Back from Retreat

I returned yesterday from our guild’s second annual retreat at the Compass Retreat Centre in Mt. Calm, Texas.  Like our first retreat, it was tremendous fun and a very welcome break.

This is the project I focused on, my version of Sue Garman’s “Good Golly” pattern.  I began piecing the blocks at our last retreat and had all my half square triangles ready to set this year. 

With help from my friends, I was able to make some border fabric decisions.

The retreat center has an attached fabric store with lots of gorgeous batiks.  Retail therapy was involved…

…and chocolate was involved; both from the snack table and the wonderful desserts served with meals.

…and inspiration was involved too.  Here are a few of the projects from the other retreaters.  I did not manage to get pictures of them all.  This is only a sampling.

We managed to get a little silly along the way.

I’m glad to be home again to hubby, doggies and my own bed; and I’m already looking forward to next year’s retreat.

Plan B and More

My plan Tuesday was to work on these applique blocks while sewing with friends.  In my haste, however, I did not get there with everything I needed.  

So, onto Plan B, my hexagon project which I had tossed in my bag almost as an afterthought.  I ended up making lots of neutral hexagons while we chatted and generally had a good time

Since I last posted about this project, I’ve added a second rosette and a diamond unit.   

I've finished cutting from scraps in my stash for swapping with a friend.  This stack fills a half gallon bag.  I'm really looking forward to seeing her next Wednesday when we will make the exchange.

Today, a squishy package arrived in the mail from Wanda at Exuberant Color.  I had contacted her to see if I could purchase of some of her batik remnants.  As she was already cutting for some kits and projects anyway, she kindly agreed.  Oh, they are so lovely I may not be able to cut them for a while.

Finally, my new earphones have arrived (after having to return a defective set) and I am able to hear the dialogue while watching Netflix movies, even when hubby is really into a football game or has the entertainment system cranked up in the next room.  I am a happy camper!

Playing in the Scrap Bin

I’m having fun petting fabric this weekend.  I love a scrappy quilt project, but get tired of using just my own scraps.  So, I recently proposed a scrap swap with a Guild friend who is a scrap quilter extraordinaire.  We exchanged ideas about minimum sizes and preferred colors and are both working our way through our stashes while our husbands enjoy football season.  Besides having new fabric to look forward to, this is also giving me the push I need to spend some more time straightening up my stash.  It’s a mess, but it’s my mess and it’s glorious!

Since last posting I’ve also finished 10 anti-ouch pouches bringing my 2016 total to 95 and knitted two dishcloths.  There was also a delightful girls’ day out last weekend at the quilt show in Fredericksburg including a stop at a quilt shop and lunch at a fancy/smancy/new-to-me bistro.  There have been Guild committee meetings and applique group gatherings plus my usual sewing with friends Tuesdays.

I am slowly making progress on a quilt under the needle on my HandiQuilter and have pushed forward on with my applique and hexagon projects.  So, while I’ve been unable to bring myself sit down and log my quilting journey on this blog for three weeks, I have been steadily at work and really enjoying myself.