Monday, November 06, 2006

Last weekend I went on a guild retreat located at a church camp on a lake about an hour south of here. As usual it was a relaxing, but productive time. I only take brainless work to retreats and try to plan the projects I will work on so I don't have to pack and unload so much. Some people seem to bring their entire stash and collection of notions, but I'm too lazy for that. This works for me.




Last year we exchanged colorful nine patch blocks; here's one result of the exchange, and Nancy working on hers.




Denise had this quilt, without the applique, at our retreat two years ago, and someone asked her if it was a tablecloth. That has become a running joke, as it reappeared last year in slightly more advanced form, and this year, here it is, complete except for final step of binding.



Another tradition is the ugly fabric exchange. Here two members try, unsuccessfully, to make their ugly fabric look enticing.


I ended up with what was voted the ugliest fabric of all: a polyester knit snakeskin print; but after I used it to upholster the donor's chair late at night, she took it back. So you are spared the sight of it, except for this small piece used as swim trunks for the "mutant frog" utensil pouch that Ginny had spent several hours struggling with earlier in the day.



And finally, here I am, maybe working. Note the two chairs. Everything at this facility is great, except the chairs are too low. But this works well.



I arrived home very tired Sunday, planning on early to bed, but was reminded that we had tickets for an organ concert that night. I slept though most of it--but I would have even without the retreat!

An enjoyable weekend--not Houston, but fun!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love the nine patch with the black patches; I have a real affinity for brights against black...something about the way the brights pop out. Sounds as if everyone had a good time, Kay. Love the innovative way you solved the height problem!

Jen said...

Retreats are great! Glad you had fun. Jen

Jane Ann said...

LOVE the chair height solution. I'm constantly impressed with the ingenuity of sewing artists! (Or is it all women "of a certain age"? We're very clever and very adaptable, right?) The retreat looked fun!

Hedgehog said...

Looks like a fun retreat - I've never been on one - hope to someday!

Nellie's Needles said...

Glad you had a "time out" and a reconnection. However, in my opinion there are NO ugly fabrics. Ones I've gotten in ugly fabric exchanges are some of my favorites. Plus, I like the challenge of finding a way to make an "ugly duckling" beautiful.

Anonymous said...

I can't think of anything more fun...than a quilt retreat. I average about 4 a year and look foward to each and every one.

allie aller said...

It all looks so fun...thanks for bringing us along!

Anonymous said...

I own a sizable amount of the blue fabric on the right and like it very much, thank you! It actually worked very well on the backing of a female QoV! One woman's trash is another woman's treasure.

Deb Geyer said...

Looks like fun!

laura west kong said...

Sounds like fun! I love the brights and black too.