I don't know about you, but it seems like I've been running full speed throughout the holidays, and things are just now starting to feel normal again. I found the perfect cure for my annual PHS disorder (that's Post Holiday Stress). It's called RETREAT - and it's WONDERFUL!
As I mentioned earlier, I had never been to a retreat before. It always seemed like it was a lot of work to pack everything up and set up somewhere else to sew. I didn't get it... But now I understand. I'm sure those of you who go to retreats know what I mean. Yes - it's a lot of work to pack, but there's just something about spending four days with a group of great women who share common interests. And I mean it when I say "great women". Everyone got along beautifully and we thoroughly enjoyed each other's company. Thanks for including me, ladies - I love each and every one of you!
Here's the whole gang, with each of us holding something we were working on. Isn't Leisa's quilt in the background gorgeous?
We had oodles of great food (and are now in the process of sharing all our recipes), had lots of fun and interesting conversations, watched a great movie, and we sewed - and sewed - and sewed... then sewed some more - with lots of laughter thrown in, of course!
Here are two more beauties on the design walls, ready to be assembled - Megan's on the right and Ann's on the left. Stunning!
And here are the projects that I worked on...
I still have to add gray borders around the sides of this quilt. It was so much fun to have everyone's input while we played around with the color placement! I'm really happy with our final decision. I know the picture is a little fuzzy, but it looks better in person. I used some Andover Frippery charm squares and paired them with dark gray. I hope to do some special quilting in the gray whirlygigs in the center.
This one is also made from Andover Lucky Penny charm squares, paired with a medium gray this time. All half-square triangles, arranged in a chevron pattern. Not sure if I'll put a border on this one or not - I'll see how it looks after the blocks are all sewn together.
Next up is a little
AAQI quilt. My regular readers will remember that I made a
personal commitment to make and donate a matching mini AAQI quilt each time I sold a quilt in
my Etsy Shop. I sold two quilts in November and I thought that Retreat would be the perfect place to work on these mini quilts. This first one is made with Tula Pink's Neptune collection.
And here is a picture of the original quilt that was sold.
And this is the second mini-quilt, made with Bunny Hill's Puttin' On The Ritz fabrics, in gray and cream. I like how the words "Baby" and "Dream" appear in some of the cream squares. That was lucky, because I have absolutely none of this cream fabric left - only scraps of the gray - it was close!
And here is the quilt that inspired it.
Last up is yet MORE blocks made using Tula Pink's Neptune fabrics. I've made two quilts, a huge patchwork duffle bag, several purses, the mini quilt above, and other little odds and ends with this fabric and I still have lots MORE! I still love it though, so I'm sure I'll keep on using it.
So that's it for my trip report. Now I have to unpack all my sewing stuff and settle back in to my Cotton Cellar to get some work done. And I don't care how much work is involved - retreat was FANTASTIC!
Cheers!
