All Hobbies Retreat Weekend ~ Nov.18-20, 2011

**Incognito** · 11-21-2011, 10:09 AM

Well, I'm really aching all over from yesterday's errands downtown, so have had a slow start today, took 1/2 hr. of physio just to get my muscles moving to get out of bed.
Today the plan is:
- to finish one rug
- do the laundry
- bake a double-batch of bread

I'll be working as time permits on all my crafting projects for the next month, because they need to be finished in time to send them away for Christmas. I'm not sure if this challenge was meant only for last weekend, but thanks for the motivation of our many busy hands, ladies!

**dcompton** · 11-21-2011, 11:10 AM

I ended up getting a little over a third of the new lapghan finished last night, and this morning, for a little lagniappe on the retreat period, I got most of the ends woven in on the other one. I have about six left, but since I was the one to open this morning, I couldn't risk being late to work. I'll get those done tonight. I'll try to post pics of them over Thanksgiving in the Crochet Corner thread.

**NicJean** · 11-21-2011, 02:53 PM

It's monday, afternoon, and my eyes are still a bit bleary from the nutty CroptoberFest retreat at the Lake Morey Retreat (not my gig, yes, I realize it's November). Friday night there was 6 of us, my bedtime was 9:30PM ( got about 4-5 pages scrapbooked). I was first up Saturday, as usual, and in the room by 5:15 AM - and went to bed at 11:15 PM. Way too long in one place, but finished a wedding album (of my sister), and re-worked a slide-in album for my MIL (of my stepdaughter). We had about 30 total participants, my classes went great, and I was more prepared than I thought I was. My friends were working till after 3 in the morning, they are nuts! Sunday I was in the room by 5:35AM - oops, slept late - and headed home by 1:00.
I'm tuckered out.

**Incognito** · 11-21-2011, 04:31 PM

Finished my 'shades-of-blue' doormat; it turned out fine.

Almost finished my laundry.
Haven't started on any bread-making, but I might make a batch of baking-powder biscuits/cinnamon buns, and tonight prepare the starter dough for refrigerator rolls, and bake another day.

Now having a cup o' tea.

**Spirit Deer** · 11-21-2011, 09:21 PM

We delivered the Snuggles to the kitties in the shelter today, and it went well. People seemed to like them and so did the kitties. I feel sure they'll be put to good use. So I'm glad I did all the work.

My hands still hurt but that'll pass in a few days.

**Incognito** · 11-23-2011, 08:38 PM

Well, work's done for the week, so now I have all my errands, baking, cooking and Christmas craft projects to do.
Hoping for a good workday tomorrow.
Feeling trepidatious about the crochet work for my grandkids Christmas slippers; I honestly don't know if my hands can handle working with that size hook & yarn anymore. So, I checked out the internet for more free patterns in a larger hook-size. Hopefully, something is going to work out. I have very little hand strength and grip now, due to my illness, so I have to go into this with a careful, workable plan. Will be working away on my Christmas crafting until it's time to send everything away in time for Christmas.

So, the pressure's on; if I can just get in a good few days this week and weekend, I'll feel better.

**dcompton** · 11-23-2011, 08:58 PM

I know how it is, Incognito. My right thumb is so painful I can't crochet nearly as much as I used to. I hope you find a good pattern and that it all works out.

**Incognito** · 11-24-2011, 06:53 PM

Thanks, dcompton, for your understanding words. It's a real labour of love to work handcrafts when we have problems and pain in our fingers and hands. My fingers are mostly numb and tingly, with full feeling only in my pinkies; and everything I touch feels rough like coarse sandpaper; I have cramping and rigor. But I tried out some test swatches today, and managed 15 minutes, before the pain was too great in my hands. I'm so relieved I can still hold and use a crochet hook, so should be able to get started on these Christmas slippers soon.

Update on today:
- got all the downtown errands done: mail, milk & water
- checked through my slipper & rug yarn patterns
- took out all the yarns and checked/chose colours for slippers/future rugs
- made some sample test swatches with different hooks; #4 worked well, and I can handle smaller sizes too, hopefully more than 1 strand.
- checked out crochet cotton test, can handle #1.40 steel hook, but very slow at the work (very happy about this, because I think I may be able to work on my lace tablecloth some time again)
- found some Christmas-colored beads for crafts: candy-canes/icicles (need to find my pipe cleaners for this)

Well, the light is gone, and I've had supper, done dishes and tidied up. Hopefully, tomorrow will be a good crafting day.

All the best, ladies!

**Incognito** · 11-25-2011, 03:33 PM

Are we having another "All Hobbies Retreat Weekend" for Nov.25-27?

Hope so; maybe we should start a new thread to keep it current.
There are currently at least 3 FV threads on this subject now, so I'm not sure where I should be posting, but I'd like to keep on together till I finish up all my Christmas crafting projects.

I've been working away on my Christmas projects again today, and have finished fixing-up the botched weaving job on Rug #2.
I took out all the creased warp pieces, and replaced them with other pieces in the same colour scheme: blues, greens & black.
That took me 3 hours of work, but I'm so glad it's done.

The project is now resting and then the next step is measuring the centers at 24" x 36", then adjusting all strips to the right size; then marking across all ends with yardstick, then pinning on the borders for sewing.

I am all in for now, and just recuperating with this little break and a cup o' tea.

**nuisance26** · 11-26-2011, 08:11 AM

~Retreats are just once a month.
You can post your progress between retreats on the Sewing Challenge or the Homemade Christmas challenge.
The next retreat will probably be December 9-11.

~

**Incognito** · 11-26-2011, 10:21 AM

Thanks for answering my last post regarding the hobbies retreat days?
One more question: How does a poster get their 'pincushion award'?
I've been posting comments and suggestions about sewing and crafting for years on FV, but don't know how to go about earning that award.

**nuisance26** · 11-27-2011, 12:36 PM

~You sign up in this thread: Sewing Club Sign Up , then request a reward icon here: Frugal Village Forums - Awards
It may take a couple of weeks as I believe Sara is responsible for giving them out. We all know how busy she must be so please be patient.

~

**frugalfranny** · 11-29-2011, 11:48 PM

Missed the retreat weekend but got busy and finished a
quilt...............

Put the pic of it in my avatar. BRIGHT ENOUGH??

It is flannel and I like how it turned out..... but wouldn't make
another one as it was a demon to cut out..........have to
figure an easier way than what the pattern says and don't think I would spend the time. Too many other quilts to make!!

**Incognito** · 11-30-2011, 10:01 AM

Nice going, ff! It looks like a "Log Cabin" design, but with fewer pieces in the block.

**frugalfranny** · 11-30-2011, 02:46 PM

Originally Posted by Incognito

Nice going, ff! It looks like a "Log Cabin" design, but with fewer pieces in the block.

Thanks........it is very similar to LC though it also has a four patch block in it too.........but you cut each block individually.......which stinks.
Working with 12 fabrics that had to stay "ironed" just about buried
my basement working space...........glad it is done!

I am trying to wrap up some REALLY OLD ufo's!!!!!!!!
Still more to go............slow and steady wins the race, I guess!