Retreat 2012: Part Three

It's never too late to change your mind.  Here's an example:

This is the original retreat project.  The navy border, while perfectly mitered, made the left and bottom edges disappear.  The tree?  Not a deal breaker yet.

Dissatisfied, I removed the tree, which took almost as long as appliqueing it on!  I still didn't like the border, so off it came too.  I replaced it with a woody looking fabric, which looks more like a window or picture frame.  (The colors in the above photo are closer to real.)  I am much happier with this version.  I will admit that if I had basted and started the quilting I might not have ripped it back.  But I have been known to do exactly that.

Remember the smaller version that several of the students did?  Here's mine.  The white lines you see in the border are for quilting.  I am using Quilters Dream Cotton Request unwashed for the first time--and I like it a lot.  Mostly ditch quilting, except in the sky and in the water.

A close-up.  I started with the sky and water fabrics and filled in the rest.  I just love this piece.  I'll share more of it when it's finished.

And to end the retreat retrospective, here are a few photos I hope you enjoy.

Blissful hugs to all,
Sharon

Retreat 2012: Part Two

One of the evenings we were at retreat, there was a spectacular sunset.  Not living on a large (or small!) body of water, it always amazes me how much more beautiful a sunset is over water.  

So serene.  And so fitting with our Adirondack landscape project!  More pictures to come!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

Retreat 2012, Part One

A couple weeks ago, the quilters again met in Lake George for fun, chocolate, and lots more.  It really did look more like a sweatshop than a retreat!

Here are pics at the start of the project.  So serious!  And I didn't even have my whip out yet!

As the days progressed, here is what resulted from all this hard work.

Cindy with her landscape.  She started with the sky and water and worked from those.  It is so serene.  And Cindy is one happy quilter!

That's Kathleen hiding behind that beautiful piece!  She chose to work in the medium size--just lovely!

This is Kay's first "real" applique project.  She was a bit apprehensive about three days of handwork--but she didn't whine and she did a fantastic job.  She even said she couldn't believe how much she had learned and improved over the three days.

Nancy also worked in the medium size.  Her addition of the birch trees was inspired.  She also added an embroidered bird and had the piece almost quilted before we left.

Sandy and Kay are sisters!  They work and play well together and are a joy to be around.  Sandy had her top completed and was happy with the results.  Sandy is an excellent landscape painter--I told her my applique design was more the Grandma Moses style!

Sharon G. chose to use fabrics with a more realistic feel.  She did a wonderful job--and I know you can't tell from her face that she's happy with the results!

A view of the classroom building.  See where the water goes underneath the porch?  It's just a magical place.

Two of the ladies did not want their pieces photographed before they were finished, so I hope to have pics of them later.  All these ladies did a superb job and made me so proud with what they accomplished.  

Tomorrow will be part two of the story...I'm not sure if there will be a part three or not.  Probably depends on how many pictures I can download tomorrow!  Ten pictures in one post must be a personal best!

Blissful hugs,
Sharon

P.S.  Kathleen, loved your QOV story.  Please be sure to thank DH for his service. And your quilt is beautiful.

P.P.S.  Check out Sharon Stanley's blog, www.sharonstanleywrites.blogspot.com.  She is under contract for TWO children's books!  That's so exciting!

P.P.P.S.  I am listening to Dead Even by Brad Meltzer.