Sunday, October 27, 2013

Home again, home again...

Jiggity, jig!

I'm not back from market as the nursery rhyme says but I am home from the retreat.  What a time!

The setting was spectacular...





Gail's cottage was like a home away from home...not one of the comforts of home was missing.

A cozy fire to warm our tootsies in the morning and evening...



And a spacious sewing area to accommodate the five of us.  That's Debra doing some cutting at the kitchen counter.



Five gals with five different brands of sewing machines...me and my Bernina, Debra and her Husqvarna, Rosie and her Janome, Darlene and her Pfaff and Gail with her Kenmore.  How often do you see that?



I can't remember when I laughed as long, as hard and as often as I did during our three days together.  Five gals with different personalities brought together to share a common bond...our love of quilting.  Is there anything better?

Debra was working on a variation of Darlene's mystery quilt that she shared with us on her blog not too long ago...



Rosie's "Star Happy" quilt...



Gail's wonky flying geese quilt...



And just one of many of the projects that Darlene was working on to complete in time for her shop opening on the 1st of December.  



Between pranks, she was sewing like a mad woman so we granted her a "time out" to catch a few winks and to let her machine cool down.  



And me, Slowpoke Annie, managed to get the machine applique finished on my "Postcards From The Past" project...



as well as a different colorway for my September First Friday Freebie.  You can find the free pattern for my Fall Scarecrow HERE.



I've been home a day and a half and it's taken me this long to unwind, rest up and unpack from one of the best times I've had in a long time.  The gals spoiled me rotten because of my mobility issues and I promised them that the next time we did this, it would be my turn to wait on them.  If the truth be told, my sides are still hurting from all the laughing we did and my stomach is still full from all the wonderful food we shared.


Even Ollie had a good time when he and Mr. Painted Quilt came to pick me up. His only complaint was that he missed out on all the food!




Happy stitching!

47 comments:

Maxine said...

You deserved every minute of the good times you had at retreat. Continued health, dear quilter.

Colleen said...

Looks like you ladies were very productive. I hope part two of your update includes some recounting of the "pranks", unless what happens at retreat, stays at retreat. tee hee

sunny said...

Um, I'm not sure I would have got much sewing done in that setting. Those lawn chairs overlooking the lake may have taken some of my time. What a marvelous location, and it sounds like a good time was had by all. Lucky you!

Darlene said...

I'm elated to hear that you had a fabulous time. Sewing with friends is good for the soul.

gracie said...

Sounds like a great time.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Ahh a wonderful time--so glad you were able to be with wonderful friends laughing and enjoying quilting

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Lovely photos. I thought the first picture was a painting. The wonky geese quilt is charming. I want to make a quilt.

Phyllis said...

There is nothing quite like spending a few days with friends stitching away. So glad you had the opportunity to go and have fun.

Candace said...

Now that looks like a heck of a good time, Kaaren! I don't know which would have been harder - to stop sewing or stop looking at the gorgeous landscape! I think the sewing would win ;>) Glad you had a well deserved getaway!
Cheers!

Tammy said...

What a beautiful place to have a retreat! Wonderful projects you were all working on.

WoolenSails said...

That is a beautiful place for a retreat and it looks like everyone had a good time and made some beautiful pieces.

Debbie

Sandi said...

I'm glad you had a lovely time in a lovely place with lovely friends doing things you all love. Looks like the weather was perfect, what a lovely setting.

I'm hoping your recovery is proceeding along in a timely matter.

Lesley said...

Sounds like a wonderful time! Loved seeing what everyone brought to work on. It looks like you got a lot accomplished even with all the giggles and laughter! Welcome back!

Marsha B said...

Sounds like a wonderful time and well deserved. Glad you are feeling so much better and you are back to stitching! May life only get better!

KaHolly said...

Glad you had such a wonderful time. You really needed it!! Congratulations on finishing your applique project - your goal! Love the scarecrow pattern, thanks a bunch! With all the laughing you did and all the endorophins you created, you're sure to heal twice as quickly!!

Heartsdesire said...

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Nothing better than a few days of sewing, laughing and eating with good friends. And the setting at the lake must have been very inspiring.

Karen said...

