Pick A Petal: She's a Flimsy!

Due to one physical complaint -- either of mine or of Joe's -- or another, it's been what seems like forever since I've been able to retreat with the Renegades. This past weekend was our spring gathering and I was delighted that I was able to schedule it! We're down to just four regulars at this point since Ruth moved away. This time Marsha was unable to participate, so it was just Helen and Judy and me. I'd been driving locally, but never more that three or four miles, so I was a little wary about driving an hour-and-a-half to our retreat place, but the car seat is at a comfortable angle and I had no difficulty or discomfort. I did take a good nap soon after arriving. Truth be told, I took more than one nap while we were there. Helen and Judy were so kind to me, hauling my suitcase up and down the stairs, offering to take on my share of the chores, and just being solicitous in general.

Thursday night we went out to Giovanni's, our local Italian place who has the best eggplant parm ever and immense portions. We brought home enough food to cover Friday night's dinner. Friday I drove into Denver, about five miles away, to meet my friend Kristine for lunch. That afternoon I had the strangest experience with sneezing -- perhaps fifty times! With a bit of a runny nose. We thought perhaps I was getting sick. I still have impaired sleep following my knee surgery and the room I was using at the retreat was so cold that I had three quilts and my socks on and I was still cold. So I decided not to stay the third night. We went out for Saturday's lunch at The Diner Formerly Known As Zinns and I drove home from there. I never did get into the fabric store, not that I needed anything! And there's been no more sneezing fits.

My main project was getting Pick A Petal (click to enlarge) from blocks to flimsy status, and I was so happy to accomplish that! I am very pleased with how she turned out. Our plan is to lay her out on the dining table and decide whether more embroidery is needed before taking her to the machinist. She's been a big part of my life for so long, it feels really odd to have her at flimsy stage. At this point I'm thinking of orange for her binding, which strikes me as a really odd choice. We'll see. After P-A-P was assembled I spent time assembling blocks for Caroline's college quilt. To that end, seven of fifteen rows are together and I've decided on a Kona snow border when it's time for that. 

So, although I didn't stay as long as I'd planned, I'm very glad that I went and also glad that I came home. 

In the handwork department, I'm still doing things with Merricks Nth and have made a couple of decisions about the blocks that were giving me fits. I hope to get Caroline's college quilt fully assembled soon. Because I have a great idea for a new project!