Quilt Retreat

When I can get some hobby time in, I join a group of ladies from a nearby church for quilt nights and retreats. The group is headed by my long time dear friend Brooke, who taught me how to quilt 9 years ago. I treasure this time of chatting, learning , making progress on projects and slowed down conversations where people address me by my first name. Half the group is around my age and the other half is my parents generation. I LOVE having the rare distinction of being one of the younger kids in a group.

Funny husband saying goodbye with the kids. They had fun guy time while I was gone. Note the new light sabers in two of their hands. 

Last weekend was the fall retreat and I was thankful to be able to attend. The retreat center is cozy, sweet and I appreciate that it barely has internet connection. We have to go in the backyard and angle the phones just right to occasionally check on back home. 

The backyard: 

There was a high wind storm back home, so I was grateful to have the peace of mind that my boys were doing fine. 

Top 5 reasons I enjoy retreat time so much. 

5. Inspiration! I get so inspired by others work. So much experience and talent! They are all willing to teach and let you watch!

4. The decor. Retreat Center reminds me of Anne of Green Gables: 

The wall hanging are all quilted . Books, and magazines in the main rooms to flip through too. I took more pics of the interior back in the spring retreat. 

3. Free stuff!! The organizers and the retreat center do give aways, a bonus project and raffles. We also did a secret sister name pick beforehand. Everyone lets everyone borrow notions, help with struggles and even fabric if you're in a pinch. The generosity radiates love. 

2. The food. This is my second time at this Retreat Center. I have severe Celiac and my body has to have zero cross contamination of gluten to avoid damage. I trust them with my food and that's not a compliment I hand out easily. It's a huge deal for me. We are fed often and well. 

1. Hours upon hours of uninterrupted quilting. We sleep, eat and talk while quilting. I hope that's what retirement is like after the kids have leave home hehe.  

This weekend I finished up the center stained glass cross of my spring quilt for our guest room.  I've been dragging this project around for two years working a bit at a time. I finished the last 450+ squares this retreat. It's a total of 720 three inch squares. The squares come from left overs from every other project I've done since I learned how to quilt. I absolutely love it. It came together beautifully as I was 16 squares short and my friend Brooke asked the girls there if they had red or orange fabric and so many ladies kept coming up to me with fabric. The generosity had me in tears. That's the love and grace of the cross.