Post-Retreat Energy

I came home from last weekend's three-day quilt retreat so full of plans and energy that I haven't stopped long enough to write a blog post... though I did write a retreat blog post for our Central Florida MQG chapter. Go here to see lots of great photos of retreat quilters and their projects.

This retreat was our tenth anniversary retreat to Luther Springs Camp and Conference Center. Exactly ten years ago, WE were the first group of quilters to ever retreat to Luther Springs! And let me tell you, ever since, the word about Luther Springs has spread like wildfire among quilters! Several years ago, Luther Springs built a separate chapel where quilters can gather with all the amenities - good lighting, floor electrical outlets, wine fridge, and coffee bar. We love it.

For being on a modern quilt retreat, to my own surprise I find myself rarely working on modern projects. I think that's because I've learned that it's difficult to design and create modern without being in close proximity to my stash and personal design wall. So, I often make "kits" for myself, pre-cutting fabrics to piece blocks, or making something in particular. 

This time I pre-cut 4½" hexagons to make coasters, resulting in three sets of six coasters made from scraps. I used this free tutorial by Sew Mariana. 

Then, I mostly worked on blocks for the second version of a scrappy quilt from the pattern Diagonal Scrap Quilt by Maryline @mary_and_patch.

This block is much more labor intensive than the black and white blocks I made from the first version of the pattern, but I sure like the intensity of the scrappy design. It definitely has a maximalist vibe. I plan to make the quilt with 72 blocks, so I have 19 more blocks to make. 

Also during retreat, I hand-pieced several more Inner City blocks, and finished round loom knitting another cap for charity. 

Overall, it doesn't seem like I accomplished much, but I'm very satisfied. 

Above all, I had a fantastic time! Several retreaters were in agreement that this was our best quilt retreat ever! That can be attributed to retreating with good friends who know how to poke fun at one another and laugh. I laughed so hard I cried. It was simply a marvelous time!

Here's the group photo of best friends demonstrating how quilters RULE(R)!

On Saturday, Sew Modern Chicky came to retreat from Jacksonville, Florida to set up a pop-up shop. While I had no intentions of buying fabric, owners Paula and Dave brought bolts of Sally Kelly fabric! How could I resist, when it's rare for me to see this fabric in person?! I bought two pieces of Twilight - one quilting cotton and one canvas - both to make garments. I also bought one Alison Glass piece.

After seeing my friend, Lora, wearing a Cielo top during retreat, I returned home to buy the downloadable pattern to make my own Cielo using the newly-purchased Alison Glass fabric.

I'm not counting any of these fabric acquisitions in my May fabric-tracking total. When fabric is for clothing, it doesn't count. There. See how I justify a purchase without damaging my fabric input total?

Lately, every day this week I've had my hands on three or four different projects - proof of how invigorating it is to retreat with friends. I hope you get to do that too! Linda