Friend Retreat

Spent time this past weekend with 7 quilting friends at a retreat center near Ashville NC. We drew names ahead of time to put together little gift bags for each other. My person collects pin cushions. I had fun putting this one together although adding the crushed walnuts was an adventure! I rounded out her gift with some fun socks, a mini fabric bundle and a small tomato pincushion.

In return, a very generous friend gifted me a wonderful selection of low volume fabric!

The layout for our sewing tables was a bit tight of space once you had eight people sitting and constantly getting up to press or cut fabric but we made it work. I was one of the first to arrive and grabbed what turned out to be a perfect spot in the corner!

I brought along multiple projects - of which I finished none of them! 

1. I was testing an upcoming pattern and decided I wanted to make a change to the one of the colors so instead of finishing, I ended up making most of the blocks but not assembling. 
2. My second project (seen on the design wall) was to FPP a phrase for a wall hanging. By plan, I made the letters only and will assemble the wall hanging at home. 
3. Had a bee block to work on for November's prompt. While I had the time and the fabric to finish, I wasn't sure I liked where it was headed so I put it aside
4. Started a 2 color FPP of a coyote for a mini quilt and after sewing for about 20 minutes, realized I reversed the colors and the coyote was going to be sky colored. Will reprint and restart this project now at home.
5. Started big stitch quilting my project from a May workshop

I am so very fortunate to have such a fun group of friends for a quilting getaway. So many laughs and far too much food! Our next retreat is in April!

Have a wonderful day! Patty