Quilt Retreat and other stuff

Our local shops recently had a shop hop.  I only hopped to one shop to buy fabric for an upcoming quilt retreat.  The shop gave out a free pattern for an apple potholder.  I couldn't wait to make one and   even woke up in the middle of the night thinking blue and yellow.  So the next morning I got busy and made this fun little apple.  Cute Christmas presents, I think.

It is paper pieced and oh, so easy.

This past weekend I spent 2 ½ days with 63 of our guild members at a resort about 15 - 20 miles from my house.  We sew our own projects and also have a donation project we work on.  This time we made pillowcases for the pediatrics ward at one of the local hospitals.  We managed to complete 197 plus many more that were donated by members who were not at the guild.  I used some Cat in the Hat fabric and some Mario Brothers.  This is the only scrap I had left and I forgot to take a picture of the finished cases.  Oh well.  I got 5 done and was happy to move onto my next project.

I also  made a Soldier Quilt.  We make these for a group in Plymouth, WI that distributes them to returning service members once they have completed their service to the armed forces.  I saw a photo on Pinterest of a quilt similar to this.  I constructed the center like a jelly roll race quilt.  This was my first time to try it and it was really fun.  I cut 2 ½" strips instead of using a jelly roll, because I needed only 17 stripes.  I think it turned out great and got lots of positive remarks.

Close up of this cute fabric.  I thought when I pulled it out of my stash that it said things like America the Beautiful, etc.  I was a little surprised when I actually saw the words.  I hope it is well received.

The organizers of the retreat always like to make up some little fun gifts for everyone who attends.  This time it was a coin purse and a holder for a rotary cutter.  Both cute and needed.  

 
There are also door prizes on Saturday night that are donated from the local quilt shops.  I received this charm pack of Kansas Troubles fabric -- always a favorite.  The shop owner was sitting at my table for dinner when the gifts were handed out.  It was so nice to be able to give her a big thank you immediately as she has always done so much for our guild.

I am getting ready now for a great opportunity in January.  We leave for Florida after Christmas and this year I am taking my sewing machine for the first time.  Why?  Because Bonnie Hunter is coming to a quilt guild near me and I am all signed up for her class.  I am so excited and have already been organizing in my head all the things I need to take with me.  We will be making the Talkin' Turkey quilt which I think I will do in RW&B to donate.  Right now I am making a million 1 ½" blocks and strips to finish a Bonnie quilt I started last year.  I want to take at least the finished top with me for show & tell.

Lots going on in my corner of the world right now.  How about you?