Hi! Ho! Silver! Away!

I worked today at the LQS, and managed to actually come home with only 9 spools of thread in colors I didn't have, and of course needed! Why in the world would I need 9 different colors of thread at this moment?

Welllllllllll...can you guess?

I'm going to Gwen Marston's Beaver Island Retreat (not on Beaver Island anymore) in Elk Rapids, MI!!!!

This is me last year, wading in Elk Lake which is at the edge of where our retreat building is. I couldn't believe the water was as clear OR as warm as it is!

Yep, it's the second week in September, so where else would I be? This year the theme is baskets, and I have all the backgrounds cut (45 different) and all of the basket fabrics chosen, and cut into smaller manageable (read that as packable) pieces.

What is so nice about her retreats, is that she really has put the R-E-T-R-E-A-T back into quilt retreat. She sets the theme, and most everyone plays along, but some bring other things to work on too. There is minimal structured events, and mostly comraderie between about 25-30 women. This year, I plan on sleeping in a bit, sitting by the lake, reading AND working on my baskets. At this moment, I'm all packed except the last minute stuff like my toothbrush, and my eyeliner:)

Here's Gwen and I (me, a few pounds heavier then) last year...and I think I've cropped out almost all of the threads that were on my shirt!


In honor of this trip, I bought a Tutto Machine on Wheels case. I so love my Pfaff that I don't want to sew on anything else. Especially HSTs that are 1/2" finished! So, we'll see how this works toting it on the plane.

I return next Sunday, the 16th. You all be good and get lots of sewing done!