2019 Lutherdale Gala Quilt Assembly Weekend

Every spring for the last few years, I've met with several friends at Lutherdale and we've assembled the 'Gala Quilt'.  The blocks are sewing by attendees of the spring luncheon and they mail them back to camp for us to assemble them.  The quilt will be auctioned off in August.  We had a fantastic weekend 2 weeks ago.  The weather was quite nice and we accomplished a lot-- Many hands make light work!

This year's quilt is based on a Bonnie Hunter pattern.  (there are a few adjustments made to it).  The brights are all scrap donations and the grey/white/black-ish was purchased fabric.  It turned out great!

Once it is time to add borders to the quilts, not everyone can sew, so I bring 'bonus' projects.  This is the 'January Quilters' Quilt' for 2019. I have been coordinating a group quilt with my fellow January retreaters for a few years now and we took advantage of this weekend to finish up the center.  It will possibly have a few more borders (grey + black).  I love the sparkle that all the variety of colors bring to it!

At the last minute, while pack to go to camp, I perused a few simple patterns I owned and grabbed a bunch of stash that I thought would work.  Of course I brought a ton of stuff for the wekend, but there is nothing worse than regretting you didn't have something you needed.  We were able to throw this child sized quilt together in next to no time.  I *LOVE* working with helpers on quilts like this.  One person was cutting, one sewing, one pressing and before you know it-- BOOM!  A top!  Some of these pinks have been in my stash for quite a while and I'm happy to give them a purpose (and to make room for new, fresh fabric!)

Prior to going to Lutherdale, I did a super quick trip to my parent's for a bit of longarming.  The main goal was to quilt my mountain quilt (separate post on that later....).  I did squeak out quilting up a small panel that I bordered over the winter.  I will donate this to Lutherdale's auction and I'm calling it 'Seaside Friends'.  The quilting is 'doodly' and whimsical and hopefully will make some child very happy!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with: Oh Scrap! and Let's Bee Sewcial

Lutherdale Retreat 2019

I just got back from my annual 5 day sew-fest at Lutherdale.  I don't know what it is, but every year, the time elapses faster and faster.  In the blink of an eye, our retreat was over and it was time to pack up and go home.  I accomplished quite a bit, but of course, I would like to have done even more. Isn't that always the case?

The main project I worked on was starting a new quilt -->I don't have an official name for it yet. Winter Mountains? Steep Mountains? Rugged Mountains? Climb Every Mountain? Alpine Mountains? It is a wedding present for my mountain climbing cousin that has been living in New Zealand for a few years, but is moving back to the US this year.  The blocks are designed by Kristy from Quiet Play.  The layout I am using will be based on something shared on a FB group by @CamilleSews (on Instagram).  I hoped to piece the entire top (ambitous, I know!) during retreat.  The reality was-- those trees are a lot of work!! There are 25 pieces in the small tree and close to that many in the larger one.  It's been taking approximately 2 hours per tree!! Yikes!  I did complete all of the mountain blocks (15) and 1.5 of the 5 pair of trees.  In the last week, I've finished the second pair of trees and completed another pair.  Only 2 more pairs of trees to go!  Woot!  I can't wait to see this come together into a top.

The other main project I worked on was facilitating a group quilt to donate to Lutherdale.  Again-- my inspiration came from something shared on FB.  We cut bright scraps into 2" squares using my Go Baby! cutter.  It's turning out LOVELY!! The sashing will be a light grey and I'll add some more blocks to this throughout the year and have it finished up for next January's retreat.  What to name this?  It's kind of sparkly, jewel-like.  It's scrappy.  It's rainbow.  Hmmmm "Rainbow Sparkly Whatnot"?  Naming quilts is hard! 

The last project I have to share is a simple panel that I added 3 borders to.  This is something I will quilt up with fun doodles and donate to Lutherdale's August auction. I think I'll name it "Seaside Friends"

While at 'Quilt Camp', Mother Nature brought us a fantastic snow storm.  Using a quilting ruler, we measured 8" of snow!  Winter this year has been a bit dodgy and what little snow we have had has melted.  I'm happy to have a layer of white to make winter feel like winter.  The subzero temperatures we are experiencing right now...that's another story!!

I'm already counting down the days until next year's retreat!

xoxo,

Kristin

Linking up with Oh Scrap, Design Wall Monday and Let's Bee Sewcial