Which reminds me, I have to call him either today at work or tonight at home to wish it to him in person... Oddly enough, in many ways I feel no different at 50 than I did at 25, except for maybe a bit slower in some regards and wiser in others, heeheehee.
I had the most amazing weekend! I spent 18 hours at the local sewing machine and fabric store (Jackman's Fabrics in Fairview Heights, IL) attending the Anita Goodesign's fall embroidery event and party. I was seated at a table that had one sewing machine and 4 other women, one of whom actually lives here in town, just past the grocery store, and the others live in surrounding communities. Over the course of two days we shared the machine, laughed, learned from each other, made some fun projects, and discussed all the ways we are both similar and different! I collected telephone numbers, and plan to use them; I also succombed to the lure of joining an "embroidery club" sponsored by the design company (two brand new embroidery design packs each month, plus bonus packs quarterly), enticed by all the bonus gifts they were offering to attendees, plus the additional enhancement of a "golden ticket" that offered a lovely bonus gift if drawn (I won a $400 value collection of Madiera embroidery threads!). I also received many lovely attendance gifts (design packs), free meals (breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack, along with unlimited access to coffee, tea, or soda) and open enticement to shop the store itself during breaks or "non-driving" sewing time (we took turns making the projects, but got a cd with all the projects and instructions to bring home to do ourselves). The only money I actually spent beyond the attendance fees was to join the quilting club (design packs that center around quilting and quilting themes), and when I shared with Eric all that I came home with he fully endorsed my participation. By Sunday night my eyes were so dry and tired I didn't even want to knit during my favorite shows, so I just sat on the bed and relaxed while watching them, and Eric played EQ.
Now I need to slowly start gathering supplies to make up some of these design packs I got (for lovely embroidered quilts), meaning I need basics like muslin, lightweight fusible interfacing (for stability) and stabilizers. I have plenty of fabrics to use as supporting fabrics, and I have plenty of on-hand things I can use to practice these new skill-sets with; it's just if I want to create any of the completed sets I will need further basic supplies down the road (a good use of those JoAnn and Jackman sales fliers and coupons I get!) It won't replace the quilts I already enjoy making, but it will provide more variety and options for construction and quilting! I am soooo excited to begin!
Today is one of those gorgeous fall days that just enliven one's blood and lift one's spirits: cool, brisk, but blue-skied and sunny. I plan to sit outside with projects in hand and enjoy at least part of the day! Being it's a holiday, many federal things are closed today, as is the public school for Rei (although the colleges are still open so Aurora and Brie have class), making it a quiet day for us.
Anyhow, I just wanted to share my happiness over the fun I had, and how refreshed and energized I feel by a weekend away from the norm!
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