Long Lake retreat

There are so many creative people at our retreat every year. Here are a few pictures of what they were working on.

I was so busy quilting, that I never took photos of the other side of the room. A first for me. Usually I make sure to document everything. Just too focused on getting my work done this year. Maybe that's a good thing.

I did get inspired to finish some of my many WIPS and use up more of my stash. Quilters need retreats every few months to get those creative juices flowing again.

Retreating

My focus at this year's retreat was to quilt three small quilts. Two are gifts for relatives, and one is a gift to me from my wonderful caravan quilting friends. I knew that was a bit much to expect from 3 1/2 days, but there was hope.

I did quilt the star quilt. Binding is also on, and hopefully will be finished this week. Pins attacked my pin cushion. Those had to be removed, so another quilt had backing sewn from stash, sandwiched and pinned, ready for machine quilting. The last quilt, mine, got a border sewn on.

Rest of the time was spent enjoying the progress of swap block quilts, and watching the birds outside our retreat room. Now if we could just stay there for a few more days. Great memories.

Hawaiian craziness in the north woods

It all started one cold Minnesota winter day. Quilters busy producing glorious colorful quilts to adorn our homes. Alas, we think of warm tropical days, no snow in sight. If we can't be there, we can dream about sitting on the sandy beaches of Hawaiian sipping a tropical drink, right?

Back to reality. Still in the north woods. Snow still on the ground. Mixing a drink in the warm retreat center with a stiletto. We return the next morning to see changes in our tropical friends. The quilt fairies have taken liberty to adorn our little Hawaiian friends with proper garb. Need I say more? Enjoy!

Blizzard

No, not a real blizzard. But Lucas' first Blizzard ski trip with papa. Haley's a pro at it, this being her third year skiing with Blizzard ski school. Lucas went on his first trip with papa and Haley to Powder Ridge, and had a great time. Next trip to Mount Kato. What a wonderful experience!

Basement shopping

Where does it say that you must spend money to shop? I went shopping in my basement. Yep, my basement. I know I spent money for this fabric a while ago, but it's not "new" money. Conservation? Sounds good to me. Needed a border, binding and backing for this batik quilt. There must be something down there that I can use, and enough of it. That would be the big question.

Many fabrics were "perfect", but not enough yardage. Darn it. I know someone said you must buy 2-4 yards of every fabric you buy, but I would be very broke if that were the case. After about 15 minutes of searching, I came up with some wonderful options with enough yardage.

They are washed and ready for this weekend's retreat. Retreats are my time to reconnect with quilting friends, get focused sewing time, and relax. How many people start packing a week before a retreat? I start thinking about it weeks before, but to pack that early just isn't possible. Three days before? Yes, time to start packing!

Progress in the frozen north

Being forced to stay inside because temperatures are -19F and colder isn't really all that bad. Gives me time to work on all those WIPS (works in progress) that have accumulated over the years. One is my niece's high school graduation quilt. She loves yellow, which was in my stash of batiks, along with numerous prints. I went down to my sewing room, through a few boxes, and pulled out a wonderful array of fabrics. What a great feeling. Haven't had to visit the LQS yet for this one!

Seeing my niece over Christmas made me realize I needed to focus on her quilt, and finish it before she graduates from college. Cold weather is good. The quilt top is nearly half way done in just three days!

New Year

New Year's Eve I tested my new knee at Highland Hills ski area. Jim patrols there Thursday evenings, so I decided to attempt skiing. With the approval of my physical therapist, released from further visits, I cautiously boarded the chairlift and headed up the hill. No issues with my new knee. But I suspect the other one will need replacing in the next few years.

New Years also brought subzero temperatures. Definitely time to stay home with the fire roaring and start quilting again. It has been months since I did any sewing. Here is the yellow batik triangle quilt for my niece. Right now it doesn't look like much. I hope by the end of January that it and several other quilts will be done and delivered.

Christmas morning

Jen and Jerod made aebelskiver for breakfast. Lucas and Haley found presents from Santa in their stockings. Haley and Kevin made a snow house out of marshmellows. A wonderful Christmas morning.

Christmas Eve in Hastings

Christmas Eve decided to add a little drama this year. Snow storms all month would not wait for the holiday to be finished. We ventured to Hastings to be with Jim's brother and sister's families. My parents headed to Rochester with Dave, who had been dropped off by my nephew Alex. It was nice to have Jen, Jerod, and John with us. Carrie unfortunately had to work.

Oriental Double Delight

Last January, I decided to start using up some of my fabric. Luckily Bonnie Hunter has wonderful quilts on Quiltville.com that focus on using your stash. Her Double Delight mystery was perfect for my oriental fabrics. This quilt will go to my parents when quilted.

Visit with Santa

Lucas and Kevin made a lovely gingerbread house at school last week. It became one of our centerpieces for our Christmas celebration.

On Tuesday the 22nd, Lucas, Haley and I went downtown to the Minneapolis Macy's Christmas display. Santa's helper spoke fluent Spanish, and had a wonderful conversation with the kids. Lucas didn't know what to ask from Santa. One of these years that will change. Haley wanted to give Santa some money to buy toys for others. I told her we would donate toys instead. She made sure to tell Santa of our plans. We dropped some coins in the Make-a-Wish fountain, and then headed with Kevin over to Kare11 news studio in Golden Valley to drop off a load of toys for Toys for Tots. A bit too dark and cold to take photos there. It was nice to see the two of them enjoy giving toys to others. We will do that again next year.

More Christmas

Christmas with the Turners

Every year we find ourselves trying desperately to arrange schedules so that everyone in the family can get together for Christmas. This year we nearly made it. Unfortunately Jen's flight from Boston was cancelled due to a snow storm on the east coast. So Jen and Jerod didn't arrive until two days later. Laura was out west celebrating with friends. We were able to enjoy the evening and excitement as Haley and Lucas opened presents. Don't forget Max, our granddog. He was as good as a one year old puppy could be in a house full of temptation.

Now if we could just get Dave, Jim, and Kevin to be awake the entire time!

Camp Lebanon

Each year I attend a quilt retreat at Camp Lebanon, just west of Saint Cloud, Minnesota. Many times, DD Carrie has joined me. I love our time together, even if it is dealing with a difficult quilt pattern. Carrie got a good start on her quilt. I finished another top. This one was out of CW Repros in my stash. Floating star blocks were from a swap. Just took me a year to decided on the setting and border. Finally ready for quilting.

Tile patterns

Does anyone else look at tile patterns in kitchens and bathrooms? Some very simple, some extremely complicated. All potential quilt patterns.