Two Retreats in a Row

 Yes... Christine and I were at quilting retreats two weekends in a row! I had a second set of projects lined up to take to our annual Spring Oxford Guild retreat before the Camp Kintail retreat.  The truth is that I could go on even more retreats and still come up with projects to work on.  Christine is in the same boat!

I finished up my chain link blocks for the vice president's challenge--I have decided to set them on point but have not decided if I want to add sashing or not before sewing them together.  I will have to audition sashing later.   

As you can see, Finn is very willing to help model my quilt blocks, often artfully rearranging them along the way. 

Next, I worked on my red Rainbow Scrap Challenge blocks for March.  I put them on the floor for a photo this am and, again, Finn was there to help. 

I sewed the binding on my scrappy baby quilt and got it sewn down by hand at the retreat.  I still need to add a label.   The backing was purchased at an estate sale. 

I started my 12 Green Bottles Quilt, a Threadhouse Academy class with Jo Avery, at the November guild retreat and have not worked on it since then.  I find I need a good chunk of time and lots of space to work on this quilt as I audition colours for each part.  The first picture is going to be the centre block.  I hope to finish it soon.  

This is one of the borders on a corner section. 

As you can see, I have two corner blocks done and two more started.  I was pleased with the progress I made at the retreat.  Our guild is having a quilt show in the spring of 2027 and I hope to have this quilt done in time for the show. 

I will be linking up with the Slow Sunday Stitchers on Sunday morning, with Angela and the RSC group on Saturday and with Frederique too. 

Kintail Retreat Report

 Christine and I spent last weekend at Camp Kintail at the crafter's retreat.  Others were making paper crafts, scrapbooks, knitting and painting. Four participants were quilting.   It's always fun to see what everyone is making. The food and snacks were plentiful and tasty too. 

My first project was an open wide zipper pouch that I had started at home. This one may just stay here for me to use.  This project was a good place to use the large scale print that I loved but would not be good to cut up into smaller pieces 

Next, I made two rainbow scrap challenge blocks.  Yes, I have started a 4th RSC quilt for this year...  All of the blocks I am making are made from squares and HST's.  This newest block was inspired by one I saw on Facebook. I'm going to match the dots in the background fabric to the scrap colour.  This month's colour is red.  I will be working on my red blocks next. 

Every year, the VP of the Oxford Guild hosts a VP quilt day--she chooses the pattern and everyone makes the same quilt with their own fabric choices.  I had a solid jelly roll and the dark gray background fabric in my stash.  The VP day was on Saturday while we were at the retreat so both Christine and I worked on our blocks on Saturday while the others were sewing at our guild meeting place.  I made 14/20 blocks at the retreat and will work on the rest this weekend. 

Christine's big project for the weekend was a queen sized quilt top that had been aging for a while in her sewing room as a bag of fabrics...  She finished the top and will now be looking for a backing and a long armer.  There are lots of lovely low volume fabrics in this quilt top.

I made this scrappy quilt top at the last Kintail retreat and quilted it at this retreat.  I have found some binding in my stash and will get that attached and sewn down soon. 

Finn has come to stay at our house for his annual Spring visit while our daughter is busy at work.  He held the quilt top down while I cut the batting before the retreat.   He is very helpful. 

I added some more hand quilting to my pineapple quilt at the retreat as well. I need to get back to working on this one on a regular basis if I want to finish it...

Finn has been keeping us entertained and supervised...

I made him some banana, peanut butter and yoghurt "Pawsicles" this week.  These are a big hit!

In my "spare" time, I am knitting poppies for a Remembrance Day display in Ingersoll where the quilt guild meets.  I found red and black yarn in my stash and started on my first poppy...  we have already established that I am not the fastest knitter so don't hold your breath waiting to see a large pile of completed poppies next week. 

I finished my second Folk Art Critter--a rabbit this time.  I gave this cute bunny to my daughter for Easter.  It is sitting on her bookshelf.  I hope to make some more critters soon. 

 I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers,  Angela and the RSC folks and Frederique this weekend.  

A Busy Two Weeks

I was away last weekend and did not have time to blog before I left so today's post is a catch up on what I have been up to for the last couple of weeks.  I am happy to report that I have finished hand quilting my Arizona quilt and I am now working on getting the binding hand stitched and adding a sleeve and label.  

The Oxford Quilter's Guild show is the coming up very soon and I have registered 12 quilts in the show.  Most of them do not have hanging sleeves yet so that will be my hand sewing project for the next little while until they are done. I have five prepped and ready to stitch and there are more quilts waiting for sleeves to be made. 

Here is the information about the show in case you are local and are interested in coming to see all the quilts!

The church sewing group finished making the hygiene kits for girls in Africa a few weeks ago, and now we are working on items for our Christmas bazaar in November.  I found some neat vintage kitchen fabric in our stash and made two lined aprons and I am in the midst of making a third apron with bees on it. I used an apron I made for myself 37 years ago for the pattern.  I still wear my apron even though it has a few stains on it.  Maybe I should make myself a new one...

I made two more spinning drunkard's path blocks last week and just have three more to put together.  They will have to wait until I am ready for the quilt show. 

The weather has been up and down here.  One day it is sunny and warm (ish) and they next day we wake up to snow on the ground!  Hopefully, Spring will come and stay soon!  There are a few flowers blooming in my garden including these primroses. 

I have two hellebores that came from my MIL's garden and they are both blooming. 

The first mini  daffodils are out too. 

I am currently reading this cozy mystery, a gift from my daughter for Christmas.  Interesting characters and plot!

I received a kit to grow micro greens and planted them on Tuesday.  By Thursday, they looked like this. 

And today, they are like this.  Growing like crazy.  We will soon be able to enjoy some on a sandwich or a salad!

Snow from earlier in the week...

Finn enjoyed a long walk at the elevated park earlier this week. 

Finn celebrated his 7th birthday last week and my daughter bought him a giant squeaky banana which has proven to be quite popular

My husband and I have been working on a Charley Harper puzzle in the evening.  This one is called "Once there was a field".  I always think elements of his pictures would make interesting quilts. 

I should get back to my hand stitching.  Take care.  I will link up with Kathy and Frederique.