Scrap and Spa

Last week I was on another adventure.
My friend Jan, sitting on the right side had invited me to join her and her
daughters in Union Pier, Michigan for a weekend of scrapbooking.
Here we all are.  Two of the ladies were from Ohio, and had been there since
Tuesday,  Most of the rest of us arrived on Thursday.  

We had such a great time.
Jan worked on a scrapbook of her family, and was trying out some
new page layouts.

We had a great room to use for working on our projects.
There were all sorts of machines, and dies to use with them, a computer, copier, ink pads.
In other words, just about everything you would need to work on scrapbook projects.
Everyone, brought their own supplies as well. It is always
nice to have backup.

There was much sharing of designs and ideas.
We had rooms for our stay, and a lovely hostess that cooked
our meals starting on Friday night.
The food was delicious, and Jen was accommodating for those
that had dietary needs.
The beds were so comfortable, I got a great nights sleep each night.

"Let's see, I think I like what you are doing.  Can you show me how you did it?"

The weather was gorgeous as well.
The ladies said it was the first time they had had such great weather,
in the years they have been going.

Several ladies had some of the latest supplies to use in the process.

Jan was showing off some of what she had done.

We were not far from Lake Michigan.
I think everyone got out for walks.

Here is what I worked on.
Notice I have a head start on my Christmas cards for this year.

A couple of the ladies were interested in Iris Folding, so I taught a class.
I had plenty of supplies with me.

A couple of them still need some extra embellishments.
Several still need sayings for the insides.

It was nice to get a few all occasion cards made.

It was so beautiful.
I think we all had a great time.  I know I did.
I love walking along the beach.
Even found a few pieces of sea glass.

I hope everyone is having a great week.
I will be up at a hospital visiting my husband.
He had a right hip replacement Thursday morning, and will be staying
for a couple of days.  Then on to rehab.

Mary

Racine quilt retreat

Last week was pretty busy. It was quilt retreat time again at the Siena Retreat Center in 

Racine, Wisconsin. We were all hoping for good weather, but unfortunately it was not in the cards.

The area we were in sure is not as along  season wise as we are here in Illinois.

Good thing I packed, mittens and a hat and extra sweatshirts.

It was nasty cold and very windy.  We even had snow flurries.

The wind was so strong, the waves on Lake Michigan were at least 5 feet, and very rough.

Hardly any beach.

When the waves were out, you could see some of the beach.

When the waves came almost to the edge of the hill.

I came with a purpose this time.  I made it my mission to get at least this quilt top done.
I have been sewing on these rows for months.
This is one Row by Row quilt from kits I had picked up in 2014.
I have reported previously that I had at least 50.
This is twenty of them.  I think I had shown pictures of almost all of these, as I have
finished them.
I have even more rows made up.  I had a lot more of them on the floor, but forgot to take
a picture.

I have to say, when you are working on this type of quilt, you can only hope they come
out the correct size.  I did have some issues unfortunately. I had some of the left overs
of fabric with me and could fix them.  Still have a couple to work on, now that I am home.
Some rows are only 8 1/2 inches tall, instead of the 9 1/2, and others were not the 36 1/2
inches wide.  (  Could also be my sewing!)
When I had the quilt laid out here, it looked huge.  When I put it on my bed, it is long enough
but will need borders on the sides.  Now to acquire a bit more fabric.

Love the quilt that Lana finished up. The colors are so vibrant.

Kathy L. finished up a n fun Edyta Sita quilt pattern
What a great way to use scraps.

Kathy M was working on quilts for her grandchildren.
This one is so colorful.  Shopkins?
I only knew about Power Rangers!  There always something new
coming on the scene.

This day there was a beach and lots of rocks to search for sea glass, and cool rocks
for our gardens. Some of us enjoy looking for the sea glass.

One afternoons beach search by Kathy M.

Nothing like a snowball fight!
Kriket was making snowball blocks for the quilt she is working on.
Next thing we knew there was a snowball fight between the two.
They added their head gear for a bit of authentic flavor..
Always good to laugh. These two are so much fun.

When I got home, I pulled out the quilt and laid it on the living room floor.
Charlie had been a sleep in one of his beds.  He some how ken I had fabric on the floor.
Next thing I knew he came out, walked into the middle, and laid down.
After about 5 minutes, and a few photos, he got up and when back to where he was
previously, sleeping.  How does he know?

Sandy put borders on this bright and wonderful hexagon quilt.

This is the lighthouse I like to visit.
The weather for the 4 days were were here, just light this.

The only time I can say the \sun made any real attempt to come out.
This has to have been the coldest, and sun lacking time I have
ever had. It is always so good to get the chance to go away with quilting
friends and have a great time.  Our next retreat here is in October.  Time to get another
project ready to work on.  When you have a lot of days, it makes it easier to get a top done.
I did not stop sewing once I had the top put together.
Got binding on a couple of quilts, and worked on some leaders and enders.
There is always some sort of sewing to be done.
I do enjoy my quilt retreat time.
I hope you are having a good weekend sewing.

Mary