Virtual Retreat Review

WARNING:

Fabrics for a charity block

This is a text heavy post. Feel free to scroll and skim!

Last weekend, I. along with Rosanne, Riza and Alvera who are members of my small group, The Four Amigas, hosted a virtual retreat through the Portland Modern Quilt Guild. Thirty nine participants registered from eight states and three Canadian provinces.

Lots of stitching happened, as well as visiting and there was some learning too! We played games, awarded door prizes, stayed up late, got up early and were inspired by three great speakers. We even included a charity block activity. Being virtual was similar to an in person retreat.
We've received lots of positive feedback 

The first layout

from the attendees making our event a success!

I can't imagine putting on a virtual retreat without being part of a group! Rosanne was our chair. She interacted with the board as we needed.  Budget approval, invoice payments and publicity chair interaction was behind the scenes important work. Our guild publicity chair put together terrific posts for social media which drew people to sign up for the event.

A second layout option

Alvera worked out the schedule. Riza came up with a game that we could play virtually called Blank Slate. Riza modified it to have a quilting theme and only exact matches were awarded one point. People were on their honor to tally their scores. I found a link to play virtual Bingo. It was fun and easy. 

We used Cynthia's (Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework)  Scrappy Chains block as our charity block. I wrote a tutorial for making the block and included information on how to mail it. 

A third layout option

Rosanne made a block a few days before the retreat. She texted me a photo and wrote that her block read purple. The original directions were to use solid or fabrics that read as a solid in one color way. Rosanne's block did not meet the fabric requirements. I let her know about the solid fabric. She said she didn't remember that part. I laughed. She was the one that wanted the solid fabrics!

Riza happened by Rosanne's and echoed the same sentiments about her fabric choices. Rosanne was excited to have used her scraps to make the blocks as now she had made more than one. Riza read the directions out loud and Rosanne immediately replied, "you know I can't follow directions and you know I don't read. This wasn't in Audible!" Rosanne listens to a lot of books! We laughed. 

Adding more blocks to the design

We laughed again when Rosanne discovered she put together her block using the photo of the back of the block rather than the front of her block. She was going to employ Jack and rip out the block

I said leave it. I stated that we would likely receive more blocks with that orientation and it wouldn't matter. We would have the strong pattern of the chain blocks which would carry the design.

Lupine and Laughter as a flimsy

In the end, seventeen people made blocks. We haven't received all of them. We did receive enough before and during the retreat to play with different layouts. The top will be sewn vertically; but, horizontally was the best way to display the blocks. That errant block stitching actually works well with the layout that we chose! Now, we are wishing we had more! We are all laughing!!

Rosanne has volunteered to sew the blocks together and quilt it. The finished quilt or quilts will be given to the charity group at PMQG. I love Riza's layout. Those blocks are super happy!

I also was the contact for the speakers that we hired.  Our speakers were, Sarah Goer (Rules and Options of Planned Improv Piecing), Karen Bolan (Collaboration Is Fun) and Sarah Ruiz (Inspiration to Quilt). Feedback from the participants was that they not only liked the speakers; but, were inspired by the topics.

Green string prewashing and processing

The retreat was open from 5pm Friday until Sunday at 1pm. Most hours of the retreat were hosted. Rosanne managed the Zoom session most of the time. Rosanne is a night owl. Alvera lives in an earlier time zone so she logged on 4am our time which was 7am her time. Riza and I filled in as needed. 

After paying the speakers, we used the remaining money as prize money. Our goal was not to spend money on postage or "things" so we could have more prize money to award. We also knew that a number of our participants didn't have access to a printer, so we wanted all the information able to be used digitally with printing as an option. 

Rosanne set up a number generator program and drew names for our drawings which were $25 electronic gift certificates that were from businesses that support PMQG. If the winner lived outside the business area, the winner chose their favorite area quilt shop.

Quilt waiting for more stitching time

In between, we had breakout rooms. One was for quiet. .. when the conversation became too much and you wanted to sew with a smaller less talkative group for a bit. This was requested during the planning stages; but it wasn't used. 

We had a social issues breakout room. We had a participant from Minneapolis and ten people went there to learn about the happenings in the city. That happened as the retreat opened and all members were back by the time the speaker was ready to present. No one else requested going to the room. 

