Aren't retreats wonderful?

Only trouble is

it takes me a week to recuperate!

We had sew much fun.

Laughed, ate lots of chocolate, 
laughed, went to bed way toooo late.

 I did manage to piece a top (still needs borders)

and work on a few other projects. 

But didn't complete anything.

 This is the studio.

Enough room for 24 quilters!

 Lots of windows and sky lights.

 

 Kitchen area.

Unfortunately, it was tooo chilly to eat on the deck.

But we did have our morning coffee out there.

And this beautiful view from the deck

we didn't see.

Not that green here in Wisconsin YET.

All of the above photos were taken from the

Magnolia Ridge website.

I forgot my camera!!

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 Click on recipe to enlarge.

These are  quick, easy, and delicious.
One of my favorite recipes from
our Guild Saturday Sew Day.

Finished quilting Kathleen's

"Round Robin" quilt this week.

Now I'm off to load another customer quilt.
Maybe I can get some piecing time in today.
Here's hoping......

Retreat Results

Look! Here are the two tops I finished this weekend.

I bought this kit at Expo. The fabric line is called

Merry & Bright

and the pattern is Boxed Blessings.

Isn't this fabric fun?

Ribbon candy, peppermint stripes and red polka dots!

The pattern is quick and easy with clear instructions.

I can't wait to make another, maybe in fall colors?

Or wouldn't it be cute in 1930 reproduction prints?

Now just to get it quilted before Christmas!

The colors look washed out in the photo. But trust me.

The lavender & sweet baby print is perfect for the new room.

The pattern Dream Baby is a super easy 4 patch.

The border fabric makes the quilt! So sweet.

This is the backing fabric included with the kit. Paper doll clothes!

The weekend was such fun. The four other gals were a joy to be around.

We laughed so much! And the food was delicious.

Oh, and my Oak Leaves & Reel quilt needs one border sewn on to be finished!

Retreats are the greatest!

Fabric, Friends & Food

I'm on the road heading to the Quilt Expo in Madison.

It is the highlight of Fall for me since moving to the area.

Hundreds of quilts on display. Eye candy for the quilter's soul.

Not to mention 140 vendors! Talk about temptation.

Each booth calling to me to stop and take a look.

While there are plenty of lectures and classes

being offered, I am not taking any.

Instead I'm heading for a weekend retreat!

A few of my Sew What sisters and I are

sewing Friday afternoon to Sunday without interruptions!

I am going to make the Oak Leaves & Reel quilt like the one pictured below.

If you remember, I quilted this for a shop sample last May.

All the applique is really a printed panel. So it should go together quickly.

I thought it was the perfect fall quilt to hang in my entry way to say "Welcome".

Beautiful, don't you think?

I wanted to share with you a tote bag I just love!

I filled it with a second set of notions and keep it ready to go just for classes

and retreats. That way I'm not having to pack up every time.

Cuz, of course, I'd always forget something.

I found this cute luggage tag last year at Expo.

Wonder what I'll find this time?

Don't worry, I'll share all my goodies.

Nancy's Notions Tote

Handy pockets are great for notions and tools on the go! Four zipper pockets. insert easily by hook and loop tape along center spine.

A balanced diet is having a cookie in each hand!

I baked chocolate chip cookies to take to retreat. They're always a hit.

Just for something a little different

I added a bag of Reese's peanut butter chips along with the chocolate chips.

Talk about good! Here's my favorite recipe.

Have a great weekend! See you next week.

Life's A Stitch

Here are pictures from the retreat I attended on Friday.

Pat, owner of our local quilt shop, Life's A Stitch,

sponsors an all day...I mean allllll day.... 8 a.m. til 10:00 p.m. retreat.

It's pot luck for lunch then Pat provides dinner.

There's usually a waiting list to attend, so this month it's a 2 day affair.

I was only able to go on Friday but I'm sure they had fun Saturday without me!

A day sewing and laughing with quilting friends

is one of life's little pleasures.

Retreat Projects

Here are pictures of the projects I worked on during our retreat.

I still have borders to put on and backings to find.

But at least I make some head way!

I'm still rethinking the UFO thing.

The first 2 photos are a customer's quilt. Hard to see the quilting.

I used a variegated thread. It really makes the quilt "pop".

Looks very contemporary.

"French Roses" done in black & brights. What fun to quilt!!

Raw Edge Applique

Baby Colors Yellow Brick Road
I am going to put a minkee fabric on the back.

This checkerboard piece is for a class.
We are going to cut it up and sew in back into pin wheels.
I'll definitely take pictures of the after.

Box of Chocolates

the focus fabric is pink foil with pieces of candy.


Green Bay Packer fabric in the Warm Wishes pattern.

Thanks for looking.