HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Here is best wishes for a fantastic 2011 with lots of quilting time for everyone.

half square triangle border

Here is the picture of the half square triangle border I mentioned yesterday. It is on a small version of smokey mountain stars. I have also included a picture of a portion of the larger smokey mountain stars to show you the contrast of using a cream background versus a black background using the same pattern. If you are interested this a free pattern on Bonnie Hunter's site quiltville.com.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a fantastic holiday season. Take time to enjoy all the beauty around us.

I will be working on planning a spring retreat in the new year and will keep you updated as things progress.

Meanwhile time flies on and I see by my counter that it is only 295 days until our next fall retreat.

On another note I just used the method I showed everyone at the retreat to make a stack of half square triangles, so if you are wondering 2 - 3 1/2 squares will give you 4 lovely 2" HST which will finish at 1 1/2" in quilt.

In case you don't remember this was placing your 2 squares (presumably light and dark) right sides together; sew all around the outside with 1/4" seam; then cut diagonally both directions. I will try to find time tomorrow to show you a picture as I used them for a really neat border.

This of course is just one of the gazillion ways to make half square triangles...give it try.

Retreat pictures

Debbie has completed a great slideshow of retreat pictures. Be sure to check them out at www.phototd.com. Select 'your story' and password is quilt. There is a link on the right side of the blog in "Related Links" ; they are great and a reminder of the fun we had. As you can see at the top of the page I have a countdown until the next retreat, WOO-HOO.

Trying to plan another retreat possibly in May, let me know if you are interested.

New Design

What you think of my new design. I discovered how easy it is to use the templates and thought it was time for a change so here it is.

Quite a few people have requested a spring retreat so I am researching May, let me know if you might be interested. It will probably be Mon to Thurs as most weekends are booked at Sunnyside; more info to follow in the next few weeks.

Pictures from the retreat

Finally I had time to download my camera and sort pictures so here are a few from the retreat which was already almost 2 weeks ago, so hard to believe. I hope you enjoy them. There will be more to follow courtesy of Charlotte and Debbie. Not sure why they are in such a strange placement but at least they are here. There are some of mystery quilts from last years retreat, quite a few being completed from the birthday block swap and various other projects from the weekend. I have them all labeled in my photo album but that info is not showing here so I'll have to figure out how to do that.

What a great time

I want to thank everyone for the great time once again this year; it is unbelievable how smoothly everything goes. You all make my job so easy. I can't wait until next year to do it all again. As soon as I get my camera downloaded I will post some pictures although I did not take very many. If we can make it work Charlotte has some great pictures that I will post as well.

If you are checking in please leave a comment or even better become a follower. Being a follower does not put you on any lists; all you need is a google account which is free (only takes a couple of minutes) and then I know if anyone is reading what I write.

Talk soon

Retreat------------

Here we are at the retreat and having a great time. More to follow.

1 month until retreat

Can you believe it!! Only 1 month until retreat-now the panic begins....I need to decide what to bring to work on and actually get organized with everything I have to bring. Actually not panic but I am starting to get organized as I can't run home to Innisfail if I forget something so I better have good lists. I am so looking forward to seeing all the regulars and meeting all the new people who are coming.

October here we come...

I can't believe August is over but here we go; can we slow Sept down.

I am so looking forward to the retreat but there is so much to do before then.

Birthday Blocks to sew together, I don't even know where to start. Mystery quilts to finish; I finally got border on but I would like to actually quilt it and I just realized I have never quilted the sample of the mystery that was completed for last year.

I have to finish some samples for some classes I am teaching before i come back to Alberta as well as classes I will have as soon as I get back.

If anyone has any spare time please send it west.

45 days to retreat

I can't believe it is only 45 days until we all get together again and welcome some new people. Here are some basics about this years retreat:

WHERE: Sunnyside Camp ; Sylvan Lake

WHEN: Thurs Oct 14(arrive after 4pm- Sun Oct 17-leave by 2pm

WHAT TO BRING - besides your smiles and laughter - bedding, towels & toiletries; pillow for your sewing chair; sewing machine(don't forget foot pedal); projects to work on and all required supplies.

If you are participating in Garage Sale or Mystery Swap you need to bring these items as well.

If you have any questions contact Arley arley.haner@gmail.com

Mystery Quilt

Digging through UFO's and found Mystery Quilt from last years retreat that I hadn't finished. It was the sample I was trying to make along with everyone else. Along with distractions and time factors mine got put away with a large portion of each step done. After looking at pieces and instructions for quite awhile I finally figured out what needed to be done and have completed the top. I am just going to add a border and then quilt. Will post a picture when its done.

more birthday blocks

I was going to post more pictures of birthday blocks but my computer is being grumpy and I can't upload the pictures. Since I should be working I will try again later.

"only 4 months to retreat!"

Birthday blocks

Here is our first picture - this is Rita's block, I think from Phyllis. It is great-I can't wait to see some more. And this gives me more to write about so we can keep up to date with each other. Hopefully everyone can now comment as I changed my settings or I think you can become a follower (you might have to sign up for a google account to do this but it's free).

I am going to try and add a photo album for the blocks as well so we'll see if that works.

Birthday Block photos

If anyone wants to email me pictures of their birthday blocks or tops completed with them i can post them here. I will start a google photo album and add a link here if there is enough interest, let me know. I have to wait til August for mine but I think it will be so much fun. I had planned to work ahead and get them all made so all I had to do was mail them.....well so far that hasn't happened as I just finished my May blocks for another swap i am in so I can mail them tomorrow. we'll see if I can do better for June & July.

5 months until RETREAT

I realized this weekend it is only 5 months until retreat and we know how time flies. I think the ladies that joined the birthday club exchange are having fun so far. I know I have heard from a few of the early spring birthdays who have been amazed at the variety of styles and colors in their blocks but how interesting they are to arrange. looking forward to seeing them at retreat.