Moving to the garage

preparing for company

Nothing under the category of "quilting done" for days and days.  Getting ready to triple the occupancy of our house (son and family in flight over the Atlantic, from Heidelberg--> Paris-->  Minneapolis as I'm typing this).  That means my quilting supplies are on the move. 

We live in a house unsuited for my beloved past-time.  With no basement and a stash that could supply a small quilt shop, plus (too many) sewing machines, a new quilting machine, and all the supplies needed to make several hundred quilts, DH and I live in the midst of Quilt Central.
I read with envy and longing about those with entire rooms or suites dedicated to quilting.  No upheaval required when company comes.  Just close the door.

We've borrowed a van for the next 10 days (2 grandchildren in car seats + 2 extra adults to transport), and it's going to stay on the driveway.  Empty half of the garage!  We've been carrying storage bins filled with fabric out to garage, mostly the 64-qt (61 L) size.  I could leave a few along an empty wall of the living room and drape a pretty quilt over them, but non-stash-owners would not understand that.  And besides -- we want granddaughter Maddie to help us set up a Christmas tree while they're here.  The tree goes along that wall. 

The bins are relatively easy to move, though I'm overweight and out of shape, and husband is scheduled for left knee replacement in 2 weeks.  We're quite a pair, but together we're carefully moving them up 7 steps of our split-level home and out to the garage.

Disappointment #1-- stacks and sacks galore of scraps and strips that I want to sort and trim to a recognizable shape.  Too late for that now. They're being shoved into yet another bin and will have to wait. 

considering buying

Disappointment #2--I didn't budget my time well enough to make a couple items of clothing for Maddie or grandson Drew's quilt before they arrived.  Patterns and prewashed fabric and notions are heading to another bin.

I have hand sewing projects set aside to pull out and work on when time allows.  Our hours and days will be busy, but there will be sitting time, and I prefer a project in my hands.   And maybe I can use some down time to catch up on reading blogs.  I am SO far behind. 

Has anyone purchased this DVD set, "Why Quilts Matter: History, Art and Politics"?  or have you seen the episodes on public TV?   I've forgotten to watch them so far.  Maybe I'll remember today, as they're shown locally on Saturday mornings.  This 9-episode documentary series was created by Kentucky Quilt Project, Inc. and looks fascinating.  You can watch a trailer and read more details.    I'm considering buying the DVD set, but I want to watch at least a couple of the episodes first.
Enjoy your weekend.  Gramma time is almost here!