Retreat fun

Last week was spring break where I teach school, and one of the online groups that I'm a part of had their semi-annual retreat that weekend.   Such fun to be able to attend for almost the whole retreat, even if it meant driving through Chicago which I hate doing!  

I was a little more restrained in the projects that I took to work on with me.    There were four main projects - the wedding quilt, my fav fabric quilt, my London Tea Towel wallhanging, and my pumpkin BOM.  I had also taken fabric to make a sample quilt of the next full quilt design that I plan to submit for publication.   Ended up not getting that done because the fabric I took was all too similar in color to make the pattern work.   Did get fabric that would work, but did not get the top started.

First thing I finished up was the Fav Fabric quilt because that just needed the border added to it.    The top is now ready for quilting.  I plan to do that this summer.   It will go to my niece as a belated gift for her graduation from army reserve basic training last fall.

Next up was finishing the remaining 4 locks of my pumpkin BOM that was started way back in 2005.   I do believe it has aged enough.    ....smile....   I put the 12 blocks together with the sashing between the blocks and rows.   Still to do on this quilt is a wee bit of embroidery on one block and completion of the top panel.  The top panel runs the entire width of the quilt and is 15" tall like the blocks.   The BOM has a full width pumpkin vine and I want to change that.   I plan to put the words "Blessings from God" at the top with vines, pumpkins and leaves twining around them.   Still need to design the lettering before I can complete the top section.

Next up was putting together a quilt top for American Hero Quilts.   The center of the quilt shown here was inspired by a quilt block that I saw posted on Pinterest.com.   I made 8" unfinished blocks from red scrap strings.  The blue is a patriotic remnant that I had at home.    The center of the quilt measures 60" by 60".   To make it large enough for the size that is requested, I still need to add two more rows of blocks at the top and bottom of the quilt.  However, I did not have anymore of my red strings at the retreat with me, so I had to wait to make more blocks till I got home.   Those blocks are in process now and the quilt top should be finished tonight.  It will be done once the 4 rows of blocks have been added.

Next posting will show progress on tea towel wallhanging and the wedding quilt.  

Gratitudes:

1. 31 more school days till summer vacation!

2. I'm feeling better!