I started cutting yesterday! Now, I have 2 days before & 4 days after Branson to sew...I hope it's enough time.

Whew! I'm glad I finished my quilt, as life has suddenly become a roller coaster ride!

Bring on the peeks, ladies!

• • • Oh Angela, good luck with that. I know I am going to be cutting it real close here too.

Entry number 11 arrived this weekend.
Only 12 more days to go and I'm going to be out of action for almost a week. Sure hope we have a good turn out, because I'm not hearing much.

Okay, first KC thank you for the offer, but Miss Lisa has agreed to help us out with the peeks. So, this will be my last peek until I return.

I hope to have access to a computer while I am gone, so please keep sending those peeks and entries.

wow. I'm feeling like an underachiever..big time.

Oh My! These quilts are going to be something to see.

Have fun Jean and anyone else who's going to the retreat.

AngelaC, I hope you meant that you're cutting the final thread tails after quilting that top. LOL! We'll all cheer you on as you go! Your challenge quilts are always stunning.

I think I'm down to 4 more seams to have a complete top. Then (insert scary music here) I have to decide on the quilting...

• • • Oh Lisa, I totally understand and you must be exhausted!

It's not looking good with the reports I have been receiving. So, I'm thinking we should extend the deadline. Now, I really hate doing this, but it seems we have quite a few who really need a little more time. The problem is, I won't be able to just add one week, because I'll be out of town the following weekend. If, and I really must stress "IF" I extend the deadline, the new date would be October 12th.

I would like to know if you want to extend the deadline. But I also have to know, that you really will try to get your quilt done by the new deadline so we can have a GREAT show. Right now, I have 12 entries. Mine will be done and maybe a few more, but I don't think we are going to get 20 quilts without a new deadline.

So, please let me know what you think.

Thanks

Just made myself a quilt sandwich and plan to machine quilt tomorrow. Binding is already done so that will save some time.

• • • Branson, here I come.

I get to meet a few more challengers this year. I love meeting my challengers in person. There will be twelve of us there, but three of them are new. See ya soon!

Guess who has some peeks to share??

It looks like Jean has hit the road, so we can have some fun while she is away . Wish that I was authorized to give out bonus squares for next year or something, but I'm sure that we can come up with some sort of fun while she is off at the retreat.

Who needs a pep talk on their quilt? I'm still working on my top--ack! After a difficult summer, it is good to get back to some quilting.

Who else is sewing???

Stay tuned for a peek coming soon . . .

I promised that the peek was coming and here it is!

Jean sent me several, so I wanted to get started with posting them.

Now if anyone wants to send me a picture of their top, I can crop out a peek . . . JUST KIDDING! I'm really not trying to pull a fast one. Jean is still the primary contact for sending your peeks and completed pictures. Just thought you would like a laugh .

Enjoy!

Thanks for the peek...and the chuckles. We'll be watching for more peeks.

How about starting the day off with another peek?

Who else is wondering about those crazy gals at the COF retreat? I'm sure that they are already having some fun after seeing the notes posted on the retreat thread.

Enjoy!

Lisa, thanks for stepping in as our "new" hostess! Just kidding, Jean, no one could replace you! Anyhoo, really, Lisa, super nice of you to be helping out. It has been a hard and stressful year for you. Really am happy to see that you are stitching again...good for the soul.

Jokes on you, Ms. Jean! I'm posting the peeks after all. And do you know why? Our little tater tot played a joke on Jayardi and went to the retreat after all!

That was yesterday's sneak peek and here is the one for today.

Any guesses?

Thanks KC1930 for helping Lisa-TX surprise Jean. LOOK Out COF!!! Lisa so happy you are attending COF.

Too funny! I was a bit confused, because I thought I saw her here @COF, but have never actually met her. Glad Lisa was able to surprise Jean & you were able to step in.

hahahaha! good one Lisa!! Thanks to KC for helping out!

Poor Lisa had all she could do to keep the secret! Hopefully someone will post pictures of how she "unveiled" herself!

How many of us are in panic mode like me and hearing a whole lot of sewing machine whirring today?

Here is today's peek!

Ladies, I just got off the phone with Jean and she will extend the deadline to OCTOBER 12th! So, you can exhale now, lol!

P.S. Lisa really did surprise her...I'm sure we will hear more details soon!

Sweet!

Very nice peeks over the last few days. Thanks! It will be fun to see them in the whole quilts.

And here is a peek for Sunday. With any luck, Jayardi will be back tomorrow in one piece and stories to tell!

They look like those goldfishes crackers...

Thank goodness for the extra time. I have not even started yet.

Thank you KC for posting peeks in our absence .

It was really a big surprise and I will post some pictures as soon as I am able. When DH set up our new computer, I never got a lesson on how to upload the pictures. Can't find the crazy place to put the card from the camera .

Keep those sewing machines stitching and finish strong for the October 12th deadline. I'm kicking it into high gear now!

I think that Jean is getting home today. My brain must be on information overload. Here is the last peek that we received, so we'll be holding tight for more from Jean after she recovers from her trip.

