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Rug Hooking Retreat at the Heritage Inn

 When I was in college, I belonged to the Newman Center group on campus.  The priest who was the moderator would take us on a spiritual retreat to a monastery outside of Elmira, NY.  My time there made a big impression on me. I loved the fact that we were getting away from campus.  I would catch up on homework, get up early (5 am!) to hear morning vespers, take long walks on the farm and explore the monastery.  It would center me.

That's why when I heard that Sauder Village offered ...

The calm before the storm

After going through the Covid plague of 2020, I made myself one promise...I would make sure I wasn't blowing off chances to socialize just because it seemed like "too much bother".  What that awful time made me realize was not to take socializing with my community for granted.  To that end, I took a leap of faith and went to my first Hook-in.

 Today is the last day of retreat. We got breakfast in the hotel. It was pretty good. They really had a spread for everyone. DON'T MISS DAY 1 BELOW!

Sandy V left about the same time we did. We headed to get coffee at Starbuck's and didn't realize we were 15 minutes late for the classes. When we arrived, they told us not to worry, they were going to start Q&A before we get started. They were running behind as well. 

Of course, I pulled out Blitz to work on. I had to take out the ...

 I'm a day behind, so I'm going to post twice with both days covered. 

Yesterday - 

Patrick dropped me off at Sandy's house at 6:30 am. We needed to be in Auburn, WA by 8 am - so we thought. It was actually 9 am. We ended up being early, so we sent a text asking if we were in the right place. They were on the way. The facility was awesome, but they had a manikin (sp) that looked real. It was a little spooky. So, we set up in our chairs to get to work. 

We ...

Just waiting for the email wth the photos to come through! It's been a super productive retreat so far, and we still have a few days to go. Can I finish the remaining quilt tops for the dog quilts? They will have to wait unit October to be quilted, but that's OK. 

OK -- the pictures came through, but some of them need a bit of editing; however, that doesn't seem to want to happen this morning. No big deal -- some are sideways -- we'll just have to let it go. 

This first picture is a bit weird ...

 Hello Everyone,

Here are some more pictures from the August retreat.  I have to get all of them posted before the next retreat starts!

I'm starting out the show today with Eileen's gorgeous Lil' Orphan Scrappy. The brights colors make this quilt dazzle!

 Hello Everyone,

Still soaking in the joy from August’s retreat—I've just posted more photos if you’d like to take a peek! Hard to believe I’m already deep in prep for my September retreat at Zephyr Point at Lake Tahoe…which kicks off two weeks from tomorrow. YIKES is right!

Enjoy your morning quilt show, friends. It is full of color, texture, and inspiration. Some of the pictures are from our nightly show and tell, and others are pictures I took while walking around the room.

 Hello Everyone,

The big room at Snowflake Lodge was buzzing with energy, laughter, and the unmistakable joy of creative souls gathered together. Quilters filled every corner, each one bringing their own spark to the space. Just look at this stunning example: Enchanted Autumn captures the essence of fall in every stitch. It was one of Debra’s first forays into appliqué—and it’s absolutely gorgeous. Her craftsmanship and attention to detail shine through in every leaf and block.

 Hello Everyone,

Last Sundy, August 24th, was set up day and the first day to quilt, quilt, quilt and get acquainted.

I had product out so the girls could shop.

There was a lot of chatting and quilting going on and then the machines were turned on and started humming across the room.

Halloween was in the air at Peggy's table.

Debra is putting her own spin on my Madrigal pattern.  It is going to be gorgeous! 

I have a little lecture area where I teach, and ...

Quilting Retreats, Lost Quilts, and Lessons Learned

I just got back from my annual retreat with my quilty friends. This year we spent the week at Box Car Quilts, and while I can’t show you what I worked on just yet (two secret samples for Market!), I thought I’d share one of my all-time favorite retreat stories instead. It happened three years ago, and it still makes me laugh every time I think about it.

The Year of the Smiley Face

That retreat was at Lisa Bongean’s  of Primitive Gathering’s retreat named The Gathering, and let ...

 Hello Everyone,

It's hard to know where to begin when reflecting on all the wonderful memories made at this week's retreat. Here's just a glimpse of the stunning projects and the incredible people gathered at Snowflake Lodge. This particular block is from my Bridle Path pattern, beautifully made by Deborah.

 Hello Everyone,

Here's another mini quilt show produced by the Sew'n Wild Oaks Quilters. This show is so good, I think I should charge admission.  Enjoy!

 Hello Everyone,

We had a great day Monday at the retreat.  Beautiful blue skies and no snow in the forecast.....only laughter, chatting, eating and lots of quilting.  Here are just a few pictures from the show and tell. There were ooooh's and aaaah's when Angie displayed her quilt.

 Hello Everyone,

 Hello Everyone,

My friend Sue took my Country Sampler pattern and truly made it her own with incredible creativity and skill.

 After attending my Patchwork Math class at the Independence Hall Guild in Arnold, CA, she put her mathematical expertise to work, enlarging the blocks from 9" to 12". 

She seamlessly blended elements of her own design with a block from my A Ribbon Runs Through It pattern, selecting the perfect fabrics to create a stunning ribbon effect encircling each block. 

Last weekend, I picked up her quilt from the talented machine quilter, Dianne Schweickert, in Livermore. I adore this ...

Three days and two nights of quilting!  I always bring more with me than I can possibly do while I am at a retreat but I like to have options in case I feel like changing projects.  However, by the time I left today, I only had one project that I did not touch.  Much was accomplished!  I started out slowly with a warm up projects.  I am making nine patch blocks for my Rainbow Scrap Challenge project this year.  March's colour is yellow.  They are a bit brighter than they appear in this picture.  The lighting in the ...

OK  -- that is so weird about the links. Something is happening that reverts them back to my blog. 

Let me try this one more time. 

Quiltcon Winners

If the link does not work, search for QuiltCon Winners 2025. The link will pop up. 

The same with the Dignity Sculpture. Google search that topic, and the link will pop up. 

I have no idea why the links are reverting back to the blog. If they don't work today, that's three days in a row that the link has been reverted back. Do you have any suggestions, my IT friends ...

 I'm so excited to share a wonderful opportunity with you! Mod Maker Zone (aka Catherine and I!) are hosting a creativity retreat....

Remix and Stitch Lab

Remix and Stitch lab will be a five day immersive retreat where together we will explore our creative voices and processes. There will be some sewing (improv quilting!), paper crafting, weaving and even improv comedy! 

We're so happy that mixed media artist, Dori Patrick, will be joining us as a workshop teacher. I know you'll love Dori! Every time I interact with her I feel like sunshine has entered the room ...

How does that saying go: "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"? Well, sometimes SNOW happens too! The best laid plans, one for a retreat weekend with my quilting friends at a not-too-far-from-here state park, was preempted this past weekend for this forecasted snow event. Since the retreat was supposed to commence on Friday I jumped right in at home. Disappointed, but

How does that saying go: "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans"? Well, sometimes SNOW happens too! The best laid plans, one for a retreat weekend with my quilting friends at a not-too-far-from-here state park, was preempted this past weekend for this forecasted snow event. Since the retreat was supposed to commence on Friday I jumped right in at home. Disappointed, but