retreat time!
Last week's goals-
7/14/25
✅Make more FCQ Equilter's blocks — A couple more finished, a couple need to be finished.
✅Put some fabric away/ clean up a bit a lot — Great progress made!
✅Make more string blocks and trim — did not trim yet but more were made.
Load and quilt one of my quilts — nope, not done.
Cut more Happy Blocks — a few more cut and a few more fabrics found.
First up 4 of the FCQ Equilter's blocks. I've got two more partially made. They'll be waiting til next week to be finished.
This is what my secondary cutting space looked like when I started cleaning. I didn't take a pic of my main cutting area. It wasn't this bad because I use it for cutting all the time. But look at the difference!
The front area is mostly cleaned up. The area with the yellow mat is my main cutting area looking ready to be used. Of course, after I used it it didn't look that good. Sigh. But I did put any fabric on it away -- the rulers can stay there.
If you could see the whole front and the right side better you would see that side still needs a lot of work. I've found that I tend to leave fabric out, bits that are usable if cut into squares and HSTs but I never seemed to get to it. I'm hoping I can have another day cleaning out the fabric bits and pieces next week when I'm back from retreat. There are a few other areas that need work too.
Since I didn't think to take any pictures of my string blocks let's move on to my goals for this coming week. The biggest thing is the retreat I'm going on with 6 of my quilting buddies. So, sewing my several quilt kits together is my main plan.
7/21/26
Attend retreat
Piece these tops in the order given as time allows:
Soho
Triple Rail baby quilt
Irish Christmas (my fabrics are spring colors!)
Counterpoint
Pretty Please
Dinos and Friends (PCQ Charity Quilt for Kids)
Write article on Mysteries and Sew Alongs
Keep working on cross stitch project bag
Yep, I've got a lot of projects but it's ok if I don't get to all of them. Soho is leftover, untouched, from the October 2024 retreat. If I don't get all of the projects started they will stay for the October 2025 retreat. Many of these are 3 yard quilts so they should be fairly easy.
I did start the counted cross stitch on my new project bag. I didn't get much done but here it is. I won't mention how many stitches I took out either. It'll go with me and maybe I'll be able to get some more stitching done.
I also did the July Cali-Co block. My friend Sharon and I call on FaceTime and chat as we make the block each month. So here is block 7. Hum, I need to trim this block especially on the right side. ↘️
Here are all seven blocks together.
W/ending 7/20/25. 201 days of 2025
- 15 minute days/July = 20/20
- 15 minute days/2024 = 201/201 days
- Success rate = 100%
I leave Tuesday for the retreat. We rent a house in western Virginia that is set up for quilting and scrapbooking retreats. Unfortunately we do have to bring our own food. We cook dinner in pairs but bring our own breakfast and lunch supplies. I'm all set with my quilting plans and food plans. I just need to pack and drive off on Tuesday. I'll be back Sunday early in the afternoon.
Please check out these Linky Parties. Lots of great things to see from bloggers around the world.
Happy Quilting All! Bonnie
I hope you have a wonderful time and get lots and lots done at retreat!
ReplyDeleteYou have a nice big cutting table! Horizontal spaces always get covered up in "stuff," though, don't they? Those Cali-Co blocks are beautiful - love their bright color. Have a great time at your retreat!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy those mountains and the retreat! What a nice big cutting table. It would be buried under stuff at my house. I have a small cutting area, and struggle to keep it cleaned off.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the retreat. You've got some fun stuff bundled up to work on.
ReplyDeleteit is very hot here to and no change in about 10 days and the news says more coming - I'm ready for fall already lol. You have good sewing areas. I like that cutting matt with the white grid for squares, If I needed a new cutting matt I would get one like that.
ReplyDeleteI was just talking to my daughter about cleaning before you leave for a trip! Looks good! Have a good time at the retreat!
ReplyDeleteHappy Tuesday, Bonnie. I wish you the most wonderful retreat. I am sure you will come home filled with inspiration. I love your cutting table. It looks like a fun area to work on all of your pretties. My quilt room looks like a tornado has gone through it. LOL. Have a blessed day. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have an amazing time on your retreat, Bonnie! Also, clean cutting tables are overrated. Just as there are not quilt police, there are no cleaning trophies given out either. I wish I could be on Team Push It Off the Table Onto the Floor... But I am too neat-freaky. Finally realized that clutter increases my anxiety and a neat workspace makes me feel calmer, so I am right there with you tidying up scraps and thread tails!
ReplyDeleteThose FCQ blocks are so stunning, Bonnie!!! And ohhh, your calico blocks, too! So eye catching! I'm sure you're having a great time at the quilt retreat right now!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a great time on your retreat, Bonnie. Could you come to my house and clean and arrange all my stuff?! My counters look like a fabric shop threw up on them! LOL Our kitchen table is a tall table and we only eat there when we have company so it is my cutting table and right now I have about a half table to work on, which is all I need at the moment! Great job on the cleanup. Have a great weekend. Thanks for sharing with us at Monday Musings.
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