Thursday, November 10, 2016

It’s time to pack another suitcase; I’m off to Texada Island for the Guild’s fall retreat. I spent a lot of time this past week choosing and cutting fabric for my projects. I think the only way any Christmas gifts are going to be made is if I do them this weekend. I have more packed than I can possibly get done, but even one or two finishes will make me happy. Any extra spare time I’ve had this week has been spent working on my cross stitch project.

We always do a “Friday Night” project at retreat; we are given a supply list but we don’t know what we are to make. I read the supply list and, although I could have pulled the fabric from my stash, it called for a couple of zippers and some fusible products that I don’t have. Given the two zippers I expect it will be a bag or pouch of some sort so I decided I wouldn’t participate. My Friday night project will be more work on my cross stitch.

Saturday night includes a Strip Poker game – playing for strips of fabric! The colours were to be lime green and black and I don’t have any of those colours in my stash. So, again, I’ve decided not to participate; my gamble will be whether or not I get my cross stitch done before the end of the month.

Since our trip to Houston I don’t feel bad about not purchasing new supplies. I’m anxious to get my Christmas projects finished and my quilt show entries completed. After that I have a new plan for finishing up some works in progress as well as allowing me to start a few new projects. I’m more motivated than ever to concentrate on my own work rather than participating in projects that aren’t on my lists. To that end I’ve even started unsubscribing to some of the blogs; they are just too tempting with “free” patterns, new books and new tools.

I’ve been back at my knitting in the evenings. Elizabeth requested more mitts so I have one pair finished; the headband to match is almost done and I think I’ll have enough yarn for a scarf. I’m using up some of my yarn and I almost have a bin emptied!

Now I’d better pack up my cross stitch, make my appetizer for tomorrow’s supper and pack a suitcase.