Tuesday 26 July 2011

Retreat.........

Wow where did the last week go................it was a logistics nightmare.............but I survived and made it to retreat weekend..........just a slight detour to Sydney (unexpected) at the last minute and I am sure I was on "plan y" ........but by the end the kids and the cows were sorted and cared for..........
A very depressing point was the fact I was in Sydney for less then 24hours and they had more rain in that time then what we have had all year and EVERYONE is complaining about it...............not a drop here at home............it may be the wettest start to the year for many places but it probably our worst ever..............
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This is the 8th year i've been to one of Kerry's retreats at Cottage on the Hill............she runs an excellent weekend...........cuts all the fabrics..........cooks the food............nothing is a hassle or a problem.......and you usually come home with a finished quilt top............how can you not have a brilliant weekend...........
friends, food and wine are essential at retreat too........
busy girls............

the first night we were too warm in our cabin and since I was relegated to the top bunk (thanks to my FRIENDS) I was just about melting with the heat...............second night I pulled the mattress down and popped it on the floor......also saved me climbing onto the top bunk which I can assure you IS NOT A PRETTY SIGHT........anyway the floor was much better but you should have seen the frost we woke to on Sunday morning...............we definitely needed the heaters on.............
everything was frosty..............but so pretty...........
this is my tumbler quilt.............walked in, saw it, loved it..........Kerry said she had a kit with the same fabrics already so a quick decision made .........and then I realised it was one of my favourite ranges (no wonder I loved it) Antique Rose..by Blackbird Designs.......they have the most gorgeous fabrics.........
(Kerry does have another kit if you interested)............it was pretty quick to come together.............I love it...........the sides are zigzag which is lovely and a little different and it's going to be quilted in the next week.............(not by me Sandy...........lol.........)
then I had been thinking about these Bliss flannels that were being stitched up across the table from me..........
Another tumbler quilt but using the Bliss flannels..........(sideways)
so once i finished my tumbler quilt I started on project 2.................see picture below and add some of the bliss big floral prints and red chenille and project 2 had 2 rows joined by the end of the weekend...........
there isn't much bliss left unfortunately by the time we were finished with it...............
Has anyone seen some bliss flannels anywhere in a shop???? 
The florals or a red and white spot????
another of the quilts..............Rum and Raisin......
...(pretty sure there are kits for this one too email Kerry)
I love it and it has a chocolate chenille wide border all around..........LOVE chenille...........
Kerry has a great range of flannels............I nearly left with some of the gorgeous winter palace flannels that she just got in the shop ..........but I am still thinking i'll be putting in an order for some very soon......they are gorgeous...........
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another friends quilt..........so soft and pretty.........it is huge and she used a beautiful border print..........
she was up to mitering the corners here...........
i've missed a few of the girls quilts............sorry.............
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Still trying to catch up on emails so if you have emailed me in the last week i'll get back to you in the next day or week.............I'm not sure when I have a day home at this stage......the days I am home I am at the cows........life is a whirl wind at the moment.............

Thanks girls for a wonderful weekend.......especially Kerry.........such beautiful company............I am bless to have some very special friends...........see you all next year..........
Chookyblue..............

32 comments:

Vickie said...

sounds like a lovely time was had, and woow so much sewing well done..I was on ebay earlier and I saw several flannel bliss fabric for sale,cheers Vickie

Roseanne said...

Look like a lot of fun and lots of nice quilts.

Anonymous said...

lovely post Chooky i am glad you all had a great time and there are some beautiful quilts there,well done girls

Kris said...

Bliss flannels? *sigh* So jealous! Looks like a great time! (I am laughing here at myself. I have just got through telling my Bradley that I really don't need any other fabric and won't be buying any anytime soon, and now my brain is buzzing thinking where the heck could I find some bliss flannels from!)

Kris Meares - Tag Along Teddies said...

Hey Donna! What a great weekend! Looks you had a fabulous time ... a well deserved break after watching cows. Know how you feel with the rain ... that's where we were at this time last year ... we seem to have caught up now - hope you get some rain soon. Love your tumbler quilt ... Marion at Quilters Angel had some flannel Bliss ... not sure if she has any left, but might be worth a phone call. :0) Have fun!! Bear Hugs! KRIS

Brenda said...

Love your tumbler quilt.

rosie said...

So glad that you got to retreat Chooky... you so need this when there is a dry time at home... Now you will look at the cows with different eyes... feed them up, sell them up, and then buy up - material of course...