Some progress is made

The third breakout room was for demonstrations and small group chatting. This room was used once for chatting and twice for demonstrations. One demonstration was two methods of applying a facing to a quiltIt and the other was how to achieve a quarter inch seam. The breakout rooms were available 24/7. To join a room, you needed to ask the host to assign you to the room. All participants were invited to join when a breakout room was requested.

It was a fun experience and I would do it again. I can't say I accomplished much. I did finish the flimsy of Lupine and Laughter. I did finish prewashing and prepping some strings for my RSC blocks. I even spent some time quilting my 2022-2023 Temperature quilt. 

Making progress on the quilting of the temperature quilt was goal number four and attending the retreat was goal number eight on my February list. Linking to Oh Scrap and Sew & Tell.

Retreat Prize and Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2025 Blocks--post 18

Retreat blocks

Goal number ten on my September list was to document the blocks and prize that I won at the Clark County Quilters Virtual Retreat. I like retreating for the camaraderie and inspiration of my fellow retreaters. Virtual retreats have spoiled me.

I have dietary issues which make eating at functions challenging. If I do eat a restricted food, it won't kill me; but, I sure won't feel well! Packing up my supplies, unpacking them, hoping that I've packed what I've needed, repacking them at the end of the retreat and unpacking them at home isn't fun. With a virtual retreat, I don't have concerns about meals and projects! Plus, I don't have to drive anywhere. There is the downside of not being able to shop hop on the way to and from the retreat though!

The prize

The charity blocks for this retreat will be stitched into a QoV. This was a Buggy Barn pattern from long ago. We were to use red, white and blue fabrics to make three stars. The fabrics were cut all at the same time so it was a matter of mixing and matching when stitching them.

I like how the stars float. Even with the directions, I found
putting the block together challenging! I do like the end result so I may try this block again. 

Then there were the games and the prizes. I liked that the prizes were notions and supplies like batting instead of fabrics. I was a winner of one game which was bobbin chicken. 

The prize

We were supposed to take a photo of the bobbin with the thread on it and then a photo with the thread measured. Four times I lost at the game because I used all of the bobbin thread. Finally, with a couple hours left in the contest, I was successful. My remaining thread was 2 3/8 inches. Second place was three inches and third places was 3 1/2 inches so it close. We didn't share our results, we sent a photo to one of the retreat chairs.

The prize was a box of Aurifil thread! I like the combination! Winning a prize was cool as it is rare that I win and thread . . .well, it couldn't have been more perfect prize for me!

String selvages made into squares

The retreat ended with fond farewells and yes, I made some new friends and caught up with friends I hadn't seen in awhile. I even made progress on my quilting project! It was a total win!

Two more blocks

Regarding the Rainbow Scrap Challenge color this month, Angela said to go back to the light and bright colors--blue and green! I went with green and orange! Why orange? I laid out the finished blocks and with the ones that I will finish next month, I needed two more blocks for the layout. I'll share the layout next month.

I started pulling selvages and with the projects that I finished this year, I had enough new orange and green selvages to piece the two blocks! It wasn't long until I had sewn the two blocks that I needed!

This was goal number seven on my September list. Linking to Finished or Not Friday, Patchwork and Quilts and Scrap Happy.

Virtual Quilting Retreats

Lovely bunny project

This month, I attended two virtual quilt retreats. Since COVID, I've stitched via Zoom with a couple small quilting groups. I liked the experience. I have missed our in person quilting days in addition to all the other in person activities I did before COVID. Zoom, for me, is almost like meeting in person.

The first quilting retreat was through the Mt. Hood Quilters guild. We drove to the church parking lot, where we met pre-COVID, on a specific day and time to pick up our retreat packets. There were at least five small wrapped and numbered gifts in the bag which we opened at various times throughout the retreat. I didn't photograph the gifts which I should have! All were wonderful! The retreat was scheduled over four days--Thursday through Sunday. The hours were 9am-7pm Thursday though Saturday and 9am-3pm on Sunday. 

I quilted on Unity during the retreat. I finished the last skinny border and started quilting the last full border. Every day, the retreat chair would ask a question and over the course of the day each person would answer as she called each of us by name. This was a great way to get to know people. 

