Fall retreat

October saw our annual Fall retreat come and go; it's always a good time and it's so nice to be able to set up our machines, bring our projects, spread out our goodies and walk away at the end of the day to return the next morning and pick up where we left off. We book our meeting space for 3 days; two full days and evenings for the first 2 days and until late afternoon on the third day.

Why is it that leading up to a retreat, it makes so much sense to pack up 7 or 8 ufos and even a few new projects with the total expectation that they will all be finished by the 3rd day? In reality, I start taking (unfinished) projects home on the first evening as I realize that they're not going to be touched!

Nevertheless, it's always fun to visit and laugh and share with good friends. Here are a few photos:

Here is Judy with a lovely Rail Fence Quilt top.

 This is Faye2's Connecting Thread quilt; the rows are coming together nicely.

Myrtle is working on a very complicated looking Christmas table runner!

I think Karen has found her groove in the Jelly Roll quilts; a lovely combination of blue and purple.

Another beauty of Karen's in reds, white and blacks!

 Jane is making a Christmas EZ Breezy table runner is lovely silver and blue!

 Game one of Strip poker  - Fall 10 inch squares - the lucky winner is Cheryl!

Faye 1's beautiful finished quilt top!

 A lovely Charity quilt top from Cheryl!

And this is a gorgeous quilt top of Cheryl's; I love how the secondary circle pattern jumps out at  you!

And another Charity quilt top - simple but effective!

Game two of strip poker - autumn coloured Jelly Roll strips ....

..and the winner is.... Karen!

One of the Charity quilt kits that Cheryl cut and put together - lots of "I Spy" going on!

Faye 1's paper pieced Christmas tree wall hanging - lovely!

 And two of Faye's Canadiana series quilt  blocks!

 Another Jelly Roll quilt from Karen - lovely in greens!

 Not a quilt - but boy, were there Pretzel Crisps ever yummy!

Myrtle's table runner is coming together! 

Darlene worked on this quilt top for her son; great job!

I appliquéd a few of my Splendid Sampler blocks - I used Carole's machine because my machine doesn't like doing the blanket stitch anymore. 

Carmen worked on her lovely appliquéd Halloween blocks ... a few close ups to enjoy!

All in all, a great time with good friends - although we missed having Carole attend (she just couldn't get away). Until next time, sew happy!

Bev

Yikes! It's almost the end of October!

Where does the time fly? This year has been zooming past at an alarming speed! i hope everyone enjoyed summer; we are thoroughly entrenched in Fall - some days it has felt like winter, but it doesn't help to complain does it? 

Our September meeting days saw a few new projects:

Here's Judy standing behind her very colourful and petty quilt!

Myrtle is looking SO happy that this Block of the Month is coming together - the colours are gorgeous! 

Another one of Pat Sloan's Secret Garden blocks.

And some new Thanksgiving placemats.

Carole is playing with arranging her Hobo Quilt blocks. 

A couple of Quilts of Valour blocks made for our large Sherwood Park Guild.

Faye #1 deep in thought.

 Cheryl working hard. 

Carole's table topper from the 365 Quilt Challenge - one block a day released for 365 days...

 .... the blocks finish at only 3 inches .....

...which is extremely small - well done!

More Quilts of Valour blocks. 

 Carmen's Halloween project, made out of beautiful wool ....

...which she hand appliqués ...

Very pretty!

Faye #1 is contemplating whether or not she wants to have another birthday but in the end .....

 .... she decides that if it involves cake, she's in! 

 Some of our bow-tie blocks made for charity quilts.

 More Quilts of Valour blocks - this time in Fall batik colours.

 Another Charity quilt made by Cheryl - pretty!

 "A Yard  of Snowman" embroidery table runner - purchased when we went on our road trip to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. 

 Carole's Halloween table topper - pretty colours.

 Jane looking super happy! I think she missed us when she was away this summer!

Carmen looks like she's dealing cards! Lots of beautiful reds.

 Judy busy tying a quilt for Charity. 

Faye #2's Fall placemats!

More Splendid Sampler blocks - hard to believe that after 6 hours, only 5 blocks made! 

 Another lovely Charity quilt from Cheryl! 

Karen (and Cheryl) with the Friendship  Pinwheel quilt (by Jennie Doan) that we made for Karen.  May it provide love and comfort. 

And the back!

 And most of us with Karen. 

Faye #2's hot pad to go with her placemats. Or it could be a placemat for a minion!

Cheryl made this sanitary product holder for girls in struggling nations - the instructions call it "Days for Girls Shield". Across the world, girls cannot attend once a month as they have no access to sanitary hygiene products. It's a sad fact that needs to change. Thank you Cheryl for working on this very important project. 

This week we will be having our Fall retreat so stay tuned for the next post!

Stay safe and happy!

Bev