Retreating

It's been nearly two years since I've gone on retreat with the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild so I'm pretty excited to be heading out this morning to meet them! Though I've been known to pack as many as ten projects for a weekend's getaway, this time I'm paring it down...

1. I just finished pattern-testing Krista/Poppyprint's Quarter Round pattern, and have two blocks made. I'm taking everything I need for the remaining two blocks through to finishing this mini.

2. This one is most timely and will be the biggest challenge, but cutting triangles is as far as I've gotten on my Sew Ready to Play! project! I'm seriously hoping to at least piece this one if not more.

3. Though I don't usually take largish quilts to machine quilt on retreat, I am this time. Quilting my Bee Sewcial Swap project the way I am definitely calls for breaks now and then, so I'm hoping to squeeze some work on this in between the other projects. You can see some of my progress here - I'd guess I'm about 1/3 done.

4. I originally planned to make a backing for my improv log cabin quilt, but it's gonna be big and I'm still mulling what to do with it. This may be silly, but I think I'll at least make one of Felice/Sew Scatterbrained's new Retro Television Blocks, since so many folks have said that's what these blocks remind them of. I'll keep you guessing what I'm thinking of putting 'on' TV. Here's one of Felice's blocks on Instagram, where she's known as iamlunasol.

5. And lastly, after some internal debate on whether or not to take my long-lost Polaroid blocks, I squeezed them in. As much as I want to use up these long-stashed little blocks, I haven't gotten the momentum at all. I've debated more than once about just finding them a new home. But we'll see....taking them just in case.

So I'm hoping to have at least two of these finished to show you next week, and progress made on the rest. And no worries. If I just need to work on something else, our friends from Island Quilter will be there tomorrow with their traveling pop-up shop! Sounds like fun, right?

In Process

It seems a little much to go on a quilting retreat so soon after my QuiltCon getaway, but schedules being what they are, this weekend is what worked for my long-time quilting buddies, the Basket Case Quilters. We go waaaay back to when our kids were younguns and we're far flung now, so the times we're able to gather together these days are few and far between. 

I'm known to take way more projects than could possibly be finished in one weekend, so I really tried to scale it down this time. Time will tell if I was successful. Here's what I've packed:

Greek Keys - Made from scraps, I only want 9 little blocks and 2 are done. With Essex and Oakshotts, I really can't believe they've taken this long. This project is on my Finish-A-Long list so time's a wastin!

Emphasis - The runner I began in Carolyn Friedlander's class at QuiltCon. Nothing like a retreat to concentrate on some paper-piecing.

Sew Organized - My friend Heidi of Fabric Mutt has a new book coming out next month - Sew Organized for the Busy Girl - and she's asked me to participate in the blog hop. Fun, right? I got to choose what project from the book I wanted to make, so I'm taking advantage of some lovely Artisan Cottons sent to me by Windham Fabrics.

ETNO - I also happened to land myself in Pat Bravo's upcoming Etno bloghop, so the bundle that just arrived needs to be made into something pronto. From my suggestions, Pat chose what she wanted me to make, and I have a design ready. So time to cut and sew!

Lighthearted - And just for the fun of it, I'm taking along the little bundle Ayumi sent me. I'm itching to play with it, and I even thought a patchwork bucket might be nice for my cutting table in the studio. We'll see.

So see you in a few days. I'm sure you'll be able to catch me over on Instagram sharing some process pics!

W.i.P. Wednesday

The good news: I'm going on retreat tomorrow with my local quilting buddies, the Basket Case Quilters. The bad news: I probably won't accomplish as much as I pack. But here's what I've got going:

• FAITH Circle quilt - This quilt was my plan for the group in February, and I'm beyond thrilled with the blocks I got back. They are Vice Versa blocks by gen x quilters, January's blocks in the BOM she's hosting. What a clever concept for blocks, and I'm really enjoying seeing them around about. The layout I chose using just 1 pair of blocks is quite different from the quilt AnneMarie designed. But I think it's all going to be just fine. So my goal is to get this top pieced, and then get to quilting it after the retreat.

• Mom's quilt top - You may remember the pillows I made for my mom last fall. Well Mom saw and liked the Disappearing 9-patch pattern on Pinterest, and I assured her it would be a great use for the leftover pillow fabric. I'm adding in a few stash prints so I can make it a nice lap quilt size, and though what you see below is as far as I've gotten, I have all the necessary squares cut out, so I'm hoping I can easily get this top pieced too.

• Mini Swoon - If I can get the above two tops pieced, this will be my reward. I've had the pattern and fabric chosen for a couple of months. At least now the pieces are all cut. We'll see how far I can get on this mini. Finished size is 19" square. Who knows? Maybe this will even be ready to hang in my studio by next week. One can hope!

• Postage Stamp quilt - In an effort to obliterate the contents of my overflowing scrap basket, I have two scrap projects in the works. Small bits are being cut into 2 1/2" squares. I have about 400 cut, but need around 1200 for a lap quilt. I'll keep cutting till it's time to pack, plus probably take a bag of scraps with me. I'll be using the tutorial by my friend Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty, and adhering my squares to featherweight interfacing before sewing the blocks together.

