Another successful Retreat

Another Guild annual Retreat has come and gone. What fun we had. When you get 32 quilters together for several days, not only is there lots of chatter and laughter, there is also much accomplished. We all look forward to this getaway all year long, knowing it will be good times with good friends and also an opportunity for some serious sewing time. To be able to devote three whole days to nothing but sewing, if one chooses, is pure bliss. No phone calls, no laundry, no meals, dishes or grocery shopping, what more could a gal ask for? Of course there is a Quilt Shop nearby so one can take a little shopping break if the mood hits...

As usual, this Retreat did not disappoint. The meals were great, the company was exceptional and the sewing projects were inspiring. The Show and Tell on the final night was amazing! We are lucky to have several members who are great entertainers, and they kept us in continual laughter. From Nurse Willa's offer to give us all our H1N1 shot with a huge syringe attached by hose to a gallon of green "vaxine", to Marg's poem about a sex change on our beloved "mascot" Annie, there was much merriment. Laughter truly must be the best medicine, because we all leave the Retreat feeling rejuvenated and several years younger.

It's always interesting to see the variety of projects that are being worked on. I hauled out a fall wallhanging that I had started at Retreat two years ago, and not touched since. I was pleased to get the top completed except for borders. Now I'm on a search for the perfect border fabrics. Some worked on UFO's as well (that's UnFinished Objects) while others started and finished completely new projects. There was everything from king-sized bed quilts to small wallhangings, I Spy, Quilt as you Go, paper-piecing, jellyroll projects from Bali Pops, projects from diecut kits and original works. Lois brought blocks she had sewn in Florida last winter and got both put together- one king-sized, the other a queen size I believe (shown at left and above). I still love a scrap quilt and these two were beauties. My buddy Sue worked on a diecut kit project- a very colorful version of Storm at Sea - I told her she'll have to name it "Sunset Storm".

There were bright batiks and pastel prints, fuzzy flannels and preprinted panels. Sewing machines hummed from early morning till late into the wee hours. Some got caught up on rest and others did not get near enough sleep. But we all came home happy.... happy to be a part of such a great group of talented friends and happy to be addicted to quilting!
You can see a few more Retreat photos here on our Guild Blog.

Piece,

Linda

Friends fill your life with joy, your soul with sunshine and your heart with love.