Quilt retreat in Cedar Lake Indiana

Just back from another fun filled quilt retreat.

This time I went to Cedar Lake, Indiana.

Historically, the area back in the early 1900's was the place to go for a summer home, and vacation.  There are tales that Al Capone was a regular there.

We did not meet him!

It is not very far from Chicago.  I think most of the quilters only had an hour or hour and a half drive.

The setting is right on the lake, and was beautiful.

I think I spent almost as much time outside as I did in.

Everyone brought lots of things to work on.  I think this is a Bonnie Hunter quilt block that Carol was working on.

When she tired of that one, she got out this one that has a Christmas theme.

Several of the quilters had taken a work shop with Pam Buda the week before the retreat.
so they were working on that project.

My son would have liked this one.  A University of Michigan quilt.

Check out this paper pieced block.  It is gorgeous.

Some where trying out a new mini design wall. It looks great.
The block does too.

Even though it was in the 80's and above all week, we still sat around a campfire and enjoyed
marshmallow and chocolate on graham crackers. 

They were so good!

A lot of the quilters were from Pride of the Prairie quilt guild.
We also had 5 ladies that were scrapbookers and card makers.
Another idea for a cute card.

Also had to get out and about.  On the way to a quilt shop out in the country, Kathy and I came across
this great yard art.  There were three twin size beds in the yard with all sorts of great
flowers for accents.  Kathy was trying to figure out she could do with in her yard.

Had to check out a few birds while I was out and about.
These baby birds were still being fed by mom and dad.

They did fly from the nest before we came home.

Sandy did get a quilt top done.
Looks pretty good to me.

More card ideas.

I was working on a couple of zipper bags.
This is a project from the Splendid Sampler that has been showing
up on the internet.

As as always, if one is good,three more is better.

I did work on another quilt top.
Working my way through more 30's fabric!

A few of the scrapbookers got a chance to get on the lake..
They were having a blast.

The cone flowers were so gorgeous.  I think I need to find some on my way home!

Where is the nearest quilt store??  I need more fabric.

Here is the conference center. We were on the lower level.  Carol's husband took us for a boat ride one evening.

May be I could afford this property???

The Sandbar Restaurant.

Once again a great time was had by all.
It was such a nice break to be with quilting friends.
I think there are plans in the works to go back again next summer.
Better get that on my list of things to do for 2017.

Hope you are having a great summer.

I need to be packing for my next adventure.
I am going on another quilt cruise.
August 11, my friend Jan and I are flying to Amsterdam, and will be boarding
the Koningsdam, the newest Holland America ship.
We will be cruising for two weeks to England, Scotland, Iceland, Norway
and back to Amsterdam.  I have been getting my things ready for my classes.
This time there will be no sewing machine.  All hand work.
I am so excited.  This tour is being offered by Quilt Seminars at Sea.

Mary

Quilt Retreat in Wisconsin

Pride of the Prairie's fall retreat was this past weekend at the Senia Retreat Center in Racine, Wisconsin.  We arrived on Thursday to their new facility.  It is beautiful.  We had a lovely large room with plenty of lighting, natural and electric.

Everyone set up their work area. Oh the things everyone brings! Chairs, sewing tables, projects, sewing machines, chairs, and lots and lots of fabric.

Love this thirties fabric project.  She got all the petals and leaves machine appliqued and was working on the secondary block.  I think she said this was from a Fons and Porter magazine a couple of years ago.

This witch in the window, too cute.  Kathy was working on another one, that was a snowman in the window.

Connie worked on stars.

Our work area.  There were 25 of us. Oh yes, I forgot, we had lots and lots of snacks.

Linda was working on this beauty.

Sandy was working on James Town Landing, a Bonnie Hunter quilt.

Pat had this up on the design wall.  It was coming together so well.  Love the colors.

Kathy got this one completed.  I think I heard her say it was going to an organization for a raffle quilt.

Jan and Kathy presented Kathy with a card and plant as a thank you for all her hard work organizing this wonderful retreat.  {I think she was surprised :}

Sandy is making great progress on that quilt!

Peggy made this fun colorful quilt.

Alright, Sandy really got a lot done on this quilt.  It is needing only 4 more rows and will be done. ( I bet she has it done by now.)

Got to have a bit of fun along with all the quilting.

I worked on Jamestown Landing all weekend. All I have to show for it is 904 half square triangles and 88 of 168 paper pieced string blocks.  I have a long way to go..... I took several other projects to play with, but decided I would make headway on that quilt instead.  It felt good.  I would like to have it done by the end of the year.

This week I am working on my 60's project.  Oh the ideas that are whirling around in my head.
Have a great week.
Mary

PS. We are talking about making the retreat a Monday through Sunday next year.  There are several quilt shops, antique stores, a zoo, and several historical sites to visit.  Then there is all the extra time for sewing. Heaven.

What I got done at retreat

These are 1 1/2 inch tumblers.  I had decided to give this a try.  It is  okay for my first time.  I got it quilted and bound.

I had made the hexy flowers and appliqued them to background squares.  It needed to be quilted.  Done!  The machine part of the binding is on, now to work on the hand part.  I am also going to add buttons to the yellow centers.  

I had made this table runner top in September. Finally got it quilted, now to finish the binding.

This guy has been pieced for several years, but not quilted.  It is finally  done!  Yea for me.  Just in time for  Spring??

I finished the small pincushion in the lower left corner.  Handwork completed!  I  put together  12 zippered pouches.  Three are in vinyl covered cloth. Now there was an adventure.  Once I found out that a Teflon foot helps a lot in the sewing, they went together better.  The rest are now waiting for additional embellishments. I also have several more in different stages of making.  You can never have too many zippered pouches.  They come in handy as cute gifts.

Well, I am home for two days and then on the go again.  Wednesday morning I am flying to Atlanta, Georgia to visit with  my friend Sandy.  Friday and Saturday we are going on the Atlanta Shop Hop.  It is such a great hop.  The 10 shops get together, design a fabric for the hop.  This time they are each designing a quilt using the fabric. Each shop has a theme to use for their quilt.  When I return, I am sure I will have more fun quilting adventures to share.

Happy rest of the week and quilting.

Mary

Retreat Day 3

Sharon was working on a signature quilt for a birthday celebration.  The guests are going to be able to sign the flower petals.

Karin got her basket quilt done.  It is beautiful.

Julie H was working on her paper pieced star.

This was a work in progress.  She worked until 4:00 am putting  the final pieces together.

Paula got a tote bag done and went on to work on a table topper.

Buffet lunch!  Yea, no cooking!

Linda started her cowboy quilt.

By the end of the day, it was done.

Susan and Kim, our wonderful hostesses.

Lisa, got another quilt, quilted

Jan finished this little beauty.

Gayle with the other tumbler quilt top she finished. This was done in reproductions fabrics.

This is batik tumblers. Debbie is checking  it out.

Sunday after breakfast we all started to pack up and  get ready for  home.  Even though the weather was not the greatest, it was warm and cozy inside. As you can see we got a lot of projects completed. It was such a great time.  Hopefully, we will all be back in September for another great quilting weekend.

I will show tomorrow what I got done.

Mary