Retreat Weekend, Plus...

Brynwood Needleworks - DPQG 2016 Retreat Group

I didn't get to our guild retreat on Friday, when it began, but I arrived on Saturday for the fun. This photo was taken on Sunday before people left and headed for home. (L-R: Front Row: Joanne, Pat, Shirley, Arleen, Pat, Lynn, Peggy and Julie. Back Row: Jackie, Rozie, Jamie and me.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Saturday Night Dinner at Sarasota's Der Dutchman

I got to Sarasota in time to set up my projects, get started and then break for dinner at 5:30. We went a bit across town to Der Dutchman - an Amish restaurant that many of us have visited before. I personally love their homecooked vibe, and chose a small portion of liver & onions (a favorite) for my meal.

Dinner together is a great chance to catch up with friends and enjoy each others company, and we certainly had a great time together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Peggy and my roommate, Jamie

Jamie and I make for great roommates. She's a far superior quilter, and I'm learning a lot from her. She also has a wonderful sense of humor, so she's fun to be around. I definitely think I'm on the winning end of our friendship.

Peggy sat on our end of the table, so I was able to find out what she's been up to. She recently have a shoulder surgery and is healing well from it. It's certainly not keeping her from participating and creating wonderful things of her own. She was working on a project to give to a friend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn and Shirley - Shirley's Finished Quilt Top

Shirley is a dear friend. She (on the right) completed a quilt top over the weekend that I photographed to share with you. It's made from colorful batiks and will look even better when it's quilted. Lynn helped hold it up for this picture.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pat's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towels

Pat (on the right side of my first group photo) worked on the group project for this retreat. I didn't make any this time, but Pat created six different sets, including these...and flamingos. All of them are finished with yo yos. Aren't they fun?

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towel

Lynn also made a set. Hers have yo yos as the center for the flowers. I don't think my photo does justice to the project. Her colors were lovely and her workmanship impeccible.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jackie's Beautiful Blocks

There were other projects in progress. Many of the ladies were working on their own quilt tops and creating gorgeous blocks.

I wish I knew for sure who was working on these. I think that Lynn C. was working on them, but will amend my post as soon as someone tells me. They're "stack and whack" stars. Only quilters cut up beautiful fabrics to rotate them and join together in new ways. Such is the way with "stack and whack"...with stunning results here.

Brynwood Needleworks - Joanne's Blocks

 Joanne worked on these blocks all weekend. It's also the "stack and whack" method with a completely different result.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shirley's Block

Shirley had a whole set of colorful blocks that she was appliqueing, in addition to the batik quilt top she finished. These remind me a fresh fruit!

I actually had a busy weekend with my shop, and spent my retreat work time making up special orders that I'll ship out today and through this week. It was fun to have the gals to chat with while I stitched away.

Brynwood Needleworks- Deliciousness From Der Dutchman

It was revealed on Saturday night that the Amish have a plan for world domination...Amish Peanut Butter. What a sweet treat...especially swirled on their soft serve vanilla ice cream that was served after our dinner. The Apple Butter is also wicked tasty!

So, if you've read this far today, I have a reward...a chance to win your very own bottle of Der Dutchman Peanut Butter Spread. (Note: This is not low-cal.) Sorry, but due to the cost of shipping, this will only be available to my readers in the U.S.

Also, I'm not going to put up a giveaway button or mention the giveaway to anyone not coming to this post to read about it. Just leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing, and I'll use the Random Number Generator on Friday, June 17th to choose the winner. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you don't have an email link to your comment. If I can't contact you, I'll immediately choose another name.

Good luck!

 

Jamie's Quilt...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Quilt

My retreat roomie, Jamie, started this quilt while we were in Sebring in February. When we got to Nifty 50s yesterday, she brought out her pieced quilt top to show to the ladies that were there. We all loved it! (Note: Jamie's holding it up sideways. The lines will lie vertically on a bed.)

It's a gift for her niece, who will be graduating from college next month. Jamie has her own longarm machine, so she won't have a problem getting it quilted with time to spare.

When we were in Sebring, I showed her a wide, backing fabric that I have on the bolt in a brown fabric that worked perfectly with her quilt top. She told me how much she needed and I delivered it to her yesterday.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jamie's Quilt Fabrics

 

When she was working on her quilt top, she showed me all the fabric she'd brought along as possibilities for her project. I told her I loved these, but she decided not to use more batiks instead.

She did remember that I loved them, though, so she surprised me when she offered them in exchange for the quilt backing fabric. I was delighted at the idea! Deal done. I'm going to look forward to using these!

I'm working on Jacque's commission today. This one is really special to her - and to me. I'll share it with you soon.

Lemonade From Lemons...

Brynwood Needleworks - My "Roomie", Jamie and Me

Yesterday was the final day of our February Sebring sewing/quilting retreat. We had a great time together! Then, it was time to leave for home.

