a busy weekend resting

I'm not sure if retreats are about resting, or going into seclusion to get some work accomplished.  Either way, I just attended a retreat in the Houston area, and it met both of these criteria.

There were 11 of us from the HGTV quilting and needlework forum who came together at the Quilter's Cabin.  I've been on the forum a few years now, maybe even 4 or 5.  As different ones post their questions or comments, you learn a bit about them and oftentimes their families.  Because of this, I didn't walk into a room of strangers.  While I didn't know them personally, and had only met a couple face-to-face, it didn't take long to establish a nice comfort level. 

Quilter's Cabin provided a home atmosphere with sleeping for 12, a nice size kitchen for seating the whole group, and a workroom that easily accomodated our 11 quilters, their sewing machines, and their projects.  And we did a lot of work!


Holee recently moved to Texas, so Lisa TX coordinated this retreat to welcome her to her new home.  While most of us live in Texas, Jayardi and Shawkl joined us too.  What a treat to form new friendships, and learn new techniques in quilting as well.  There was a lot of knowledge and talent in that cabin.  We got to try our hand at dying lace, beadwork, free motion quilting, crazy quilting, and other things I can't think of right now. 

Here's Shawkl and Holee.  Shawkl came all the way from Alabama to join us.

Here you can tell Jayardi, Keep You In Stitches, and Will Quilt for Chocolate are up to some mischief.  

Sassy Needle Pusher was a day late in joining us, but she didn't waste any time in jumping in on a project.

Lisa TX stayed busy the whole time.  Her she is working on dresses for her daughters.

Shawkl gave a class on dying lace.  Look carefully and you'll see Needlecrazy in the yellow dress.  I realized when I got home that I didn't get an individual picture of her.  : (

Of course, there are always the rowdy ones in class.  We'll excuse them though, they were having fun.  ; )

Happy Erm stayed busy the whole time. She put together 2 quilt tops...one from black, white, and red strip blocks, and one from red, white, and blue strip blocks.

TX Wildflower was a fun addition to our group too.  Besides doing her sewing, she fixed a delicious ham dinner along with mac and cheese, and a lemon cole slaw.

I'm proud to say that I also accomplished something.  I've had a project on a Christmas wallhanging in mind for awhile.  I've had the embroidery completed for some time, and this weekend was able to finish the border.  Now all I have to do is the quilting, and my secret sis will have her December present.  Yea!  I also practiced free motion quilting.  I'd been somewhat intimidated about it, but have a sense now that this is something I'll be able to do.  I may even do some on this piece, we'll see.

The last bit of excitement at the cabin was a tree falling on Keep You In Stitches' car.  It was not storming, the wind was not blowing, it was just time for that tree branch to fall 40 or 50 feet and bounce off of her suv.   Fortunately, no one was around the car when it happened.  She was able to drive it home today, so that was good.

I guess you've figured out by now that everyone on the HGTV boards have screen names.  I'm elsie123.

I left this morning, and started the trip home.  I took my time, and decided to stop in at the Huntsville State Park.  I have a state park pass, it was right off the freeway, and I guess I just wanted to commune with nature.  : )  Pretty park, and not too crowded...most likely because school is starting this week.

So, all in all, it was a good weekend.  I just might have to retreat again someday.