April Retreat Part II

Here we ALL are! We really did have a good time. The quilt square competition was especially fun! All were divided into two teams and given squares to be sewn into larger squares for a "disappearing nine patch" pattern. The team with the most squares complete at the end of 30 minutes won. Those machines roared! It sounded like a sweat shop! One of the Bama girls was designated ironer for her team. Alas, the bright colored squares came in second - only one square behind the winners!

The best part - when the squares all get sewn together, they will be baby quilts and given to the Linus Project that our local quild supports.

Cheryl did an outstanding job on her T-shirt quilt - the sashing and border with the stars was amazing.

Cathy put the border on her batik quilt. The picture just doesn't do it justice - it is totally gorgeous - and her own design!

Can't wait for the Fall retreat!

April Retreat in the Mountains Part I

Waterfall Mountain in Warrensville, NC may never be the same after this past weekend. Quilters from the Lake Norman area and two from Huntsville, Alabama, gathered for 4 days of fun and creativity. Quilts were sewn together, bags were made, knitting, beading and even a cute little girl's skirt was sewn!

Bev completed this bright and happy snowman quilt. Clara, new to quilting, cut and put together this really pretty quilt with greens and wine colors. She is definitely got the but - already has several projects in the works and her mind is racing ahead with others - go Clara!!

We were so grateful that Bev L. (right) and Joyce A. (left) traveled all the way from Alabama - they soon became known as "The Bama Girls." Joyce put together the quilt on the right. She also put another one together and made a skirt for her daughter. Bev was the newest quilter/sewer in the group and did a fabulous job putting together and almost completing 24 log cabin squares!

More pics and tidbit coming in Part II.

She Was a Good Ol' Girl

Sadly, last week we had to say goodbye to our family pet of 16 years - Butter Cream. She was a true family pet. When the kids were young, she slept in their rooms with them. She always greeted Bob enthusiastically when he came home from work. And she was my garden buddy - always by my side as I planted and weeded. We had no shame when it came to showing off her cute tricks. She was always sweet and never had any real medical issues. She just got old. we miss her - can't help but expect her to come around the corner. I take comfort in that she no longer hurts. Thanks Butter, we couldn't have asked for a better pet - you were such a good ol' girl.

FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

And OH! what a glorious day it has been. Temp in the 70's, sun shining. Greeting me out the front door this morning were the daffodils in full bloom. I sure hope they stay around for a while. They are just an undescribable treat.

We took a trip to West Jefferson in the mountains, about a 2 hour drive. I wanted to check out the various shops, galleries and restaurants there. This is such a quaint little town and they are doing such a nice job in refurbishing. There were several painted outdoor walls - I've shown just a couple here. I got to see some very nice pottery, paintings and visited a lovely yarn shop. I treated myself to a small bag of pretty roving for my next felting project.

We had lunch at the town park and check out what was piled in the parking lot - dirty, filthy snow! The NC mountains had a pretty rough winter and this is staying around for a while as a reminder. There was also tremendous tree damage done from ice this past winter. It was enough to break one's heart.

It was a fun little day trip and I would recommend it to anyone who ventures to that area.

More Bags!

Just after Christmas I treated myself to a light box in the hopes that I would do some serious applique this year. I immediately decided this new toy needed a bag so as not to get messed up when I traveled with it. I used large scraps of some home deco fabric Ihad. I love this fabric, it's just so pretty and cheery. The front of the bag is embellished with a fun flower I made from a strip of batik. The back of the bag has pockets to hold pens, pencils and notebook.

My second bag is one I saw in a knitting shop in Georgetown, SC while we were on vacation last year. Batik fabric is cut on the bias, tied together and rolled up - I think I enjoyed this process more than the kitting!. It was knitted with size 13 needs and went together in no time. The inside is lined and there are pockets.

Snow in the Snow

Sorry, just couldn't resist! (Our cat's name is "Snow") What a way to end January - a snow. If you're in the South, you know that everything shuts down. I decided to make the most of our "snow day." With a hot cup of coffee, and a bit of Bailey's in it, I went to my sewing haven first thing int he morning, and there I stayed most of the day. What a joy! It's nice to see something on the design board again. I have lots more squares done - they're on the cutting table waiting to be squared off. The bonus of this quilt is that I did not buy any fabric for it - I'm using all Batik stash on hand.

I took a break mid-day and did some more reorganizing. As more treasures move in, I need to make room and rearrange. I commandeered the built-in shelves and love the use of that space. I'm not a huge fan of the snow and ice. I certainly had enough of that when I lived in the snow belt in upstate New York, but I wouldn't mind one more - maybe on a weekday this time so I won't have to go to work!

Scrappy Retreat

I can't believe I haven't posted in over a month! There was being busy with Christmas and then getting ready for a "Scrappy" themed retreat. Ten scrappy quilters gathered in a log home on Lake Norman and sewed our hearts out! I don't have the group pic yet, so I will post that as soon as I do.

Sandy was concentrating on her new machine (lucky girl).

Mary Jo sewed many, many bright and cheerful little squares.

Cathy seemed to be asking that age old question, "To sew - or not to sew?!"

Deanna certainly seemed happy with her progress.

Lucinda and Teresa were both on a mission to accomplish great things this weekend.

Laurie was intent on finishing a Christmas scrappy quilt and determined to get to other projects too; Michelle was looking rather pleased with her handwork.

Laurie continued to work on the Christmas quilt - a/k/a Joyce's quilt because she coveted it the whole weekend. And here it is! Isn't it beautiful?

Ardis had a relaxing moment while Mary Jo and Sandy had to find more future projects - there's never enough of those!

Cathy, in her jammies, worked on a Christmas ornament.

Our last morning at the breakfast table - not as energetic, but quite content.

This group was quite amazing. Many quilt tops and projects were completed and many more well on their way. Needlework, knitting crocheting and some reading were also enjoyed. Most of all, I enjoyed this wonderful group of ladies more than I can express. We laughed, we shared, we ate, then laughed some more! All in all, we were a Happy Scrappy bunch!