Back to Work

Alas, all good things must come to an end.

My virtual retreat will actually come to a screeching halt just before noon today. This is the weekend that I send my staff on retreat. Working for me is such a joy that I don’t completely understand their need to get away, but I send them anyway.

Each year I treat them to a weekend at a retreat center near Wheeling West Virginia. As a professional woman I should tell you that they are there for team building and staff development. In reality they are there to sew until they can no longer see straight, giggle and laugh until their sides hurt and eat themselves silly.

In order for that to happen, I stay home and work the shop. The retreat doesn’t really begin until dinnertime so our normal Friday staff will show up for work. They will immediately begin to pout and keep it up until I shoo them out of here, usually before noon. That requires that I get all of my “work” done before they leave so that I am free to work the sales floor later today. With a sales staff of one all afternoon, I won’t have any time for sewing! (I did stay late last night and cut out a new version of our Uptown Tote using the beach babes fabric and the coordinating polka dot. If the store is slow, I may squeeze in a seam or two!)

I have asked them to take photos of what they accomplish over the weekend. If I can get them to email them to me I will share them with you. Then you can see what my staff is able to accomplish while I do their job!

If you are inspired to sew this weekend, send me a photo of what you accomplish and (with your permission) I will post those photos too!

Now go sew something!

Karen

Wet, Wild & Wonderful

Deb and I spent the weekend in Bridgeport West Virginia
vending and teaching at theMillennium Quilt Guild Show.
I'm not sure that the department of tourism person that selected that catchy 'wet, wild & wonderful" phrase has ever been to Bridgeport.

We lucked out on the "wet", the weather was beautiful (although I spent most of the weekend teaching in the air conditioned Benedum Civic Center and Debby spent most of hers in the non-airconditioned high school gym).

Wild? Hardly. Bridgeport comes very close to quintessential small town America. This weekend they were also hosting a huge golf tournament, so the community plans lots of other activities for the people to participate in. The Lion's Club was roasting chicken and corn. There was a 5K run, a pet parade, a festival of games and food. We also got to meet the festival Queen with members of her court, the youngest of whom was about 9. They looked very cute walking around in their gowns and tiaras. It was small town America at it's best.

Wonderful.... Heres a glimps of the most wonderful thing I saw all weekend!

This quilt was judged "Best of Show" - for good reason. The 12 blocks feature unique baskets that are hand embroidered and embellished with silk ribbon and beads. Then the blocks are framed and sashed with an ombre fabric (it shades from one color to another).

If that isn't enough to impress, it's also hand quilted.
In a cross hatch pattern.
Every 1/2 inch.
It is wonderful.

Deb had a great time socializing with the other vendors and I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to teach the classes and present the lectures that the guild requested. It's an honor to be asked to travel and teach and I always enjoy the opportunity to see what quilters are up to in other parts of the country.

Karen