I went to the hotel parking lot, backed my car to the loading ramp and went around the back of my vehicle to open the lift door, only to realize that my license plate had been stolen!

I called 911 and filed a report with the police officer. She said they would let me know if/when the plate's recovered, but I needed to go to the county DMV (thankfully, right in town) to get a new plate immediately, to get legal again.

Jamie and I loaded up my vehicle and we went to the DMV, where they voided my stolen plates and (at no charge) issued new ones. I left there with a new license plate, but needed screws to mount it on the back of my SUV.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Dog, Rudy

I asked my iPhone (Siri, with a male voice) where the nearest automotive garage was and "he" sent me to Halvorsen Auto Restyling, Inc., and gave me directions. When I got there, we were greeted by this laid-back guy. His name is Rudy. 

The owner, Lyle, came from the back of the shop and I told him we were in town for a quilting retreat. Then I told him what happened and asked if he had a set of screws I could purchase to mount my plate on the back of my vehicle. He had the screws, attached my license plate and refused payment.

Then, he asked me to tell him more about the retreat. I told him we were quilters, and here's where the story gets really cool.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle And His Machines

He asked what kind of quilting we did, and I called Jamie out of the car so we could chat with him. He proceeded to tell us he's a quilter, too, and showed us his machines (right there in is auto shop)!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Morse and Seiko Industrial Machines

These machines are perfect for his work, but they're also perfect for the bag and wallet making I've been doing. I admit that I was a little envious. But, as we talked, we found out he had more!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Singer 500A (aka "The Rocketeer" machine)

This is his "George Jetson-looking" Singer. Many of my bag making friends have this one and love it.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle's Chandler Industrial Machine

And, Lyle had another workhorse. He uncovered this well-used and still-working Chandler industrial machine. He uses this one for his vehicle upholstery work. Even the wooden table for this one was fabulous!

Brynwood Needleworks - Lyle Halvorsen and Me

Last of all, he told us he rescues cabinets from thrift stores. You know Kenny doesn't have a machine table, and I've been looking for one. He was happy to climb up into his storage loft and show us what he had.

 

Lucky me! Lyle gave me a price, and Jamie and I left with a cabinet for my Kenmore Model 29!!! I'll get Kenny installed today and share photos tomorrow.

Jamie and I believe that it was fate (not Siri) that brought us together yesterday. Pretty cool, right? If you're ever in Sebring, stop at Halvorsen Auto Restyling and tell Lyle (and Rudy) we said "hi" and "Thanks!" He definitely turned a "lemon into lemonade" day for me!!  

Retreat Recap...

I couldn't end my trip without posting photographs of some of the fabulous

 quilts created by my friends. There were so many beautiful quilt tops sewn

 together over the past three days - and not all were the group project pattern.

Alice made this stunning quilt top. She was set up on the table behind me, so

I got to watch her work on it. Alice is also the new owner of Prissy! Since I

brought my new Crescendo home, I've been trying to find a new home for

my hardworking, reliable Prissy. I took her to use at the retreat and let 

everyone know that she was "adoptable". Alice played with her and decided

to take her home with her. I'm really thrilled that they have found each other.

This is the quilt top my "roomie", Melinda finished. She started this top a few

years ago and decided that fall was the perfect time to complete her UFO.

I think it turned out lovely. She was right...it was time she finished this one.

Betty is one of my friends from the guild. She always makes colorful 

quilts and this one is no exception. I love her black and red poppy quilt.

I'll look forward to Show and Tell at the guild when she's got it all done!

My friend (and retreat hostess), Susan Slaton of Wazoo Quilts made

this quilt from a precut pack of batiks that a number of the women

bought when we went shopping. She'll add borders and her stellar

longarm skills to this pretty patchwork to create a stunning new quilt.
I wouldn't be surprised if she had it finished by the weekend!

This is Paulie's black and white version of the retreat project

"Jelly Roll Jam II" (free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop. Love it!

Here's Sandi's version in fall and jewel-toned batiks. Yummy!

This quilt is really elegant. Gladys chose a soft, soothing palette for her design.

This is my new pal, Linda Macklin. She made this project quilt using

fall-colored, ACORN-themed fabrics! Squeee! I threatened to abscond

with this beauty. It reminded me of Wisconsin whenever I walked past it.

(You may think she's smiling at the camera, but she was just taunting me!)

I first met Dawna at the Sebring retreat I attended last year at the 

Kenilworth Inn. Remember, there were four "Donna"s and one Dawna?

There were only two Donnas and one Dawna at this one. hee hee

I like how she arranged her six-piece blocks from light to darks. It made

for a completely different effect for the blocks. It's very spring-like, too!

  My last picture to share with you is the official "roommates" photo of me with my new friend, Melinda. I really enjoyed getting to know her and  sharing this retreat in her company. Until we see each other at a future retreat or quilt show...Wishing all "Happy Quilting and Happy Hearts".

I'm Retreating...

