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What a nice event! There's my quilt in the back of the shot. There were over 50 items sold at the auction; most of them were full size or child size wooden rocking chairs. It was really exciting to see all of the rockers and other pieces of art all together. Here's a wider shot of the room...



There was an artists reception first and then the main event. They were serving red Rockin' Martinis (very smooth going down and then give you a kick later on!) Lots of gourmet munchies. And of course the rockers. Each one with its own personality and style. My quilt went to a nice family, so I am able to emotionally part with it. It's sort of silly, but when you spend so much time with a quilt, you do get attached in a weird sort of way.

But now on to other things. I have a commission I am starting. Did some prep work, went fabric shopping with the client. It has a hard deadine of December 18, but is totally doable.

I leave Wednesday for Farmington, CT to American Quilt Study Group seminar. I hope to get my brain full of good info, as the folks who attend this event are the best in the country. When I get home next Sunday, I have to get in the dye pit big time. I have fabric to prepare for the Virginia classes and ordering supplies for the workshop. Many things to do.

I've been working on my son's Civics project. I think we finally have it under control. Dyl is on the autistic spectrum...which means he has some characteristics of autism, but not all. Mostly, it is relegated to the language area. He doesn't always understand what you say, can't express himself well enough to get along in the regular world, and therefore has serious social issues. Actually, maybe we're the ones with the social issues, because Dyl really doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's very happy in his world; it's the rest of us with the "problem".

We had a quilt guild meeting on Saturday. George Sicialiano (the miniature quilt guy) came and did his enjoyable presentation. Way too many pieces for me, but it is intriguing. I might have to try it sometime.

We then went to an open house at a local alpaca farm. Those critters are just too cute. They had a few in a small pen away from their other alpaca friends. When they get nervous, they make this humming noise. Dyl really liked the noise.

Today, I've spent digging out of paperwork from the past four days and getting ready to pay the business's final bills of the month and payroll. Don't know where September went.

Next Wed. I leave for Farmington, CT to American Quilt Study Group seminar. These folks are the real heavyweights of the quilt history world and I hope to learn a lot from them.

Hopefully, will have some work to show later this week.

I'm teaching at the museum tomorrow, and have packed everything except the sink. A class on placemats with multiple finishes. We have 3 signed up. The nice thing about smaller classes is that we get the project completed and usually have some time to fool around with some other techniques.

This is a drawing I'm working on. Don't know what it's going to be yet. I have an idea, but can't decide on the execution. Fused or painted.

My husband got me this for my birthday last week. The sound is incredible, but it is another electronic gadget that draws you in and before you know it 2 hours is gone. This is an example of how I got sucked in today.... There was a folder in the Ipod called On-The-Go. So I stuck Prince's Little Red Corvette in there. Then I thought, Hmmm...there's the Who "Going Mobile". Steppenwolf "Born to Be Wild". Johnny Cash "I've Been Everywhere". Tracy Chapman "Fast Car". Rob Zombie "Never Gonna Stop" (that's the song about My Durango).....

I guess you see where this is going. I have to admit it is fun, but you can really waste time with this thing.

I posted a few items for my Moving Sale.

I'll be adding daily with newest stuff first. Please take a look and if anything tickles your fancy, drop me an email. I am at maximum density and this stuff needs a new home.

I'm having a Yard Sale on my website. Go HERE to see pictures of stuff I have loaded so far. Believe me, there will be more. (I'm having website problems so the prices aren't up yet, but any and all offers are graciously considered.)

Pretty soon, I'll be moving my sewing space for the third time in five years. We have a very small house, you see. And we are constantly trying to make the best use of the space we have. Right now, I have a lovely large room. However, we are at maximum overload in other parts of the house. So, the plan of attack is happening in phases.

Phase 1 - Complete - Get a storage shed to store gas powered lawn/garden/snow equipment.

Phase 2 - Near Completion - Create a more climate/rodent controlled environment (insulate, dehumidify, heat/AC in our large garage. Move son's painting studio to workshop space in garage.

Phase 3 - Get freezer and other non-sewing related stuff out of lower level (washing machine/dryer/glass christmas ornaments get to remain) and move me and my sewing gear back to that area.

Phase 4 - Re-do lower level. Drywall, new carpet, tile landing.

Phase 5 - Relocate the "way too large" furniture and TV out of our "way too small" living area upstairs and place in renovated lower level.

Phase 6 - Purchase smaller furniture for upstairs

Phase 7 - Install stainless steel dye sink in sewing area.

This is all do-able; time and cash being considerations. But mostly it is elbow grease.

Tonight I'm going to prewash 15 yards to dye tomorrow. The weatherguys are talking 80 degree temps, which is lovely for fabric dyeing. I have just enough dye to do the 15 yards. That will give me something to offer at the "Placemat Class" next week at the Museum. Then I'll need to restock my dye supply before an October dyeing session. I'm trying to get some fabric in stock for the winter, but recently have been selling it as soon as I dye it. (Nice problem to have)

Over the weekend, we went to the Jersey shore to watch the hurricane come in. This was not the original intent (as the trip was reserved in July), but that is how it worked out. We went to Cape May Point in the middle of the storm. It was amazing! I felt like someone from the Weather Channel. The wind was wild and the rain was so hard and had bits of sand in it (stung like crazy). But it was a reminder of how small we are against nature. There must be a quilt in there somewhere.

Will post again soon.