First quilt retreat!

Hi,
     I'm back from my first ever quilt retreat.  So fun to get away from everyday life with a group of people who have the same goal "What can I create today?"  It's amazing how much stuff needs to be gathered and taken to a retreat.  Sleeping bag, pillow and an extra blanket, shower supplies, clean clothes and most important all the sewing stuff.  Irons, ironing board,  a lamp, extension cords, cutting boards, scissors, thread, cloth, miscellaneous tools and inspiration, oh yea a sewing machine!  I opted not to take my sewing machine this time and just work on some hand sewing while I was there.  I took my traction machine for my neck instead.  

     I do like to just relax and do some hand sewing occasionally but it seems to get pushed to the back burner more often than not.  I have a couple of projects that I either bought on a trip or after a trip to remind me of the vacation.  One is from a trip to Napa, California, the other is from a trip to Ireland.  So it was good to work on these things and talk to the people around me and laugh.  Laughter is always good.

     We were at a lake for this retreat and I have never been to a lake while the ice was breaking up.  I couldn't believe how loud it was.  That was so fun to hear!  I love nature and don't think I will ever stop having a child's delight in the magically complex, simplicity of our environment.  I took some photos of the ice, the snail shells washed up on the beach, trees and leaves.  I am just starting in a group that will be creating bark and leaves on postcards so I took lot's of pictures of the trees.  I was just starting to get some leaf photos when my battery went dead in my camera.  I'll have to go to a park around here and get some photos of leaves to study.  

     I forgot one more thing we each brought to the retreat was a snack to share.  I have to show you this photo of cupcakes that Wanda made.  She has such a wonderful sense of humor and it even shows in her food!

Where and when

Several people have asked for more information about the sale.  It's worth coming just to see the facility where the sale is held.  It's a retirement community.  I do mean community!  It's beautiful, there is an indoor restaurant, a small grocery store a hairdresser and barber, a chapel, a town hall meeting place a small library all wrapped around a beautiful courtyard.  This is all indoors but you have the feeling of walking down mainstreet to get to each of these places.  It's all accessible to their apartments somewhere on the other side of this huge facility. 

I've seen some of the items that will be for sale and they are gorgeous.  So, come buy gifts for all those special occasions coming up soon.  Now, I'd better get busy!  Have a creative day! Janet

IKEA Sale

The IKEA Adventure is over for me.  My quilt sold!  Yeah!  The money goes for the children's summer program at the Textile Center.  There were a lot of people at the sale, a band played, food kept arriving for the entire event.  It was fun for me to see all of the other quilts.  I had only seen a few before the show.  The creativity involved was incredible.  They were all so unique.  The quilts that didn't sale tonight will be sold through the Textile Center in St Paul.  Watch for your chance to buy one of these incredible quilts.  

I talked with the person who bought my quilt about the inspiration behind it.  I spoke about this in a previous post that I was inspired by the voters at this years election.  She and her husband seemed quite happy with their purchase and I felt good knowing it went to a good home. Have a creative day. Janet

Hand dyed scarves

Here are a few of my hand dyed scarves.  Still may add a little to some.  I've ironed the cotton scarves but I need to iron all of the silk scarves and figure out how to display them as well as make tags for each.  A lot more involved in sales than I thought about previously!  Such is life.  I always jump in first and ask questions later. LOL  I definitely have some favorites here, one in particular I'm not really liking but my husband and son convinced me I need variety and not everyone has the same taste as me, so maybe someone else will like it.  What a learning experience this has all been. Have a creative day! Janet

Back from the framer & still dyeing scarves

Hi,

I finally got my split rock lighthouse back from the framer.  It was supposed to be for my hubby for his birthday, still is, just a little late.    I love the frame!

Here is a photo of the solid scarves I dyed yesterday.  I just want to add a little to a few of them.  Bright spring colors!?  

Here is a photo of the rest of the scarves.  All ready for dye.

One last photo with the dye.  

Have a creative day. Janet