Stix Retreat February 2012

Ok, I know it's been over a month since our Stix Retreat in February and I'm just now getting around to blogging about it. My apologies go out to the couple of people who have checked for updates. My tardiness is due to the fact I've been totally absorbed in a new, fabulous quilting project (I'll get to that later) and, secondly, I'm new to blogging and still fumbling with this software. For example, I just spent an hour writing about the Retreat and having failed to save the document, accidentally deleted the entire two pages! S_ _ T!! So I'm starting over... (Just SAVED)


The Retreat was a huge success and, as usual, a good time had by all. If nothing else is accomplished by our time together than to renew our enthusiasm for quilting and enjoy Good Eats (by Chef Verno), then it will always be time well-spent. Sally and Maria were here for a week with three of their days overlapping, during which time Cece joined the group. Our main project was a cheery quilt made of Kaffe Fassett fabrics in a snowball design (12 each 12" blocks comprised of 9 snowballs, blocks were separated by sashings and cornerstones). Being new to quilting, although an accomplished seamstress, Cece made a Petite Prism quilt. Here's a picture of Sally as her quilt was in-progress...(SAVED again)

...and Maria's finished quilt...

 ...and Cece's finished quilt...

One of the other projects was a floor mat. A few of you might remember the chicken floor mats I painted about ten years ago. Well, this was a new take on that same concept. Rather than painting the mat, fabric is cut and adhered to the backing resulting in a mat that resembles a quilt. Perfect for quilters (I thought) and less intimidating than a painted mat. WRONG! Any enthusiasm after seeing my  floor mat example waned as I explained the process. I was left with one taker (Maria) and a couple of orders for finished floor mats. Here's Maria with her floor mat: (SAVED again...am I being obsessive about this?)

Just prior to our Retreat, I had a brainstorm...or was it a brainfreeze? I have been on a stash-busting mission for the past year, making pieced totes, potholders, coasters, and so on. I decided that since we're a club...I stand corrected, a Stix...we should do something charitable each year. Like, make a donation quilt from my stash. I'm proud to say I did this once. I'm ashamed to say it was five years ago. I was so pleased to take that little, pink flannel rag quilt to Meisnners and put it in the box collecting childrens quilts for the Linus Project that I wanted all of the Retreaters to have that same experience. Well, not quite. I wanted them to each have the pleasure of making a flannel rag quilt for a child. The pleasure of donating the little quilts will be all mine! So far, I have received three and two more committed! If you are one of the two that still owes me a quilt...FINISH IT AND GET IT TO ME! Times a wasting! If you haven't offered to make one and would like to, let me know and I'll get the fabric to you. Hmmmm...how many do you think it will take to receive the Woman of the Year Award? Dinner with the Governor and all...You'll all be invited to the dinner, of course! :)


Here's Maria again, this time with her donation rag quilt (she's such a show off!)...

Oh, almost forgot a couple of other things we made during our time together, thanks to Cece who shared the ideas: fabric coasters and felted balls! The coasters are adorable and a great stashbuster, although I'd probably need to make a couple of thousand to bust much of my stash. Here's a picture:

The felted balls were magical! We started with wool roving, formed it into a fluffy, round shape and then working it like you would clay to make a marble held it under very hot water (yes, in our hands)...rolling and rolling and rolling until it became a dense, round ball. What fun! What laughter! What magic! (Maybe you had to be there to appreciate the magic of making felt balls!) 


Until next time...keep quilting!

Stix trip is around the corner... Packing my bag getting ready for a full week of sewing, eating and best of all seeing all of you.... Verne nice job I think this is really going to keep us girls moving!!!! Miss and Love you.... Counting the days.. See you Sooooon xxoo

Date of next Stix Retreat: Sunday, February 19 through Tuesday, February 22

Quilt Project: Fussy-cut flowers in simple snowball units sewn into blocks, separated by sashings. This pattern would make up equally pretty in softer, pastels.

Fabric Floor Mat Project: Several years ago I made a few painted floor mats - one has survived over ten years of daily wear. This is a new twist on that same idea, using fabrics cut and pieced in quilterly fashion. Using an adhesive, the fabrics are glued to artists' canvas and then covered with several coats of acrylic medium. As soon as I've finished one, I'll post a photo.

Mistletoe Project: Several of you saw the mistletoe that Maria and I made at Christmas. If you'd like to get started early on 2012 holiday gifts, we'll spend a couple of hours at the Retreat and make mistletoe.

Apron Project: This pattern, purchased from Stonemountain, is fashioned after one from 1927; the remake in the picture to the right is made from Kaffe Fassett fabrics giving it a contemporary look.

Supplies

Quilt Project (for bright colors, as pictured):

2 1/2 yards total assorted bright prints (blocks)
12 - 1/8 yard pieces assorted solids in coordinating colors
1/4 yard orange floral (sashing squares)
7/8 yard solid light green (sashing)
2 1/8 yards pink-and-orange print (border, binding) (If you do not use a directional print, you will need only 1 5/8 yards)
4 yards backing fabric
2 yards batting

Finished quilt: 58"x74"
Finished block: 13 1/2" square

Apron Project:

1 yard each of 2 coordinated fabrics (that's 2 yards total)

Supplies for all other projects will be provided.