Fun with Felt at Flora's

Yesterday afternoon our Loose Threads group had a relaxing time at Flora's cottage. Someone had given her a huge stack of felt and so we played with felt for a while. I made the little owl and Fran made the Valentine Voodoo doll. Fran found a significant number of felt craft ideas on line and I googled felt crafts for kids. I suspect grandson number one would be able to do simple stitches. He has made me promise to show him how to use my sewing machine this summer. He is coming for a week in July so I think I know what we will be doing some of the time.
We had a potluck supper. Flora told us ahead of time she was making a pot of chili. We really did have pot luck. Two loaves of bread and a lot of fruit.Last year Flora was unable to have us at the cottage as she was not well so it was an extra special treat to be able to be there. We also talked about possible plans for next year. In the past we have done group quilts and I think we laid the ground work for another one for the coming year. Piecefully, Joanne

I'm the king of the castle, briefly

Very limited stitching happening due to tendonitis in my right shoulder. The physio is improving things so as they say, soon, very soon. Everyone was up for a Father's Day visit. This is grandson number 1 climbing on a rock pile at the neighbours. It was a beautiful day and the boys had a lot of fun. Piecefully, Joanne

Trying to capture some summer colour

My husband is the gardener in the family. I love irises and he has planted several clumps in a variety of colours. This purple one especially caught my eye today. Piecefully, Joanne

Kincardine Sunset Quilters wrap up another year

Two of the women who took my Scrap Quilt Workshop in May brought their tops for show and share. I couldn't resist taking a photo. I thought they did a terrific job.
It was a busy meeting. Draws were made for the various blocks of the month. I was sad not to win any of the draws but in a way relieved because it meant I did not have to find a block and make the kits for the same month next year. We had a terrific pot luck lunch. Many delicious salads. I love that as you can have a taste of so many different things. Several quinoa salads made an appearance this year. After lunch was done and cleaned up and the tables and chairs put away so that the Bridge players could take over for the afternoon we went on a little fabric acquisition road trip. There are Mennonite shops in the area and I did not know much about them. One car lead the way and the second car followed. There is no electricity in the shops so determining exact colour matches can be a challenge. I found a few pieces of fabric that decided they would be better off with me than staying at the shops.
And I won a GiveAway on Sharon Vrooman's blog. She was giving away some charm packs and had two designed for the US and two for International. Since I was unfamiliar with all of them I said in my "comment" that whatever was available should I win would be fine. I was delighted to get an Avalon charm pack and a happy-go-lucky charm pack.
Piecefully, Joanne

A Quilt Retreat was exactly what I needed

This was the scene over the past weekend. 14 of us gathered in Tobermory at the Trails End Lodge for an extended weekend of quilting, visiting, good food and overall great fun. As you can see from the photo we each had our own sewing space. Gayle and Cathy are becoming very proficient at organizing these events. They handle the food and the main projects and developing a theme for the event. We can stitch the projects or bring our own UFO's. This year I did a little of each. I finished up the blocks from a mystery and from my second sample for the Scrap Workshop I lead at Kincardine. Both now move to the needs to be quilted pile. At this retreat I showed how to make a small folded star block that would make a coaster or a Christmas decoration. The picture shows some of the finished or almost finished little stars. I had some tricks for reducing the bulk on the outside edges as this finishes about 4".
This was the third annual retreat and I for one hope there will be a fourth annual retreat.
It is refreshing to get away and share a laugh or two with so many like minded souls. I also love to see the colours people select for their projects as it always gives me new ideas for things to put together.
On the home front our daughter is moved into her new place and the boys each have their own rooms. One has chosen a hockey theme and the other wants a pirate theme. Grandma (me) has made curtains for each room and next longer term project is a pirate themed quilt. I need to start collecting fabrics for that task. Good excuse to visit some quilts shops. Piecefully, Joanne