Disney World

It's been a while since I posted, but it's also been a while since I've done much quilting. The last week of October I spent at Walt Disney World in Florida, attending the Disney Training Institute. I, along with 9 other co-workers from RC, flew to Orlando by way of Denver on Tues morning Oct. 27th. We just missed the big snow storm that went through! We took the Disney Magical Express shuttle to the Boardwalk Inn where we were staying for the week. We ate a late lunch/early supper and then a few of us hit the Boardwalk and went walking around to the other resorts. We took the boat and sailed around by Epcot and Hollywood Studios. In the evening we met up with all the other campus representatives to enjoy the fireworks at Epcot Center. It was exciting to get to know the people we work with from the various states.
Wednesday morning we met at the conference center where the campuses started their presentations. I was nominated by the Brooklyn Center campus and given this awesome (but extremely heavy) mouseketeer trophey.


Wednesday afternoon we went through Quality Service training put on by Disney. It was every interesting and I learned a lot. We even had a chance to observe the cast members using their training. In the evening I was a guest of the Brooklyn Center campus and we joined the Minnetonka campus for supper at Bahama Breeze.
Thursday morning we did the Incredible Race through Epcot Center. It was really fun and a great way to quickly see Epcot, but with the heat and humidity it was almost unbearable. One of our SpeedBumps was through the Finding Nemo exhibit which was fun. Our team didn't win, but we had a great time.
We had the afternoon free, so a bunch of us from Central went to the ESPN center for lunch before a few of us headed off to Magic Kingdom. It was really incredible to see the castle for the first time. Marilyn and I rode most of the rides together and while I'm not a big ride person we did at least one ride in each of the areas. My favorite was Splash Mountain and Peter Pan was pretty cool too. Since most of the people had left to get ready for the Halloween Party, the lines weren't long and with a couple fast passes, we didn't have to wait long at any of the rides. It was really fun to see all the kids dressed up for the Halloween Party as we left.


On Friday we were in the conference most of the day. We had after 4PM passes, so Kay, Amy, and I went to Animal Kingdom. We rode the safari ride which was awesome. We saw the Tree of Life and Amy took my picture in front of it. Amy and I rode the Everest Expedition and the Dinosaur rides. We all went to the Bugs Life 3D show which was probably my favorite.

We left Sat. morning at 5 AM, but we couldn't leave without seeing the Halloween Pumpkin decorating competition that the Boardwalk stores had. This one was my favorite, even though it won 2nd place.

It was an amazing and fun trip and I learned so much. We got in to RC just after 1PM. Paul and I went to Milesville to my parents shortly after and took in the Halloween Party there. It was a lot of fun, but I was exhausted. On Sunday Paul got his new trailer and my brother, SIL, dad, and Paul went bird hunting. Paul got his first pheasant! I ended up sick with a cold and have been fighting it all week. I stayed home three days, but I just can't seem to get rid of it. I have done a bit of piecing, but really no quilting to speak of!

100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 221 Blocks/ Day 57

Disney Package

Yesterday was an exciting day! Each of us attending the Disney Institute received a special package from the South/Southeast Region, the hosts of the Leadership Meeting. We received A Mickey Mouse bag, a cup full of trinkets - pencils, erasers, notepad, and snacks, a Big Mickey stuffed animal, Mickey ears, a Mickey mug, and a box (in the center) bursting with small candy bars. It was so fun to open the box and receive all these fun gifts.
Today we received our tickets/luggage tags for the Disney Magical Express which will take our bags to the hotel for us. Only 6 Days till Disney World! I fly out Tuesday morning at 6:06AM!



100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 176 Blocks/ Day 38

Productive Weekend

I feel like I had one of the most productive weekends! I actually got to spend several hours each day quilting which I always enjoy. Last night I made this Tag-a-long bag for my Disney trip. I made it in a little over 3 hours starr to finish. It has a zipper in in which will be great for carrying my camera and wallet.



Today I had grand plans to quilt, but first I started by doing a thorough cleaning of my sewing studio. I re-organized my books and magazines, dusted, swiffered, and mopped. It feels great to be able to start quilting in a clean room. I started by quilting this Noah's Ark quilt. I had put the borders on it earlier in the week, so it was ready to be quilted. I was able to get it done in a couple hours.

It's for a very close friend who just had a little boy. I hope they like it. I still have binding to put on, but the quilting is done.

Then I loaded this baby quilt for my friend Angie's little girl Hannah. I quilted green in the borders and a multi all over the center. This one still needs binding, but it's completely quilted.

I used a light thermore batting, so it will be more snuggly.


Yesterday was my last day to work at the quilt shop. This week it will be moving. While I've really enjoyed it for the last year, it was so nice to have today off. On my last day I picked up some of the baby sign language fabric. I have a quilt planned and I think I may even start it this week. I'm sewing with Jenn this week, so it should be a fun, easy quilt to make while we catch up. I'm really looking forward to all the projects I can complete now.

100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 27

It's Official...