Cheryl said...

So happy you made it to retreat. Love the tumbler quilts....I haven't seen Bliss in flannel...wonderful. Looks like the perfect retreat....I'm imagaining myself being there!!!

Satu said...

Looks like you had a lovely retreat with all your dear friends! And you did amazing quilts there!!! Thanks for sharing that weekend with us;)

Nicky said...

Crazy times in the Chookyblue household, awesome that you made it to your retreat. Love your tumbler quilt, gorgeous colours. As for Bliss flannels, I haven't seen any locally, but I'll email a link to where I've seen the red dot and some florals.

Khris78 said...

Wow looks like a very productive weekend !!!!
I got my bliss flannels from the quilt show from www.misssampsonsdrapery.com.au and also got some more from www.flannelqueen.com i love it such gorgeous fabric!!!!!

Khris78 said...

Wow looks like a very productive weekend !!!!
I got my bliss flannels from the quilt show from www.misssampsonsdrapery.com.au and also got some more from www.flannelqueen.com i love it such gorgeous fabric!!!!!

Christine said...

Thanks for sharing all those great quilts. Your tumbler quilt is gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Great quilts, Chooky! Looks like everyone had a great time!! Maybe in another 8 years I can join you!

Fiona said...

Lots of loveliness to see... and well done with such a lot of work....well done everyone... I see Kris has already mentioned Quilters Angel for the Bliss Flannel - good luck
Hugz

Cardygirl said...

Great weekend! Love seeing the projects. Sleeping...hmmm...hot up there???? I am still getting over my visual image!!!!!

Fee said...

Wow what an awesome weekend you have all had. Love the tumblers. I have a FQ bundle of Bliss flannel but haven't seen it on the bolt - Very special fabric indeed.

Hugs - Fee XX

Jindi's Cottage said...

Got to love a good retreat! Great tumbler quilt, I love that shape. OMG Bliss in flannel...good thing I haven't stumbled on bolts of that or the bank account would be running in terror! Beautiful new header photo...

Shiralee Stitches said...

Thanks again for the great company, Chooky....I had the BEST time.....a whole year's dose of laughter therapy in one weekend (and that was only watching you head up the ladder to bed!!!)....aren't I naughty reminding you of that???....lol ....Kerry sure knows how to host a great sewing experience and she's such a gracious lovely lady.....hope you get some rain soon.....

Anonymous said...

Looks like another successful weekend sewing and socialising.. :)

DAWNIE said...

Wow you girls certainly stitched up a storm - some gorgeous quilts there and the flannels just perfect for this weather

Isabella said...

Sounds like you had a great time (dont bother to answer this) :)

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Looks all perfect Chooky...great photos...love your quilt..so pleased you had such a good time...xx

Anita said...

Finally !! Have been waiting for someone to do a blog post! Glad you all had a great weekend - hope there is room for me next year LOL
I can't believe they kicked you out of YOUR room .........and then made you sleep on the top bunk!!!
Oh....love your quilt too.

Chocolate Cat said...

Sounds like the retreat was just what you needed to recharge the batteries, friends, wine, food, and fabric - what else could you ask for? Love the tumbler quilts...

Tracy said...

Sounds like a great weekend. Sorry I didn't make it up to Nundle but I was busy with farm and family. Just let me know where to post your parcel and it will be on its way.
Tracy

Sue SA said...

Wow, fabric and food prepared for you, cannot think of anything I would like better! Great pics, really enjoyed seeing the quilts and the frost..particulary seeing I didnt get cold! Happy quilting, Sue SA.

Larain said...

I cannot believe it, I looked at your picture twice the dining one and thought I know that. I have been going to Kerry's for 4 years and leave again on September 11, it sure is a small world. I saw your blog on a US site. We also have a geat time at Kerry's and look forward all year to our time up there. Keep on quilting.

marina said...

love the tumbler quilt, that kit would have been way too tempting.
I was at GJ's in Melbourne this morning and they had a few of the bliss flannels. They have a website too.
good luck

Carrie P. said...

fun time and love the nature photos. the tree in the post before is awesome too. thanks so much for stopping by my blog. good to hear from you.

Susan Branch said...

Loved the photos of the ice! We're too hot up here! What a fun weekend, I can't believe what you all accomplished in 24 hours! Thanks for bringing us along!

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Looks like a fabulous time away with friends!! xo