Staying at home is definitely overrated…
The second weekend of March found me on a girl’s weekend starting out in Madison. We were there to check out Joanne’s wedding venue but first things first… We (I) really needed to visit the Sewcial Lounge, a modern fabric and sewing lounge I found on line one day…
Surprise, surprise I found something I needed in the bright and cheerful shop and everyone was smiling when I checked out.
We did go and approve the Madison Club for Joanne and John’s wedding and reception and after an excellent meal at a Ramen restaurant and a good night’s sleep we moved on the wedding dress…
… then it was time to look for suitable garments for the girls to wear to James and Sarah’s wedding… I’m pleased to report we were successful and the Julia and Joanne will be clothed on their brother’s special day!
I was allowed to recover at home on Sunday before setting off again…
Next up was the PAQA retreat in Racine. When I reserved my space back in the Fall I had no idea what I was booking and consequently no expectations for my 3 days away. I guess that’s one way of being sure you won’t be disappointed?
The Siena Center is on the shore of Lake Michigan and has beautiful grounds. We drove up in the rain but the sun soon came out and we were able to appreciate the view.
The retreat workshop was led by Jane Dunnewold and entitled “Making Art : strategies for transformation”.
There were no details on Jane’s website for a class by that name so packing suitable supplies was a little tricky… “a shoebox of craft materials we would be willing to share and give away”. I loaded up with batik scraps, odd bits of yarn, excess beads and a few other interesting items I found lurking in my studio…
It’s hard to describe our time adequately. We talked, we wrote, we talked some more… I came home with lots of ideas I need to work through…
We did actually make one “thing”. Starting with a selection from everyone’s shoebox of stuff we were invited to construct a vessel depicting ourselves as an artist… I’ll let the pictures tell my story…
OK? Enough said… Not exactly inside my usual box …
Jane was a super facilitator, allowing everyone to work at their own pace and be the person they wanted to be. We have communicated since I got back… Like I said I have some work to do.
Back to wedding preparations…
I have spent some time making a quilt for the happy couple. It’s just a top at the moment. I was waiting to see if my 820 was going to return home in time for the quilting. I am about ready to give in and see how the 550 manages….
Sarah chose the fabrics and I designed a simple setting, according to her request. I have some ideas so maybe I will get to quilting it later this week.
Then it was time to celebrate Benjamin’s birthday. I was too busy enjoying myself to take many pictures but here’s one of Benjamin with his Aunty Joanne.
It was a wonderful warm day, as witnessed by the deck thermometer…
The warm weather means that the daffodils have already bloomed. We are at least 6 weeks ahead of last year. These are the bulbs my dad and I planted last year…
The next weekend Matt was busy studying so we had a surprise visit from Ruby, together with her mum and brother. She is a happy little girl!
And that brings us nearly up to date.
Saturday found me at NCTV in Naperville for the recording of the studio discussion for The Ladies Room with Hilary Decent. Here is the set before filming started.
The episode focuses on crafts in Naperville. The other guests were from the Newcomers’ Club which has both a knitting and a quilting group. We had a fun discussion on why ladies like to create, amongst other things. The show won’t be aired until July. I don’t think it will be the start of a new career….
So to today!
More wedding stuff… baking cakes… lots of cakes, from scratch Martha Stewart style.
