Quilters.. They're the Best!

What could be more inspiring and productive than three days at a quilting retreat? Nothing to do but sew, sew, sew. There were more than two dozen of us who gathered at a Florida conference center on a beautiful lake to work on our projects and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. My sewing room looked like a ghost town by the time I'd packed up everything I needed to transport. Now it's all back, and my projects took quite a few steps closer to completion while I was away.

The green scrap quilt top above is the one I'm making as a "stash buster" and will use for a donation quilt. It uses bits of all of my green fabric collection. Several of us each had a different fabric in mind, which in our thoughts, decided might not work at all well in the quilt. And yet, when the whole thing was put together, we concluded that a mix of fabrics has a way of blending and just can't miss. It just proves the old saying of "the more, the merrier." I'm happy enough with the top that I plan to make one in each color family. The pattern is a free one titled "Wickedly Easy" from the website ByAnnie. Instructions are well-written and easy to follow to make the quilt in a variety of sizes.

I never cease to be amazed by the creativity and perseverance demonstrated at our guild retreats. Just look at this lovely batik quilt made by Debra Johnston. The way she allowed the gold to break through into the borders really adds a unique look to her quilt top.

And here's a peek at just some of the projects my fellow quilters were working on. Eddie Mock was using gorgeous Asian prints in a Shadow Box quilt, at left. Dot Reeves completed the binding on her Dresden Plate quilt, below right. The blocks are large at 20" square. Sharon Medley worked on her mustard and black Strip Stacks quilt by G.E. Designs, below center. It's another great pattern for 2 1/2" strips, or Jelly Rolls.

We all admire Jan Smith, who is a prolific quilter. She completed this lovely chocolate and aqua block-of-the-month sampler quilt and also worked on the sweet flower quilt made using '30s prints. It has lots of accents of hand embroidery.

And Victoria Jandreau, who participates in several online groups, completed this eye-popping Snail's Trail quilt top she began several years ago. Victoria calls it Summer Salsa.

And this is the tip of the iceberg! A lot gets done on retreat, so there is much more to feast your eyes on. I'll share more photos in another post.