Virtual Retreat 2016

[rehak]

Congratulations, Rosemary! Very deserving!!

[rehak]

Love your avatar Ritzy with your little grandson.

Wendy--that little guy is turning 5 yrs old this month. I wish I had gotten a newer picture with him and his twin brothers.

[rehak]

Awesome Rosemary!
Barb

[twiglet]

Congratulations Rosemary great news.

Aw next time you see them then

[MontanaGramma]

Such good news, Ritzy. And your grandson is so handsome! Hard to believe he is 5! These years have flown by!

[MontanaGramma]

Heather, just because you have no intention of doing miniatures, is no reason to avoid enjoying viewing them (unless you have run out of time & your feet are killing you). I admit that I didn't spend much time looking at the art quilts at FoQ, as they are not really my thing, but then trying to see 700 quilts in one day is hard work and you have to be a bit choosy with your time. Also it was your Argyll quilt that gave me the inspiration to look at argyll patterns for the challenge, as we were only allowed to use diamond shaped pieces. I even tried the diamonds sideways, but they didn't want to for this piece.

very true! I haven't yet managed to see ALL the quilts when I go to Houston, so I'll pretend that's my excuse, but you have definitely inspired me to go and look and be amazed at such workmanship; I realize it's awfully unfair of me to ignore such beauty that someone, somewhere, has worked so hard on.

And I'm amazed you remember my argyle quilt enough that it even prompted you to go that direction with yours; how sweet! Yours turned out absolutely lovely, and I'm truly in awe you could do something that amazing on such a tiny scale. But then, all your minis are lovely, so I'm not surprised! And congrats on the win as well!

[genevacarroll]

Rosemary! Way to go! Congratulations. And to be chosen by your peers is pretty cool too.

Heather, I didn't want to dye fabrics for the very reason you stated. I have so much going on quilt wise that I didn't want to start a new phase of another hobby. However, when the chance to dye 24 fat quarters for $60, including everything, I tried it. I was spoiled. My friend Jo has her backyard all set up. I didn't have to do anything except pay attention to how much dye to put in each baggie and stuff the fabric in. So, I would dye fabric again, at Jo's house! Oh! I did have to provide my own gloves and a container to take home my prize. What I did was lots of fun but can't compare to others, like Luann, that figure out their own dye quantities, deal with the soda ash and all that other stuff.

I did cut into my dyed fabrics and have a lovely quilt on the wall. It still needs to have the pieces moved around a bit, but it makes me so happy. I'm so glad I am out of that horrible slump I was in. Thanks for buoying me up everyone. B)

Ritzy, I have missed seeing you! I can't believe Eli is 5 already. It seems as if he was just born. Time flies. Hope all is well for you and that you are sewing up a storm, or at least a quilt or two!

Take care, geneva

[Pemela]

Rosemary that is wonderful news - CONGRATULATIONS - your beautiful quilt and you deserved it.
Warm wishes Pam (in Scotland)

[Renata]

Congratulations, Rosemary! Your quilt is so beautiful, wish I could have seen it in person, so glad for the recognition your work received!

[Renata]

Ritzy, I have missed seeing you! I can't believe Eli is 5 already. It seems as if he was just born. Time flies. Hope all is well for you and that you are sewing up a storm, or at least a quilt or two!

Geneva--I haven't done any quilting in quite some time. I just can't get going. I have tried and spent more time ripping out than I spent sewing. Wasn't having any fun with that so I am trying to be patient until my drive comes back. In the mean time--I am trying to keep up with this thread and the prayer list.

[Scoopie]

Wow, Geneva! I love your hand dyed fabrics! Gorgeous! You did an awesome job! They even look professionally done....like Joy's Hand Dyes, only better!

Congratulation on your win, Rosemary! You always do such nice work! Last year's teensy tinsy one was insane!

And, "Hello" Ritzy! Good to see you again! And, I am glad everyone is well! Life is a roller coaster! Glad you are on the upswing right now. Just hang out there for a while!

Dawn

[Sewdreamy]

Thanks Dawn. OK--I am not one to share sites online but if you have not seen "I Mom So Hard"--you need to take a minute. Enjoy the laugh.

[genevacarroll]

Ritzy, I went through a terrible dry spell this past 6 months or so. It made me doubt my ability and creativity. I received many pats on the back, atta girls, and hugs from my quilting friends here on TQS and my local guild. So, don't give up. Nancy's advice to me was to buy a kit and make it. She was right. It got me back sewing. I didn't have to worry that it wouldn't look ok since I knew what I was making at the start. Thanks Nancy!

Remember those 24 hand dyed fabrics I made 2 weeks ago? Well, I had an idea for a quilt and it had to be made, right now! I used my Go cutter and it made everything work really well. This is an easy quilt to make, but the fabrics make it come alive. I stressed a bit over the border. I wanted to use left over 4" x 2" rectangles, but couldn't come up with a size square/rectangle that worked out mathematically for the top and bottom measurements. Finally it hit me! From the 24 different colors I cut 6 strips of each width, 1", 1.25", 1.50" and 1.75". I sewed them together in a pleasant looking strata and cut them to fit the quilt top. It was easy and fun. I decided to face the quilt instead of applying a binding. This is the first time I have done this and I really like the look. Though I would like to do some research on how to face a quilt. Do any of you have any special tricks to doing a facing? This is "JollyRanchers" and it is 50" x 36".













Take care, geneva

[Renata]

Hi Geneva, beautiful quilt--the colors really pop! I don't know if this "invisible binding" technique is what you're looking for but a while back I was looking for something similar and came across this blog with instruction. Hope it helps! http://quiltartnews.com/tutorial-invisible-binding/.

[genevacarroll]

Alternatively you could do a 'knife edge' finish. I particularly like it for miniatures, as it is easier for small scale work.

Congratulations, Renata and Dawn for getting a mention in today's newsletter.