I have so much to tell you all about! I'm not sure where to start, it's been such a busy few months for us. I'll have to share it all over a few posts, or this one would be waaay too long. Every year as summer approaches, and as we are nearing the end of our home school year, I plan all of the sewing/home projects I want to get done. Then reality sinks in and I realize how busy summer will be. Then as fall approaches I am yearning for the routine of our school days, and hope to get some sewing in where I can. My mom and I look forward to 4 uninterrupted days of sewing at our yearly quilt retreat each fall. We went to our third one a few weeks ago, and had a blast.
Picture it, 4 days of sewing with like minded people, all new friends. Coffee and tea available all day and night. Every meal provided. Cozy lodging out in the country of the pacific northwest. It is bliss.
Doesn't mama look happy? She and I had the messiest tables in our little grouping of tables. Ok maybe mine was the messiest. Look at all of my stuff on the floor even. Sheesh. Down below is a quilt my mom was working on. Isn't it awesome?
I was working on my Victory Garden quilt, an awesome pattern designed by Michelle. I've been wanting to make this forever.
It just makes me happy. Extra happy I'm sure because I'm using my Holiday Happy fabrics that Monica designed. I literally smile all crazy (as I tend to do) as I make each block because I love these fabrics so much.
It was so fun seeing old friends and making new ones of course! (Missed you Monica, Renee and Michelle!)
Here are Chara, Quynh, and Evelyn. They were right behind mom and I, and are awesome. Chara is a wedding/portrait photographer and she has a cat with diabetes. Quynh is a food photographer, my new sister (mom adopted her), and throws elaborate birthday parties for herself. Evelyn does something very smart and technical (good memory Sarah) has an adorable red haired daughter, and makes 400 quilts a day. I love them all, but not so much that I wouldn't steal their fabric when they weren't looking. Watch your backs ladies.
Here are some photos of the ladies' quilts. Maybe I should think of stealing the finished quilt tops instead of the fabrics. That means less work on my part.
Here is Karen, our gracious hostess. She is posing with her birthday cake that some of her sweet friends surprised her with. Isn't it amazing?
Now we met some more new friends. They arrived the second day of the retreat and sat at our table grouping. Meet Stacey and her daughter Dante.
Stacey is a devoted mother and runs an alpaca farm. Dante is a hair dresser and has a horrible rare milk allergy. We had so much fun getting to know these girls. Dante seriously cracks me up.
One night just a few of us were still up sewing. Dante had been string piecing her jelly roll strips all day. We decided that we wouldn't head off to bed until her first official block was finished. Here is her hallelujah pose. By this time we were over the edge tired and couldn't stop laughing.
The block turned out great. So then Dante, Mom, and I took the little walk to our lodging. In the dark.
We were on the lookout for bears and serial killers hiding in the woods.
We made it back alive, and headed off to bed. Of course we were hoping not to wake anyone because we were laughing so much. I decided to take a picture of Dante as she headed down the hall to her room. And she does this in the split second it took me to take her picture:
This sums up or delerious bout of late night sewing. She cracks me up.
The next morning, refreshed, I took a few pictures on my walk back to the building where we sew.
I love being here. The retreat center is so peaceful and out of the way.
Cry Baby the cat escorted me the entire way. When I stopped to take pictures she stopped to wait for me. Cute.
Back inside, I continue to take photos. This picture cracks me up because of the peeking.
The lady on the right made these for her granddaughters. I can't remember her name at the moment, but she was so nice. I do remember her daughter in-law's name though, Roberta. Of course that is not Roberta holding the other quilt.
Hi Roberta's mother in law!.......peek.
Here's a kooky bunch. Quynh, Melissa (who is pregnant and you can't tell!), me, Chara, and Evelyn. This was the last day and mom took these of us before we packed up to go. Of course everyone was sans makeup and not feeling purty. But we sure had a blast.
Mom took a series of photos and ended up with this one:
Don't ask, cause I don't know. Good times.
And lastly, my sweet mama and I.
Warms the heart doesn't it? I'll dissect the meaning for you, apparently, I'm reluctantly strangling her, and she's surprised, scared, and trying to scare someone else with her right hand.
I'll leave you with that. I'm hoping to get back on the computer soon to get some regular posting and blog visiting in. I miss you all!! x
I'm headed to a VERY similar retreat (4 days, gorgeous location) in a couple of weeks, and this post has made me even more excited about it. Wheeee!
Posted by: Felicity | October 26, 2011 at 02:06 PM
Terrific quilts! A retreat with fabric, friends, food, equals fun!!! That much is quite evident from your photos.
Posted by: Stephanie | October 26, 2011 at 02:57 PM
What a fabulous retreat! Lovely ladies, lovely quilts and lovely cake! And a most beautiful part of the world!
Posted by: Shari | October 26, 2011 at 07:09 PM
Looks like you had an absolutely fabulous time! Thanks for sharing your pictures with us.
Posted by: Lisa | October 27, 2011 at 06:15 AM
Wow, Sarah, it looks like you and your mom had a lovely time ( albeit without me!). Wish I could have been there but too many conflicts. I can't wait to see what you were working on, so keep on posting, sister.
Posted by: Renee | October 27, 2011 at 09:32 AM
Sarah! You look like you all had soooo much fun. What a gorgeous place to create. I have to say I've missed your inspiration and humor. Happy Fall from Missoula! :)
Posted by: Jil | October 29, 2011 at 02:38 PM
What a beautiful place for a retreat of any kind, BUT A SEWING RETREAT??? I would've thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Looks like a fun time was had by all, and those are some lovely quilts. So happy to sign on and see some new posts from one of my favorite bloggers! Look forward to more pictures from your part of the world! It is really gorgeous.
Posted by: Gloria Martin | October 30, 2011 at 08:03 AM
How wonderful, sigh!!
Your hair becomes long!! ;o)
Hugs,
Sabine-Rosario
Posted by: Sabine | October 30, 2011 at 09:28 AM
Sarah - I can't wait to see your Victory Garden Quilt when it is all finished and quilted! I love all the fabrics you chose to make this and it inspired me to buy the pattern and make one too. Problem now is what fabric do I use to make this! eck!
Please come and visit Chara, Evelyn and me some time soon - we would love to take you around to all the quilting shops and all the cute Japanese stores here in Seattle!
Miss you and hope to see you and Mama soon! Tell her hello for me!
Posted by: Quynh | November 03, 2011 at 03:33 PM
Sarah, It looks like you had a great time at camp. Makes me jealous. :) Do you happen to know what the pattern is that Dante used? I love that block. Thanks!
Posted by: Tiffany Erickson | November 04, 2011 at 08:46 PM
What a wonderful retreat! Where was this exactly? I live near Olympia, WA and I've always wanted to get in on a quilt retreat. Too much fun!
Thank you for sharing your fabulous time with us.
Posted by: MaryLu | November 05, 2011 at 07:18 AM
Impressive blog! -Arron
Posted by: rc helicopter | December 21, 2011 at 12:16 AM
I would love a quilt retreat! beautiful work too. I just loved your mom's pattern, where is that hers?
Virginia
Posted by: Virginia | June 19, 2012 at 11:47 AM
Is there a pattern for the stars quilt posted on October 26, 2011? I love it. Thanks.
Posted by: Rebecca Toman | July 28, 2012 at 05:46 AM
Please let us know the pattern, if any, for the star quilt? It looks like it could be a layer cake project :)
Posted by: Cayhy | January 21, 2013 at 05:56 AM