Once a year I have the opportunity to get away with my darling quilting friends for a 4 day quilt retreat. We rent a huge condo in the mountains and sew, gab, sew, eat and sew.
What a fantastic time. Some years we get alot of projects done and some years we don't. But no one cares, WE HAVE FUN!
This is the view we had every night.
We found this cute little door sign in one of our quilt magazines. The fine print says: unless you are delivering fabric or chocolate. Cute, Cute.
Winter table runner that I designed. I will be giving out instructions in a couple of days.
Fall table runner out of same pattern.
We made oven mitts that really work. We also made aprons with attached wash rag to wipe your hands. Isn't that a clever idea? Thanks to Lela for that wonderful idea.
We also felted wool to make our own pincushions. It was such an interesting process. They all turned out beautiful. I just need to embellish mine now. Thank you Betsy.
We also make cake plates. How creative. Dinner plates and glassware from a second hand store were used. Just a little glue and presto, a lovely cake plate.
Shelto, Stitch, Corrie, Lela, Judy, Johnboy, Karebear, and Betsy on top. Our photographer Des was going crazy taking pictures.
Sister's!
Production Queen
My fabulous longarm quilter
Two new friends
Broken toe girl
70's guru
Blogger extraordinare
Thanks to my sweet friends for an absolutely GREAT time. Looking forward to next year.
After having an extremely busy holiday, I really wanted to have some quality time with my sewing machine. After taking some wonderful inspiration from my great friend Leela, I decided to make a small throw using a jellyroll and some old ribbons that I had. Leela made one and showed it for show and tell at our recent quilt retreat. I was so inspired and I knew I really wanted one. I used gingham for the top, warm and natural for the middle and of course flannel for the bottom. Then I started adding my jellyroll stips and ribbons.
Using the gingham as a guide, I started sewing strips on my fabric sandwhich. Sew a 1/4" (or so) seam on both sides of the stips. I also tried to vary the width I left between the strips and ribbons.
I used various ribbons to add texture and color. I even used a satin ribbon. Leela, you are so smart!
I also bound my quilt with jellyroll strips. I just folded the strips around the edge and started sewing the approx. 1/4 seam.
Away I went! How fast and easy!
When I got to the end of each strip, I just folded over the top of the next strip...
and placed it over the previous strip.
Away I go. Now we have reached a corner. Sew to the end of the quilt...
Take the binding strip and proceed to make a 45* angle and fold it down on the next side.
Start sewing your approx. 1/4 and away you go.
I was almost finished, just about 3 feet of quilt left to bind and you guessed it - ran out of bobbin thread. Please tell me that I am not the only one that has done this.
Okay all done. Time to throw it in the washing machine to fray all of the edges. This quilt took me about 1 1/2 days to make. How fast and easy.
My family absolutely loves our new TV quilt. This took less than 1/2 of a jelly roll for the strips and various ribbons. What a wonderful way to use up alot of scaps also. I would love to see pictures of everyone's quilts. Please send pictures! 
