Annual Friends Retreat

Each summer, three quilting friends get together for a few days to quilt, working on our own projects. Since so much time has gone by since the last visit, there is lots of show and tell. Last year, we missed getting together due to COVID. 

Here is just a glimpse at all the quilts we shared with each other:

A very old project of mine, more than 20 years at least, I wanted to replace the light background with a brighter white. I removed the red border, took the background out, used those shapes as templates for the replacement fabric and am much happier with it now. It will grow a bit with additional borders. This is before I changed out the background, sitting on top of more of my show and tell quilts:

Ellen made this as a gift--now to quilt it. Here is the link to the FREE pattern for Hot Dog Day:

Hot Dog Day

Ellen often has leftovers from one quilt that become the seeds for another. I love this little log cabin, made from the leftovers of the one it is sitting on:

Ellen is fairly prolific.These next photos are some of what she brought to show. Kathleen Tracy's Schoolhouse Sampler--a nice palette of fabrics:

When you have tons of half square triangles, in several sizes, you put them all in one quilt, using an applique panel for the center:

This has a Christmas feel to it, but wasn't designed specifically for that holiday:

Another Kathleen Tracy pattern, the original blocks are 6" and the small version has 3" blocks: 

The MOST IMPORTANT task I got done was to baste the SECRET SEWING project so I can start the quilting this week. Here is the back:

I showed this one, a small version of Antique Rose Star. My original is now in Houston and if I get to teach it before the Special Exhibit quilts come home, I need a second sample: 

The quilting is coming along on this one, Western Sun Small, soon to be done:

Sharon's husband makes dinner for us each year and this year all three husbands are able to join in:

Since we go to Sharon's house, she doesn't drag her quilts to our meeting place. Here are a few of hers:

Sharon spent most of her time on this big project--it is looking great. Called Cadence Court, the book provides excellent instructions and many design possibilities. It is paper pieced:

We look forward to our annual visit. The three Amigas:

Let's quilt.

Barbara

From Retreat to Reality

Today the first Joyful Journey Retreat comes to an end. Back to Reality.

Nineteen of the best women you could hope to know have enjoyed 5 blissful days of creativity, friendship, learning and happiness. There was lots of laughter and a few tears.

Not once was the TV turned on. We got enough information from social media, news apps and calls home. The world seemed to go crazy while we enjoyed the quilters’ life. Pure happiness.

We volunteered to stay put until the food ran out, social distancing at its’ best, but, alas, they said we had to leave so they can prepare for the next lucky group to arrive in a few days.

While most of us are “women of a certain age”, we welcomed a young woman, Mazie:

 I cannot tell you how much it warms my heart to share the passion for quilting with a young woman who “gets it”. She has found her tribe. None of us is going to live forever so we need to encourage, welcome, and teach those who can come after us.

My rock in all of this is Kathy Root, my friend and the Admin, who handled the paperwork and arrangements, made gifts, assigned all rooms and sewing stations, helped pack 20 huge goodie bags, and so much more. She had great ideas that made it even better than I could have done alone. Thanks for listening when I said, two years ago, “I have an idea”:

There was so much sharing and caring among this group. No one knew everyone here. One woman only knew me and trusted our relationship enough to drive almost 4 hours to join us. Thank you, Margo:

Planning for the next one is in process. Come back Wednesday for more photos and information.

Let’s quilt.

Barbara