Nice and Quiet...

At the recent quilt retreat I went too. There was quite a bit of socializing, shopping, sharing of ideas, and laughter at the retreat. This was my sixth retreat I have been too, and last one at least with this group of quilting friends. The retreat is up in the mountains and the place is relatively quiet, except for the sound of birds, geese, and ducks, which this is surprising since they are right in town.

This is one picture of several buildings were we stayed.

The first retreat I ever went too I started making this coin quilt for Mr. Crafts4others. Eventually I was able to get the top pieced together, this was done in about three retreats (mostly because I miscalculated how much yardage I would need for the top and backing. It is the biggest quilt I have ever worked on and I wasn't working from a pattern. 

Off and on since last years retreat I have been hand quilting it. In previous years the retreats have been for three days but this year it was for four. I spent all of the time hand quilting, although I did take an EPP (English Paper Piecing) project just in case I needed another one. By the last day I was already working on the borders and felt that I was running out of fingers to quilt. 🙂 I have started on the second border now, but haven't done anymore quilting for several days.

Progress from Retreat

I took some pictures from the annual Quilt retreat that I go too. Below are pictures of nature and a little progress that I made on a project.

I am making a Grandmothers Flower Garden item for one of my grandmothers, I think it will be made into a lapghan. The flowers will be various prints of flowers themselves. I find it is easier to make them into rows and then attach them together, instead of making the flower section and then adding the path around.

Upcoming Quilt Retreat

Every year I go on a retreat with several ladies from the quilt guild I belong too. They have about three a year but I only go to one. Planning what to bring is always I think an issue, the  first year I had no idea what to bring, so I brought lots of projects with me. I didn't think that much ahead and should have pre-cut fabrics. Last year I did precut some fabrics and brought only a few projects with me. My original plan for this year was to bring two pillowcase projects, bring a quilt that I need to complete the backing and then quilt it, and precut fabric to make a small child's quilt. Yesterday, I was using my sewing machine when I ran into issues with it, I think it needs to be serviced and given a tune up. Every project I had thought about bringing has now changed.  I will now take all handwork and even some counted cross stitch work with me. I have precut several fat quarters and even half yards of fabric into 2 inch squares so I can work on a English Paper Piecing project that I have started. I will also be taking a small applique wall hanging with me. The only other projects I am taking are counted cross stitch items, the Good Morning with the rooster and the Music Is Love, Love Is Music (previously shown about two posts ago). I was thinking about bringing another quilting or applique project with me, but then thought I might not focus on them enough. I really want to get quite a bit done, especially since I have not even basted that many hexagons for the English Paper Piecing Project or even cut the fabric from the applique wall hanging kit.

Quilt Retreat Photos

I have gotten behind in posting photos of quilts lately. Every year I go with members of my quilt guild on a retreat, it occurs about a month after our annual quilt show (I still need to post photos of those quilts as well). Enjoy the photos!


This first quilt is mine, it is a string quilt made of 1930's reproduction fabric.  Two years ago I did a block exchange and gave out the fabric to various other members and told them to add some of their own 1930's fabric to the ones I provided. At the first retreat I went to I pieced the blocks together, but never did actually quilt it. This year I knew I needed to get it done, but what should I do with the quilt? I had run out of the fabric I had given out, so I couldn't make more (most of the blocks have a at least one fabric that is the same throughout). So I just decided to give it as a gift to one of my grandmothers as a lap quilt. I think she will really enjoy it with the cheery fabric.

This block I made as the President of our quilt guild on the trip broke her hip and needed emergency surgery. Her favorite color is red so, all of us at the retreat made one block, the quilt top is in the photos below.

The view from outside of the room I stayed in.

I love this quilt pattern. I will be making one similar in July when I take a class from Bonnie Hunter.

 A small creek on the retreat property.

 This is the quilt top all complete of everyone's quilt block they made as a gift for a speedy recovery of our quilt guild President.

Retreat....

I had a fantastic time at the retreat, it will definately be on the list for next year. I was not able to accomplish as many of my own projects I wanted to do, but was able to get a lot of the monthly block exchanges done. I hope to complete more of them tomorrow at a monthly quilting bee.  I was able to challenge myself and learned a few techniques that I had never done before. I will either make another video or post pics later.

I have yet to decide about the book giveaway, but will try to make a decision soon. Speaking of books, I recently borrowed the book The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda Brunstetter from the local library. It is really interesting so far and I am only on the third chapter. Basically, it is about a amish woman that put a ad in the local paper to teach quilting. The characters who will be her students range from a young women, to a couple, and even a male biker.

I still have Tinkerbell to finish for my niece before my deadline that I made of Wednesday.

As it is now the month of May, I need to start my project for 12for2012. It is a cute wall hanging, that will end up being a gift for one of my grandmothers.

Book Giveaway?

I LOVE books...so of course I have more than I need. Actually, there has been a recent time, that I have discovered I accidently purchased the same book twice. So, I am thinking perhaps of having a giveaway. I will think about it over the weekend. Let me know if you think, you maybe interested in entering a giveaway.