New Years Quilt Retreat

I got to live a quilters dream, getting snowed in a quilt retreat!! How awesome is that?? Since I live in Ohio the weather is always, always changing they were calling for snow, no biggie, but we ended up getting around 7" of it. I couldn't leave, I know so sad I had to stay another night. Which was fine, I mean I had a fire if needed, fabric, sewing machine, a few projects, friends and some good food, so I was set. We had such a wonderful time, I didn't stay to ring in the New Year with my friends. I ventured home to celebrate with my husband. I did get a couple of tablerunner/toppers made including quilting them, just didn't get around the binding part. I know a big surprise to those who know me, not so much a surprise. I also got 3/4 a top completed all I need to do is add a couple of borders to it, then it will go to my "to be quilted" pile.

I love attending these retreats with a great group of ladies, we just have made so many wonderful friendships with almost no drama~~ I know I get asked what do you do at these retreats. Well we sew, laugh, share stories, sew some more, make/eat some wonderful food, and even throw in a puzzle or two to put together too. We also nap if we want, shop if we want, and basically relax. So if you can go to one, GO, I mean RUN!!!! 

Sewing Room Organization

Well it is that time of year already. Get your Sewing room in tip top shape, LOL  here are few tips to get you jump started. 

 Sewing storage doesn't have to be boring! Dress up boring drawers with
pieces of punchy wallpaper. Stash buttons, ribbons, and other sewing
notions in candy dishes or small bowls for easy-to-rifle-through
storage.
Sort your precut fabrics in clear-plastic storage boxes so you can
always find the right size you need. These boxes stack easier so you can
hide them under a bed or in a closet. Label the boxes for true
efficiency.  Get those plastic drawers that you put your smaller squares in from say 2" and up. Cut those scraps into sizes you sew with the most.
Clear, resealable bags can hold a pattern, fabric, and supplies for a
project you're working on. If you need to stop the project before you're
done, just stick it in the bag and store it away for another day. Make your own kits so when you need a quick project or heading to a retreat makes packing a lot easier. You could even go as far as already have everything cut out.
Take old shoe boxes fix them up on the outside. Then cut a piece of fabric of a specific color
and gluing it to the outside. Put all your scraps of that color into the
shoebox for easy storage, and easy to find that great "red" to make your project Pop..
Plastic over the door shoe organizers are a great option for storing your patterns by say size of the quilt, all purses together etc plus Keep your ribbon and rickrack in line by winding them around
uniform-size cards. Store them in a pocketed, over-the-door hanger meant
to hold shoes or toiletries. This technique works great for keeping
leftoever embroidery floss untangled, too. Back of the door is such a space that doesn't get used quite as much.
You know those wooden divided shoe holders, you could store rolled up fusibles, all kinds of notions in those cubby holes. Fat quarters could be stacked in them. Pieces of leftover batting rolled up and labeled as in the size. 

Have fun with it
Carolyn ~~~