Sunday, November 13, 2011

Time Away and a Happy Dance!

Greg and I spent the last week in a cabin nestled in the Smoky Mountains. We stayed in the same place we did last year. Here is the view from the back deck, taken in the morning. I promptly put my camera away for the rest of the week so nothing else to show.
View from our Cabin in Pigeon Forge
We got home Friday night later than we'd planned. I purposely stayed home on Saturday and finished up my 2010 $5 BOM from one of my LQSs. This picture isn't the greatest, the quilt needs to be ironed, threads trimmed and it was really windy today. BUT I didn't want to wait until next weekend to take a picture. I'm SO excited to have this done!
2010 $5 Quilt Finish
I've learned a lot since beginning this quilt. I kind of like that it shows my growth as a quilter.

I've been thinking a lot about what kind of quilter I want to be. I like modern quilts and I like traditional quilts. I've decided I don't have to pick one or the other - I can be both! There aren't any rules. Isn't that great?

This is also a stitching and knitting blog and I assure you that I'm still doing both. I promise I'll be showing those in the next couple of weeks.

Tomorrow is Monday so back to work I go. I'm in such a peaceful place that I'm finding it hard to think about the fast pace at work and the hustle and bustle of the upcoming holidays. I can't stop time so I'll be jumping back into all of it with both feet.

But that's not until tomorrow. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy these last few moments of vacation. And look at my completed quilt top! :)

Wishing you all happy stitches!

58 comments:

Cross Stitch Queen said... 1

Yeah, that picture is the greatest, even if the quilt needs ironing. Awesome quilt! You are so talented to be able to make that!!

How did you like the Smokey Mountains? I have had Gatlinsburg in my mind for many months now and I have been pondering spending time in a cabin. Sometimes those prices are astronomical, especially if it is during the kid's vacation. Where did you stay?

Love your knitting too!!

CSQ
betweenthestithes.blogspot.com

Michele said... 2

What a lovely view! How nice to get some time away :-) I agree there are no rules about what kind of quilter you have to be! Isn't if fun to do all kinds of quilting? I also like modern and the traditional...... it's great to make a quilt in whatever style you want! No labels! Your sampler quilt looks amazing!!

Margaret said... 3

Such a beautiful finish! It's a lovely quilt -- congratulations!! Glad you had a lovely vacation too. Such a view! Hope work treats you well as you get back into the swing of things.

Shay said... 4

It sounds like you really relaxed. Well done.

Counting down to a Christmas break here but I know I have a lot of crazy to get through first!

Mylene said... 5

An amazing view! Glad to hear you had a nice time away.
Congratulation on finishing the quilt. It is simply beautiful!!

Katherine said... 6

What an amzing view - of that gorgeous quilt I mean! WOW!!!! It is beautiful. Congratulations on your finish.

Teresa said... 7

Its so nice that you had a nice relaxing vacation. So often we are more tired after vacation and before. I love your quilt - great job!

Barb said... 8

What a wonderful place to go....love the view.

Your quilt is just fabulous, love it!

Carla said... 9

Such a lovely quilt! I am glad you enjoyed your time off. I have this coming week off so am looking forward to hiding away in my room. I am glad to see a new post. I thought maybe you were not going to blog for a bit. (no I'm not stalking you) I look forward to seeing your farmers wife blocks too.

Sew Create It - Jane said... 10

Fabulous quilt...You've got the colour and design balanced perfectly! Just love it!

Theresa said... 11

Your quilt is gorgeous!!!!! Definitely worth celebrating!!!! I love seeing all your works, no matter if it's stitching, quilting or knitting~~

That photo of the smoky mountains is soooo beautiful!!!! What a wonderful place for vacation!!!

Deborah said... 12

Your quilt is so beautiful! I love the fallish colors. You should be doing a happy dance.

Jocelyn said... 13

Beautiful view. I love the mountains in the fall. The colors are always so amazing.

FlourishingPalms said... 14

I can very nearly hear the happiness in your voice. I'm so glad for you to have had such a nice getaway, and even better, for the wonderful finish! You can be very proud of yourself, Ms. J! I am. Thanks for sharing your joy with all of us. It's almost infectious!

Thelma said... 15

Wow, Congratulations on finishing your $5 BOM, that is an amazing quilt!! I think you did a wonderful job, that's a great pattern.

I look forward to seeing more of your finishes, traditional and modern!

The first day back at work is the hardest, enjoy you last evening of vacation.

BeckySC said... 16

Jackie, you did an amazing job with your quilt. It is GORGEOUS! Congratulations!! WOW!

Laurie in Iowa said... 17

Your quilt is beautiful. Loved the pic of your week long getaway.

Faye said... 18

Beautiful fall photo with all the leaves in perfect color!! I know you enjoyed yourselves.... And, the quilt is absolutely gorgeous! It really is a labor of love and I admire those who quilt.

Like you, tomorrow brings on another fast paced work week...I hate to wish my life away, but bring on Friday....enjoy your night, Faye

Annie said... 19

So nice to take a fall vacation!

That quilt looks beautiful! And remember, variety is the spice of life!

Catherine said... 20

Oh, you have just made me miss the mountains! We haven't been in a while now. The cabins we stay at are about 1/2 hour off of the main strip - so peaceful!!

Beautiful quilt!!!

Maria said... 21

Your quilt is beautiful. I love your color choices. Have a wonderful week and keep some of that peace during the busy times.

