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Saturday, September 22, 2007

FINALLY!

I know, I know, I know! It's been almost an entire week since I said I would tell more about the retreat. But, life somehow gets in the way, and I've been playing, ahem, working at the LQS all week. They are getting ready to be a first time vendor at a quilt show next weekend, and they needed all the extra hands that could be spared! I've been cutting fat quarters, fat quarters, fat quarters, and making travel size pillowcase kits, and some more fat quarters.

So, the retreat was fantastic, as usual! My friend, Carolyn and I arrived on Sunday afternoon, a full two days ahead of schedule. That allowed us to get the grocery shopping done, a little sight seeing, a little quilt shop hopping, and get all set up to sew before the rest of the gals arrived on Tuesday afternoon. A few more gals from out of state arrived Monday, so that was nice to get caught up with them too.

Gwen shared all her fabulous basket quilts, since that was this year's theme. Some of them were blocks, some were tops, some were antique quilts, some were contemporary, some were liberated. We also had a wonderful show and tell from other participants. I think there were a total of 35 quilters this year - so show and tell was great!!!

This is Carolyn and I on the second night, trying to figure out how this quilt of Gwen's will fit into one of our suitcases - and more importantly, would she miss it!


Isn't this just the cutest little reproduction basket quilt? And the handle sort of took a life of their own, I think. One of our class friends called this her pocket purse quilt since her kids couldn't ever figure out whether their gramma carried a purse or a handbag.


And, this is our crazy friend Kitty from Louisville, showing off how she matches her big purse quilt that she played with in the class. No, she wasn't wearing the water bottle, but I just couldn't get it out of the view! LOL!



There were oh, so many more really great quilts done this week, but once again, I am not able to post more of them. So many folks want to share their work on their own, and I need to respect that. But, believe me when I tell you that their creativity was so inspirational!

I worked on some small 8" baskets in 1800's reproductions, and finished up the center of a lap quilt, then started on some 12" blocks that I just love. I still need to add the borders, but that can always happen later.


Because Traverse City is the Cherry Capitol of the United States, one of the little shops there carries a lot of cherry fabrics. So, I went shopping! Imagine that! So my 12" baskets will be all of cherry fabrics. I used Gwen's handle technique where you just fold a bias strip (3 times as wide as you want)into thirds, baste it with the machine to hold it folded, then simply stitch along the edge as you lay it into the curve you want for the handle. These are much more my style because they are playful and happy. I decided to piece the handles with different stripes and to use ric-rac on most of them, too.

17 comments:

dot said...

Great qyuilts and looks like everyone had loads of fun.

Cher said...

wonderful handles on those cherry baskets...what a happy quilt these blocks will make!

Quilts And Pieces said...

Love Gwen's basket quilt! And I love your repro one, but the handles on the cherry one is the best! That is just too cute! Do you know where the others are going to share their work? I'd love to see them.

Patti said...

Love these little scrappy basket blocks of yours the best of all. I never would have thought to put rick rack on the handles - how very clever of you!

Hedgehog said...

I am crazy about rick rack!! I just loves those cherry baskets - thanks for sharing!!

Anonymous said...

wonderful quilts ! I love the baskets !

antique quilter said...

thank you for sharing your pictures and projects with us from Gwens retreat.
I just love your baskets with the rick rack very clever!
Looks like you had so much fun too.
Hope you will share some more pictures from the retreat, I am a big fan of Gwens work and quilts!!!!!
she has a wonderful collection of antique quilts.
Kathie in NJ

Darlene said...

Wonderful projects! Like everyone else I love the rick rack on your cherry basket handles. Very clever, indeed. So cute!

MJ in Michigan said...

I love the rickrack handles and may have to try them on a block one day.
I'm going to Gwen's retreat next week and can't wait to see her basket quilts in person. Reading your blog got me even more excited about going.

sewprimitive karen said...

Oh, I'm dying for the rick rack, it looks SO cute on those cheery cherry baskets.

Wendy said...

Looks like a fun retreat with loads of inspiration. Love your basket, cool idea with the rick rack, goes well with a basket handle.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful! Love the cheery, cherry baskets you made.Our guild show this weekend featured Freddy Moran and she talked alot about working with Gwen Marston. You must have had a wonderful week; can't wait to see the finished cherry basket quilt. Who knew there would be that many cherry fabrics?????
Wendy in CA

Judy said...

Love Love Love it all!!! The brights are so fabulous!

Carol E. said...

Love those basket handles! I'm not a huge fan of basket blocks, but with handles like those, and that cute cherry fabric, I might be persuaded...

atet said...

Those cherry baskets are such fun -- LOVE the handles and the ric rack!

Elaine Adair said...

I can barely stand to look at those absolutely charming baskets - When I'm Calling You u u u u u uuuuuuu) to me! Each one is better than the next, especially the cherry themed baskets. Thanks for these lovely and inspirational photos!

Shelina said...

That's a great variety of wonderful basket quilts. Thanks for sharingthem.