Retreat Preparations

 Hello Everyone,

I don't want you think that I've been just sitting around and not quilting.  But I have been sitting a lot working on applique and tutorials for the first of my three Sew'n Wild Oaks retreats at Snowflake Lodge.

One of the projects that I'm going to teach is Peek-A-Boo Pumpkins table 42" table runner.  I'll be teaching the applique part and the ribbon border.

I have all of the parts and pieces ready to teach the border.  

All of the parts and pieces are stored in baggies in a binder.  I really like to be prepared for class and have everything in order.  There's nothing worse than not being prepared, and looking like an idiot in front of a classroom full of quilters.  That happened to me one time.....the day I fell out of my chair in front of class.  Now there's a story for another day!  As soon as I'm finished writing the pattern, I'll put it out in my Etsy shop.

Another bear was on the deck yesterday morning.  This bear had better not mess with my Blackstone Flat Top!  I almost always get up at 5am, and I'm at my computer filling Esty orders, answering emails, or working on accounting for the company. I always open up the doors and windows to let in the cool morning air.  Yesterday morning was a different story.  I didn't sleep well the night before, so I was snoozing in my recliner in the great room.  I hadn't opened up the house yet, and it's a good thing I didn't.  In my half asleep stupor, I heard a thud on the deck.  I knew exactly what it was and grabbed my phone so I could snap a picture.   Normally the sliding door would have been wide open with only the screen door between me and this rather motely-looking bear.  It was a good thing I wasn't on my normal window and door opening schedule!

I spent another day this week packing quilts and adding to our "bugger out" box.  The gold star in the lower right-hand corner of the map is my little community of Arnold.  The dry thunderstorms earlier this month and week started several fires northeast of us.  I swear it seems like the entire state of California is in flames.  This time of the year always puts me on edge.  We get dry thunderstorms with thunder and lightning but very little rain.  The cars are both filled with gas, and a list of things to take with us is always at the ready.  Mazey is at the top of the list.  The quilts, computers, and external hard drives are second on the list. 

The large Tamarack fire just south of Lake Tahoe is about 60 miles away, and seems to be burning in a northerly direction.  The smaller fires are much closer.  I'm just praying they don't blossom into a full-grown beast of a fire.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  The weekends are rolling around faster and faster.

Soon,

Lynn