A brief glimpse of our staff retreat.
We arrived at Breath of Life Retreat Center, welcomed by Jim and Candy Bridges. They helped us to unload ALL our precious cargo (all of our wonderful sewing machines & weekend projects). The girls and I wasted no time setting up our sewing spaces. Once our sewing areas were "organized", we picked our rooms & dropped off our suitcases.
We promptly started to work on projects.
Sorry if a few of the pictures are a bit blurry. I had to quickly grab photos before the project was tucked away.
Laura was the first to complete one of her WIPS (works in progress). This bright Twister (10 inch template) needed the borders added. She has made this as a gift for a family friend.
Sharon made a "big" tote to carry her acrylic sewing table.
It has inside pockets for her mat & rulers.
Laura had the strips of this jelly roll quilt put together & she quickly finished piecing the blocks, rows, & then added the borders. This quilt is fast & easy.
Make sure you check out the one we have hanging in the shop. I made it using Moda's Ten Little Things jelly roll. It looks totally different from this pastel quilt.
We had deer come into the yard several times during the retreat.
These 3 arrived just about lunch time on Friday.
One of the bucks had antler buds that were so fuzzy.
Judy had a knitting session; Michele and Annette learned how to make a dish cloth. I even tried my hand at knitting. (I completed 2 rows and headed back to my sewing machine.)
Cyndi and Laura hard at work. Our sewing areas still look pretty neat.
Sharon concentrating on her next project.
Terri busy working on a beautiful Kim Diehl pattern. She was using the fabrics from a Moda collection called Sonnet.
This little guy was really enjoying his evening treat of peanuts. A couple of times he laid down on the railing (actually he spread out) & relaxed.
The wild life that visit the yard are so fun to watch.
Friday night (around 2:30am) Laura & I were up sewing, next thing we hear is this scratching noise. A bit spooked we braved looking out the window.
The peanut bowl on the railing was being raided by a very large raccoon. We couldn't get his picture, but he sat there looking at us when we checked out what was making all the noise.
Saturday morning we saw the evidence of his late night snacking; Peanut shells were all over the ping pong table & the deck.
The coasters & ornaments of Hugs and Holly. We all had to put together one of the projects.
We got all but 2 of the projects completed, we decided they needed to be lined and we didn't bring extra fabric along.
Terri concentrating on her very first machine quilting project!
She did a great job on the Hugs and Holly bucket.
Playing Left-Center-Right.
We were all hoping to win the 30 black & white 2 1/2" strips.
Terri was the lucky winner!
Teresa was busy piecing these beautiful blocks together. She made enough to make two throw size quilts for her parents.
Judy (Vanna) showing off the Hugs & Holly casserole carrier that she completed.
Michele (Vanna) showing off the gingerbread pot-holder also one of the Hugs & Holly projects.
Saturday we drove into Pine for the Strawberry Festival.
7 of us went to the Strawberry Patchers Quilt Show
These are just a couple of the quilts that were
being shown.
There were all kinds from traditional to art quilts.
I just love this quilt, and have added it to my must make list. (Not sure when I will ever get to it). One can dream.......
Annette modeling this really pretty jacket at a vendor booth.
Saturday I finished piecing this quick & easy Fat Quarter quilt. Pattern is called "Intrigue" by Villa Rosa Designs. I used fat quarters from the Vintage Modern Collection by Bonnie and Camille.
Debbie made this "fun" purse for her daughter Stephanie. Several of us told Debbie that if Stephanie didn't "like" it we would be more than happy to use it.
Saturday Night Left-Center-Right game we played for fat quarters. The girls got a bit crazy & very excited!
Teresa is hoping for a L on one of the dice so a Fat Quarter will come her way. (She was pretty lucky several times.)
Sharon wins the first round & takes home 10 Christmas Themed FQ's.
Laura wins the second round & takes home 10 Patriotic Themed FQ's.
Annette is so excited to win the third round & takes home 10 Fall Themed FQ's.
Sharon pieced to together the Button and Blooms blocks, she just has to add the borders. Can't wait to see this one finished. Whimsical's is one of my favorite designers of patterns & fabrics.
I think another project is being added to my to do list.
A Quilter's Oasis Staff & Alumni
Thanks for another fun retreat!
Can't wait till next year.
Dr. Seuss micro-fleece; great for a quick & easy project; cut and knot for fringe or choose a coordinating Seuss cotton print & bind. 54" Wide fabric makes for a great throw. 