Has anyone sent Jean any new peeks during the retreat? Get stitching and then take some pics to send her. Don't forget the bonus squares incentive for next year .

Remember that the new deadline is October 12th!

Oh, got my pictures uploaded. Here is a picture of me and Jean when I was about to leave for the airport. We re-created the picture when I arrived at the retreat in my disguise .

Love the pic ! Thanks for extending the deadline Jean. My top is done just going to start quilting today! Will send you a sneak pic once I locate my camera.

So, I have no problem with an extension either...lots of our stitch friends went to retreat...but, how about those who did finish on time and get pix sent will receive an extra set of bonus squares next year?? just a thought...

Jean is in the final stages of her drive home. Spoke with her earlier today and she had about seven hours of driving left. That should mean only a few more to go at this point.

I'm thinking that she will have some sort of reward for those that have their quilt finished by the original due date.

Keep on stitching!!

• • • Here I am. I got home later than expected last night and am still trying to get caught up on here. I have more peeks and did receive another entry, but it will be a little while before I can get caught up. I still have to unload the car.

The retreat was a blast, especially since Miss Lisa was able to join us. And boy did she pull the prank of all pranks. When I first saw her as the Unknown Quilter, we were in the hallway approaching each other, no one else around. She doesn't believe this, but my first thought was "Lisa", but there was no way it could be her. I kept talking myself out of it, because I had spoke to her the day before and the kids were in the background. So I said NO WAY, she would have told me if she was going. HA was I wrong.

I would like to thank KC1930 for taking over and posting the peeks while we were away. You wouldn't believe the message I received on my voice mail Friday night. It started off "Hi Jean, this is the new Scraps to Treasures Challenge Hostess, I just wanted to talk to you". I was thinking "How can they fire me and take my project away from me?" After I figured out who it was that called, I had a good laugh, but I was a little concerned there for a minute. Good one KC! but I'm pretty sure I will continue to run this challenge for a very long time and won't need a successor.

As for those BONUS SQUARES, YES, I'll do something special for those who finish by the original deadline. Let me get organized here and I will let you know.

Haven't been on the boards in a while - some great new peeks.

I will be done by Saturday Sept 29th. I NEED bonus squares. Jean, so glad you had fun at the COF and we want you to continue this project for the next 20 or 30 years. I am already planning fabs for next year.
I have had mtgs this week and a full Saturday planned. I should be able to email pics by 6 pm (my time) Saturday. I have less than 1/4 of the binding to hand sew.

I just sent my email with pictures to Jean. Hooray I'm finished.

I hope many more of you will be able to finish now that we have the extension. Keep sewing ladies. I look forward to seeing your lovelies.

• • • I'm still trying to recuperate from that long drive home. Been so sleepy and unable to get my butt moving. Plus, the boss keeps calling to give me more hours, which I can not turn down. The last two days have been physically demanding so when I get home my body is in need of rest and my eyes are a bit cloudy. Guess it's time for a new pair of contacts. I'm having a hard time seeing anything, even with my readers on.

It's a good thing I extended the deadline, because I haven't had a chance to work on my quilt. Never did get any sewing done during the retreat. I have received another four entries, but haven't processed them yet. Will try to get everything caught up tomorrow morning before I have to work in the evening. Maybe even a peek or two also.

Thanks for your patience.

I emailed pics, but I know one may not be good enough. I am gone most of Saturday, husband said he'll help me re-do tomorrow nite. Oh, and do you need measurements? I forgot to email that. Hope you get rest Jean and yes, you have to work those hours, quilting doesn't pay the rent (at least not for me)

Jean get some rest when you have the opportunity. I hate days when I am dragging. It does take time to recuperate from a long drive like you had.
Thank you for the extension. I got my tail in gear tho and am done and sewing the last side of binding down! May be a couple of days before I get photos sent but it will be done today! Now to start or finish another project on back burner!
Rondi

• • • Found another peek.

Lots of interesting peeks this year. Still a way to go for me, but I'm working bit by bit.

Perhaps if you remove your bag you could see a little better to sew? Just putting it out there....

Woohooo! I'm finished! I'm so happy to have this one crossed off the To Do List.

Now I'm going to help DH cut down a few trees and try to clean up my studio. Someone made quite a mess in there!

I just sent in my entry via e-mail. Let me know if you need anything else.

Thanks for hosting again! I had a blast.

Way to go, Quilter Jen! I know just how you feel. It's great to have it done, isn't it?

To those who are still working, I'll grab my pom poms and cheer you on. Here's wishing you tremendous energy while sewing/quilting and no need for the seam ripper along the way.

I'm up for something simple next. Maybe I'll quilt the Halloween twister top that's been waiting patiently.

Progress is being made! 8 hours in the sewing room today...still plenty to do, but definitely heading in the right direction

I doubt that I'll finish...it's gotten misplaced in the move which is not going smoothly If I find it, I'll sure do my best to complete, I pushed myself out of the box for the idea and I will certainly finish to hang on my wall. The peeks are fabulous, again.

I'm finished. Will try and get photos sent soon.
Rondi