Oh I wish I could sew anytime at home! I feel like I steal my time in an hour here and an hour there. The thought of having a whole weekend to sew... without dogs to walk, cats to feed, house to clean, laundry to do... well, its almost hard to imagine!!!

I bought this owl batik at the quilt show this weekend! I added the text for us Sewing Night Owls!

That's a Hoot!!! lol

I'm not as late an owl as I used to be. I have been known to get a second wind when it comes to sewing, though!!

BTW, I was just looking at the 10 day forecast for Glade Valley, NC and we are 1 day from being in the range!! The temperatures leading up to our weekend are pretty chilly as of now. Highs in the low to mid 60's and lows in the upper 40's. Great sewing weather!!

Robbi

I am usually an owl, but when Tim comes with me I don't work as late as I do when I come alone. Midnight is about it for me.

beverly

In case ya'll didn't realize it...

ONLY 7 MORE DAYS 'TIL CAMP!!!!!!!!!!

I have a countdown clock on my computer desktop!

Clay is helping to get my 'secret' together....heh heh heh
I bought new slippers so nobody would be saying, "EWWWWW"
I'm getting more realistic about sewing projects to take.
Need to find/buy Diet Cheerwine.....no sodium, no carbs, no aspartame.

And the countdown continues.......

SharonG/FL

OOOOhhh, just remembered I need ingredients for my food treat! Have a new recipe I want to try on you guys!

Good thing I froze a bunch of the bananas from the last harvest because I don't have any ready on the stalks right now. Jim says I have to make enough banana bread to leave a couple loaves at home for him too.

He's interested to hear about the nearby camping because he's already talking about making it a camping/quilting/golfing weekend next year. (Val, we can leave the guys at the campground while we do our night owl quilting in the comfort of the lodge!)

Kate

I am so looking forward to the retreat!!!

I have fininshed the blood drive and newspaper 'thanks for coming' articles so now I can focus on ME and the retreat!!!!!
Rosa

I'm so jealous... you ladies are going to have so much fun. I can't wait to see pictures and hear stories!

This weekend is Women of Faith in Denver - just got home from book club so I need to pack for that since I work Bingo for Lions club until 3pm, then leave at 3:30. DS is moving back to town tomorrow & he & his DGF are coming for dinner Sunday. Monday night we are starting a new quilting group at church & I am teaching the first class... Tuesday pack for camp, 4:30 a.m. shuttle to the airport Wednesday ... I will be lucky to get to the store to pick up red licorice to pack for treats!!! I do have most of my sewing stuff lined up. Think I will sleep on the plane! Six more days ...

You ALL have a wonderful time...I know you will!

I'll be missing all the fun and remembering the past ones!

I will be following the antics...and there will be antics!...lol

It will all be in good fun!

Sew till your hearts are content!
Gwen

Toolgranny...you and I may be the early to bed, early to rise, cause by 10ish at night, I'm not to spry!

Kate: I just bought the SAME OWL fabric...also got it in a darker shade as well... great taste!:) Like the camping idea and drop the boys off at the links..there's a plan!

Reading through everyone's post...feel like I must be missing something...I better re-read instructions/ directions..etc.

Looking forward to it!!
V.

I am getting so excited!! So many things to pack up and get ready :-) I'm glad there will be plenty there because I know I will forget something; I always do.

Robbi

You have the same owl fabric!?! Amazing!!! What are we going to make with it? I'm thinking of covering a small cigar box and keeping sewing notions in it. It's so pretty I want it on display. Oops, I think I just added another project to my never ending list! Now I need some Modge Podge (is that the name of it?).

Well, I'm getting projects together and trying to make it all fit. I may have to buy a bigger carry on. I already bought a bigger "purse".

We are taking a side tour Thursday morning on the way to camp, and shopping. So, I must plan for expansion. Or, maybe just packing materials to have it sent home ahead of me. Hmmmm.

It will be fun to see what you all buy on the way to camp! I don't think we're going to get there early enough to shop so we'll just have to enjoy your purchases with you.

Kate

Some of my owl fabric is going in a window pane design for a wall hanging. Not for me, but if I love how the design turns out, I will need to make another.
I've come down w/ head cold/ touchy flu symptoms on Thursday...so I'm in recovery mode all weekend! Nite nite everyone...see ya Thursday,
V.

I'm so jealous of you all. My favorite kind of place, the mountains. I have relatives in Gastonia and many more in WV. This is a wonderful time to be up there, but even if I did go, I would probably be running up and down the Blue Ridge Parkway instead of quilting. There is an apple orchard off the parkway in NC that is so wonderful, so many kinds of apples and home-made apple strudel to die for. Hope the leaves are starting to turn for you, although it's still maybe a little early. Have fun.

Rita~ It's kind of hard to 'hide in the mountains' when it's home! lol

DH was down through there (and beyond) last weekend and said there's a little color in the trees. We've had a spell now of about 2 weeks where it's gotten quite chilly at night. So I'm hoping that that will give us more color by next week. Last year trees were just beginning to change.

Packing, sorting, re-packing, sewing (a little), and more sorting! Next year I'll be better at knowing what to bring.

I decided it would be good to bring along a simple hand sewing project so I'm trying to get the quilting done on the Diamond Snow quilt. Then I can bring that to hand sew the binding on.

I'm doing the same thing, Kate. And, I'm thinking I'll do more visiting and wandering around than actual sewing. Like TG/Linda said, "I can sew at home." Still lacking energy, but today I was able to almost finish a 9 1/2" block I had kitted, so it's getting better.

