1/4/14

Something Old, Something New

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Never too hot to Stitch!

Today I learned about a new monthly linky party going on at Never Too Hot to Stitch. Since I set as a goal for the year to learn some new things, attend some classes, try some new techniques, this seems like a party I'll enjoy attending. And it also gives me an opportunity to tell you about something I'm doing later in the month. It's a perfect "something new" to bring to the party.

The Stitches in Bloom Quilt Show happens later on in the month. Foolishly or bravely, depending on my mood at any given moment in time, I signed up to attend a three-day workshop going on in conjunction with the show called Transforming the Traditional and taught by Lura Schwarz Smith. The goal is to take traditional quilt blocks and "tweak" them to form something different, such as a road or pathway. Here's an example of what I'm talking about from the workshop form:


A second part of the workshop involves what Lura refers to as "P-Free Piecing". In other words, no pins, no paper, and no pain. Here's an example of that technique from the workshop form:


Originally, I think these were two separate workshops, but for whatever reason, both techniques have been combined into one workshop now.

When I said I had either bravely or foolishly signed up, I was referring to the fact that I'm staying at the Oregon Garden Resort for the three days of the workshop, and then attending the quilt show the next day. While I'm excited at the prospect of learning something new, I'm still pretty much a homebody and I don't enjoy large groups of strangers. A few years ago that would have been enough to dissuade me from such an endeavor, but I'm banking on a huge leap of courage to get me through the three days (four if you count the quilt show). I've been telling myself that I don't have to stay if I'm not having fun. The money is spent whether or not I stay for the whole thing. I suppose it was foolish to bite off such a big chunk given how I feel about this sort of thing, but somehow the idea of having a hotel room at my disposal if I get tired was reassuring. It could be fun, and it could be completely disquieting. I'm hoping and planning for the former. We'll see how it goes. 

As for my something old, I'm still planning to quilt this Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines quilt.


I started the first embroidered block for this quilt way back in March of 2012...so almost two years ago. Of course the embroidery took a long time, but the finished quilt top has been hanging around for several months now, and so I've set as a goal for January to finish it up. It's not my oldest UFO, but it's pretty darned close.

This weekend has been set aside as my personal "Sewpocalypse" weekend. The past couple of weeks have been plenty busy with Christmas and cooking big meals for folks. I still have another big meal planned for next weekend to send off our former neighbors to a new home in Washington. We're having a few of our other neighbors over. It's nothing fancy, but those things still tend to be a lot of work. Keeping that in mind, I decided to give myself the weekend to do nothing but sew, and that's the only thing on my agenda. What about you? Anything fun or special planned?


23 comments:

Calicojoan said...

Ohhhh your class sounds wonderful to me! I sure hope you enjoy your time and your courage will get you through it all! Heck who knows what surprises you'll find in your self!
:-) I am pulling for the greatest ones for you!

Sher S. said...

I'm with you on being with big groups of strangers. I shy away from them as much as possible, but that being said a year ago my quilt guild had a weekend getaway to Pismo Beach to sew, sew, sew and learn how to make a special bag taught by the designer. It was a huge step out of my comfort zone, but I did go and had a fairly good time. I did have to share my room but that wasn't too bad either. I'm proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone. That class looks like it will be tons of fun. You are so creative this just seems right up your alley. Your household will survive a weekend without you. Relax and enjoy yourself.

gpc said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
gpc said...

I'm so proud and impressed at your signing up for the whole shebang! I am pretty reclusive myself - ha! isolated, rather, since I don't even have a husband or a cat. :) But I do okay going to classes. As long as I'm learning something and have a hotel room to hide out in after, I'm golden. Hope you will be too. Love the idea of using the traditional block patterns like that! And if the paper piecing is really painless, I might try it!

WoolenSails said...

I like the scene with the quilted path, that would be a fun class and the mini machines is a fun piece too.

Debbie

Lynne said...

Welcome to my linky party, it will be great to have you along.

Like you, I'm a homebody so I can relate to your qualms about the class. But those blocks as a path or road look fantastic so I hope you enjoy the class and learn a lot.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Now this is the lady who traveled to Ireland??? You can do this trip/retreat/show because we want to share the journey with you, thru you.

Denise :) said...

The class sounds *mahvelous* darling! I love how the traditional churned dash block is used in the first photo. Cool! I'll be interested in hearing/seeing your takeaway from this one! :)

Cathy said...

