Post-partum Quilt Show Disorder & a Giveaway!

Recap of International Quilt Festival/ Long Beach

Pokey — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 23:19:52 GMT

Oh, I am so sad. Someone slip me a happy pill, please . It's actually over. 2009 International Quilt

Strategies for Coping with Post- International Quilt Festival Show Blues & Free Fabric

Pokey — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 22:42:04 GMT

It’s that time of year again. Winter is coming, and although I’m in a new locale where all

Recap of International Quilt Festival/ Long Beach

Pokey — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:19:40 GMT

Oh, I am so sad. Someone slip me a happy pill, please . It's actually over. 2009 International Quilt

Recap of International Quilt Festival/ Long Beach

Pokey — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 11:15:18 GMT

Oh, I am so sad. Someone slip me a happy pill, please . It's actually over. 2009 International Quilt

Recap of International Quilt Festival/ Long Beach

Pokey — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 23:17:28 GMT

Oh, I am so sad. Someone slip me a happy pill, please . It's actually over. 2009 International Quilt

Quilt Enthusiast — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 17:49:41 GMT

Resting. That is what I've been up to this weekend when my winter cold required it. We had a pile of cozy blankets and quilts stacked on the couch. I snuggled all day. Tea and soup and chili were the basic food groups of the weekend. I made sure the heat was at a comfortable temperature and I rested. I have been looking at various magazines and books to see which direction my quilting will go. Basically I'll just enjoy this down time.

Del Vasquez — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 02:11:44 GMT

If I could have a day with an artist, it would be Sara Lechner. I love working with fibers and threads. Sara's creations are from her heart and very original. I'm amazed how much her pieces tell - the story behind them. And her studio is amazing - so open to being free to be creative. Sara Lechner is a true artist and my inspiration.

Sandra — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:48:01 GMT

Oh My! I didn't realize there was a rule saying one HAD to wear matching socks! Who knew!!!???

Denise L. — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:07:38 GMT

-To help myself get through the cold dark winter, I often have starting knitting projects, though this year I plan to start some quilt projects. I also like seasonal baking: cookies, pumpkin bars and bread, pumpkin pie, my favorite butternut squash soup, my husband also makes wonderful soups when the weather starts to get cold. I also like to decorate, and leave the Christmas/Solstice decorations up until after Valentine's day (though artificial trees and wreaths only, to avoid fire hazards!) I have never attended an informal stitching retreat, though I once participated in a group art show with 13 artists, which took us a year to plan. Fun activities for a 3 day weekend retreat might be: a group quilt project, for a gift to a common friend, a cause, or for a group art project to be exhibited. Dying and printing fabric together would be fun, too, then you could exchange fabrics with each other! Lots of snacks, pizza, and great desserts would be good too! I love good coffee and tea, don't drink wine alot, but it might be good for some guests too.

Lenore Gish — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:48:30 GMT

I was actually on a one person quilting retreat to my very tiny, isolated cabin in the woods of BC Canada this past weekend. I ended up cutting by finger badly with the rotary cutter (stupid!) and then backing my new Jeep into a fence trying to get to the hospital. It was so dark I couldn't see a thing... but the quilt made great progress! I hate winter also and think a mid winter warm vacation is a must for mental health. I haven't done a quilting retreat with friends but would like to plan one. I know it would include lots of wine, country music, cheesecake (or anything that goes with whip cream and shouldn't be eaten in front of your thin husband) and of coarse quilting. I would let everyone work on whatever their current "passion" is. Sharing, encouragement and lots of laughter would be my agenda.

Angel — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:32:27 GMT

I'm very much like you Pokey, I actually get depressed in Winter. I live in Virginia Beach, VA, right across the street from the Chesapeake Bay. Having grown up on both East & West coasts, I'm partial to my beach time. Though I love a Mid-Atlantic summer, spring is my favorite season. I feel renewed if not intoxicated when the daffodil begins to bloom, and pear blossoms adorn the trees with all their splendor! I've considered getting one of those UV lights to combat S.A.D. over the winter like they do in Alaska! Southeast Virginia winters are somewhat mild compared to the northern states, so I should buck up and quit wining right? My usual strategy consists of spending lots of time with my LARGE nutty family. We make each other laugh and that seems to be the best medicine! I own the entire Gilmore Girls series being that my life parallels Laura-li Gillmore's almost identically! My daughter Brit(22) and I have Gillmore Girl marathon weekends, and cook together. We love Asian food, and making cute outfits for our toy chihuahua Soffi. I've never been to an organized/unorganized quilting/mixed media retreat, but they sound fabulous! If I were to host one... there would be a garbage can at the front door in which every attendee would be encouraged to write down the most troubling issue in their lives, & toss them before entering. Once inside...there would be tiaras for all. Along with all things artistic, the weekend would be centered around honoring ourselves as creative souls. There might even be a funky little ceremony to kick off the fun. Depending on the number of guests, time would be divided into segments,(recognized by a "Diva" bell) in order to put each artist on a designated pedestal (centrally located throne) in which she would receive proper pampering such as mani/pedi, reflexology, massage, and a mini-makeover. All of this would include amazing wines, great food, and good lighting! Sleep? who needs it? If we stay up long enough, maybe we'll see Spring arrive!

Meg Rogers — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:04:29 GMT

I totally understand your post-partum quilt show depression. Dennis gets to look forward to that from me everytime QSDS ends or after a class at Nancy Crow's Barn. I only get to immerse myself so totally into my art at these venues and when they're over it's back to the real world. Hope everyone who won enjoys their lovelies! I'm in lust!

Brenda Jennings — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:11:54 GMT

Last fall our group went to Oglebay Resort in West Virginia for a weekend retreat. One member led a couple of quick workshops, but we mostly worked on whatever we felt like, or hiked around the resort. The first night everyone brought a potluck dish as there were kitchens in the two large cabins we stayed in. Unfortunately my oldest son broke his ankle in a football game that weekend, so I came back to even more chaos than usual! In the winters I usually work on a larger projects as it SEEMS as if there is more time to work on them. Or maybe it's because I like to see all the colorful fabrics in the winter when the skies are so gray!

Jeanne — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:06:53 GMT

I have been to several one-day quilting retreats, and even had one at my home. I made chicken salad for lunch, and everyone else brought pot luck. We worked on a queen-sized quilt for charity. It was so much fun. My whole downstairs became a quilt studio with ironing boards, cutting areas, three sewing machines, and design wall. I also have been to a three-day stay at Linda Taylors's for quilting lessons. Absolutely the best: catered food served on one of Linda's quilted tablecloths, lessons all day, a nearby quilt show, more quilting into the night as we worked on charity tops, and a shop right on the premises that we could shop in our jammies. All of these activities had a love of quilting, great food, uninterrupted time, and old and new friends. As far as getting through the winter, I get much more quilting done then. It is easier for me to stay indoors and work with heavy quilts in our winters than in our hot southern summers.

Gayle — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:21:32 GMT

What a great drawing you're having! My favorite thing about winter is no more HOT! I love to snuggle in sweaters and sweatshirts and quilts, of course. Rug hooking occupies a lot of my time that is spent on gardening during the summer months. My quilt group meets monthly, but we rarely bring our machines to it. Mostly just hand work and show & tell. For the perfect 3-day retreat we would need lots of good food and junk food. Comfortable seating. Good lighting. Music. Friends to visit with. Access to any and all supplies that were forgotten at home! LOL