Retreat

I got to go to a retreat this past month.  It's was located a short drive out of town in a wonderful location.  This is what we were surrounded by.  Isn't it wonderful?

Here was our work room.  We had plenty of table space with good light.  We were able to allocate a few tables as cutting tables.  One of the ladies had these great wooden blocks to place under the table legs to raise the table up to a better height for cutting.  Our backs really appreciated it during the weekend.

The theme of retreat for me was Christmas presents, so I can't show anything I worked on.  But I got lots of SSCS gifts and other presents mostly done.

So, instead, I'll show you some of the wonderful projects other people did.

This was a Nancy Halvorsen panel one of the ladies embellished with this great border.

This was a cute Halloween banner that one of the ladies made for her classroom.

Each retreat we make a little take away.  This year we made these little hedgehog pincushions.  They look more like hedgehogs once you add the pins.

Curvacious Log Cabin

Last year, when my friend and I went to the quilt show in Houston, we each took several classes.

This quilt is one of the classes I took.  We each got a little kit with the fabrics and spent the morning learning how to make these curved log cabin blocks.

I left these block sitting for a year (fabric needs to marinate you know) until one of my co-workers asked for a donation to our silent auction fundraiser.  I pulled this out and quickly finished it off with a little stippling.

Whetstones and Chips

This is the third, and sadly final, quilt that we got to see. 

This one is Whetstones and Chips, dated from the 1840s and it apparently travelled all the way over from Scotland.

There was amazing applique done along the borders.

A close up of the other motif.

I don't know if you can see it, but a few of the mariners compass blocks needed a few repairs.

This shot shows the quilting.  These larger lines are made with three lines of straight quilting placed very close to each other.  There were also intricate feathers quilted in and around each of the blocks.

Cherry Basket

This is the second quilt we had the opportunity to see.  I love how timeless the colours in both of the quilts are so timeless.  Even though they were made in the 1800's, I can see someone picking out similar colour combinations now.  In fact, one of our friends has started scouring the stores to lime green.

This quilt dates from 1840 - 1860.  I love how the baskets are oriented sideways on the quilt.

Each of the blocks was outlined with red piping.  Isn't that a great idea.

The quilting in this quilt was wonderful.  There were lots of interesting bits (that sadly don't show up well in the photos) like maple leaves.  I really like the circles the quilter added on the scalloped boarder.

Lobster and Eggs

Recently some friends and I had the opportunity to see some antique quilts up close and personal.

This first one is a Rose of Sharon pattern.  I love the non-traditional colour combination that the maker chose.

Even though the quilt is Rose of Sharon, we kept calling it Lobster and Eggs.  Can you see why?

Can you see the fried egg?  How about the lobster claw?

This quilt was quite intricately quilted.  It was interesting, the maker did a lot of echo quilting all through the background but did not quilt through the large blue or red appliqued bits.

The border had scallops along with these funky chicken feet details.