June 12, 2016

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!
 
DonnaAcornSignature

9 comments:

  1. What a great post. I always wondered what people bring to work on at retreat. Especially love the yo yo towels. Does that gal sell them by any chance? And the dinner, I also was curious as to where you were. Wish we had a place like that around here, looks yummy. Knew about Amish apple butter but wonder what their secret is for the peanut butter? Interesting! Looks like fun time had by all. :)

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  2. It sounds (and looks) like everyone was getting something accomplished at your retreat. I fear I would spend too much time talking - and oohing and aahing over everyone's project - and not get anything done. (I really should look into a guild here, though.) I was not aware of the Amish plan for world domination through peanut butter...I say, go for it! ~grin~ I would love to play my part. xo

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  3. Wouldn't it be fun to retreat full time.... But then the puppies would sure miss you ! Probably the hubby also.

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  4. I am amazed at how any of you talented ladies get any serious sewing done at a retreat...what with all the laughing, talking, sharing, eating, repeating that must be done. Such wonderful projects you have shared here. How cute to use Yo-Yos to embellish kitchen towels. Yes, it is quite a phenomenon that quilters take a perfectly good piece of fabric and cut it all up only to sew it back together again in a completely different beautiful piece of fabric. The talent amazes me...honestly. I have tried it and believe I must have a "spatial dyslexia" disease because my pieces do not sew back together correctly. It is easy to see by all the happy faces and Beatiful smiles that your quilt retreat is a wonderful way to spend time with friends. Amish food sounds like it would be very good. I actually like liver and onions too. Peanut Butter spread on ice cream...HEAVEN! Thank you dear...

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  5. Donna,
    The "Beautiful Blocks" that you thought were Lynn's or Pat's are Jackie's. Enjoyed sewing with you this weekend.
    Peggy

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  6. What a fun weekend, looks like! Your pictures show what a great, talented group it must be. I'm going to a spinning retreat next month. Susan's Fiber Shop is sponsoring it. Can't wait. They are usually all in the winter so this will be a nice change. Also, I'm having my guild meeting at my cabin on the lake in July for our Christmas in July gift exchange. Guild members are wonderful! Aren't they?!

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  7. That sounds like a lovely retreat! I am glad you had a good time!!

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  8. Looks like you all had so much fun!! Shirley FINISHED that top during the weekend? Wow!! It's fabulous!! Love all the fun blocks too!!

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  9. What fun this looks! I would not get very much done because I would be oooohing and awwwwing at all the creative and beautiful projects! Perhaps I could purchase a ticket to just come and admire all the deliciousness!

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Blessings, Donna