Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Livermore CA to participate and teach at the Fall Retreaters Retreat. It was a great trip. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Livermore, the big room was bright and everyone had their own table. It is hard to get good photos of a large room but this gives you an idea:
For many years this was the "Alex Anderson Retreat". Alex taught a class and many people attended every year, for at least 20 years. Now Alex gets to attend and I was brought in to be the "teacher". A total of 35 attended.
The first two days are Add-On days, free sew days and most of those who came were returning folks. They came from Hawaii, Texas, South Carolina, and a few western states, including CA, of course. It was fun to watch their reunions, as these friends mainly see each other at this event annually. Many have come each year.
During those first two days I was just another of the attendees, sewing my own project. I began my Ocean Waves version of Flight of the Bumblebee and got a good bit done:
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| back of Honeydrops |
front of Honeydrops--I forgot to bring the last fabric, will complete at home
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| A practice Mariner's Compass--I will make this in Ocean Waves for my center |
Star points for some of the pieced Star blocks
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| Everything I got done--I realized I needed to save a few of each unit so I have something to Demo with during the Block of the Month teaching part of 2027 |
An added treat for me was to have dinner at Alex Anderson's home the night before Retreat began. Her friend Wendy G, made us a terrific meal, which we enjoyed in the backyard. The group was Debbie and Deb, who run the Retreat, Wendy, Alex and I. John came home in time to take a photo:
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| If you watch Alex LIVE you know where we are standing in her studio |
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| Entrance to her studio |
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| One view of her studio |
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| The inside of the BOX from the Mountain Meadows Kit |
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| The BOX from the Mountain Meadows Kit--I can't wait to get my Ocean Waves BOX |
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| Her fabric stash--we did play a little--Debbie needed Star fabrics |
The actual Retreat started on Thursday and ran until Sunday evening. Six more people had arrived, all new and eager for class. I taught Oh My Stars Thursday. Those who were interested started the day in another nearby room for instruction then went back to the big room to sew. I walked around all day, giving individual attention as needed:
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Danell's Star--with added hand embroidery. She handled unusual fabrics so well
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| Danell's star is intended to be a pillow for her bedroom--the rug set the colors and tone of her star |
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| Wendy G is thinking Christmas |
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| Happy Students |
On Friday I taught The Village--paper pieced houses, skinny trees and tiny floating stars:
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Great Houses!
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| Theresa and Tracy's corner |
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Happy Students
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Another attendee was working on a House quilt that has MUCH BIGGER HOUSES:
When teaching a small group in the midst of a large group, class runs differently. No talking to the entire room. Only providing what each student needs to succeed. It's a different experience for both the students and the teacher. I think everyone got what she needed from the classes and I enjoyed getting to know them.
One person made a big impression on me. Linda Neal is an award winning applique artist. She lives in Mckinney Tx and teaches locally as well as on the road. I spent a lot of time watching her process of preparing small applique shapes to be hand appliqued later. By the time she had all the blocks prepped and could start stitching, I was on my way home:
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| What Linda accomplished Tuesday morning to Friday night |
Seeing her work made me eager to return to two old hand applique projects I started many years ago.
Linda makes templates from CutRite freezer paper. She cuts out the shapes with a narrow seam allowance then turns the edges over onto the freezer paper and starches them in place. Using a small iron she dries the starch then removes the paper template. Each shape is glued to the background fabric, using a lightbox for placement. Once the block is completely prepped she is ready to sew--no pins to get in the way as the shapes are glued to the background.
It was fascinating to watch her process. She is teaching a class in CA in January 2027. I cannot squeeze another thing in to January but it is certainly on my radar to attend in 2028. I hope that happens.
I learned something new on this trip. At first, I thought Livermore painted the fire hydrants just for me:
Even my civil engineer husband didn't know that PURPLE fire hydrants signify NON-POTABLE WATER. DO NOT DRINK!! This water is used for fire suppression and landscaping. Learn something new every day.
I left early Saturday morning for the almost 2 hour drive to Sacramento airport. Debbie needed to get back for the 11 am Brunch. I am happy to be early at an airport, never late. Both my flights were on time, no issues, 5 hours Sacramento to Atlanta, then on to Huntsville. The 3 hour layover in Atlanta wasn't fun and getting home at midnight made for a long day. But, all in all, it was a great trip.
Next up is my trip TODAY to Philadelphia then on to the small town of Spring City, PA. Another Oh My Stars class and a Lecture on Time Management for Quilters for the Loose Threads Quilters. I will get to see friends and family on this trip. Then, just two weeks later it's HOUSTON!
Let's quilt.
Barbara
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