Retreat

Finally, a few pictures from my quilting group's recent weekend retreat at the wonderful Silver Spur Christian Camp facility in the foothills near Tuolumne, California. I say few as I really thought I took more pictures than I did. On the last day everyone packed up so quickly that I was unable to take pictures of every one's finished, or mostly finished, projects.

As I mentioned last post I hurt my back from hauling all the luggage and sewing supplies.

This is my van filled with mine and my friend, Nikki's stuff. Just two people. I have no idea how to pack light, let alone get on an airplane and go to a quilt retreat across country. I'm sure the kitchen sink was in their. Mine and Nikki's kitchen sink!!

Nikki and I always arrive before everyone else to get things set up and then check in with the office staff. We were welcomed by some very special greeters when we pulled into the driveway.

In fact, I just sat for a while as they didn't seem the least bit anxious to move on or frightened of us in the least bit.

Nikki even got out of the car and took pictures. There were five deer all together since they were on private property with no hunting allowed, they were very trusting.

They hung around the perimeter of the house for most of the day. Later that day 260 high school students arrived at the main camp down the road and the deer made themselves scarce. I don't blame them!

It's always a tradition that the Narcissus are blooming at retreat time.

This is Silver Ridge, our home away from home. You can go to the previous post, click on the link and see more pictures inside. The top floor is bedrooms. The main floor is a living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bath. The lower floor is bedrooms and bathrooms. If you look closely you can see a door on the left. That's the door to the workroom that was converted from the garage. The entire facility is just the best, most comfortable place you'd want to be. The food is brought up from the main facility and is the most delicious gourmet food you would ever want to eat. No boring camp food here! They even come at 6:30 a.m. and put the coffee on for us.

Everyone busy in the work room. There is room for eleven of us to sew, three cutting tables and two ironing boards. We also put cutting boards on the dining room table and set up another ironing board. At night if we don't want to sew, we can watch movies or read. If any of you are interested in holding retreats at Silver Spur using the Silver Ridge house, I'd be more than happy to help you with any advise you might need. I could even go with you!!!!!

One of the finished tops. Forgive me girls, but I can't remember who this belongs to.

There is always one over achiever in any group and this year it was Heather. Not only did she finish piecing a quilt top, but she machine quilted it AND bound it. To her credit, she wanted to get it finished as it is a gift for a sick friend.

Good going, Heather! I'm sure your friend will love it!

We usually bring little treats to share with everyone and Nikki brought every one the cutest little beeswax candle with a bee on it.

I made two little stuffed Scottie dogs using this pattern and made out of the cutest pink cowgirl fabric for Nikki's granddaughter. Pictures? Forgot! Then I worked on a block of the month for a charity project the group is doing. Pictures? Forgot! I did finish my Fat Quarter Shop Block of the Month quilt that I showed you after our November retreat at Lake Tahoe. I needed to add the last pieced border so all I need to do now is get it quilted. Pictures? What do you think?

Some retreats I get tons done. My personal best is finishing four tops that I had started. I didn't get as much done this time, but that's alright. I was able to relax, sew when I wanted to, eat as much as I wanted to, sit and watch movies and generally take it easy. I highly recommend it!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!