I'm in Sebring! I arrived around 1:00 yesterday afternoon and within an hour,

I was visiting, meeting new people, catching up with friends - and sewing. 

I decided that my Piecemakers fabric was part of my first project.

I purchased this kit from a shop in Cedarburg when we were in Wisconsin. 

The fabric is from Kathy Schmitz' "Piecemakers" line. Remember when I won a 

giveaway on Kathy's blog? I received this fabric line in a full jelly roll and a 

layer cake. Then I got some yardage so I could make a whole quilt. I love this

line so much that, if I'm not careful, it will become part of my "permanent" 

stash...too precious to use. I must cut it up before it achieves permanent status.

I finished my Sew and Go™ Sewer's Wallet shortly after dinner and now I'll be

  able to use it during the rest of the retreat. It has a coin/bill section; a place for 

my name tag (or in this case, business cards); and glasses case on the front and...

a place for my scissors and other sewing tools on the back...or the whole wallet can be used for travel instead - passport, airline tickets and such.   I know I'll make it again, but it will go a lot faster if I use pre-quilted  fabrics next time. I think the quilting (before I could cut out the parts)  took me the most time to do. So, do you like it? What do you think?
If anyone is looking for me, I'll be one of the smiling faces in our work  room at Inn on the Lakes in Sebring. I'll be working on a quilt today.
Tag will be back tomorrow.  I bet he and Handsome are having a ball together!

Jelly Roll Jam II Quilt...

Yesterday I chose the fabric I'll be using for our retreat group project. All I had to do was go shopping in the studio! (I have a boat-load few jelly rolls from which to choose.) I thought it might be fun to use this colorway from Minick & Simpson's Midwinter Reds. It's a Moda fabric, of course.   If you're interested in seeing what the whole collection looks like (before I make my Jelly Roll Jam II quilt, click this link to see every, luscious fabric!

I'm considering this polka dot fabric for the backing, but I won't make my final decision until the quilt top is done. I may end up not using the tans at all.

The pattern (free from The Fat Quarter Shop - with a link below) only calls for one jelly roll to create a 36 1/2" x 38 1/2" quilt. I'm planning to make a large  one, using two jelly rolls. I'll see how many blocks I can make without the tans.

If you'd like to make your own Jelly Roll Jam II quilt, let me know. I think it would be fun to share all the images in a future blog post. I'll make my quilt top at the retreat, but if you want to make one, too, I'll set up a Flickr page.    Click HERE to download your own (free) Jelly Roll Jam II Pattern. I'm also embedding the Fat Quarter shop video tutorial for this quilt into this post for you. Grab a cuppa and relax while you watch it! Direct link: http://youtu.be/sf98KddO1Uk   Enjoy! More to come on this project after the retreat...

A Sew And Sew (More) Weekend...

One of the vendors at our 2014 DPQG quilt show was Grannie Suzannie. 

I purchased this pretty, little kit called "Magnolia Bud" and packed it for our

retreat. It was the last thing I worked on before we parted company yesterday to

travel back home. (That was after our Sunday Ice Cream Social with the gals!)

This is a paper pieced pattern and each block is comprised of four separate

bud elements. There are a total of four blocks like this one in the final quilt. 

It's a mini quilt, and will measure 17" x 17" after I assemble all the blocks, 

add the sashing and border. It will be such a pretty little quilt when it's done.

We all shopped at A Quilter's Stash in Sarasota, and three of us purchased this kit.

I was the first one to finish mine, and Joan B. said I inspired her to make hers up

before the end of Saturday, too. I know Number Three will be made up soon, too.

All the pieces were pre-cut and assembled around a central panel, so it went

together in almost no time at all. This is going to be a Christmas gift this year.

Here's a close-up of the central panel. It's so much fun, and although it's

 feminine, it's not too girly. A Quilter's Stash purchased all remaining stock

of these fabrics from the manufacturer, so if you want it, I don't think it

can be found anywhere but at this shop. ( I thought you'd want to know.)

Unfortunately, they don't have a website, but (HERE) is how you can

contact them if you want to find out about ordering your own quilt kit. 

My first finish of the weekend was this handbag. I made it with double

 layers of Soft & Stable and scrim, so this bag won't sag over time as

many of the quilted bags have a tendency to do - and it's still lightweight.

I chose three coordinated fabrics from the same line (shopping my stash)

and added a beautiful, ceramic button (also from my button collection).

The result is a high-quality, stylish handbag anyone would happily carry.

This bag is for sale and can be seen in my Etsy shop (here).

I'll complete the jean quilt after we return home this summer, and I'm 

happy to have a head start on my gift sewing this year. Golly, it'll be "that"

 time again before we know it! I'm making my list early for a change.

I had so much fun last weekend and feel I accomplished quite a bit.

It was wonderful to spend the weekend with 15 other beautiful, talented

quilters and I'm looking forward to doing it again next year. Thanks,

Arleen for all your hard work to put together our annual retreat. We all

had a grand time and appreciate your efforts to make it another success.