Thursday, November 18, 2010

playing catch up

I've been trying to find the time (and the words) to do a retreat recap. It's so difficult, because one really can't describe the fun that happens in a few short days. The retreat was AMAZING! Tara was a FABULOUS hostess. It was apparent that she worked very hard on all the behind the scenes details. The Inn was lovely. Colorado was a bit snowy and beautiful. My students were WONDERFUL! We laughed and laughed and had an amazing time. I have a bunch of new friends. :) I think everyone learned a lot, too. (I know I did!) I can't wait to do it again next year.

cutest name tags ever! made by Tara.

My little family is so great. My husband had the house spic and span when I got home. He's so good to me!! My oldest son crawled into bed with me on Monday morning and he told me how much he missed me over the weekend. Then he told me that he wore my coat for awhile. I asked him if that helped, and he said, "A little bit." Oh, my. Such sweetness. My heart melted completely. I have a wonderful family, I am so very blessed.

new fabric! bought at Mama Said Sew
On the flight home, I ended up sitting by a dear sweet woman (Hi Christie!) that loves to quilt, who also has a JUKI. (!!!!!) I don't know about you, but things like that NEVER happen to me! It was so fun to get to know her and share stories. What an incredible way to wrap up an already wonderful trip.

cutest pot holder ever! a gift from Penny.

This week at home has been completely crazy. So many things going on, my head is spinning. Today I got up at 6 am just so I could blog. (Sick, I tell you! Hee hee.) I have jury duty today and tomorrow, which I am looking forward to, but it's putting a serious cramp in my quilting time! After this busy, busy week I have a newfound respect for all the working moms out there. I could never do it. I have too much new fabric to sew up! :)

Innocent Crush fat eighths from Tara


35 comments:

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Sounds like you had a fabulous time! And doesn't feel good when your family just misses you? I love the feeling. My daughter just hugs me forever - feels like forever - and tells me how much she missed me and how much she loves me.

Islay said...

It sounds lovely! Wish we had more of a UK equivalent.

Although my little boy often falls upon me with joy when I come downstairs from my workroom, so goodness knows what he'd do if I escaped for a whole weekend! The joys of toddlers :)

KristyLou said...

Hey Amanda! I am not a mom , but work full time; and you're right, by the time I get home, make supper for my husband and I, I am wiped! I have to make myself go sew up some fun stuff. Once I get going though, I have no problem keeping the momentum. On the flip side, I have no idea how you mom's get so much done. I think I would be sleeping by 7 if I had little kids running around! :)

Cindy said...

I love those potholders. The quilting really pops.

Amanda said...

Sounds like it was sooo much fun! I would love to attend a quilting retreat sometime. Heck- any retreat sounds nice right now!
What a wonderful family, and such a sweet little boy. I love those sweet little moments my son gives me, when he's not acting all rough & tough. Definitely moments to be cherished.

JaneRH said...

Hey Amanda..glad you made it home safe and sound. Was loads of fun last weekend...now to find time to practice my new machine quilting skills! Thanks--Jane

Andrea, the little collector said...

How sweet is your son's coat lovin'? Bet he got an extra hug after sharing that!

Sounds like you had fun, fun, fun! Enjoy your new fabric!

Cheryl Arkison said...

I get up that early to blog all the time. Earlier when I was working.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Glad you're back. I missed you!

badlandsquilts said...

Glad you had a good time... and I love the clean house part! Kudos to your hubby!

Lisa said...

I completely understand the "too much fabric to sew up", I love the days I let the kids make a huge mess of the house while I sew! I can't imagine having to go to work, also for the leaving my kids part. How sweet that your son wore your coat while you were gone... We're finally all moved and I have been really enjoying spending time with my long-packed fabric and machine.
So, next year I wanna be there. My youngest is 15mos so that might be interesting, but I'll try and save till then and maybe find a friend to babysit during the days while I'm gone. Do you have more pics of what everybody made there? BTW, when I have a little extra time I don't want to blog- I wanna sew! So I understand if it's awhile again before you post. But you do have a very fun blog to read, thanks!!

Di~ said...

I want to go, I want to go, I want to go! Now, I'm waiting on my daughter to go with me: last year working and pregnant sick, this year nursing babe in arms. Hopefully! next year! (however, I do so love that I have a wonderful little grand daugher!:))

Lauren LiGreci said...

Your son is ADORABLE. It must feel very rewarding to be missed that much :) I added AMH's innocent crush to my Christmas list, so hopefully I will be sewing with that soon!

Michele said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time :) Boys can be so sweet! I know all of mine are :)

Kelly said...

Amanda - it was great getting to know you :) Luv the yummies you picked out from Mama Said Sew. Thanks for all the great ideas you shared!

Linda said...

So glad you had a good time! :)

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Lucky you!!! Lovely Crush bundle. I would do almost anything to have it. But I am being lucky too, just received amy own Anna Maria Horner bundle, not the crush though but still very precious. My next project. Love those fabrics.

Sweet Baby Jamie said...

I love those name tags!! We need to get some together for our quilt guild, and I think I'll do mine just like that :) So glad you had a great time at retreat. It's nice to get away, but even nicer to come home to a happy family :)

CREATIVE DISORGANIZATION said...

Please have your hubby email my hubby to explain the definition of 'spic & span', LOL

Suzanne said...

Welcome home! Glad you had such a great time with wonderful memories and souvenirs to boot. It's good to go and even better to come home to precious family.

Clair said...

My week has been crazy and I didn't even go anywhere except work.

PatSloan said...

what sweet boys you have in your house!

Karen said...

So glad you had a great time and that you have a wonderful support team at home! Retreats are the best!

Pétra said...

Welcome back, I hope we get to hear about your tip at a Guild meeting. I love the name tag also!!!

Mama Urchin said...

I really missed going this year! I'm glad you had fun anyway ;)

Kim said...

See I knew you'd be great!
I only wish I could have been there!

Okay so your son put your coat on because he missed you....how sweet is that....made me tear up.
Trust me these year just fly by and those are the little moments that you remember forever!

My little boy will be 35 this Jan!
and his little sister 30!
good heavens I still think I'm 25
but I guess not!

Welcome home! Jury duty is a real learning experience and thanks for doing your civic duty.....we all hope that if we ever need a jury that our peers will be there for us.

Happy Sewing

Liz Jimenez said...

Sounds like it was, yet again, a blast. So sorry to have missed it this year. I'd say COUNT ME IN for next year, but since I'll have an 8-month-old, I probably shouldn't make any promises just yet. :-)

Carmen said...

It was a great retreat, wasn't it? I had so much fun, and it was great to meet you... thanks for all your help and advice to this fledgling quilter, Amanda!

Kimberly said...

Oh that story about your son just melted my heart. Sounds like a total sweetheart! Adorable!

Pétra said...

You know I am reading too many blogs when I mix up comments and bloggers. I wont be seeing you at the Portland Modern Quilters Guild meeting but I do love the name tags and enjoyed Penny's recap of the retreat. Hopefully I can make it to one someday! Pétra

Thimbleanna said...

Ha! Now you know why you'll get your Pips made up years before mine LOL! Sounds like you had a wonderful time and a great homecoming. It's always good to get away -- and the added bonus is that your little family learns to appreciate you so much more! (And the other way around too!) XO

Clair said...

Cute name tag!

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Sounds like a great trip - glad you had a good time and everything was under control when you got home.

Success said...

Your son sounds like a sweetheart. I love your site.

Terriaw said...

SO happy to hear you had such a wonderful time at your retreat. Sounds like everyone had a fabulous time as well. I love the new fabrics you brought home. They go perfectly with your stash!