I Finished Mine Too!!!

I was deciding what projects to take on the MQG sewing retreat and came across these pieces I had put together more than a year ago. There were 11 of us so I decided to offer a retreat challenge. I wrapped each one in a small paper envelope with names on them and handed them out. The only instructions were to do with them whatever you like. Someone started working on theirs and got the ball rolling. We were all trying to do something different and checking our scraps for parts and pieces. I finally finished mine. Check the others here and here.

Retreat Challenge 2012

I love journal covers and since no one else did that, I figured I would. There is even some quilting using white thread that you can see in person but barely in the photo. I know, it's not like me to use a simple white thread!

Getting ready for Hawaii!!

Keep up your fabric therapy.

Picnic Play Quilt

My retreat quilt has been finished since Tuesday.The clouds and wind have been around or the Husband has not been home to hold the quilt while I photograph it. 

I had so much fun making this quilt. I have never bought fabric and a week later the quilt is made. I bought the fabric with the Picnic Play quilt in mind. That is another thing I have never done. Buy fabric with a quilt in mind. Not!

Feb. 2012 

These are not my usual colors and the change was nice. For the next retreat I think having everything cut prior to the weekend would be a good plan.

The pattern is in this issue. It is rare that I find a magazine that has more than one quilt that I am interested in. This one has three!

The Husband and I are on our way to Hawaii next Saturday for two weeks. I have been trying to figure out what to take for hand sewing. I have been working on a few instant gratification projects since I am already going through withdrawals from my fabric therapy. 

Until next time ... happy sewing.  

Retreat Report

Our MQG retreat was a success and tons of fun was had by all. I could not have been with a nicer group of women. Sewing with other women is so nourishing to the soul. It is fabric therapy to the max! The house we rented was like something out of a storybook. Check it out here. 

The 'theater' side of the basement.

That is a TV screen on the wall of one side of the basement 'playroom'. The other half of the group was lined up behind the couch and the other side of the pool table. There were also 3 bedrooms, a bathroom and a small kitchen down there. 

My retreat project.  2012

I tried working on the girls quilts but the blocks were such a mess, meaning the blocks I needed weren't there and the ones I had, I had way too many of.  Instead of crying in my soup (well, I did a little bit of that) I put that project away and brought out one that I hadn't started yet. It will take me a day or so to finish it and I will post a picture when I do. I now understand a little bit more about reading patterns and actually understanding them thanks to the help I got over the weekend.

Hope your week is filled with fun sewing projects.

Pick Up Sticks Top Finished

This quilt was too big for my design wall so thanks to Husband and no thanks to the slight breeze, I got the best picture I could at the time. I love the border. The black lines seemed to be too stark and in your face until I added the border. It helped pull everything together. I don't usually do borders but this one sure worked.

Pick Up Sticks   Feb. 2012

I'm getting packed up for our Modern Quilt Guild retreat in Utah. So excited for our first annual event. 

Happy quilting!