Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Exhausted ~ But Worth Every Second!

My first retreat, our Guild's first retreat...was a HUGE success!  It was a blast, exhausting, crazy and one weekend I won't soon forget!





















The lake was beautiful, even in the dead of winter.  Not that we were looking to go fishing, but you could have!  Paris Landing State Park...watch out!

The room was huge!  It was set up so that we had two people per table, a cutting station and several pressing areas.    



Everyone brought their own projects.  It was all about 'us'...do what you want!  Machines were quickly set-up and a steady hum filled the air.



Would you believe we had a Mini Pop-Up Fabric Shop?!  Stephanie who owns Cotton Bliss brought bolts, threat, pre-cuts, tools...you name it, she packed it!  Believe me this came in very handy for many of us.


See all that room?!  Well, ignore the carpet, the ceiling and the concrete...other than that it was perfect!!



All those projects I decided to bring with me, I made it through them all!  Four in all!  My suggestion...bring lots to do. You wouldn't believe how much you can get done in a weekend when all you do is sew, sew, sew!

My main project was to make another quilt using my design.  I've been wanting to double check my original measurements, directions etc. in hopes of developing a pattern.  (first go around with my design HERE)  The fabric is Denyse Schmidt ~ New Bedford. 

By the time I finished this it was mid-way through Saturday!  While I love the fabric and design, I was ready to move on to something else.



I busted out Hazel the Hedgehog!  Believe it or not...these are for me!  I've decided new pillow covers for my dreary couch was in order.  I busted out the big guns for these...Anna Maria Horner's 'Pretty Potent 'Echinacea'!  


I had most of these rainbow stars all ready finished, but decided a few more were needed for a mini quilt.  


The very last project is one I knew I wouldn't be able to complete, but was sure I could start. With a paper pieced pattern in hand, along with that ever popular Kona Highlight...wonder where this will go?!



I wish I had taken pictures of all the beautiful things everyone else made!  So many beautiful quilts, bags, blocks and baskets!  

By the end of the Retreat I was cross-eyed and blissfully exhausted!  The entire experience is one I will not soon forget.  There was always a steady hum of sewing machines and laughter.  Tips and advice flowed freely (and maybe a little wine here and there).  A feast of cupcakes, candy, chips and dips ~ and coffee (a retreat requirement).

If you ever get the chance to go on a Retreat, do it!  You will not regret it!  Hopefully there will be another one in my future.  I wouldn't miss it for the world!

A few thoughts for the next Retreat (or for your retreat):

~ Bring my own pillow!  Hotel pillows are just plain awful.  I might have slept better had I done that! 
~ Take several projects.  You'd be surprised how much you get accomplished.
~ Pre-cut as much as you can before your go!  I was so happy I decided to do that.  You will be too!
~ Bring an extension cord.  While a conference room has a lot of outlets, they sometimes are not close enough.
~ Take breaks!  I was determined to take advantage of every second to sew, but barely took time to breathe. 
~ Take more pictures of every one's projects!  I'm so mad I didn't do that...and don't forget your phone charger!  
~ Expect to be exhausted by the end of it.  

I would love to hear what you do at Retreats.  Do you do selfish sewing, charity sewing? Play games, have prizes?  What makes for a good Retreat?  

LINKING:
   

35 comments :

  1. Looks like an awesome retreat! Your projects all look amazing :)

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    1. It was so much fun and I was very happy to have finished several projects!

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  2. I've only been on 2 guild retreats, but they were great fun. We usually work on our own projects. I've been known to bring TEN! And no I didn't finish them all. haha. Some things we enjoy doing:
    - a swap of some kind (like a handmade item)
    - a scrap swap - everyone just bring their scraps, pile them on a table and let folks go at it
    - once we broke up in groups and did round-robin sewing - quick like 15 minute rounds - exhausting but interesting and fun
    - we've had demos by fellow guild-mates which is always nice
    - we do sew and tell at the end - show what we've accomplishes
    That's all I can remember! ;-)

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    1. I love the idea of a small swap, and the scrap swap is really a good idea. One's scraps is another one's treasure! Thank you for the ideas for our next retreat (I'm hoping anyway), I cannot wait!

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  3. Oooh I am jealous!!! I have only been on one retreat when I lived in New Zealand many years ago. I am going to have to see if I can get myself booked on one this year. Lovely design for your quilt and I really like the colours you chose for this one. And Hazels for yourself - lucky girl!

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    1. I've only done this one retreat and it was all about our Guild. I could totally get into another one, whether its our guild or not. I hope you find one and get to go, you'll love it!

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  4. Looks like you had a wonderful opportunity to get to know your guild mates and got a lot done. I have never been on a retreat, but it looks like fun!

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    1. That was another bonus of going on the retreat, getting to know more about other members! For my first retreat…I had no regrets!

