Retreat, Part Two

After I finished putting the borders on the Malaria quilt, I looked at the other unfinished projects I had brought along. I had stopped at Burkholder's on my way West, using their very generous 20% off coupon, and had made some very deliberate purchases. One such purchase was the stopper and outer borders for this batik baby quilt. The borders went on quickly and easily. I don't generally hand quilt batiks, but I just might try machine quilting this one.


Also at Burkholders, I found the yardage of Baba Ganoush that I wanted for the outer border on the Kaffe granny squares.

I can't tell you how much I love this quilt.

I am going to take it to Mary Ellen next week and have her machine quilt it.

I had bought a jelly roll of Kaffe in mostly blues and greens, and had about a yard and a half of that robin's egg Kona left over, and began making HSTs, pretty much aimlessly.
There was a request a couple of months ago for people to make specific blocks for Hurricane Sandy Relief quilts and also for people to turn the blocks into quilts. My friend Bobbi and I decided to partner as one of the latter. I received the blocks, trimmed them to wonky, and had them all lined up. The big floor there at White Oak was a perfect place to lay them out, and Saturday night I got them all put together and put on the borders. The green was in my tub of left-overs and the outer border is Italian stamps; I had picked up several yards of it on the flat-fold table at Sauder's ages ago, thinking it would come in handy someday. And so it has. I bought some plain extra wide black for the back and am about ready to turn it over to Bobbi to machine quilt. We haven't talked about who will bind it . . . .

And that, friends, is what I have to show for my accomplishments of the weekend. I can't give you pictures of the naps, the fellowship, the laughing and the scheming, and it is prolly better than I don't have pictures of the wine. The weekend was just what I needed.


Comments

pcflamingo said…
OK, I had to go back a post to see the Malaria quilt - the black borders around the African prints really set off the colors so beautifully. What a nice mini-retreat with your friends! You were so terrifically productive too! Clearly, you didn't drink enough wine.
Lotsa nice work there, Nancy. I love the batiks.
OMG the batiks at burkholders are unlimited and sooo gorgeous! i am definitely going back there in october...glad you had an enjoyable time away....it's every bit as healing as any pharmaceutical and sometimes more...
Anonymous said…
love the wonky log cabins! a great way to handle mismatched sizes!

Holly in Ashtabula
It sounds like it was a wonderful weekend retreat. The Malaria quilt tuned out great. I hope it raises a lot of money.
Janet O. said…
You have plenty to show for your weekend--besides the smile on your face.
Sister's Choice in batiks for a baby quilt--love that combination. I've never hand quilted batiks, either. Seems like it would be more difficult with the tight weave of the fabric.
Oh, the Granny Squares are delightful in the Kaffe fabrics.
Great job on the Hurricane relief quilt. That will be a nice joint effort! Good of you to do it.
The Sandy blocks turned into a beautiful quilt!! Thanks for putting it together. Makes me want to do one for myself. Good luck in your new life. I retired from teaching in 94 and love being able to do lots of different things, including a little quilting.
Pat said…
Hello? Were you channeling Turbo? You had an amazingly productive weekend, m'dear. Love all of them, but next to the Malaria quilt, that batik baby quilt is my fave. SO soft, so pretty, and really able to make the transition from baby to bigger child. Can't wait to0 see the Granny all quilted up!
Anonymous said…
Nothing like quilting and good friends to keep us going. Looks to me as if you really accomplished a lot over the weekend.
Vicki S. said…
The malaria quilt has given me inspiration for Australian fabrics I've been holding on to. I made my first trip to Burkholders recently. What a fantastic quilt shop. Glad you had a good time with friends.
Gretchen said…
Perfect timing for a retreat. I'm so glad you got to get away, have some fun, get some projects done, and have some time with friends. Everything that rejuvenates the soul.
Barbara Anne said…
What a stellar array of jazzy, happy quilt tops you were able to quickly complete while having such a delightful time with your dear friends!

Your stop at Burkholders was inspired as were your purchases!

I hope you keep the Kaffe granny squares quilt for yourself, to keep you cozy, smiling, and happily petting those glorious fabrics during chilly PA evenings!

Hugs!
Jindi's Cottage said…
So now I need a retreat to recover from all your productivity...whew! I am very impressed...when I go away for the weekend I take lots and bring it home generally in much the same state as which it left, you are an inspiration of how not to do that!...and all looking fabulous...
AnnieO said…
So beautiful, all of them! What a great retreat. Someday I want to go on a retreat too! Glad it fulfilled the role you most needed at the moment :)