One of the retreaters led us through chair yoga exercises which was a great way to break up the day as well as help the body continue to quilt. There was a lot of interaction

Retreat blocks

between the 32 attendees. I liked how people posted their show and tell projects on the Facebook page associated with the retreat. We had a story night which was wonderful.

We sewed two Lovely Bunnies for charity. A Lovely Bunny is a small comfort item for new parents who are waiting for their baby to arrive and whose baby may spend time in the NICU. We learned that sometimes, the parents hand stitch the kit while they wait for their baby to arrive because it gives new Dads a task for their fingers rather than worry about outcomes. 

In the photo you see the back and the front of the two that I made from the kit that was in my bag. I didn't have the fabric paint to complete the face which goes on the white square in the yellow  bunny. I will make more of these as I have some flannel which will be perfect for this project.

Me with my retreat bag

The first morning after the retreat, I missed hearing the "Good morning" greeting. I loved having company while I quilted away. I missed the camaraderie! I had a lovely experience.

The second online retreat was through the Clark County Quilters. It also was a Thursday through Sunday event. It has been five years since I've attended a retreat. Previously, the dates didn't work in my calendar. I was a late addition and the last to the group which had 43 participants. I got in because someone was unable to attend. This retreat had a retreat block which was Salt and Pepper by Kim Schaefer with Andover fabrics. Those that wanted to participate made four blocks. I loved the blocks and hoped that I would win some back to make this quilt!

You could also participate in a fabric square exchange. This year we exchanged 40 black and white ten inch squares. If I adapt the pattern a bit, I may still be able to make this quilt using the ten inch squares. If you wanted to participate in the block drawing and exchange, you had a deadline to submit your items. The committee collated the fabric squares back to the participants. The chair drew the winners for the blocks and included the blocks in the appropriate

Results of a scavenger hunt

retreat bag.

The committee person in charge of my group delivered the retreat bags to each of us. Another committee member and friends stitched all the bags. Sadly, I wasn't a block winner. Those that were the winners though could have their project quilted if they put their blocks together before retreat. What a sweet incentive! Three of the four winners took advantage of that option. The retreat chair is a longarmer.

We played games. One game was a scavenger hunt which was a hoot! I liked that the winner was chosen based on participation rather than who had the most right answers or who texted the photo first. I liked that approach. The games were a great stretch break too!

I spent most of my days quilting Unity. The background swirl takes a lot of time to stitch. I had a goal to piece three "Frolic" blocks and to put a few pieces of fabric on the butterfly collage. Most days I completed the first two goals.

If this had been an in person retreat, I wouldn't have been able to work on the butterfly or the quilting because of space issues. I loved sleeping in my own bed and not packing all my supplies. Yesterday, I mailed my registration for the  Spring retreat which happens at the end of February.

For people who can't get away to an in person retreat, a virtual retreat is great. In person retreats are great too and I expect that both will exist in the future. Connecting with fellow quilters so often this month sure has improved my spirits. It was great to laugh and it was great to hear laughter!

Year End Accounting

At the beginning of each year, I make a plan on what projects I want to finish. This year, I also made a goal of using 50 yards of fabric from my stash.

I wanted to quilt these:
Butterfly:
It's pieced. I just need to figure out the quilting!

















BOM: I wanted to embroider words as one of the borders. . .well, I still want to; but, need to be more proficient at the embroidery!










Chickens--this was a BOM from about 2007! I have most of the applique done. Need to put the blocks together and finish the applique that crosses over the blocks.

There are also some smaller projects; but, enough of what didn't get done as this is supposed to be a blog about FINISHING! :)
By the way, I plan to leave ALL of these projects on the list for next year!













I did quilt these:

Pinwheel Twist
made from some old blocks. . .hmmm the story could be a future blog!

Blueberry Lime. I blogged about it here and here.

Dad's Stars. I blogged about it here and here. 

Ouch:A book club quilt for the book, "Jane."


Ripples: A book club quilt for the book, "The Husband's Secret." I blogged about it here.

Pathways: A book club quilt for the book, "Wild." I blogged about it here.