SharonG/FL

I have a mountain of stuff pulled out, but I haven't yet started packing. I'm trying to get binding done on 2 quilts so I can say I have a 'clean slate' in order to start new projects at camp.

I think I have all my projects packed, so it's finishing up these, then packing. I hate to pack too early though, because then I can't piddle around over the next few days just in case I have time!! lol

Another jealous member here!
I have been to 2 retreats with my sister's group. Lots of fun, lots of sewing and lots of good people.
I hope the weather is good for you and all the travelers arrive there and back home safely.
ENJOY!!!!
Theresa

Well, Kristene just went to bed, but I've not been able to get my brain shut off enough to sleep yet. I hate nights like that - tired, but not sleepy! So browsing thro seeing what y'all are bringing & admitting to self - & now to all - that I haven't packed a thing. Haven't decided what to bring to work on, or what for show & tell. I DO know that we're coming lol - & when we're leaving. Other than that...Kristene will be ready, Cindy may not be! Tomorrow she will probably help me make some of those important decisions :)
I will give last yrs' campers a laugh - I'm bringing along a finished project that includes something from the dumpster!! Don't remember whos' fabric it was, but it just fit with what I was doing. Hope the previous owner is at camp this year, I'll thank her again!
That may be an idea --- round up some other 'dumpster diving finds' & work on those!! lol

See y'all soon!

~Cindy

I can't decide what to bring, so I'm bringing it all!! Some of it may not leave the car, but at least I won't feel like I left something behind. I did get most of the cutting done on the quilt for my dd that I want to work on. I hope I get a chance to get it quilted, too. I may need to stop by the fabric store on the way out of town on Thursday to get some more accent fabric to may some pillow cases.

Rita, we went by an apple orchard last weekend and I picked up 2 bushels of apples. I cooked apples all weekend! I've never had mustu apples. They are awesome!!

I also just looked at the weather. It looks perfect :-)

Robbi

Ahhhhhhhh Cindy! I want some of those scraps for a Bonnie Hunter quilt I'm working on - I was warned there was a Camper I would have to 'fight' to get the scraps out of the trash ~ ~ ~ its YOU!!!! :~)

I am excited to meet Kristene! Glad she made it to your place safely.

Reading everyone's post has me smiling instead of doing serious strategic business planning blather, blather, blather. It lunch break time! I over packed on projects and have yet to pack an article of clothing...I've also packed an item or two I'm hoping for opinions from the more expereinced quilters. Kinda like Robbi...some stuff may not leave the car, but at least it will be there if needed. This is going to be fun...see you all soon...

I just visited the Mary Jo site... they have Bali Pops for $25. My local quilt shop sells them for $37.

Oh, Kate, there is so much more. The backings for 12.99 are wonderful, even batiks. They're stored under one of the cutting tables so ask if you don't find them.

I think I have all my projects ready now. I will throw in a couple of items of clothing just to stay clean but - warning all of you - I'm not trying to keep up with the fashions. I won't waste precious suitcase space on extra shoes when I can fit in more fabric. I'll take a brush and try and keep my hair combed and that's about all. This is called camping!

Linda,
Would you at least throw in a deodorant? or would you like me to bring you one?!?

Linda, If you're going to keep your hair neat, I'll have to wear a hat and keep mine covered!

SharonG/FL

Less shoes, more fabric!
Less shoes, more fabric!
Less shoes, more fabric!

OK Jen. I'll bring deodorant, too. And, since we have Jim, Rip and Tim, I'll even wear a bra!

LOL...the b word, hate em, gotta have em, but hate em!

Ummm, speaking as one who may end up riding in the same car with you, Linda, a travel size deodorant will be appreciated. Extra shoes and hairbrush are optional - but a comb is thinner than a brush. LOL! ;o)

T.

I can't seem to work my machine with shoes on, so I will probably only use them to get between buildings, LOL!! I am glad to hear this is camping style! My favorite way to quilt.

Robbi

I'm a barefoot quilter too. I love to buy shoes but I'm not that crazy about wearing them. :~))

I bring a pair of slippers to wear while sewing and moving around our space. Then toss on shoes to walk to meals.

Last year I only had one pair of slip on - no back loafers type leather shoes (easy airport shoes). My feet and shoes got wet from the dew - not a big deal to sew, as I also sew without shoes- but the the floor in the Sloan Center got kinda messy from our shoes.
I'm bringing another pair to use to walk outside to avoid this. I still need easy slip on for the airport.

That's a good idea Marsha! I plan to wear flip flops and bring my tennis shoes. I am bringing socks to wear inside.

May I hitch a ride to the dining room with someone?

SharonG/FL

Are you asking for a piggyback ride, Sharon??

Maybe Tim & Jim could rig up a pharoah's chair?

I could bring Scout and a pull cart!

Do we need to bring serving pieces and plates for our goodie table?

No serving pieces or plates are needed, but a silver candelabra would be a nice touch. ;o)

Seriously, a plastic knife or two for cutting or spreading would be helpful if you are bringing something that needs cutting or spreading.

Teresa

I've got some paper plates, napkins and some plastic silverware.

We can always pull some silverware from the dining hall, if need be.

No piggyback rides, please....Pharoah's chair? What a visual!! LOLOLOL I'll take Scout and the cart!

SharonG/FL

He's ready for you!