One More Retreat Post

Here are two of the blocks that I worked on at retreat.  I think I did more talking and laughing and, yes, even eating, than I did laying out my blocks.  That's okay, though, since I had such a good time with all the gals there.  It was probably one of the coldest periods of the winter and the coldest weather I can remember in my 18 years in Michigan.  Sunday morning it was -17 and that is very, very cold.  I didn't go back for Sunday brunch, but I had not planned on that anyway.  As for the wallhanging these blocks are a part of, there will be 7 more to make.  Will keep you posted.  (Click to enlarge)

More Retreat Pictures

 Here are Linda and Kathy - Linda is our paper piecing extradordinaire who does such incredible work.  You can see she is working on a lovely rainbow colored hanging right now.  Another of her projects is a fused wallhanging of a giraffe (there is a zebra one, also), and she is getting assistance from our fusing expert, Kathy.  We have so much talent in our group of quilters.  Kathy also has another area of expertise - she has become a very accomplished freehand machine quilter.  For  the proof, just take a peak at the pictures below.  They are spectacular and look as good on the back as on the front.

This wallhanging is also freeform quilted, but is handpainted after it is quilted.  Isn't it spectacular?  You will want to enlarge these thre epictures for sure to see the lovely work.  The top one is the closest in color to the originals, but they are all beautiful.

Here is Kathy with another of our members - Leslie.  Leslie makes beautiful quilts, also, and does much of the work by hand.  She has a lovely young daughter who is a figure skater and she takes Elle to all the places she needs to be for her practices and training.  She always has a project or two packed up and with her for the time spent waiting.  Leslie has two sons, also, one in college and one still in high school.  Great, great family.

The last picture is of Janna - the lady who plans the retreats.  There are now three a year - one in October and two in January.  This is maybe the 14th or 15th year and they are just so much fun.  Held at a local college, you have very nice hotel rooms, catered meals and plenty of room to spread out all your sewing equipment or whatever you wish to use.  If you have ever thought about attending one, I highly recommend it - lots of fun!  Janna is working on a New York Beauty block for a quilt as a gift.  Behind her is a great looking wallhanging being made from a panel.  She is another very talented gal.  (Click to enlarge)

Some Retreat Pictures

Attending the retreat this weekend was a group of sock monkies - such handsome fellows!  If you take note of the second chap, you will see that he is somewhat ananotomically correct.  They came along with Lori and her sister.   



Here is one of the stars from the paper piecing class given last fall by Linda, one of the members of our guild.





The star was done by Helen, pictured here.  Helen is one of our long time guild members and one of the nicest women you could ever meet.  Coming along with her to the retreat is

Trish - can't you tell immediately they are mom and daughter?  Trish works on her scrapbooking while spending the weekend. 



Here are two more of the quilters joining in the fun - Steph and Debbie.  Stephanie made this lovely Christmas tree wallhanging that features some beautiful little beaded pieces made by a woman who is now deceased.  It is a gift for a relative of the woman.  The little beadings are just incredible - try clicking to enlarge the picture and maybe you can see the lovely intricate little peaces.  Deb seems to have cornered the market on polka dot fabric and is making a turning 20 quilt using the dots.  That will be a great piece, Deb.

This is installment one of the retreat.  Stayed two for installment two in a couple of days!!  More to come.

(Click to enlarge)

An Afternoon Dyeing Fabric

Yesterday, our guild sponsored an afternoon of fabric dyeing. The class was taught by Janna

who is very experienced with this process and a lot of fun in addition. Thanks, Janna, for guiding us through the ins and outs of dyeing fabric.

Hosting our get together was Nancy who graciously volunteered her backporch for the class.
Thank you so much, Nancy.

Here is Deb looking as if she is enjoying what she is doing. More of the girls intent on the tasks they are working on. Some of the bowls of dye. We used kits and there will be a variety of tones and hues. Here are my ziplock bags ready for the trip home. Mine were called "Prism". This morning I emptied each bag, rinsed the fabric well, then washed it all in the machine in hot water with synthrapol (I think that's how you spell it), dried and ironed it and--------------------- here they are!!! I think they are so very pretty. I know I gave Janna fits when I first started out but I finally caught on and I love the outcome. (Click to enlarge)

More Show Quilts

Here are a few more from last weekend's International Quilt Show in Chicago. Above is a beautiful pansy wall hanging in wonderful colors. I thought this was so pretty - loved the twisted panels and the pretty colors.Another lovely pansy piece. There was just no end to beauty in that show. Another one that really caught my eye. I only was able to capture a fraction of the quilts there. Again, I apologize for not being able to give credit to the makers of these lovely pieces! Isn't this the Dear Jane (I may have that wrong, but I am sure you know what I mean) done in lovely pastels? A beauty! Will do a few more later on.
(Click to enlarge)

Sit and Sew Day

Enjoying our once a month guild get together is Linda, on the left, and Nancy on the right. Nancy is a long time member of Q2 and does lovely work. Linda is a much more recent member and she does wonderful work, also. She won viewer's choice in two - maybe three - categories at our recent quilt show with her intricate and beautiful paper piecing.