Maria

Carol said... 22

Oh,how I would love to visit the Smoky Mountains! It sounds like such a relaxing week, Jackie--and now your batteries are all re-charged for the holiday season ahead :)

Your quilt is so, so pretty--I really enjoyed looking at each and every block...

Anonymous said... 23

Absolutely gorgeous!!!

Pat said... 24

Your quilt looks absolutely wonderful, Jackie! There is stunning contrast in the fabrics and the whole thing is super eye-catching. I'm glad you had a nice trip to the mountains again. I remember how much you enjoyed it last year, too.

Simone de Klerk said... 25

Congratulations on this wonderful growing finish! Incredible, Jackie, what you have learned in such a short time.
Happy you decided that you don't have to make a choice between traditional and modern!
Good luck with getting back into the fast pace. Do try to keep the peaceful feeling, but I am sure that is difficult!

Denise :) said... 26

Oh WOW! What a gorgeous top! You've done a magnificent job on it. We have an LQS that does a $5 BOM, too -- I always learn so much through the process! Have a great Monday! :)

Krista said... 27

That's a beautiful quilt. Congratulations on finishing it!

Nancy said... 28

What a beautiful autumn view! Wow, your quilt is gorgeous!

Connie Kresin Campbell said... 29

What a neat view and congrats on finishing your quilt top, it is beautiful!

Quilter Kathy said... 30

It's fabulous...great job! I am the same as you...I love all kinds of quilting and we don't have to pick just one thing!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said... 31

lovely quilt!!
Karen

Gari in AL said... 32

Wonderful sampler quilt: my first quilt was a $5 quilt and I still love it. I envy you your week in the Smokys. We did that several years ago and it was great.

Sally said... 33

What a fantastic view! I bet you had a fantastic time.

Love your quilt.

Judy D in WA said... 34

Oh My! Your vacation view is stunning! Sounds like a wonderful time.
Your sampler quilt is fabulous. I love that we can be any quilter that we want to be. Our quilting grows as we grow.

Pattilou said... 35

The Smokey Mountains! Lucky you! That picture is stunning and really makes me want to go there. I'm loving your quilt and it reminds me of a BOM in a drawer that I really do need to put together. Have a great week!

Tammy said... 36

What a beautiful time to spend in the Smokey's. They are gorgeous in the fall and such a wonderful place to be if you ask me. Your quilt is just gorgeous. You did a fantastic job and you should be so proud of it!! Congrats on the big finish.

Chris said... 37

Lovely quilt! You should be doing a happy dance. You are right, no rules so be whatever kind of quilter you want to be.

Maureen Cracknell Handmade said... 38

Wow, your quilt is stunning and so perfect for Fall!!

woolwoman said... 39

Jackie your $5 BOM is just gorgeous - I love your colors and it looks just stunning. I'm sure you see growth in technique and so forth but for me - It is just plain beautiful! AHHHH - don't you love those fall colors. I was in Auburn last week and the colors were stunning there as well. Yep - back to reality - it's never fun but it allows us to keep doing what we do - right! Have a good week - mel

Melanie said... 40

It's beautiful! Love love love it. And look how great it looks with the fall foliage pic too. Awesome. :)

valerie said... 41

Wow, what a wonderful place to be! The photo and the colors of the trees is amazing! Love your quilt top...it's gorgeous. So much hard work...great job!

scraphappy said... 42

Great quilt, beautiful colors and perfect backdrop! I agree wholeheartedly that we don't have to chose one style or even one hobby. It is too much fun to be able to keep experimenting, learning and growing.

krayolakris said... 43

Jackie, your quilt is a work of art! Hope your transition back to work is a smooth one!

Abby and Stephanie said... 44

Awesome view! Just as awesome as your quilt.

Anne said... 45

This quilt is beautiful! Great job, I love when I am challenged as a quilter as well.

Amy said... 46

Your trip to the Smoky Mountains sounds like it was relaxing. Your BOM turned out beautiful. Nice job!

Poussy Stitches My Love said... 47

very beautiful !!!!!

bisous de france

Patty C. said... 48

Your Quilt is just beautiful -

Kats Studio said... 49

So, you were in my neck of the woods, don't you just love those views. I hope you had a great trip. I love your quilt and can't wait to see it completed.

Heather said... 50

That is just gorgeous! And amazing how the quilt picks up all the colors from your cabin view, too. Heavenly!

I often wonder what my quilting "style" is, too. I seem to be all over the place. It's a good thing there are no rules! :o)

TeresaB said... 51

Love the view and the quilt! Glad you had such a great time away. Sorry you had to go back to the grind of work. I'm telling you, winning the lottery and staying home wouldn't bother either of us at all I'm sure of it!

Candace said... 52

What a wonderful place to stay, Jackie! Reminds me of our time at the Y Camp outside of Asheville! Your quilt is stunning! You really have evolved as a very diverse and talented quilter!
Cheers!

Katie :o) said... 53

Looks like a beautiful vacation! I hope your relaxation lasts through the holidays :o) The blog with your family time shared with your nieces was wonderful. And the sampler quilt is gorgeous!

Linda said... 54

Awesome finish!!! It's just a gorgeous quilt, Jackie!!

Lori said... 55

Your vacation picture is making me mountain homesick. Beautiful! so is your quilt!

Brigitte said... 56

Oh Jackie, this quilt is incredibel. What a beauty!

Ariane said... 57

Your quilt is gorgeous!!!

tonyamay said... 58

So, each block was $5? Including fabric? That's so cool! Beautiful of course. Lots of applique.