I’m back from retreat, and boy, what a fantastic 4 days that was! It may have been my first “real” retreat, but I certainly hope that it will not be my last! (While I was at retreat, I checked with the shop owner on future retreats … alas the November retreat is sold out and the February retreat is scheduled for the weekend of T#1’s 13th birthday.)
Retreat was held at a bed and breakfast out in the middle of nowhere, in corn country here in Illinois … about 2 1/2 hours from my house. Literally, we were surrounded by corn fields and wooded hills … talk about secluded. It was perfect! The main building is a totally rehabbed old 1860’s farmhouse.
I was one of the earlier arrivals and promptly set up my work station.
It wasn’t long before I started piecing log cabin blocks. If I recall correctly, I have 24 blocks completed and 18 blocks needing the last round of light fabric.
The main sewing room was large, with plenty of room for all 13 of us.
I wasn’t able to complete my quilt top (??) but many others did have completed projects (some of which were started prior to retreat).
There were plenty of other quilts that I wish I’d thought to take pictures of … like Ann’s tessellating chickens, Linda’s baby quilts (for her grand who’s due in September), Linda’s T-shirt quilt (another Linda), Mona’s four patch posey … and others.
And as if that weren’t enough, they fed us … and fed us WELL. All I can say is that if I ate like that every day, I’d weigh double what I do now!
The only downside to the retreat was my broken heart Tuesday evening at missing the Ts’ final meet. When I signed up to attend, the first thing I checked was that there would be no meets during retreat. Who knew that they would reschedule one of the rained-out meets for that week? DH made sure that they knew that Nana was sad that she wasn’t able to be there … but my heart certainly was heavy Tuesday evening! (And if we’d been closer than 2 1/2 hours away, I would have definitely spent Tuesday evening watching them swim!)
One thing I learned while at retreat was just how much time I waste online.
I had to admit that my plan was to get home, unpack and relax. But I changed my mind and tackled the backing for DD’s chevron quilt. And as has been par for the course for that quilt, I had to do a fair amount of frog stitching … I cut and stitched the extra length to the wrong side … so the backing was extra long and still not wide enough. <sigh> I unstitched and lengthened the extra backing and stitched it to the correct side … and got it all pinned! Today I’ll start the quilting!!
The gorgeous late-spring weather we’ve been enjoying is drawing to a close … it’ll be back into the 90’s by the first of next week.
Now to get caught up (a little) online … and then time to get out my hoop and start quilting!!
Have a fabulous Friday!
Kathy
So very happy that you had a great your retreat! I'll have to find out where you were. Maybe someday I could join you if it is my direction. Loved seeing the projects. Your chevron quilt looks great (even if it's been a bit of a pain to make!). Have a wonderful weekend. ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a nice time. It sounds like it was a perfect retreat for you. Sorry you had to miss the last meet. The chevron quilt is looking awesome! Last week I was relaxed and reading everyday, back at home I'm on my computer missing out on the adventures of reading. I just don't know how to pull away.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
What a wonderful time. I love all of the quilts and the food looks fantastic too. Ouch! about how much you got done without being online. I have thought that many, many times too. But then well you know. :)
ReplyDeleteI bet you are so glad to be home though.
I am glad you are home.
What a beautiful place and I could definitely enjoy that coconut cream pie. Looks delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt really sounds like you had a wonderful retreat and got so much accomplished.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend and get lots of quilting time.
Sounds like a great time! I spend way too much time online and really need to cut back. Enjoy the cool weather while it lasts.
ReplyDeleteOh joy!!! Sounds (and looks) like you had a lovely time at your 1st retreat! I hope you put your name down for a potential place if anyone drops in November? The Chevron quilt is definitely worth the work you've put into it - gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeleteI too found once I came back from being away from the computer that I would spend less time online.. and I have! :) I have been busy on a new proect too! I am so happy you had fun at retread while your DH held down the extra cheering from his side at the swim meet! Have a great weekend stitching.. can't wait to see how you stitch the chevron quilt :) Kathi
ReplyDeleteOh my! What a productive four days you experienced. I am sure you were missed by the Ts also. Good job on working through the chevron quilt issues. Maybe the retreat kept you motivated.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you had a wonderful time a the retreat! Oh my! That pie just looked too good! Thanks for the quilt show too! Your chevron quilt is ready for quilting! Yea!! I am sure there were moments when you thought this day would never come!
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great time at retreat. I have been trying to spend less time on line too! So hard, but I sure do get a whole lot more done. Looking forward to future pictures of your chevron quilt.
ReplyDeleteSounds like such a great time and I bet you will have plenty of swim meets to go to in the future. I love the blue stripe quilt, it really caught my eye.
ReplyDeleteYes, I bet if I kept up with the time I spend on the computer it would scare me too death. :o))
Happy rest of the weekend!
Sounds like a wonderful time there and I enjoyed seeing all of the various quilts ! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a great time at the retreat! The quilts in the photographs are beautiful, as is the house you stayed in :)
ReplyDelete