Five Shadows

Last month I attended a 5 day quilting retreat. There are 12 of us who rent a local camp lodge , cabin, and dorm, in a pretty setting out in the country. We sew in the lodge, setting up tables around a lovely, huge rustic fireplace. We take turns preparing meals. I provided the first evening meal of chicken tortellini soup, veggie crab soup, deli wraps, and black bottom cake. Then I was free of kitchen duty for the rest of the days! Uninterrupted sewing time! I think the ladies try to out do each other in the meals they provide! We had such good ‘eats’ all the time. We only do two meals a day. A brunch and a supper. And then snack in between if you can’t wait for supper! tee hee I snacked too much on yummy chocolates! We had one gal that prepared two classes which I opted to not participate in. My goal was to complete several tops in progress. Here is how I did – - -

Union Star using Civil War reproduction fabrics

Union Star

Turtle Quilt

River City 9-Patch from 9-Patch Reunion quilt book

Today I am celebrating my birthday with family and friends. I’ll be meeting some of my girlfriends for lunch. And then, those who can, well join me to take in a local quilt show. Sisters of the Cloth are displaying quilts at the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery – located in our public library, with a reception from 2-4 p.m. The show runs today thru April 5 – if anyone happens to be in the Fort Wayne area.

Pictured here are several fabrics I plan on using in making this cute Ashley purse.

Look at this oh-so-lovely Inner Child Doll I received by participating in Pat Winter‘s One World One Heart giveaway! She is so lovely! Do you see the tiny shoe charm and the tiny hand charms? Pat’s bead work is really something! I do not do such small work, so I’m just tickled to win this doll. And she is filled with Lavender and smells so nice. THANK YOU PAT!

Today I received the news that I have won Pat Winter’s Inner Child Doll through her OWOH giveaway! I am so excited to have this good fortune to win one of Pat’s lovely creations. Pat creates wonderful Crazy Quilts – purses and dolls. She has been published in several magazines and has a published book and I have to run out and buy the winter 2009 issue of Sew Somerset to see her Mermaid’s Tale Fiber-art Book. If you did not get a chance to visit her blog or website during OWOH, do find the time to visit and see her amazing handwork!

Here is the completed quilt that will be raffled off to raise money for Autism Speaks. This quilt was commissioned by Sensory Critters for the fundraiser. I believe this weekend starts its many stops at functions where the raffle tickets will be sold for the drawing that will take place in the Fall.

Yesterday I made 6″ quilties for the Shades of Forest Swap hosted by Creative Lenna. When I first signed up for this swap, I had several ideas floating around in my little head. Playing yesterday lead to using these fabric fall leaves purchased from the dollar store. I like the results and hope the ladies to receive these will be pleased as well.

Last night when DH came home from work he asked what was up with the phone. I had tried to make a phone call in the morning but could not get through to my party and figured oh, I’ll try later. Then I got busy on the things of the day. DH had tried several times to reach me. Wanted to take me out for lunch! I never heard the phone ring once all day, and the answering machine never picked up either. Later, I found out DH was not the only one trying to reach me. We ended up going to eat at a favorite Chinese restaurant. Then  headed to the Library for  a book DH had on reserve. I looked at art books for a class assignment. But could not find the type of books I really wanted to look at. Maybe the few I have on reserve will be the ones.

I’m taking a drawing class. Believe me when I say I am a stick figure “artist.” (I might get brave and show later how I’m doing.) The class includes history and art appreciation. Our assignment is to find artists we like, as in their style, and explain why. I’m looking for nature journal type artists that do line drawing and sketches. Can anyone point me in the right direction?

I’ve been showing my little quilties I’ve received from Creative Lenna’s swaps to my quilting friends. If you have ever thought of joining a swap, check out Lenna’s blog. She hosts more than just quilt swaps. And even if you don’t participate – it is a very fun look!

My friend, Teresa, has just received four greeting cards from her first ever online swap! She did a web search and found a card swap that interested her. Her husband laughing said to me, “See what you have started!”

That is not the only thing “started”. Teresa thought our quilting group should host our own swap, so she organized an altered canvas bag swap. Actually, it is a Round Robin. There are 12 of us in the group. We each received a canvas bag, with a pocket created by Teresa, sewn on the inside. We each pick our own theme for the bag, tuck items that coordinate with the theme inside the bag, start to embellish if we wish, and then pass it on to the next lady. The items in the bag do not have to be used, but give an idea of what you mean by the theme selected. We have one month per bag and should receive our completed bag in October of 2009.

There are some pretty good themes selected: Cheerful Spring, Autumn, Butterflies, Music, Birds, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Botanical/Herbs, Flowers, Country, Christmas, Mary Englebrite, and Travel.

My bag is ready to go. I have added some patchwork down one side of the bag. My theme is Flowers. Ok, a bit boring, I should have thought a little longer and narrowed it down a bit. But I did put together a nice assortment of buttons, silk flowers, ribbons and fabrics that should help direct the ladies. The fun thing about a Round Robin is the mystery of it all! You never know what you will get back, but I always love the creativity expressed!

Pocket Created by Teresa

Items included in my bag

Oh such lovely pieces of Sunshine have arrived in the mail for me to enjoy! These are from the swap I participated in hosted by the ever Creative Lenna. We each made four 6″ quilties and received four different quilties back.

Pacific Sunset by Kiki Finlayson

By Beverley Teichrob

By Wil Opio Oguta

Sunflower Time by Vickie Jones

One of the latest quilts I have been working on is a joint effort with a quilting buddy. We are making a quilt for Sensory Critters, which will be donated to the Autism Speaks spring 2009 silent auction. Our local quilt shop gave us a discount on the fabric for the quilt. And a local long-arm quilter did the spiral quilting at a discount price as well. I’ll show a picture of the whole quilt once I complete the binding. But here are two teasers. 

Such a busy day. A friend was holding a craft day at the lodge at StillWater Retreat. She asked us to bring a salad to share for lunch and she provided desserts.Then for the evening meal she provided homemade soups and breads. I had a doctor’s appt so had to leave soon after lunch. Then I grocery shopped for the concessions for my daughters’ volleyball game that was earlier tonight. Got home and the girls helped me prepare the food. After the games, I headed back out to the retreat and worked on the second of two coordinating twin quilts. I got home soon after midnight and should have gone to bed. But with the fam all sound asleep I’ve been playing around on the internet with no interruptions    visiting blogs and hopping around. It was a long day, a nice day – minus the prednisone injection into my right ear – through the eardrum! Ouch! I’ll save that story for another post.