Catching up again..............

This time I can't say "where has the last week gone", as it's 10 days since my last post.

I had intended to post for the last 3 evenings, but as soon as I sat in the lounge, I felt so tired that I could not even attempt it. This morning I woke early with the sound of birdsong just outside my window, (after an 11 hour catch up sleep!), and decided that I would "catchup" on the blog before I started with Max.
And now it's mid morning, and here I am. But I have put a load of washing in the machine, caught up on 4 days of dishes that were in the sink, and put some order into my bedroom. It has taken me quite a while to download the photos, and sort out what to post and just exactly what news there has been in the last 10 days! I shall have a few sub headings as I work through this.

HARD DECISIONS

It was Monday morning, after the Pink retreat, and my schedule told me I had 3 days to get a quilt finished, get my house in order, and pack ready to leave for 4 days away by very early Thursday morning. I had booked 4 days of classes at AMQF (Australian Machine Quilting Festival), which is held in Adelaide, every 2 years.  There was to be Statler classes, with USA teacher Karen Farnsworth, (and also many other teachers and classes), and is always a great learning opportunity, and a chance to network with other quilters. I am also conscious that it is held in my State, and that I don't have to catch a plane to attend.

 But the thought of 4 days away was daunting, and I made the hard decision not to go. I still had the dilemma of having paid hundreds of dollars for the classes and accommodation with a friend had been booked. It was fortunate that I was able to "on sell" my classes to another friend who had been away not booked yet. That did take the pressure from my decision, and I certainly felt a lot lighter going into the week. I had reclaimed time and by Friday evening I had achieved lots, and was suffering from FOMO. If you are like I was, you might not have heard of this and I don't know if it is a real thing or not. In a conversation with a young person a few months ago, I was told that it meant "fear of missing out"! So I made a quick decision to attend the AMQF for one day and do just one class. I am glad I did, as it was a lovely sunny day for a drive, and I met up with lots of quilting friends, saw some amazing quilts, and learnt a lot in one class.

There were many traders in the Hall, tempting us to purchase their products, and it's always good to see the latest that is on offer. And who should I see, but our local Heather from Hubbards Kaleidescope in Bordertown, who was working on the Genesis Creations stand, selling their dyeing goodies.

And another 2 ladies from Bordertown, our Secretary and Vice President of the Gumtree Quilters!

These quilts were made by Kat Jones, from Tasmania, and the detail is amazing.

The next 2 were made by Vicki Jenkins, of Horsham, and also prize winning quilts.

The next 2 were made by Rachel Denneney, and are also amazing, prize winning quilts.

 This is Rachelle's prize winning quilt that we saw hanging in Paducah in the US, back in April.

I especially loved this quilt, made by Chris OBrien, and was Best of Show in the Royal Adelaide Show recently.

Sorry, I can't tell you who made this, but it was very striking, and so realistic.

AMQF is held in the Adelaide Convention Centre, and this is the view across the Torrens, towards the staduim, and

 ......and the bridge that crosses the river.

I had a lovely day out, instead of 4 days away, and am glad I went.

Am off to hang out the washing, and put another load in, and will be back soon.

OUT TO LUNCH

Sunday morning I went to church, and then out to lunch. Each year our local  patchwork group go out to lunch to celebrate those members who have an "0" birthday that year. This was a good time with fellow quilters, who all enjoyed a lovely lunch at a local hotel.

After lunch I spent time in my garden doing some long overdue weeding. Although there is still more work out there, it was another job that I was able to get done by staying home from the conference.

BOOKWORK 

There has been another job that was "hanging over my head" that I have finally finished, and that was getting the paper work up to date for my yearly visit to the accountant. The extra days that I reclaimed was put to good use and my 2017/18 tax return is now done!

Perhaps I should remember that we are already 3 months into the next financial year, before I get too excited.

EXPECTATIONS versus REALITY

I had my visit with the accountant yesterday, and we had lots to discuss. I have been talking a lot for quite awhile now about that "BALANCE" that I am trying to achieve in my life. So far I have not been very successful, but I now have some sort of plan going ahead. Since my post on July 23rd that was titled Circuit Breakers, this Balance thing has been weighing more heavily on my mind. Having the shingles, and then a relapse where I get tired more easily, has made me realise I can't keep up the pace I have been doing. Add that to the fact that next year, I will reach that age that they call retirement age, and I need a plan! It will be interesting to see how this pans out going ahead, and whether the expectations line up the with reality!!??

