Happy 2019!

It's apparently that time of year when we, once again, reflect on the year just passed, and ponder what the new year might hold. I don't know about your year, but mine held the same 57 UFO's that I started 2018 with. I know that's the exact number, cuz I have them on a spreadsheet. For real. But, since I'm an over-achiever, I actually increased my UFO's to an even 61! (That doesn't make sense, but I'll blame it on the bourbon-spiked egg nog.) And I bought a few kits, patterns, books, and jelly rolls - which means the new year holds a minimum of 67 UFO's. I might not quite understand the concept of how that list works. 

I've started quilting for customers again, and my calendar is filling up. If you've got a quilt top in the works, you might want to get on my waiting list. 

Hang on. I lied. My sister finally became a grandmother in 2018, and I actually did finish 2 projects for my new great-nephew. Debbie embroidered and cross-stitched a cute little crib quilt, and gave it to me to quilt for her. They decorated the nursery in a space/universe-type theme, so I made a glow in the dark quilt for the crib. But I'm not sure they count as UFO's as they were never on the list in the first place.

2018 also saw me put the Quilter's Cabin Retreat up for sale. My older daughter and her family moved back to Tomball from Greenville, SC, and moved less than a mile from me. Then, as luck would have it, my son-in-law was offered a terrific job in Austin, and just like that, they were gone. And they even took the 3 grandkids! Now come on!! After 18 months of babysitting, school pick-ups, sleepovers, cookouts...how could I let all that get away? So, I'm going to retire from the retreat business and move to the Hill Country. Most likely, the Liberty Hill area. (Love the name!) 

After the retreat sells, I'll be selling my log cabin next door. And if you're in the market, my daughter's 2 other houses are also for sale. 

You can see them all on Zillow here:

My log cabin 

My daughter's house across from my log cabin

My daughter's house about a mile away

If you think you might like to have as much fun owning a retreat as I have these past 11 years, give me a holler! I have a wonderful business broker who's handling all the details for me, and I can put you in touch with her. 

We'll see what the new year holds, but I'm looking forward to the new chapter I'll be starting. And I hope yours is exciting and fulfilling for you, too! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanking God today for all our many blessings and His tender mercies: all five of my children in the same room at the same time, for the first time in years. Thank you, Jesus.

And MORE Bling!

Today when I went to snoop down at the retreat (I love to check out all the projects and goings-on with my retreaters), I found another gift from beader Royelle: a pair of Christmas tree earrings! The photo doesn't do them justice as they are much more sparkly in person. Thank you, Royelle - you are too much!

Christmas Party Bling

My local guild had our annual Christmas party the other night and I noticed that many of our members went all out in their Christmas attire. Some had jazzy vests, some had cute earrings, and others had some good-looking bling! Harking back to my footwear fotos at Quilt Market, I thought I'd annoy everyone with extreme closeups of their holiday finest. Mostly they didn't mind my leaning in with TSA-inspired intrusiveness, and just smiled and nodded til I went away.








And some pretty snazzy jewelry!




Santa Troll earrings!


And the piece de resistance, a hand-beaded Santa, with free-swinging beard and teensy tiny bells clustered along the bottom. It was unbelievably intricate. I had to fight the urge to mug her in the parking lot. Man, do I regret missing my chance!

But I was rewarded for my self-control when, on my way home, I stopped at the retreat to lock up after the beading group that just left, and I found this:
Royelle left this for me. How exquisite is this?! If I'd stopped at the retreat on my way to the party, I would have had some bling to wear, too! Next year I'll be ready.

Christmas 2009: As Seen on TV

Thanks to my daughter Gillian, we had a themed Christmas this year: all our gifts had to have been featured in an infomercial. We had the best time shopping for tacky (cheap) products that no one would actually buy for themselves.
A selection of items that we received. There's more, but I couldn't get them all together for the picture. Some, like the Slap Chop, have already been put to use!
Speaking of the Slap Chop - have you seen Vince's Slap Chop infomercial as a rap remix?

ADDENDUM: I must say that it took all the stress out of Christmas shopping this year: no agonizing over the "perfect" gift for friends and family - it was all goofy!