SS&Q and Friends Annual Retreat

Rock 'n' Roll

The theme for our retreat this year was Rock 'n' Roll and there was plenty of rocking and rolling going on!  We stayed at Lady Northcote recreation camp at Glenmore.  It's a very basic camp so the accommodation and food is pretty simple but the sewing room was well laid out and there was plenty of room to stretch out in the dining room if needed. 

Some of our ladies working hard.  Judy A is underneath all that fabric!  Can you believe she's quilting in that tiny space?

More hard workers!

Here are some of the projects we were working on

I worked on this bunting from my daughter's wedding

A little quilt as you go later

Sue was very busy!  She made several quilts this weekend!

Julie was working on a beautiful cushion

Ellen couldn't quite decide which of her many projects to work on for her granddaughter

Amongst other things, Margaret worked on these pouches for their group Sit 'n' sew

Kathy made this quilt for her neighbour's new baby and told us an interesting story about that neighbour!

Originally a sheet this quilt and backing was created in less than half a day!

Judy V worked on making 8 Easter baskets for her grandchildren!

Rosie needs to add a border and it's done!  Beautiful!

Just a few of the many baskets made

There were two workshops on the Friday night.  We made these 1 hour (ahem) baskets.  And Judy V donated fabric kits to make these beautiful trash/storage bags.

Aren't they cute?

Happy hour was at 9pm on the Saturday and lots of ladies dressed up in Rock 'n' roll costumes.  They all looked brilliant.  I wasn't brave enough to judge so we pulled names out of a tin and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners received prizes.  We also judged the challenge entries of which there were conveniently only 3 so I WON A PRIZE!  I mean, so we all won a prize.  We had music and a bit of dancing and it was a fun night!

Kathy (and Margaret) set out her shop on Sunday and we all went crazy shopping!  I bought a great bag, a rainbow layer cake, pins and cutting blades for my rotary cutters.  Lots of blades for my cutters!  I'd better get started blunting them by actually doing some work for a change!

All in all it was a very successful weekend and we've had lots of ladies interested in doing it all again next year!

Busy Tuesdays

Some Photos to entertain and appreciate!

The first three photos show different interpretations of the Splendid Sampler blocks a few of us are making.

This green block is part of the 365 challenge that Annie is attempting.

Andrea has made a quilt for her grandson's 2nd birthday.  Note the great label and the fabric used for the back of the quilt.

Ailsa's quilt has us all exploring the depth of these blocks.

I think this is Lyn's millefiori interpretation!

Robyn is working on a contribution to a quilt for a much anticipated grandchild for Ann McW.

Ann has presented her son and new daughter-n-law their magnificent wedding quilt.

Evelyn always has something new and interesting to show us. 

Check out the Block Poster Program to enlarge images.

http://www.blockposters.com

“Block Posters lets you make your own custom posters at home for free.
 Upload an image, choose your options and then download and print out your own
personalized huge poster!!”

 (from the website)

What's a posting without something by Sheila!

Lyn has been very busy making contributions for a charity event.

At our meeting last night Evelyn showed us ,her red and white challenge piece. She had completed her project and had then washed it. Although she had pre washed the fabric the red had bled into the white leaving her with a red and pink challenge piece.

I found this free downloadable article on Craftsy which is worth a read called "Essential Guide to Quilt Care" It is a small booklet with lots of handy hints.

 http://www.craftsy.com/guide/quilt-cleaning-and-care-guide/28351?_ct=rbew&_ctp=73977

As part of this there are suggestions about washing using natural ingredients - salt, vinegar, washing soda etc. Also included DIYColour Catcher recipe which might be worth a try.