Retreat Happenings ~ Day 6... Last Day Wrap Up

Hello Everyone,

Sunday was our last day at the retreat and there were some finishes and TONS of progress too.

Erica made two of these log cabin quilts for a bedroom in her home in NY.  

Carol made this cute Halloween quilt.

And she also made this quilt called Opposites Attract.  This one was just really big!

Diane has some really great looking blocks on the design wall.

Darlene forgot to bring her Show and Tell on Saturday, so she brought them with her.  This one is called Day and Night.  Just beautiful!

This one is another great quilt... love the colors.

Kim made progress on her bargello... really nice!!

Shirley made a Twister quilt.

I made and finished the Cactus Flower Table Runner.  This pattern and kit (in this color way) are available in my shop by clicking here.  I really enjoyed making this one and it went together so easily.

So while I was away...

I got so much mail... I had a hard time getting it, so....

I had to find a phone booth to call for help.

I hope you enjoyed the recap of my wonderfully relaxing retreat!

Until Next Time...

Retreat Happenings ~ Day 6... Last Day Wrap Up

The Round Up

Hello Everyone,

After six wonderful days at our annual quilt retreat, there were tons of great projects started and finished.  Here is a peek at the last two days.

Lynn finished this lovely gradated quilt.

Deb did a demo of these three dimensional flowers.

Justine took my little snippets of African fabric and made some mug rugs.

Brenda completed this Halloween quilt.  I will be quilting this for Brenda.

Sue finished this repro quilt... tons of work, but totally worth it!

Our newest quilter of the group, Sharon, completed her second quilt!! This quilt is City Harbor from the City Quilts book and can be found as a kit in my shop.  Just click here.

Shirley's Lil' Twister quilt.  You can find the Lil' Twister here.

Jane made this beautiful bag!

Really loving Robin's free form solids quilt.

Maria finished her Christmas Celebration Tree Skirt.  The pattern can be found here.

Darlene finished this gorgeous batik quilt.  I will be quilting this for her!

Joan finished this wonderful Lil' Twister Christmas tree.  Just gorgeous!

There are many more photos that you can see from the retreat on my Flickr set by clicking here.  I hope you have enjoyed all the photos from the retreat and have been inspired.

Until Next Time...

The Round Up

Progress All Around

Hello Everyone,

Back for Day 2 of our quilt retreat.  We were treated to having a quilt appraiser stop by for the day and several of the ladies took advantage of her services.  She also spoke to us for a little while and we really learned quite a bit.

This quilt was definitely one of the ones I wanted to show you.  This quilt has won multiple ribbons, most recently at the Vermont Quilt Festival.  So the quilter really wanted it appraised.  Not sure what the value was, but I am sure it was fabulous!

This little quilt was made by Robin.  It was a challenge in thread painting.  I loved it because it was so unique.

Let's hear a BIG HOORAY for Sharon, this is Sharon holding her very first quilt she has ever made!! Fantastic!  I was so glad to be there for it too.  

I began to work on my African fabrics and really went to town.  You can find some here.

Remember yesterday's blog post... well Pam has made a ton of progress.  Isn't it fabulous?

Joan finished up a Lil' Twister quilt.  You can find the template here.

Sharon finished her Autumn BOM quilt.

Just loving Darlene's Batik quilt.

Another BIG hooray for Maria!! Her very first Judy Niemeyer quilt.  This is the Christmas Celebration Tree Skirt.  You can find the pattern here.

My African quilt is shaping up!

Stephanie finished another pinwheel quilt.

Justine is making tons of little trees!

Stay tuned for the next installment on the quilt retreat progress.

Until Next Time...

Progress All Around

The Back

Hello Everyone,

Just yesterday, I had a question on my Facebook page about the Lil' Twister quilt and piecing the quilt. She wanted to know how to reduce the bulk. To be honest, there was no bulk.

If you press your seams to one side consistently there should be now problem. When joining the rows just make sure that you press row one blocks to the right, row two blocks to the left and just keep alternating. That way the seams will nest.

I hope you can see this in the photo above. This is the back of my silk quilt so there is the light weight interfacing fused to the back.

This photo may show it a little better. But you just need to be consistent in your pressing and your seam allowance as well.

So if you still want to give the Lil' Twister or the Twister a try, make sure you enter my giveaway by clicking here, it is still open, so hurry.

If you can't wait to get your Lil' Twister, you can find it in my shop here.

Until Next Time...

The Back

Peruvian Pinwheels Top is Done

Hello Everyone,

On Saturday I spent the afternoon completing the Lil' Twister top for my friend Rosa.

I really love the way that it turned out. The stripes, the solid blue Kona. Really everything.

I think it does evoke the colorful lifestyle of the Peruvians and hope that it will be a welcome addition to Rosa's Home.

Now I just need to piece the backing. I will be using some squares that were left over from my Colors of Peru quilt and then surround it with more of the Kona.

When choosing the solid color, I auditioned many different colors, but this was it... the blue worked best and I really love it!

Here it is side by side with it's silk sister. Two totally different types of fabric, but love the looks of both.

I officially name this quilt Peruvian Pinwheels. Hopefully next time I show it, it will be quilted and bound.

Until Next Time...

Peruvian Pinwheels Top is Done

Striped Swiss Cheese?

Hello Everyone,

As promised, I did my demo at our quilt guild last night. But a funny thing happened. I brought with me the fabric, the Lil' Twister, my rotary cutter, but forgot a cutting mat... argh! Of course no one had a little one handy, but then again why would they? So I improvised, I put the piece on cardboard and cut only four pieces.

It worked okay, but I took the rest home and cut it yesterday morning. I wouldn't recommend using cardboard for a cutting mat as a habit. Here are the results of the rest of the cutting.

Striped swiss cheese! Remember this is what it will look like when you cut all your tessellating pinwheels out. The remainder of the striped squares in the "swiss cheese" were all trimmed down to 1.75 inches to be added to the outside border.

Then I put the tessellating pinwheels up on the design wall.

What do you think? I love my "Peruvian Pinwheels".

I put my silk one right up next to it. So you can see, today I will be piecing the pinwheels together and then adding a 3.5 inch border. Once that is done I will add the tiny squares.

Don't forget the tutorial for this is located on my sidebar or just click here.

I think that Rosa will be pleased.

I am so excited to finish this for her and it will be the perfect size to fit in Victoria's luggage!! Stay tuned for more photos of the progression of Peruvian Pinwheels.

Until Next Time...

Striped Swiss Cheese?