It's been a long time..

I didn't realize I'd been away so long.  Both Don and I have been ill, Gabby came for a visit, the house is progressing, and on and on.
Let's see, the feral cats are doing well, babies are eating solid food.  One of them is tail less like it's Manx dad.  I am going to try and trap them and get them all fixed.  A local group will help with that, as I have mentioned previously (if my senior brain remembers right).
Looking through some of my fabric tubs, I found a number of charity quilts to be quilted for the Thimbleweeks group in NM.  So I'm trying to get them done in case someone buys the Gammill soon.  The last one is on the machine-but I decided to take today off from quilting, so there it is, just waiting.
Even though I love the old sewing machines (don't ask me how many I have - some are here for repairs) A new Janome MC 11000 now resides in my sewing room.  The upgrades will go on it next week and then I shall start doing embroidery, not just sewing as now.  And a wonderful person gave me her Customizer for it and I can do wonderful things and use the Mega hoop that came with it.  Janome is coming out with a new top of the line and so this machine was a special price-had been the store demo.  I also got a number of DVDs with designs of various types. 
I have been enjoying the small group (Queen Bees) that I belong to that is part of the Prairie Quilt Guild.  The Quilts of Valor bee group is larger and I also enjoy this group.  QOVs are very prolific in their production of quilts for our service men and women. 
My front garden is full of petunias, rose moss, and marigolds.  The tiger lilies were very pretty and just finished blooming. 
At the spring S'mores retreat, I became interested in Zentangles - thanks of our instructor Michelle Watts.  It's something even a non-artist like myself can do, lol.  And no, I'm not going to post any of them yet.  Maybe later, when I am a little more proficient.
I hope to attend the guild fall retreat, the S'mores fall retreat in the Jemez Mtns. in NM, and the Thimbleweeds retreat, which is just the weekend before S'mores in the same  place.
I  will upload some pics later. 

Just had to show these!

I just had to take pics of our lovely Iris.  The neighbor says they have never been this pretty.  I plan on transplanting them to the new house.  The Yucca are doing very well also.  Don't know how they transplant, so may have to leave them be.  We have decided to terrace the berm, so planting may be a while yet.  Gabby and I are going to plant in the small beds here for now.
I have been working on sewing machines when Gabby is busy or in bed.  We are just overloaded at the present and need to move some of them.  I have three sitting on the longarm table, one on the back patio - all in various stages, some waiting on parts. And I won't even say how many are waiting in line.

Home at last!!

I had a wonderful time in the Jemez Mtns. at the S'mores Quilt Retreat.  Michelle Watts was our teacher.  We did a mystery quilt and most got the top done except for borders.  As this is the 10th year for the S'mores retreats, we got extra goodies from Cindy and Phoebe.
I managed to acquire 2 more machines, a Necchi and a Singer 401.  The Necchi had to stay in Corrales as there was simply no more room in my sis's van.  It is truly amazing how much stuff we need for retreat.  DH got a freebie, Singer touch and swear model 640.  It cleaned up nice, but needs a slide plate and 5 prong cord.
Gabby did very well on the plane trip from Orlando to OKC.  She slept all the way home to Wichita.  We are having a great time with her.  She is such a smart, lively little girl.  It is hard to believe that she turns 4 this month.

Windy, chilly day!

We even had a few, maybe 14, sprinkles.  Right now the sun is shining, but it is chilly in the casita.
Got together with quilting friends here in ABQ today. We ate lunch and then most of us went shop hopping to quilt and knitting shops. 
Tonight I have to get my TOBE blocks done as tomorrow there may not be time and I really need to mail them tomorrow.
Got a Necchi machine (without power cord) for $10 at a thrift shop.  They had several oldies, but someone had way overpriced them. So that makes two machines to take back home.  Don will have the van more filled than he expected, lol. 
Tomorrow Mary (my sis) heads out here from OKC and Thursday we head for the Jemez Mountains for the S'Mores quilt retreat, which is always a blast.  Michelle Watts is our instructor for a mystery quilt.

Happy Day to All

It is a chilly, cloudy day here in Corrales, with some but not bad wind.
Jim and Josh came in yesterday and Jim is out doing yard work.
I have been watering plants and cutting out quilt fabic for the Advanced TOBE.  I had to take some spring pics, so here they are.  Sadly, the big rosemary bush, and the Mexican elders did not make the winter.  It was the coldest winter in 50 years here in Corrales.
Have a blessed day, all.

Having a ball in NM

I have been so busy!  Robin and I have had lots of fun.  One day we shop hopped, visiting several quilt shops.  Yesterday we sewed on a quilt top for a display on the class she is teaching next month.  The Thimbleweeds group has their spring inhouse retreat yesterday and today, so we sewed there.  Today Robin has to work at the LQS, so I will use her car and sew at the retreat. 
Everyone have a blessed Good Friday!

I'm in New Mexico

It was a great train trip  from Kansas to ABQ.  Left Newton at 1:45am and arrived in ABQ at 3:55pm yesterday.  Sandra and Dick picked me up at the station and we stopped by Quilts Ole to say hello before going to the casita.  Robin  had to teach a class, so her folks were kind enough to meet me at the Amtrak station.
I'm doing my Spring advanced TOBE blocks on the White treadle you see pictured.  She sews very well and it's a lot of fun. 
Don stayed home to work on the house and take care of the dogs.  So we neither one slept well last night.  Tonight we will probably  be tired enough to get a good sleep, I hope.
Tomorrow I get my hair done and we will go to some quilt shops and try to stay out of trouble (darn).