I did have a few other things to post about, but as the morning has nearly gone, they might have to wait for another day. I need to get some more work done on the large custom quilt that is on the machine, and after that one more to be ready for an exhibition in October. Then I need to do some shopping and cooking for this weekend's Pick a Case Mystery Retreat that starts on Friday.

Be back soon with more newsfromjude,

Blessings, From Jude

An awesome weekend.

I am sitting in the chair, downloading the photos from the weekend, ready to start writing this post. It is always hard to think of a title for each blog, and I had thought of a suitable one this afternoon. (Well, I thought it was!?) But now I am actually typing away, I can't remember what it was!! No worries, as I have just received a text message from one of the girls who has just arrived home letting me know she was home, and thanking us all for an awesome weekend. So thus I now have the title for my post!!

 It has been a fantastic 2 days, and so much fun. There was the return of some regular retreaters, mixed with some "new blood", and it took no time at all before they were all old friends. The first arrivals were here by lunch time on Friday, and they ably assisted putting up some pink decorations.
I did a quick phone post on Friday evening with a pic of the lovely paper flowers that were "planted" into the front garden.

The weather on Friday was a beautiful sunny 25deg, and they looked lovely outside in the garden. But overnight the wind blew, and the rain came. It was just as well that "someone" brought the flowers inside for the night, as Saturday brought more rain. So these flowers had to find a new home, as you can see in the next 2 pics.

The bows in the trees looked great on Friday, but rather sad on Saturday morning. And the rain did not amount to lots anyway.

Everyone had arrived by late Friday afternoon, and soon set themselves up to work on their own projects.

It was fun to see them all coming "in the pink". Some ladies even had pink where we could not see!

I didn't get the camera out as often as I could, but do have a few of some finishes, and also works in progress.

Val kept us up to date with world happenings.

Marie brought some of her hand dyed fabrics for the girls to see, and it was like bees to the honey pot!

Lynda received a special lesson on making the paper flowers.

Pat decided it was time for some exercises after they had been sitting at the sewing machines all day.

On Saturday afternoon it was time to auction all of the donated goodies. This is always a fun time, and you just had to hold your breath after your bid, in case someone else, (who you had thought was a friend) put in another bid, just when you thought you had it. Due to the quantity of goods to be auctioned, I invited a few extra local ladies to add some added interest, and of course some extra funds!! It was an amazing result, and only 3 items were passed in. 

The auction was followed with an afternoon tea for all those present. There was also a raffle quilt, pictured below, and this was drawn on Sunday, and won by Chris Moore. She was very excited when I phoned her with the news.

 It has been a very successful weekend, with close to $1500 being raised for the Breast Cancer Network Australia. THANKYOU to all those who donated items, or who purchased these, and to those who bought raffle tickets. THANKYOU to anyone who helped in any way, especially the girls who attended this weekend and supported and helped me.

Sunday morning it was time for our group photo, and these 2 decided it should be outside in the garden, and rearranged  the seating for this.

Here we are, all lined up for our photo. It was fortunate (?) that Marie came along at this time, so that I could be in the photo!

Lynda was packing her sewing and personal items in the car, ready for departure, and suddenly remembered her auction purchases that were still in the lounge. She almost needed a trailer to take it all home.

The weekend finished with High Tea, with some more pink goodies to eat. This is the annual airing of my grandmother's cups and saucers, and partaking of a "real" cup of tea from the tea pot.

A chance to play ladies.

The crockery, all washed, and ready to go back into the cupboard, until next year.

Lynda was the "new girl" at the retreat this weekend, and received a "royal" send off when she left. 

There are still 4 of us here with our feet up, and thinking about going to bed. There has been so much laughter, and sharing, and many stories told. While I am in the kitchen preparing meals, I love to listen to the chatter in the next room. The wide range of subjects covered is amazing and possibly most of them need to stay at retreat, and not be told.

Tomorrow it is time to get the washing done, and the cleanup done. The next retreat will be in 2 weeks when another group arrive for another Pick a case retreat.

Be back soon,

Blessings, From Jude

Let the Pink begin.....

Everything here at Number 8 is coming up pink......

We are having a good time.
Be back with more details later
Blessings from Jude