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Panorama

My sisters, who are beautiful quilters, have been promising (threatening?) to teach me to quilt for a number of years. They regularly make trips to Panorama for quilting sessions and I was lucky enough to be able to join them this year. I don't really like sewing, so they had their work cut out for them. I snuck a stitching project into my bags just in case I couldn't handle the quilting, or in case they gave up on me. Much to my surprise I loved the entire process and look forward to more quilting retreats wherever they may be.

Saturday, April 24

We left Saskatoon early in the morning, with a loaded van, and were in Rosetown early enough to be the first customers at the quilting store. I was still not convinced about the quilting thing so wandered the store for an hour and a half while Stacia and Deloise did some serious shopping.

Being April, I didn’t expect snow but snow is what we drove through on our way to our hotel in Cochrane.

We had some difficulty locating the quilting store we were looking for but when we did we spent another hour “just looking”. I found a kit in this store that I would have liked to have made, but I still wasn’t convinced I would ever get into this so didn’t pick it up. I’m sorry now, but I have since contacted the store and they have the kit on hold for me. We also visited another beautiful shop – full of lovely cross-stitch patterns and samples. Oh to be rich ….

My teachers relaxing - they know they have a HUGE task ahead of them.

Sunday, April 25

After a trip for groceries (and I still don’t know how we fit them in the van) we were off to the next quilt shop in Canmore. I found a pattern I definitely would have purchased, but they were sold out – the quilting gods are working against me. I purchased a quilting puzzle though that we can work on while we take breaks from the sewing. I’m still not convinced I’m going to be able to stitch all day long.

We arrived in Panorama about 2:30 and I was having my first lesson by 4 PM. And the lessons continued until 2 AM when we finally called it a day.

	Who says quilters can't be rockers?
Some of the required tools - notice the booze in the photo.
	My first lesson, and my first square.

The design board - which option will I choose?

Monday, April 26

We were up by 9 AM and right back to the sewing. Tried a different pattern and technique today. Deloise and I took a walk this afternoon – this is a lovely setting and there is hardly anyone around. A late dinner (10 PM) and more sewing until 2 AM.

Tuesday, April 27

I had a few pieces that Mum had hand quilted but never finished so my first lesson of the day was how to do that. Then I started my “big” project – a gift from my teachers.

It looked easy enough on the design board
	Only I could get myself tied up into this big of a knot

Wednesday, April 28

Today I did the actual quilting of my project, and it took me nearly all day.

Thursday, April 29

A beautiful day here, but we are “storm-stayed” due to blizzard conditions around Cochrane and Calgary. I learned how to make labels for my projects today. The extra day also gave us time to finish up the puzzle and relax a bit. We loaded the van and enjoyed a dip in the hot tub before dinner and an early night – if you consider 11 PM early.

Some of the beautiful work my sisters did on our trip.

My teachers and my projects. Thanks to you both!