And here's another one who has a hard time with groups of strangers. I wonder if that's why we blog... we can talk to groups of strangers as if we are talking to ourselves, with no crowds of people, especially people we don't know, to be seen. But then, by reading their blogs, it's like we do know them. And my plans for this weekend are the same as yours, lots and lots of sewing, especially of the predicted snowmageddon shows up tomorrow.

Junebug613 said...

I am certain you will be fine, and have a fabulous time at the Workshops and show. I totally understand about the homebody issue, but I think sometimes if we keep a positive mind about the event, we can overcome our minor social anxiety issues. Focus on the fabulous quilting part of it. I wish I lived on that side of the country, I'd go with you!

Teresa in Music City said...

Love the idea of both old and new - I think we've got to have both in order to be balanced and happy :*) I'm very much looking forward to seeing what you learn in the workshops... I think it will be well worth your effort to stay and enjoy the time there. It would have been better if you could have gone with a friend, but sometimes alone means you do exactly what you want to do, and you learn & experience more of what's valuable to you.

Tami C said...

Good luck Barbara at the workshop you are going to. You are much braver than me. I really hope you enjoy your time there. Your Vintage Miniature Sewing Machines stitcherys are really pretty.

Michele said...

Congrats for signing up for the class/retreat...you will just love it. All the new things you will learn will keep your brain busy so you won't have time to think of other things. Enjoy every minute of it.

Siouxzq64@gmail.com said...

I am not a joiner either, but I do enjoy it when I take a class. The quilt show there is spectacular though. I went last year when I was visiting Oregon.

Dana Gaffney said...

You went to Ireland for goodness sake, this will be a walk in the park. The class looks wonderful, I love the classic blocks as a path, it reminds me of the posters for Sisters Quilt Show.

Doris Rice, The Quilting Queen said...

I can't relate to your apprehensions because I'm a people person and love, love, love being around people, especially when it involves a workshop and/or quilt show. But I'm sure you'll do fine. The workshop sounds fabulous! I'm so jealous. And about those vintage sewing machine embroidery blocks, can I ask what pattern that is? I love them. I'm about 3/4 of the way through with Snowmen A-Z embroidery and will need a new project.

Nita said...

I LOVE going away to weekend workshops on my own. When I was active in dance I went a couple of times per year. I loved being self sufficient. I loved getting back to my room at the end of the day to review and rewrite my notes, practice what I had learned, soak in the tub, eat in front of the tv. It was a total immersion experience. I miss them.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

I understand about the stranger thing completely but maybe this will help - my niece Tess Hare works at that hotel and is a super sweet person. If you see her tell her Aunt Pat says hi and to take good care of you!

n Carter said...

Chances are you'll be so absorbed in the class that you'll forget about your surroundings for awhile. And you'll gradually get used to your classmates so you won't be surrounded by strangers for long. And you do have an out in the fact that you can go back to your hotel room anytime you feel the need for alone time. I hope you have a wonderful time and end up feeling glad that you went.

Kate said...

I am pretty much a home body and not thrilled with çrowds either, but I do pretty well if I have a hotel room to hang out in when I get too much. You will probably enjoy the class so much that it will take the edge off the being outside your comfort zone.

quiltzyx said...

I know what you mean about the big groups - but since you'll be with quilters, maybe that will be easier. Who knows? There may well be Cat Patches fans in the group! And you can always retreat to your hotel room & hide out for a breather if you need to.

Enjoy!

Suze said...

Barbara, I completely understand your feelings about the classes. I usually don't take a class unless I think I either know the teacher and/or someone in the class. I usually take a class with my best quilting buddess or don't take the class. I don't like crowds either. I am a stay at home type of person. However, I had surgery on both my eyes near the end of November and haven't been able to drive since. Being homebound, not by choice, has been a challenge. Just knowing that I cannot go out and hop in the car and go has certainly had its quirks. I try to give my son plenty of notice when I need groceries, etc. My grandson's mother was in town and she came and got me and took me to the store. It was nice to be able to go pick my own groceries. This week I go to see if I have to have another surgery or if I get a new Rx for glasses. I hope you enjoy your class and the quilt show. I wish I were there so we could buddy up and take the class together.

Brown Family said...

The crowds do not bother me, nor staying in a hotel alone. It is being in a class where I do not know the teacher or any one else in the room. I am a wall flower in those settings, at first. The others in a Sewing classes will bring me out as I warm up to strangers,