A fun time at any retreat is show and tell. My pictures could have been better. I think I was trying to zoom in on the quilts and it kind of blurred some of them. Loved the top one - a stained glass effect. As far as I could tell, she had pieced narrow bands of black between the pieces. Very effective
This quilt was stunning!! No other way to put it. Each of those blocks is only 4". The gal said it took her 2 1/2 years to finish it. (Is that all?) She deserves a medal for this one. it is called "Dear Jane".
I'm sorry I didn't get names of quilts or their makers.
I did get the name of this one. (because it's mine) It is "I Spy" and will be for our great-granddaughter, Vivvi. I found a couple of fabrics that will remind her of Great-Grandpa Wayne---pop corn, jelly beans, and a red tractor!
Holding the quilts are Sonny and Cher. (alias Mary and Carolyn)
The gal making this one makes a quilt each year for one of her siblings. This will go to a brother who rides in rodeos.
I wish I had a better picture of this one. She had hand dyed all the fabric and it really was pretty.
AND THE WINNER IS...............me!!!!
Tracy made this beautiful wool Christmas wall hanging and gave it to me! It is even more stunning in person and will have a place of honor in our home. I think it will still be up on the wall long after Christmas!!
Thank you Tracy!!!
Jolyn
For those of you who need a break from retreat pictures, this is our youngest daughter, Mari. She came home from N Minneapolis to help clean. Little did she know - she would clean house, but also "get" to clean hog barns!
She is a good worker and probably got more housecleaning done in a week than would take me a month. I'm getting ready for an event the first Saturday in December (more later) and she really helped me to cross a lot of things off my list.
Just so you wouldn't think she worked all the time, here she is riding Sammy.
Jolyn
Thank you to all our veterans and those currently serving our country!! We have our freedoms only because of what you have given. Thanks also to their spouses and kids who gave up family time so their soldiers could serve. Jolyn
(I warned you that I had enough material to last all week!) Both Friday and Saturday classes and demos were held out in the entry way. It is huge, so 4 demos could be held at one time. (Did I mention it is also close to the snack room?) The top picture Bonnie is doing a demo, but can't remember what it was. Could have been her Jellies in a Tube. The demos are a great way to pick up hints even tho you might not make that particular project, sometimes the methods can be used in others.
Here's Diana with a finished project! A cell phone bag (how many retreats did it take her?) She had already done a demo on a Travel Tote.
Merle (the Toolman). doing her Tooltime demo! Lots of us already have the tools and just need a refresher on using them.
Please note that Merle and I color coordinated our outfits!
I was doing a demo on the 10 minute table runner (or in the case of the small one in my hand --the 5 minute one) It is really a fun one and I've made over 100 of them --so you know what everyone in my family plus others are going to get this year!! You can find it if you google Ten Minute Table Runner. Or you can come see me or better yet - stop at the Calico Hutch and they'll walk you through it and sell you a one of the dozen or more kits they have for it.
Here's Mary on a roll!!
All of these projects and tools can be purchased at the Calico Hutch at Hayward. (and I'm not even paid to say that!)
Note the lovely carpet on the floor! they are remodeling the motel so we'll see if the carpet stays. Ugly carpet never wears out.
Jolyn
Today we have a parade of t-shirts from the retreat! I'm sure I missed some, but did get quite a few. I have one like Tracy's in the top picture, but my arms aren't long enough to get both of us together and then take the picture. (I know - ask someone else to take the picture!) We learn to dress in layers as the temperature varies from hour to hour and depending on where you are in the room. For such a large group in such a large room, it was very comfortable.
One of the things that the Calico Hutch does is set up ironing stations out in the entry. It is a bit of a walk from our sewing area, but I find my back lasts longer by getting up every so often and walking out there. (can also swing by the snack room ---if necessary.)
You notice the pillowcases hanging in the background? For each one you made and donated, you were given a chance to enter a drawing for a NEW Bernina sewing machine! Hopefully I can find the picture of the gal who won. Her joy couldn't be contained!!! She made us all happy that she won!
Jolyn
Just so you don't think retreats are all about quilting--here's probably the number 2 spot! Please notice --we try to get all the food groups - like chocolate-fruit-chocolate-grains-chocolate-drinks-chocolate. No wonder I go into chocolate withdrawal when I come home!!
Did you know you can write messages on banana skins? Used to do that with my kids when packing lunches. Also- I always liked to take a bite out of their sandwich - just to make sure it was safe for them to eat. Right????
Don't know if I should tell you this, but we also had a snack room. These pictures are just the personal table stashes!!
This is my work station - just as neat as at home! Yes, I had my own personal stash of food - pumpkin muffins. It is not polite to ask how much weight we each have gained by the time we leave for home.
Jolyn
First weekend of November is Calico Hutch's fall retreat over in Austin, Mn. How was it ???--Grrreeaatttt! What fun - eating, quilting, laughing, shopping, visiting, learning, teaching!!! (Notice I didn't say - sleeping -- that's because we don't do a lot of that.) The ballroom held over 100 of us quilt lovers all sewing up a storm. Someone wondered how much $$$ in sewing machines was in this room. Each retreat has a theme and this one was "Woodstock Reunion" so there were lots of Hippie-wananbees!! These pictures kind of show the set up but they can't capture the energy in the room. The top one is showing part of the staff.
Here's the group in action. Most gals bring their own chairs, lights, machines, projects, food (more pictures on that later!), and money to shop!
The shopping area is enticing and if that isn't enough, the Hutch is just 15 minutes away!
I laughingly told the gals I had enough material to fill my blog all week. So- for you none quilt-lovers - check back next week - I should be over it by then!!
Jolyn