• Cross-Stitch Blocks - Here's my other scrap project - cross-stitch blocks using the tutorial by Alyssa/Pile O'Fabric. I'm using Kona Ash charm squares as my base. I've got about 40 more x-pieces cut out, but for the pattern I have in mind, I'll need over 100 total, so I've got a ways to go there too. 

So what do you think? Do I have enough to keep me busy for the next few days? I kinda think so.

Retreat!

Last weekend I went away on a retreat with the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild, and it was great fun! When we weren't eating or sleeping, you could usually find us in the big sewing room (below), or the adjoining cutting and pressing room.

photo by Grace Lainhart, on flickr

I had carpooled over with daughter dear and since we hadn't been able to see the guild's Binary Challenge exhibit at Island Quilter yet, that was our first stop once we got off the ferry. Before long, Rachel and I met up with our roommate, Louise/I'm Feelin' Crafty, settled into our room at Camp Burton, and headed off to join the others.

The best part of the retreat was definitely getting to know many of our guild members better. Oh, and of course the chance to sew pretty much non-stop for days on end! But I really appreciated that there were also a variety of activities planned throughout the weekend - all optional, but definitely fun for those that participated.

1. The quilt exhibit - not all of us has seen our challenge quilts at The Gallery yet,
so it was great that the show was still up!
2. A charm swap - sets of 10 charms in 1 color.
3. "Happy Hour" hosted by Island Quilter, with a sweet discount on purchases,
plus beverages and snacks!
4. A handmade item swap - I swapped my Economy Block quilt and
received a super darling pincushion in return! Thanks again, Kristen!

5. An improv red robin opportunity that was at once very fun and very stressful!
I'll share all about that in an upcoming post.

And there were swag bags! Yes, sir. Fabric, notion, and coupon treats for all!

As if eating, sleeping, sewing, and interacting with your friends as much as you wanted wasn't enough, there was also the beach nearby!

We were blessed with lovely (not raining) weather. All in all, it was a weekend to remember!

Open Wide

Well I'm back from my quilting retreat, and it did not disappoint! A HUGE surprise was that our fourth member was able to join us after an absence of 12 years(!) due to her move out of state. So it was a sweet reunion plus good food, hours upon hours of sewing, and talk, talk, talk. In short, *awesome*.

Just for fun, we had planned ahead to do a small project all together. We chose Noodlehead's Open Wide Zippered Pouch. It was a fun, easy sew, and I'm thrilled with how mine turned out!

My exterior fabric is Etsuko Furuya's Echino Insects paired with Essex Linen in Lime. For the interior I used a gray print from Zen Chic Juggling Summer. Where I used the Pellon 101SF that Noodlehead suggests in her tutorial, my friends all used fusible fleece. It does make quite a difference in the feel of the bag - mine obviously isn't as poofy as theirs, but it definitely stands on it's own. I'm also the only one that made the large size (10x13"), and it's really a good-sized pouch. 

I loved how each in the group jumped right in personalizing their pouches!

There were several quilted bags . . .

Even a couple with interior pockets!

The over-achiever in the group (not me!) actually made four pouches before she moved on to her previously-scheduled project!

All in all, it was a very fun project. I'll definitely be making this pouch again.

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

Off We Go

It's been a year since my quilting buddies and I have retreated. As in packed up our machines, divvied up meal-plans, and taken off to sew like crazy for a few days and just 'catch up'. Well today's the day. In just a few hours, we'll be on our way. And as is my style, I've packed waaaay too many projects, but gee. Who knows what I'll feel like working on? So here's what I've packed:

1. Scrappy Trip-Along - This is a priority. If I don't come home with this quilt top finished, I'll be sorely disappointed. The backing hasn't arrived yet, due to an unfortunate incident where I had it in my cart and never clicked 'Order.' So I don't feel pressured to quilt it quite yet, but a finished top would be nice.
2. Hubby's Christmas Stocking - Another project I really want done. Hsts are pieced, so hopefully this won't take too long.
3. Binding Modern Cross quilt - It's a big one! I doubt I'll get it finished, as I plan to be mostly machine sewing, but hopefully I'll get started.
4. x and + blocks for xand+along - I'm mid-way through cutting out about 25 blocks, so I've packed a 'scrap bag' so I can get going on these.
5. Mod Angles Cushion - Back when I wrote the tutorial for the first cushion, I had actually made practice blocks first. And they are too cool to waste, so another cushion is in order.
6. Emerald placemats - I'm mulling over combining two projects - my desire for some placemats for our dining table + the Pantone 2013:Emerald Quilt Challenge. So we'll see if I'm inspired.
7. Noodlehead's Open-wide Zip Pouch - Sometime this weekend, we're all going to make this pouch together. I'm bringing some of the Etsuko Furuya Echino Insects I picked up recently. Insects aren't normally my first choice in fabrics, but I really like this one! ha
8. Sweet Heart Wristlet - Saw this on Sew, Mama, Sew this week, and just would like to try it. With Valentine's Day next week, the timing's perfect. (And it's little!)
9. Pink Penguin's Patchwork Pouch - This is another pouch I've been wanting to try. In fact it was on last year's retreat list and it never got done. Now I'm thinking it would be a perfect gift for a young friend's birthday, so I've got good incentive. 

See? Told you I over-packed projects! Guess I better go pack some clothes!