Monday, April 20, 2015

I had a wonderful weekend at my quilting retreat. Although Powell River is pretty small and doesn’t have a “big city” feel, Texada Island by comparison is very peaceful and quiet. The hall we quilted in is an old building and we had to be careful not to flip any breakers, but there was room for everyone to spread out. The tables were grouped in twos and I sat with a woman from the Guild that I don’t often share a table with. Our accommodations were wonderful – a large house on the water overlooking Mount Washington, Denman Island and Hornby Island. I didn’t spend much time there though; I stitched from eight in the morning until almost eleven at night!

I accomplished quite a lot. All of the blocks of my Mystery Quilt (that I will use as a tablecloth) are finished and all of the foundation blocks on Elizabeth’s House are finished (let the embroidery begin). The Friday night project (that I didn’t finish until Saturday afternoon) was a Project Bag; at first I couldn’t see a use for it but once it was stitched I had ideas for it plus a couple more. We received gifts from the Quilting Fairies, as well as a Fat Quarter and a Lottery Ticket (I won $4) on our dinner plates Saturday night.

I must have been tired because by 9:30 last night I was falling asleep watching TV and I slept until nine this morning. Pat and I went for a walk on the Seawall after breakfast; we saw loons, eagles, herons, ducks and squirrels. We are enjoying such beautiful weather; we moved pots from the yard onto the deck in anticipation of transplanting some tomatoes, herbs and annual flowers.

You may be wondering about the indoor critters. I was stitching along very happily on Friday afternoon and noticed that my bobbin thread was running short. I glanced down into my tote bag to make sure I had another bobbin wound and noticed something black in the corner. I couldn’t imagine what it might be so I put on my glasses (I don’t sew with my glasses on) to get a better look. I let out a quiet scream when I saw it was a critter. I called it a lizard but others were calling it a gecko or salamander. Fortunately someone was there who carefully lifted it out and set it free outside. How it got in there is a complete mystery but the best idea we had was that it was on the windowsill or attached to either the table or chair (creepy) and fell into my tote. You can be sure from that point on I very carefully checked before I reached into a bag or put on my shoes (I sew in my socks). My “friend” became a great topic of conversation for the rest of the weekend. I guess the incident provided enough entertainment that I’ve been invited for another retreat; this one is on Mount Washington over the May long weekend. I’ve accepted the invitation and I already have planned some of the projects I will take with me!

I’ve spent most of the day unpacking and clearing up some mail and paperwork. I need to repack for the bee tomorrow and then I’m going to sit and finish my book.