Registrations are Coming In!

Registrations are beginning to arrive in the mail for the January Quilters' Weekend Retreat.  All you need to do is contact me by e-mail, or phone, or leave a comment on this page to let me know you are interested.  Your deposit secures your space and the final payment is not due until December 15.

There are very limited spaces, so let me know as soon as you can if you are interested.

Hope to see you in January!

What to do...

On a rainy afternoon ?  

With thunderstorms moving through the area, I thought it advisable to turn off all electronics.  We often have lightening strikes because of the water.  Seems to draw lightening like a magnet!

So I sat in the living room, overlooking the deck and the monsoon rains and perused my magazines and UFO's ( really NBO's since they are Not Begun Objects) or future quilts.  I found a pattern in a box of thirties prints that called for 2" strips.  This led me to the two inch strip drawer, the scrap fat quarter drawer and voila!

This is a Moda pattern I picked up at Cobblestone Quilts in Townsend Massachusetts.  The pattern cover shows it in thirties prints and that is why it was paired with the fabrics. 

But it looks good with a pairing from my "why did I buy that fat quarter?" stash which was in the fat quarters getting ready to be cut up into strips drawer.

Sometimes a few hours of play on a rainy afternoon can be good for the quilty soul.

Quilter's Weekend Retreat - Details!

The info for the January Quilter's retreat is now posted.  

Click on the tab above (Quilter's Weekend Retreat - to the right of Home) to find out the details.

I hope you can join us in January 2014.

Cutting for Lazy Sunday

What to do in a hotel room waiting for the next day?

Cut out a new quilt, that's what!

Lazy Sunday is a Bonnie Hunter pattern that was published as a series in Quiltmaker magazine.  Of course, I am making it larger so there is some math to be done.  I have cut most all of one color (the purple) and part of another (the pink).  More cutting is on the docket for today.

On vacation and continuing to have a great time!

Day 2 - Collaboration Celebration

Day 2 and still lovin' it!

Today has been pieced hexies with Mickey Depre. One is totally finished and ready for appliqué. Now on to finish the rest of the star blocks until dinner. After dinner more handwork with the hexies. 

A wider view

Best vacation ever 

Collaboration Celebration

Having a great time in North Carolina with Mary at Bonnie Hunter and Mickey Depre's Collaboration Celebration. Two blocks done this morning.

Lovin' it!

Quilters' Weekend Retreat

Picture taken in 1911 when Niagara Falls was completely frozen.  Found on Pinterest, repined by Joanne Janelli 

I am working on a retreat for quilters to be held in the dark and dreary days of January.  You know those days right after the holidays where you want to be anywhere else but by yourself in your sewing room?

 

The idea came to me a few years ago when January loomed long and large in the "I despise winter in the Northeast" frame of mind that I was in that year.  I wished that there was a quilt retreat to look forward to and to participate in before the Ninnie retreat at the beginning of March.

 

Now I know that it can be snowy and hard to travel in January in the Northeast.  But since I live fairly close to many nice hotels with great amenities (read that as in-door pool, and maid service!), I decided to keep the economy going in 2014 with a quilters' weekend retreat.

The details are coming together rather quickly.  I am hoping to have a partner in one (or more!) of the local quilt shops.  The weekend can be work on your own project or participate in the as to yet be named weekend project.

I think it will be fun!

Look for details in the near future and if you live in Rhode Island, or near by, and don't mind driving to Coventry Rhode Island in the winter, maybe this might make your Santa or birthday wish list this year!

Oh yes - space is limited (the sewing room is not that big, unfortunately) so if you are interested e-mail me as soon as you can to express that interest.  I will make sure you get first dibs!

Those who know me, know I plan economical and FUN trips and activities.  Check your calendars and make out those wish lists for family members.  Remember July is not too early to start planning for those blah days after the holidays!

PS.  I can now say that the last weekend of January 2014 is the target weekend.  Get ready for details and a "reservation sheet" to be posted next week on my blog.  Hope you can join us!

PPS.  Papers are signed - it is a go!  Will we see you in January?  Sign up soon!  Unfortunately, at this time a commuter option is not available.  Why not stay at the hotel for the weekend, even though it is close to home.  You're bound to have a great time!

Two "Perfect" Tomatoes

These two were just picked from my garden. Aren't they delicious looking?  Not too big and not too small. Just right!

I love summer!

Craftsy Class Give-A-Way

Most of you know that I have been participating in the Craftsy Quilt Block of the Month for 2013 and 2012.  (Hint - See the badges on the side!). 

I also have signed up for quilting technique classes, sewing classes and knitting classes.  There are workshops and patterns in many of my areas of interest also. When you visit the Craftsy Website you will find crocheting, cake decorating, jewelry and weaving classes to name just a few other subject areas to explore.  I have found all classes to be informative and fun!

If you have not taken a Craftsy craft class yet, I urge you to try one - there are free classes as well as paid classes to enjoy!

Having said all that, I am happy to have been invited to let you know about the Great Craftsy Class Give-A-Way contest going on now until August 14. 

The link below will take you directly to the contest registration site. 

http://www.craftsy.com/ext/IslandCreations_BigCraftsyGiveaway

I hope you will participate and register from my site by clicking on the link above

Let your friends know about this posting so they can register too.  They also may possibly win a free Craftsy class!

Good Luck!

PS. You know all of the quilting I have been doing on my quilts lately?  Well, I learned many of these techniques through my Craftsy classes!