I like your pot of flowers and the birds piece oh so well! Nice job.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

sounds like you had fun and that place looks like a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors too if the weather was nice.

Merilyn said...

Pleased to hear you had such a lovely time!! The outdoors looks wonderful over the water, and such a productive table of sewing machines as well!! Your applique piece looks great!!!

Kindred Quilts said...

A truly beautiful setting for a retreat... I'm with Sunny... not sure how much sewing I would have done with those beach chairs beckoning! Lovely projects by everyone. Glad you had a wonderful, well deserved time!!!

Karen in Kentucky said...

So glad you had such a good time! Sewing with friends is just the epitome of awesome!
How about some pictures of you sewing too???

KarenP3720@aol.com

Bev said...

So glad you have soooo many good memories from a great weekend. Also, so many projects on the go. Your weekend was good for the soul and also good for your sewing friends.

Joan said...

So glad you had a great time with your friends! All the projects are lovely.

Noela said...

Sounds like you had a great weekend. Lots of lovely projects worked on. Hugs......

Darlene D said...

It was a great three days! But I'm still catching on my sleep! Phew, I'm beat! So glad you were able to join us!

Lori said...

That sounds and looks like just what the doctor ordered!

Katie said...

Those are the BEST kind of retreats. So many wonderful projects! :-)

Sue said...

You know what they say Kaaren, laughter is the best medicine, and I'm sure you got plenty of that on your retreat. They are such fun ...I know!

Pam in IL said...

Wow, what a wonderful time you had! Such a beautiful setting for your retreat.

sandi s said...

It sounds like you all had a great time, that is wonderful. The pictures look like a lovely place. Hugs,

Bolts and Bobbins said...

Sounds like a wonderful retreat to me. Glad to see you're mobile again and could attend. Each one with a different machine, but, also very different projects. Great that you had such a good time.

Anonymous said...

I've been on retreats, and I've seen other people's retreats, but for location and work done, yours seems like the BEST ever! So glad you got to go. I had to laugh at the machine variety, and I'm guessing each of you happy with what you have!

margaret said...

sounds like a wonderful time was had by all, how good it must be to have friends to share time with like you have done, so good for the soul

Annette-California said...

WOW I loved getting to see all the photos of quilts in progress. So happy for you that you had a great time:) love Annette

Janet O. said...

Sounds like a wonderful weekend retreat! Beautiful setting! I am glad you were able to participate, and that you were pampered, as you should be. : )
I own 3 of those 5 brands of machines and love them all for different reasons.
The quilt you were working on is the one that speaks to me. Love it!

Elizabeth said...

A change is as good as a rest. Your retreat sounds perfect - did you stitch as much as you thought you would? So glad you feel refreshed. Happy stitching.

barcord said...

So glad you enjoyed your retreat with 'the girls'. You deserve to be pampered. Looks like a beautiful place.

Karin på Ösäter said...

Oh that looks like a really nice retreat with good friends, that is so wonderful to have friends with same passion SEWING. Lucky girls!

Hugs

Karin på Ösäter

Needled Mom said...

It sounds like it was the best medicine!!! What fun you must have had.

Ronda said...

sounds like you had a wonderful time!!! I love girl time and even better when its quilting girl time!!

Jeanna said...

What great fun! Some nice looking projects everyone has. Looks like a good time was had by all.

I'm so happy you went! Thanks for sharing :)

Abby and Stephanie said...

At first I thought photo number 1 was a painting. Truly serene. Comic relief is the best -- along with a weekend of the "f" words -- friends, fabric, food = fun.

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear that you all had such a fab time :) bet Ollie was happy to see you again.

annie said...

good for you, loved the photos!

Charo said...

I'm glad you had such a lovely holiday. That cottage looks so beautiful. The first photo is awesome, what a wonderful place to relax, laugh and have fun quilting with friends!

A big hug

Sheila said...

It sounds like an awesome time with friends , what could be better than spending time quilting , laughing and eating with friends . So glad you had a great time !

Carrie P. said...

Sounds like you had a great time at the retreat.
Darlene's store sure is nice and look at all the goodies you bought. I have the same pattern for the pin cushion. I should pull it out and make it.