A week of uninterrupted sewing from morning to night – what could be better? Spending that week with Stacia and Deloise was priceless. We had so much fun that we’ll do it again next year after Deloise’s quilt show.

Here is some of what I accomplished.

This sewing machine cover was in answer to the Challenge from last year’s Texada Retreat (due in just a couple of weeks). We had about a meter of five different fabrics and the challenge was to make something with them. I ended up with two fabric pieces the same (so I had four different fabrics to work with) but I’m not sure whether or not that was a bonus. I cheated just a little by putting a different backing on the piece but maybe no one will notice. I like to make something useful for the challenges and I needed a cover for my machine at home.

I was a week out on the due date for my next miniature quilt but at least it is done. When I packed for my trip I had a completely different pattern in mind but an e-mail arrived and just like that I changed my mind. Thanks to a stop at a Saskatoon quilt store I was able to get the neutral background that I needed. The rest of the fabric are scraps left from another quilt I made.

I finished my Bloom quilt – another challenge from last year’s Texada Retreat. I was gifted all the fabrics from another member after I came in second at strip poker. Arranging these blocks wasn’t too difficult and I have plenty of fabric for the binding. There will still be some left for another project; the guild has a jelly roll rug class in the spring so I may be able to use it up then. Taking a photo into the light from the window yellowed the background colour but you get the idea.

I took along all 111 of my Farmer’s Wife Sampler blocks and had Stacia and Deloise help me arrange them and figure out the size for the setting triangles. The blocks cover a wide range of colours but, surprisingly, it wasn’t as difficult as I thought to find a layout I was happy with. All of the fabrics are from Mum’s stash; Deloise was able to give me some extra yardage of Mum’s so I’ll also be able to do the backing with her fabrics. I numbered the remaining blocks and I’ll be in trouble if any pins come loose in those blocks before they are attached.

I had another project packed but in the middle of the night before we left I realized that I needed extra fabric. Deloise offered to take me to the quilt shops but we were both anxious to get on the road so I’ll take that project with me next October. The pattern and corresponding fabric was a gift from Deloise so it will be fun to work on it when we’re together; and the fabric line is Farmer’s Daughter so it is perfect for our get-together.

I also had time to do a few more blocks for my Farmer’s Daughter project. I’m still hoping to have it finished in time for the quilt show in the spring.