This week we found out the quilt shop that mom and I work at, Quilt Corral Too, will be closing October 11. It was made official during Strip Club on Sat. at the shop. It was so hard to say good-bye to all the amazing and wonderful customers I have met over the past year and a half I've worked there. The shop will be moving back to Mistletoe Ranch, but because of the 60+ mile drive, it's not feesible to drive there to work. I don't know what the future holds, but I've enjoyed working in the quilting industry and I'll find another niche to fill somewhere. I absolutely love teaching classes and helping beginners get into quilting. It has been my dream part-time job.
I have been getting behind on my quilting projects, so I should have plenty of stash stocked up to keep me busy while I decide if I want another part time job. I have two projects I know of that I hadn't bought fabric for, so on Sat. I got the fabric for both. When I decided to do the One Block Wonder I was too chicken to try it with full priced fabric, so I used sale fabric. Since I have the blocks done, I saw how easy it was to do, and I want to do it with the fabric I originally wanted to use. When we first got the cowgirls in, I fell in love with them. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, but with all the colors I figured they would make an awesome One Block Wonder. I picked up 5 yards on Sat, so I should be able to get a nice sized quilt out of it.

I'm also planning to make a wedding quilt for a very special cousin. She's getting married next year and I know what I want to do, but just hadn't gotten the fabric. I picked up this cool spiral fabric that I'll use as it's in colors I know she loves.

This weekend I have been busy making a professional tote for my trip to Disney World. I am using the purple/teal/navy batik that I used for my star quilt. The contrast is teal and the lining is purple. I have the front, back, and sides done. I was ready to sew it together tonight when our electricity went out. The whole neighborhood was out for almost 2 hours. I hope to be able to finish the professional tote this week. So far I haven't had any problems with it.
Front:

Back:





100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 21

September Quilting Accomplishments

My September Goals Included:
Carters Speedway quilt - Quilt & Bind
Hannah's Barnyard Quilt - Quilt & Bind
Mason's Animal Wall hanging - Quilt & Bind
Zoo Animals baby quilt - Piece, Quilt & Bind

I didn't do so well on my goals. I did get the embroidery done on Carter and Hannah's quilts, but still need to quilt and bind them. My quilting machine was serviced this month, so I should be able to get them done soon. I won't say I'll get them done in Oct, because I have a lot going on! I did finish Mason's wall hanging and sent it to Nich this week. The zoo baby quilt didn't go anywhere, so I'll have to do that later.
I did accomplish a lot of things, they just weren't on my goals list.

Made Darlene's Vest
Finished Mason's Animals Wall Hanging
Embroidered Names on Hannah & Carter's quilt tops
Pattern Tested for a NEW book coming out in a few weeks - All in Pinks
All 85 blocks for a Koi One Block Wonder for my MIL in 4 days!
Designed pattern for Crown Royal quilts & started making blocks - my OLDEST UFO!
Made a Purse/Wonder Wallet/Checkbook cover for my MIL
Quilted my mom's 5 yard quilt

Also in September:

Congrats to my friend Amy and Joe on the birth of Jacob Paul!

Won two rulers 6x24 & 6x12 from C&T Publishing
Finished up Waun-a-Finish Summer Challenge 18 UFO's Completed 25 Start to Finish Projects
Attended the Hill City Outdoor Quilt Show - Lots of awesome vendors!
Started 100 Blocks in 100 Days in Prolific Online Quilters Group - 110 blocks in 17 days so far!
Found out I am going to Disney World October 27-31 for work! We are doing the leadership training at Disney Institute!
We bought a new CAR!

My October goals are slim because of my work trip:
Professional Tote for my trip
New purse/wonder wallet for trip
Thanksgiving Gobble Gobble wall hanging
Crown Royal Quilt - 1 top
One Block Wonder - top

I've made it to 600 posts! I love blogging and can't believe it's been almost 5 years ago that I started blogging. I was teaching high school and I had my students do it too. I don't think any continued, but at that time it was a really new medium to express yourself. I've learned so much and found some great friends. As in everything there are always some bad apples, but for the last 4 years I can't believe how many awesome people I've met on the internet. I have really enjoyed documenting my quilting and seeing how I've grown over the years.
Thanks to all my blog followers/friends! You are AWESOME!



100 Blocks 100 Days ~ 110 Blocks/ Day 17

I'm Going to Disney World!

Today I felt like I was a Superbowl Champion! I just kept saying OMG I'm going to Disney World! We had a staff meeting today at work where they announced the 18 people who had been nominated by our East/Southeast campus locations to go to their leadership conference. Of the 18 nominated, 9 were selected to go to the conference. I was one of the 9 selected to go to the conference! It's an all expense paid trip to Disney World for 4 days, staying on Disney and attending the Disney Institute. It's at the end of October, but it's such an honor to be nominated and selected to go that I'm already super excited!! I've never been to FL, remember I'm a farm girl from SD, so this is huge for me! I've only been in my position for a little over a year, but in the last 5 months I've taken on extra responsibilities to help the campuses. It truly means a lot to me to receive such an honor. I'm Going to Disney World!!