Joy One. I had LOADS to blog about the words here and here!

Joy Two: You can read about it here and here.

Circus quilt. This is a raffle quilt for a small group that I'm part of. I completed all of the machine applique. 

Positively: A book club quilt for the book, "Where Lilacs Still Bloom." You can read about the process here, here and here.

The grands wanted pajamas and dresses/outfits. Of course, I obliged! You can read about the cape here. Last week, I blogged about the jean skirt and pajamas I stitched from fabrics that the grands had picked. You can see those photos here.

Four of the pillow cases that we stitched.

The granddaughters and I stitched 26 pillowcases. My goal was 24; but, the grands got excited with the fabric selection so we made extra. We donated 21 to a transition house. The oldest granddaughter can't understand that some kids might not have a pillowcase of their own. She likes picking the fabrics!

The liner and cover

I also made 14 hot/cold rice packs. These are gifts for family and friends. 

Rice Pack ready to use!

I embroidered 45 tea cup luggage tags as gifts for the Spring retreaters. Then I embroidered about a dozen more just for gifts!!

The theme for the Spring Retreat was "Tea for 42" so I made the tea cup luggage tags; but the other luggage tags were just too cute to not stitch!

There was also that special stocking.

I used about 65 yards of fabric from my stash. I replaced at least 15 yards; but I do have a little more space in my fabric tubs. The emphasis here is "little." My stash needs more thinning! 

A highlight of the year was working with a small group and working through The Artist's Way exercises. I found the group input helpful and inspiring. It has been about six months since we met; but, I'm still following my plan. . .well, at least, I'm planning and working towards goals! It has been a great year! Now to refine my plans and make 2016 an even more productive year!

Retreat update--no finishes; but progress made!

What do you get when you combine 47 ladies and some fabric? Lots of fun and creativity, that's what!!

The one project I did not work on was the mystery quilt project through the guild. Maybe this week I will work on the second step.

I spent lots of time working on the hexagon blocks. I generally forget how long it takes to apply the sashings and borders! What is terrific about this progress is that with three blocks left to stitch in the mystery, the first nine are set! I like how the green and orange muted the dark and light backgrounds. I did have a cutting error in that I cut two extra 3 1/2" strips which won't leave me enough fabric to cut the outer borders. I haven't found any more of this batik so a new plan will emerge. I actually have an idea and have my fingers crossed that it will work!

While I was sashing, we had a mystery project. If you wanted to participate you brought three fat quarters (FQs)in a brown bag and then you had an exchange. Once you had the new three FQs, you made something out of them. 

I made two fold up totes with the FQs I received. Below are my samples:

                                                               
         

I received this table mat with the FQs I put in my brown bag. The back is what is unique about this project though. The gal backed the piece with a piece of her Swedish weaving! She even signed her work!
Isn't that extra special?

                                   

My next project was to work on the square in a square blocks to compliment the churn dash blocks I made months ago. With the two blocks, there is a lot going on; but, I think the two blocks work together and will live nicely together in a quilt. I also cut a few plain squares from some of the bigger print fabrics to throw into the mix. I want the viewer to wonder, what was she thinking? When they see that I've a few of these plain squares among the blocks. It is turning into an "I Spy" type quilt! 

I still have fabric left from the seven inch exchange squares. How many more square in a square blocks and churn dash blocks and plain squares I'll need remains a mystery for now.

The last project that I worked on was the string geese. I gave a demonstration on how to make them to the group. The demonstration was well received. I talked about Bonnie Hunter's scrap saving system and shared where they could find the directions to how she cuts her scraps as well as this geese tutorial.

In the past, I would have thrown away most of those scraps. For a time, I wasn't going to save that small stuff because I "couldn't" make anything out of it! Well, look at me now, cutting use able strips, squares and blocks out of the project's scraps. In the end only tossing pieces that are under an inch wide!

My goal was to sew the "wings" on all of the geese that were made. I didn't get that far. I did sew all the "wings" I had cut on the available geese. I did tear the paper from a number of geese; but, I still have more to go. Also, I still don't know how many geese I have! The plan was to count them so I knew how many more I needed to string piece. I'm saving that for another day! Isn't it good to be able to save tasks for another day??