QUAP retreat 2018

QUAP Retreat - Quilt-a-holics....and Pat!

What can I say…coming home from any quilting retreat gives one a lot of mixed emotions.  Even though the beds at retreat were totally comfortable…there is nothing like your own bed :~).  Even though it is a lovely feeling to reconnect with old friends, there is nothing like coming home to your own sweetie.  The one place where a retreat has it ALL OVER being at home?  The sheer amount of work you can get done while there!  AND, you are doing it all with like minded, fun ladies….so it doesn’t seem like work at all  :~). 

Pat arrived at my house last Saturday moring (3/3) just after 7 AM to pack the car…and off we went:  

With just one (fabulous) stop on the way: 

we arrived in Nashville after 3 PM.  We unpacked, and started sewing until the Chicago crew arrived around 9 PM.  We spent the next 5 days together, eating: 

(just look at this elegant presentation for one of our meals....who knew paper napkins and Twinkies could look so good?):

drinking and SEWING before heading back home yesterday.  I had a fabulous time and am absolutely GOBSMACKED at what we all accomplished.  Here's a look at our huge and brightly lit work space:

along with a quick recap of some (but definitely not all) of the  beautiful and practical things people made:

I love this quilt from Abby

a great purse from Pat

Pat working on a t-shirt quilt for granddaughter Raeann

Mary's vortex....isn't it beautiful?

Here's Mary - determined to figure out a pattern JUST from the picture!!!

a tablecloth for Mary's sister with the most beautiful fabric!!

and here's the fun reverse side

Pat finished the medallion center of a new quilt

and makes a neat pillow for Raeann's 18th birthday

including a great label

Nancy worked on an insanely gorgeous Judy Niemeyer type paper piecing

I LOVE Abby's quilt colors

Mary with another pillow cover

embroidered dog scarves from Pat

Andi - outfitting her kitchen and dinning room

Andi again with a peek-a-boo sewing bag

and again with a quilt for her daughter Raeann

What I got done during this retreat exceeded my every wish:

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday & Friday to finish all of the blocks for black vortex

I was too short to keep putting the blocks on top!

As I said....it was a terrific retreat!

We had a fabulous time, with one notable exception.  A few months ago Pat's dogs Ruby & Maggie developed severe heart problems and have been on medication ever since.  On Thursday morning Pat got the news that Ruby had died in her sleep.  

We were all devastated by the news....Ruby was such a big sweetheart and so very loving.....it made the end of our retreat very bittersweet.

**********************************

And in other news...a few more pictures of things you might have missed while I was gone...

Paula's finished t-shirt quilt

a gift to me from Floy...I LOVE that embroidery!

Susie B scores with a perfect cake!

Although I am very glad to be safely home....it was an INCREDIBLE week!