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  5. These are great tips. I especially resonate with bringing your own pillow - yes! I haven't been traveling with mine as much lately, and it is so true that I sleep better on my sad, flat, loved feather pillow. :) Extension cords and precutting are also high on my aha moment list. I am so glad it was a great experience. Is the guild ready to plan another one?

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    1. I honestly think my own pillow would have helped! It's not that the rooms were bad, I just could not sleep! HA HA…I can relate to the sad, flat pillow!! I do highly recommend precutting projects. I know several people spent a lot of time cutting and had wished they had precut! As for another guild retreat, I sure hope so! For our first one, it couldn't have gone more smooth!

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    2. uh gah those pillows. Yvonne here would not have loved those foot tall bricks they gave us.

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  6. Sounds like you had a great weekend. Your quilt is beautiful!

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    1. Thank you Cynthia! It was so much fun! I may or may not have had too much fun…depends on the time of day or who you ask!

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  7. LOVE that first quilt- it's gorgeous! I haven't been on a retreat since before my daughter was born- and she's about to turn 15(!!)- but I did have a great time when I went. FYI, whenever we take a driving vacation, I throw my own pillow in the car. Hotel pillows ARE the worst.

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    1. I really love the color combination of this quilt. I wasn't sure with the acid yellow, but for me it works! Pillows in hotels are usually not great. I will be bringing mine if I ever leave the house again!

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  8. It sounds like you were super productive, Jayne, and it looks like everyone had a load of fun. I've never participated in a weekend retreat before. I will definitely keep your tips in mind if I ever decide to go to one.

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    1. I keep wondering if I was too productive! It was fun, but I think I should have chilled a little more! If our guild hadn't decided to put on a retreat, I'm sure I would never go on one!! Hopefully we can make it an annual event!

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  9. We had our first quilt get-together last month in our new location... four in total. It doesn't sound like much, but for Germany, it was a really nice size. We, on the other hand were surprised at how much we did NOT get done... too much chatter for that, but the tips and exchanges were worth not getting as much accomplished as first thought. We are growing and will be five this next Saturday, and it's fun to have a regular gathering.

    Great projects in the works!

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    1. Yay to get togethers! I remember when I first joined our guild. there were maybe 10 members and usually 4 to 7 attended! It was always nice getting together even for a couple hours! I'm glad you have a group to 'hang' with! I imagine after a few more meetings you all will settle in and become more productive!

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  10. Hi Jayne! I can only imagine how much fun you had there! Concrete wall is great background for your beautiful quilt top! x Teje

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    1. The walls were great for photos Teje! I found it humorous that there was so much concrete…everywhere, in the middle of a state park! It was super fun and hope to make it a yearly event!

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  11. Sounds great! Your projects are lovely as always!

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  12. Looks like a lot of fun! Good job finishing so many projects.

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  13. It sounds like you had a wonderful time and were really productive. I've never been on retreat but would love to go to one sometime. I'll keep your tips in mind if I ever get to spend a weekend just sewing, sewing, sewing!! :)

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  14. Loved, loved, loved the retreat and truly enjoyed being your quilting neighbor, Jayne! I got lots of inspiration from you. I hope we make it an annual event. I had so much fun! I will definitely cut my fabric next time!

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  15. Your design looks great in this new version as well Jayne. I've only been on mini retreats which means there are only three of us and I would agree that the cutting should get done in advance. Our three person retreats have been really affordable because we don't have to go to a big hotel. I may go on a larger retreat some day.

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  16. Wow that is a lot. My lqg is planning our first mini. We have a weekend but it is in town or the outskirts of town and not for overnight but sew as long as you want and people can come and go. Yours looks like so much fun and I love all you were able to do.

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  17. Beautiful hedgehogs, and a pretty top too.

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  18. retreats are so much fun, the visiting alone is worth the money! Love your couch HH's
    Leeanna

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  19. Sounds like a fabulous week-end, Jayne! I can't believe you got through all those projects. I've already started planning what to take to my retreat in April.... and now the list will include an extra extension cord!

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  20. It looks and sounds like you had a great time. You gave some good advice, if I ever do get to go on a quilting retreat. Hopefully one day! I also love the top you finished. I like the grey, everything has its place with the grey, and it makes the pattern pop. Looks fun to put together

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  21. This sounds like so. much. fun!!! I am amazed at all that you accomplished, too! The new quilt with your block from the blog hop looks great in those DS fabrics -- love the colors. It will be a fantastic first pattern! Awesome job!

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  22. So glad you had a great time! Your retreat experience sounds similar to my first one which was in November. I had so much fun and got so much accomplished, it was exhausting but amazing. I already committed to the retreat for next year and can't wait.

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  23. I really love your quilt from your block design - it is awesome!

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