Virtual Retreat Aug thru Dec 2015 Info on first post

[E.M. T.]

Whew! I just caught up on this thread! Yeah!

You ladies have been so busy and have done such beautiful work. I know if I start commenting, I will forget someone but I have to say that those hand-dyed fabrics are just beautiful. The bag, Annis' red quilts, Graneva's binding on the baby quilt--wonderful!

I am going to check and see what else I have missed on the forum. I am downloading books to my iPod. I leave for Missouri on Monday for an extended stay to help with babies. God, please give me strength. Hopefully, boys will sleep and I will be able to check in here so I don't get so far behind in my reading.

Thank you for the blessings for the boys and for the entertainment for their grandma.

[karen f.]

Ritzy those babies are beautiful! Congratulations to you all.

[karen f.]

Congratulations Gramma Ritzy! Precious little boys.
Those babies are beautiful and imagine them both sleeping at the same time! :silly: :silly: Hope that happens often!

God's blessing on the new family and your expert grandmothering!

[Lois B.]

Ritzy, What an amazing answer to many, many prayers. Blessings to all.

" Ezekiel was born first and was 7 lbs 2 oz, 20 1/2" long, Ezra was born two minutes later and was 6 lbs 8 oz and 19 1/2 " long. That is like two full term single birth babies!"

Like 2 full term babies for sure. What a wonderful blessing.

[Catherine S.]

Wow, I have not been here in a few day and had 86 post to read on this thread alone!! Luann, love your fabrics. Such bright colors! Love the bag made from ties. Geneva, Victorina's quilt is lovely. Ritzy, congratulations on the babies. Adorable. Prayers have been answered! Can't remember what all else. I am still picking out my fabric for the mystery quilt.

[Catherine S.]

Wonderful news Ritz! Congratulations to your daughter and family!!!!!!

Barb "

[Catherine S.]

Ritzy, Congratulations to you and your family. Glad that the twins are hear and every looks like they are doing great.

Margarita

[Jennifer D.]

I've been lurking once again and enjoying everyone's projects - I've been MIA lately due to work and the kiddos....finally got some time to myself tonight and thought I'd join in the conversation again. I know I'll miss someone but here goes - Ritzy congratulations on the new little ones! Luann your dying skills are amazing, one day I will have to join the fun too - probably not till the boys are grown though. Geneva the quilt is beautiful - sure to be loved. The tie bag was very creative (can't remember who posted it...see knee I would forget someone) i wouldn't have thought to go that route! The dyed scarf was BEAUTIFUL as well. I know I'm missing many more but those we're the ones at the top of my brain tonight.

Since finishing my big project last month (the wedding star top). I've been putting around bouncing from one thing to another...can't get settled on any one project right now. There are a number of big involved ones I want to tackle...but I feel like I need to do something a little easier first...the problem is that none of my easy projects are holding my interest :-(. Guess I'm a glutton for punishment. Last week I finally pulled an quilt kit out that I purchased in Paducah 2 years ago - it's an Amy Bradley design so lots of cute raw edge appliqué critters. I managed to get them all cut out and ironed down but when I put them up on my design wall I realized I HATED the fabrics that came with the kit....nothing like the look or feel of the original one one display at the booth :-/. So after about 10 hours of work I'm tearing them all apart, raiding my stash and trying to find fabrics I actually like. I do like the background fabrics(for the most part) as well as the setting stones and a few of the critters but it looks like I will have to remake 7 of the 12 :-P I have sworn to myself that I will NOT go out and purchase more fabric - which is a real challenge as I usually go for batiks and my commercial print stash is 1/3 the size of my batiks. Don't really want to combine the two in great quantities because I feel the subtle patterns of the prints really make these critters pop. *sigh*. Think I'll have to sleep on it before I start cutting again....

Here's the pattern and the few critters that made the cut

[wendy w.]

What a fun quilt to make with all those faces. It's going to be great!

[Nancy R.]

A friend of mine made that Halloween quilt. It turns out really cute. Can't wait to see yours!

[Nancy R.]

Ritzy...congratulations!!! Have fun with the new babies!! :cheer:
Geneva...LOVE that quilt!!! Very nice! Wish I had some grandbabies young enough for baby quilts, but they're all older, and my youngest son has not settled down yet (don't know if he ever will :blink: )
Can't wait to see the Halloween quilt :cheer: I made a couple of monster quilts for grandkids, and they were sooo much fun they only had 9 squares though.
Dorothy

[Pamela N.]

I've been away for a few days but I've now caught up with what's happening at the retreat, and it's so inspiring. Luann your gorgeous fabrics are so full of life and colour.
Geneva congratulations on the news of your Grandchild, the quilt for Victorina Rose is simply beautiful what a lucky little girl to own that quilt, the quilt and quilting are exceptional.
Tell DH that Macallans is the medicine of choice for tooth trauma, my understanding is that it should be poured freely for the most beneficial effect :whistle: I am rather partial to a wee dram myself.
Wendy your scarf is stunning, the tones of the colours are gorgeous almost mysterious- it is beautiful.
Congratulations Ritzy on those 2 gorgeous brand new baby boys, what joy.
Best Wishes Pam

[Geneva C.]

Ritzy, I am so happy for you and your family. Beccah looks just like you and very well for just having had twins! I'm sending you all energy to handle all the joy.

Thanks everyone for your compliments on the baby quilt. I really like this one. The baby shower is tomorrow.

Annis your latest red and white quilts are wonderful. Please keep us posted on your granddaughter's embroidery adventure.

Take care,

Geneva

[Geneva C.]

Thanks to everyone, we are having a great retreat!!
I enjoy hearing so many of us encouraging each other. It's great!
I love how we share what's happening in our lives, just like we would if we were at a 'phyiscal' retreat. I just wish the M&Ms bowl wasn't empty every time I'm ready to grab a few!! It must be the neighbors coming in and eating them up on me. I know it's not me or George! LOL
I have started getting quilt tops in for my long arm business. I really would like to call the business, 'Everyday Quilting' but I think that name is taken. Oh well, I can just put it under my name.
I have also gotten all of those recent hand dyed fabrics, pressed.
Here's the color wheel of 30,




And 21 interesting combos,




Off to supper,
Luann

[Annis C.]

Wow, Luann, those are beautiful! Geneva, it may be awhile before my DGD gets much embroidery done. She's also a cheerleader and school starts in a couple days. Ritzy, congratulations on your double blessing!

Here is one of our visitors last night. Two more bindings to sew to the front (already sewn to the back) and I'm finished. Then to take pictures before hanging them. I have some M&M's with peanuts to share. Also some assorted peanut brittle. Have to go now, my DH is cooking tonight!