A much needed RETREAT...quilty style

Well, it was an amazing 9 days. Funny how things work, I decided to change my vacation plans to help out a dear friend by dog sitting for them. As a result I ended up with a retreat that rivaled no other. While away i am usually scheduled with events and activities, just like at home. But funny how God works.

God wanted me to be in my own space, in my mind and in my creative zone. So although I made it out a bit and some some friends, I spent the majority of the time by myself, stitching, swimming, and relaxing away.

Thanks Queen Bumblebeans and family.

Here is a pictorial montage of my retreat.

Red Headed Mermaid July Queen Bee Block

Yummy Vittles

Another One Completed  "Back to Basics" July 2012

"I Do" is I done...took a class a couple of years ago and finished quilting July 2012

Fabric and the Beasts..I guess this is their usual bed...smiles

Making use of a design WALL.

Urban girl Does a bit of weeding in the garden

Ahhh a doggies Life...

Deciding how much quilty stuff to bring

Quinoa Pizza..the crust is from soaked quinoa, blended with water seasonings and olive and poured into the cast iron pan and baked.

"Winter" quilt complete.  Began August 2011, finished July 2012

Out and about

Contemplating, what shall we do now..

The beginnings of another quilt

Still thinking about what to do with this.

Yes, I occasionally eat fried food.

working it out in the studio..

Completed top for a gift

Yes, this is how cucumbers are born...smiles

My days harvest from the Garden

Local Black Sea Bass, stuffed with garlic and onions pan seared and baked...yummy.  

An excuse to stay in and keep sewing..

A swimming kind of day

Quilt top complete...on to the backing and basting.

Took a trip for some backing

Fast asleep

My Vintage Ebay find, finally completed

At the end of the retreat...time to read a quilty novel..

2011 Winter Quilt done in 2012

Ah what a productive morning. I had to finish stitching in the ditch before I quilted it. This is the part of quilting I find monotonous, stitching along your seams before you begin. However, it is an exercise that is well worth it, as it prevents puckers while quilting your design.

So, it is completed. I would like to note that I have not free-motioned in a minute and I didn't practice. By it's my quilt and I didn't care. So here it is.

Detox/CLEAN Program and Pizza

So I am on Day 14 of my CLEAN program. Boy did my digestive system need this. So in addition to supplements, etc there is also no sugar, gluten, dairy, red meat, caffeine, alcohol, soy, Processed foods. Vegetable oil, canola oil, night shade vegetables (I.e. tomatoes eggplant - they cause inflammation), and no other allergy causing foods like peanuts bananas orange grapefruit strawberries and corn.

Yea I know some are asking, well E what can you eat?... Everything else. Almond, coconut, rice, nut milks; all sorts of
Veggies, brown rice, Quinoa. Amaranth, millet and a host of other gluten free grains, poultry fish, fruits...

So I discovered a simple quinoa pizza crust recipe. Www.tastelikehome.com or google simple quinoa pizza and the recipe will pop up.

Anyway real simple. Soak quinoa in water for 8 hours. When done drain and rinse, season with Italian seasoning and garlic. Throw in a blender with water and blend to create a batter the consistency of pancake batter.

Have a 12 inch skillet brushed with olive oil heating up in the oven at 450 degrees, pour into skillet, smooth out and bake till brown. Flip and continue. You add your toppings and pop back in for another 5-10 min or till done. And yum...

Mine has pinto and lentil beans as a sauce since no tomatoes, topped with ground turkey and kale. Yummy.

I would probably go a bit thinner for my crust the next time. But oh so delicious.

New York Beauty NYC Mod Bee

Okay so June flew by oh so fast. I guess that's why happens when you are away 3 out 4 weeks. So better late than never, June Queen Bee's Block. Happy fourth Kim.

I have to say this block helped me to see that curves are not as bad as they can be, and paper piecing is a breeze. Thanks for the challenge Kim. I hope you like. Can't wait to see the finishes product.

Only 1 thing could keep me away...

Yes, I missed a NYC MOd Meeting. It is so heart wrenching to miss the laughter, the feel of fabric and all the quilty eye candy. I missed the oooos and aaaaahhhs as people marvel over each others work.

But there is "currently" only one thing that could keep me away. Caveat/ of course barring the obvious family etc.

Celebrating the upcoming 40th celebration of my two BFFs that share the same birthday as me. (I am a year older).

So off to the vineyard the we went, for a wonderful girls weekend pre-birthday celebration. Complete with gift bags and T-shirts made by me. Food drinks and fun. I even found a local quilt shop called the Heath Hen Yarn and Quilt Shop. And yes I bought fabric. Smiles