Retreat Weekend, Plus...

Brynwood Needleworks - DPQG 2016 Retreat Group

I didn't get to our guild retreat on Friday, when it began, but I arrived on Saturday for the fun. This photo was taken on Sunday before people left and headed for home. (L-R: Front Row: Joanne, Pat, Shirley, Arleen, Pat, Lynn, Peggy and Julie. Back Row: Jackie, Rozie, Jamie and me.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Saturday Night Dinner at Sarasota's Der Dutchman

I got to Sarasota in time to set up my projects, get started and then break for dinner at 5:30. We went a bit across town to Der Dutchman - an Amish restaurant that many of us have visited before. I personally love their homecooked vibe, and chose a small portion of liver & onions (a favorite) for my meal.

Dinner together is a great chance to catch up with friends and enjoy each others company, and we certainly had a great time together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Peggy and my roommate, Jamie

Jamie and I make for great roommates. She's a far superior quilter, and I'm learning a lot from her. She also has a wonderful sense of humor, so she's fun to be around. I definitely think I'm on the winning end of our friendship.

Peggy sat on our end of the table, so I was able to find out what she's been up to. She recently have a shoulder surgery and is healing well from it. It's certainly not keeping her from participating and creating wonderful things of her own. She was working on a project to give to a friend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn and Shirley - Shirley's Finished Quilt Top

Shirley is a dear friend. She (on the right) completed a quilt top over the weekend that I photographed to share with you. It's made from colorful batiks and will look even better when it's quilted. Lynn helped hold it up for this picture.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pat's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towels

Pat (on the right side of my first group photo) worked on the group project for this retreat. I didn't make any this time, but Pat created six different sets, including these...and flamingos. All of them are finished with yo yos. Aren't they fun?

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towel

Lynn also made a set. Hers have yo yos as the center for the flowers. I don't think my photo does justice to the project. Her colors were lovely and her workmanship impeccible.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jackie's Beautiful Blocks

There were other projects in progress. Many of the ladies were working on their own quilt tops and creating gorgeous blocks.

I wish I knew for sure who was working on these. I think that Lynn C. was working on them, but will amend my post as soon as someone tells me. They're "stack and whack" stars. Only quilters cut up beautiful fabrics to rotate them and join together in new ways. Such is the way with "stack and whack"...with stunning results here.

Brynwood Needleworks - Joanne's Blocks

 Joanne worked on these blocks all weekend. It's also the "stack and whack" method with a completely different result.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shirley's Block

Shirley had a whole set of colorful blocks that she was appliqueing, in addition to the batik quilt top she finished. These remind me a fresh fruit!

I actually had a busy weekend with my shop, and spent my retreat work time making up special orders that I'll ship out today and through this week. It was fun to have the gals to chat with while I stitched away.

Brynwood Needleworks- Deliciousness From Der Dutchman

It was revealed on Saturday night that the Amish have a plan for world domination...Amish Peanut Butter. What a sweet treat...especially swirled on their soft serve vanilla ice cream that was served after our dinner. The Apple Butter is also wicked tasty!

So, if you've read this far today, I have a reward...a chance to win your very own bottle of Der Dutchman Peanut Butter Spread. (Note: This is not low-cal.) Sorry, but due to the cost of shipping, this will only be available to my readers in the U.S.

Also, I'm not going to put up a giveaway button or mention the giveaway to anyone not coming to this post to read about it. Just leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing, and I'll use the Random Number Generator on Friday, June 17th to choose the winner. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you don't have an email link to your comment. If I can't contact you, I'll immediately choose another name.

Good luck!