More than 1 retreat?

I don't know about anybody else but I feel like I am ready for a retreat long before October. I guess i better get busy looking into that. I would love to host one near here but would love another excuse to go back to Alberta for one in the spring. Not sure where there is room and you usually have to book a year in advance so prob looking at spring 2012 already - my how time flies.

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.