Is This Spring?

I had thought that when the groundhog didn't see his shadow on February 2nd that we were due to have an early spring. We have had only a couple of nice days and it is still cold, damp and windy out there. Hurry up spring, I need some warmth and sunshine.
The bedroom valances have been delivered and all 400 plus staples have been removed from the two seat cushions. My right hand is so sore from holding the staple remover and then wielding the pliers while my left hand has several wounds from being in the way when the tool slipped. Ouch! Now the fun will start when I get to sew the new covers and cording. Just had a bunch of shirts dropped off for embroidery. This should keep me busy until I leave for my classes next week. I am really looking forward to being at Custom Home Furnishings Academy and learning new things.
In class, Lauren finished cutting out all the pieces for her tote bag including the interfacing. Grace almost finished her nightshirt but will be taking some time off as soccer season is starting. Meghan got the neck band on her sport top and was pinning all the hems while Julia finished pinning her sewing bag and started some sewing.
Did a ten miler early Friday morning before leaving for retreat and then did 7 miles this morning, most of it in a zone 3 heartrate. Friday is a speed workout with the trainer and then 13 miles on Sunday before my flight to North Carolina.

Retreat this weekend at Homestead Quilting Retreat was a blast. It was so much fun to get together with old friends and just sew. I finished my 'retreat quilt', a quilt I had started at a class several years ago and then worked on a little each year at retreat, mostly because it was quite boring. Also finished all the blocks for my son's wedding quilt and will now start to put them together. Did a little hand sewing on the binding for a quilt for the family room. I have included a few photos of some of the amazing work others have done.
One last thing to share, I just finished reading an incredible book. It is Lighting the Way, Nine Women Who Changed Modern America. It is by Karenna Gore Schiff. I have to say I have never enjoyed history, it was my worst subject in school and I can't remember dates and all that. This book profiled 9 women and the way it was written just kept me reading. I'm sure I still won't remember dates but the lessons I learned will stay with me. It has made me challenge the way I think about things now also. What more could you ask for from a book?

Gearing Up for Work

I am gearing up to get working on some new projects. I finished the bedroom valance for a customer, now I am just waiting for her to get the rod that she saw. When she has it we will install it all. Just ordered some lining and interlining from Rowley with their free shipping. I also ordered a staple remover. I have two chair seats to recover and started taking out some of the staples but there must be a hundred staples per seat and the screwdriver I usually use just isn't going to cut it. I also have some bathroom cafes to do and think I will finally make the shades for my own sewing room. The jogging suit alterations are done and the customer just picked it up. She was very happy with the results. This turned out to be much more difficult than I had anticipated. I had to use a metallic thread in the looper of my serger and it worked well at first and then just didn't want to cooperate later. Finally after many stops and starts I got it done. It really tested my resolve not to swear during Lent:-)
Did a webinar on Monday with Joanne Lenart Weary, Space Planning on the Fly. It was a good one and I can't wait to take her class,Color with no Regrets, in a couple of weeks down at CHF Academy.
The girls all showed up yesterday for class. Lauren finished her top at home and started on cutting out a tote bag with some fun tie-dyed, peace sign fabric. Grace has just the hems left on her nightshirt. Meghan is going to be putting on the neckband on her sport top next and Julia cut out her sewing bag and started with the pinning. She was getting discouraged about how long it was taking but the other girls assured her that it took them a long time also but that as they did more, things got quicker.
Saturday was cold and very windy. I spent 3 hours working outside in the morning with Liberty Prairie Conservancy cutting undesirable woodies while the others did the dabbing with the herbicide. When it came time for lunch I convinced them that standing around outside eating pizza would not be fun so they came to the house to eat instead. Much more enjoyable. Then I had to take an hour walk. By the time I got back I was more than ready for a hot shower and some time inside sewing.
Sunday my daughter and I did a nine mile run. It went well and I had only a little discomfort from my injury. We will start some speed work next week. This morning was a 6 miler at a slightly higher heart rate and it was fine also. Nashville here we come.
With the weather starting to warm up I have started my plants inside. I have parsley and dill started in the basement under the grow lights and several different flowers started in a 'greenhouse' in the living room window. It is actually a domed deli tray. A friend was doing it and told me about it. It really works well to start seeds. Can't wait to plant some pretty flowers in the yard.

Lent Begins

Today marks the beginning of Lent. Yesterday we celebrated Fat Tuesday with some delicious muffins from Something's Brewing for breakfast. A nice treat. Then it was pancakes for dinner. I even remembered to pull out my Mardi Gras tablecloth and napkins to set the dinner table.
The bedroom valance is nearly finished and then I will start on some other projects. In sewing class Lauren was sick yesterday, Grace is working on the facing for her night shirt, Meghan has the sleeves mostly sewn to the front and back of her sport shirt and Julia was excited to be finished with practice sewing and start to work on her first project, a sewing bag. She chose a gold colored fabric to make her bag. I sent out summer camp info and already have heard from a few people. I also donated a camp for the auction where my daughter teaches kindergarten. She told me a first grade girl won and she was so excited!
I ran 4 miles in low zone 2 this morning, in the rain. Ran 7 on Sunday and have to do 9 this Sunday. The race is only a month and a half away. It is feeling better to run, just don't know how it is going to be when I try to do some speed work. I am going to ask my massage therapist tomorrow for some recommendations for a chiropractor.

March is Here

This photo is of some Roman shades made from a duvet cover.
March is here but the weather is still wintery. We had freezing rain on Monday which backed up my appointments but it all worked out. Met with a couple of new clients and will be working on their projects in the next few weeks. The master bedroom valance is coming along nicely. This afternoon is my CEO advisory group lunch. I am looking forward to seeing how things are going with everyone.
Yesterday's sewing class was a tad disorganized. At about 8 minutes before class was to start, a neighbor showed up with her daughter to start taking the class. We had briefly talked about the possibility of her joining the class but no definite plans were made so I was quite surprised to find her on the doorstep. Fortunately I had a packet of info already together so I was able to get her started. Lauren is almost finished with her sport shorts, Grace finished cutting out her nightshirt and did the zigzagging and Meghan cut out her sport shirt. Hopefully things will be a little calmer next week.
I went for a four mile zone 1 run on Saturday and then again this morning. The hip is still a little sore. Not sure how I am going to be able to run the half marathon in under two hours at this rate. I'm thinking it's time to see a chiropractor or acupuncturist to help with the lingering discomfort.
Saturday evening was our 12th annual chili party. We now have three categories for prizes, chili, cornbread and salsa. We had about 40 people and 14 different chilies to taste. We all had a great time.