The third Tuesday of each month is Sit and Sew Day for Q2 members. You can bring your machine, handwork, your lunch or not and spend the day with other quilters in a really great room in a lovely church. The lighting is good and there is plenty of space. We can come early for our guild meetings and chat and socialize, but the time is short and it's hard to see everyone or get to meet some of the new members. I think we will be doing this through the summer months, too, so it will fill in for the guild meetings we don't have. I certainly hope we do, anyway. Above is a picture of Tam working on her darling Aunt Gracie quilt.

Here is Barbara on the left and Alice on the right each working on their chosen projects. Come join us next month if you can.

What a Fun Time in Chicago!

Really fun, kind of goofy traveling companions, gorgeous quilts, lots and lots of things to purchase if you have the inclination (and most of the showgoers certainly did), good weather, and good food--that's a recipe for a great weekend.
Isn't this a gorgeous quilt? The colors are so beautiful. I'm sorry I don't have the makers name of any of the ones that I am posting, but they certainly make beautiful quilts.

I love this one with the cows - it's so realistic. It's at an angle, but still lets you see how absolutely wonderful it is.

The zigzag piece really appeals to me and aren't these houses wonderful?

Two more lovely pieces.

In reading lots of blogs over the past year, I have been intrigued by the many mentions of the Polka Dot Girls and many other books and designers from Australia. I love the patterns they design and the fabrics they use. Well, while we were checking out the many vendors, I found a booth called Treasured Threads from Jefferson, Iowa. There was the packet of patterns of the Polka Dot Girls along with a lovely display of quilts, purses, funny little animals, etc. It was kind of pricey but I figured why not - I'm worth it and it is something I could work on if I would ever be unable to get to my sewing machine. The only other things that I bought were some fat quarters - some Aunt Gracies and some that I will use with the little bluework quilt. Here are my quilting buddies!! We had lots and lots of giggles and such a good time. They also did very well shopping and each brought home some great purchases. Kathy, Dana and Janna are easy to be with and I am so glad they asked me to go along. I think each of us will sleep well tonight and get rested up from a great quilt getaway!! Hugs to all three of you!! And don't forget who is smart!!! (Click to enlarge)

It Promises to be a Great Weekend!

In the morning, I will be on my way to Chicago with Janna, Kathy and Dana to go to the International Quilt Festival - I'm so looking forward to this. Didn't think I would probably ever get to go to a big show again - have been to Paducah about five times. However, that is the only one. Now, I will get a chance to see this one and also to check out over 1100 vendors. WOW!

I Had a Complaint!

Today was another "Sit and Sew Day" for our quilt guild at the civic arena. A nice group of quilters showed up to spend time sewing on projects and enjoying each other's company. This time I just took along some crocheting to work on so I would not have to tote my sewing machine. Several of the gals follow this blog and this pretty lady was complaining to me that I had not added to my blog for awhile. I replied that it was sometimes kind of hard finding something to post - and she said how about the scarf I had crocheted. So I made her model it for me and here is a new picture - Leslie and my scarf! We have a fun group of gals!!
(Click to enlarge)

Machine Quilting Class II

Look at the pretty one Leslie did!

A couple of our quilters having a great time!

What a fun day! We had the second all day machine quilting class at the Civic Arena and there were ten of us participating. Three of our group today - I had planned on taking more pictures and did not get it done. The same as last week, we watched the dvds purchased by the guild for the library and then tried to duplicate what we saw on our practice "sandwiches". Kathy and Stephanie hosted again this week. The dvds were from Patsy Thompson Designs, Ltd. Really good video and Patsy did a wonderful job demonstrating the designs.

I have a long way to go but I'm getting there. We were doing what Patsy called hyperquilting. Eveyone was getting the idea and once you catch on the rest is practice, practice, practice. Kathy, one of our hosts, has certainly caught on to this!!! Her work is just beautiful. You go, girl!(Click to enlarge)

Sit and Sew Day for Q2

Marsha, Jean and Helen having a serious consultation. I am sure they got it all figured out!

Johanna, one of our newer members, with pillowcases made today.
Here she is - Leslie - our president. What a pretty, fun lady - so glad she agreed to head us up for another year.

Today some of the members of Quilters Squared Guild met at the Civic Arena for a day of sewing and lots of talking and laughing - and a good time was had by all. Most of the gals worked on pillowcases to be donated to children going thru chemo - above is just a sample of some of the end results of the days work. More will be made over the summer and I am sure we will have a lovely pile of pillowcases displayed at our first fall meeting in September.