Reflecting on January 2017

The month is almost over, just two days left to go.  I sit here relaxing and reflecting about the month.

My health is ever improving - an important observation for me who loves and lives to quilt. The hands work and the hips are great. Nothing to stop this quilter in 2017!

The third Quilter's Weekend Retreat has been completed. Each weekend always leaves me in awe as I watch a total of almost 60 talented quilting women (ok 59, one is a talented cross stitcher at the weekends) work their magic in the hours from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.

We eat, we sew, we eat again. Eventually we sleep, so we can rise and do it all again the next day!

It is a labor of love and gives us laughter and comraderie. The trials of life are set aside for a few short days as we sew, we eat and we sew again. Oh yes, we sleep so we can rise and do it all over again the next day!

A sampling of projects follows. Enjoy!

Mary's blocks using partial seaming.

Jeanne's patriotic stars

Nancy's falling charms made with fabrics she purchased in St. Lucia

Carol's lovely creation

Mary Beth's lovely quilt created for her church's upcoming raffle

Peggy's Tablerunner made from a pattern by Sharon Mayers of Piecing with Poppers.

Beverly's lovely quilt made for her daughter.

Peggy's table topper made with the hex 'n more ruler from Julie Hermann of Jaybird Quilts.

A future raffle quilt made by Evie for the South County Museum quilt show in September. Only half of the quilt top is shown here.

A table runner made by Louise

A table runner made by Kate called "Candy Dish". It is a free pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts.

Potholders made by Lynn. Love the lobster fabric!

Pinwheel blocks made by Carol.  The alternate block is hidden below these blocks.

String blocks being trimmed by Mary. Most of what she needed was completed this weekend.

Projects from the second Quilters Retreat weekend

Joan' "Candy Dish" Tablerunner using the free pattern from Laundry Basket Quilts.

Carol's diamond quilt masterpiece

Earleen's lap sized quilt using pre-printed squares and stars in the sashing.

Joanne's cute lap quilt for an upcoming new baby with her original border treatment.

One of Audrey's quick baby quilts.

There were many more wonderful, beautiful, awe inspiring projects that were begun, worked on or completed at the three Quilters Retreats that were held this Jauary 2017.

I have only captured a few pictures that I have shared with you today.

My apologies to the talented quilters whose works I forgot to immortalize with a picture. May you continue to create within the confines of your own studios or with the quilting friends with whom you meet.

January 2017 is almost a wrap.  It has been a fun month in what is often a long, tiring month for me.

The sun will rise in the six o'clock hour and set in the five o'clock hour this week. I have made it!

Another January is about to be placed into the books.

Happy Quilting!

Louise, on the island looking towards February

Quilt Retreat Withdrawal

After having spent the last three days totally immersed in my sewing, I am having quilt retreat withdrawal!  Yes I am sewing today in the comfort of my own home, 

But there is something to be said for the comraderie found when sewing with other Quilters.

It just isn't the same.

But on I sew.

Log cabin blocks which are the alternate to "Idaho Square Dance", blocks which are already completed.

Part 6 units for "En Provence"

Probably about one third finished.

The never ending (it seems) chevrons from "Celtic Solstice" 

And a few more "Garlic Knots" blocks, all stacked and ready to go!

They will be added to this pile of completed blocks. 

At this point I can't decide if I will stop at 64 blocks or continue on to make 80 blocks.  But that decision does not have to be made today.

I enjoy sewing these units and blocks together without thinking about the end product.  I know this approach isn't for most people, but it works for me and my at home sewing.  Little bits that eventually add up to something.

Oh, yes, by the way, can you tell that I am a Bonnie Hunter groupie?

Louise, sewing at home, while the wash runs and I recover from quilt retreat withdrawal