Gruber's 2018 — Rene' Creates

Retreat days always go by too quickly, but it seems this year the time just REALLY flew by. Our group has been retreating together at Gruber's Quilt Shop for nine years now. WOW! I have been fortunate to attend each and every year so far, and it is a highlight of my year. This is a gift my sister Michelle and I give each other for our birthdays. The last several years we have agreed no gifts to each other, other than the time spent together. I couldn't wish for a better gift from her!

Mary, Stephanie, Doris, Amanda Jean, Cindy, Michelle, and me...missing Shelly and Terri

I pretty much accomplished my goals for this retreat: get caught up on bee blocks, assemble Peace quilt top, work on EPP blocks, get advice on hand quilting EPP mini quilt, make guild charity blocks.

Shelly asked us to make "our block" for her....Liberty hearts

I don't want to mention how overdue these bee blocks are, but I am now all caught up and don't plan to ever join a bee again ;-)

not the best photo but the top is complete

I have wanted to make a peace quilt using denim fabric and bright saturated colors of the rainbow for a while now. The background fabric is Essex Hand Dyed Linen in Chambray and the prints are all from a bundle of Alison Glass. I added a border around the peace sign that is not part of the original pattern. I am happy with how this quilt top turned out. It reminds me of a soft denim jacket with colorful embroidery, which I love!

Added to my collection of Carolyn Friedlander EPP blocks.

During movie time (Pitch Perfect of course!), I stitched together several Carolyn Friedlander happy flower EPP blocks. Even though the 100 Day Project is over, I continue to make these. For how long, I am not sure.

I brought this basted mini quilt with me because I am stuck on how to proceed. The consensus is to unstitch the little bit of hand quilting in order to switch from wool batting to Warm and Natural. The poofiness of the wool batting was throwing me off (newbie hand quilter here), and it was decided that it would be better to have a "flatter" batting since the quilt will be a wall hanging. I'll keep you posted.....

I was unable to complete the charity blocks for our guild. I did try but had issues with the tutorial. I will give it another go at home with my Juki. With that free time, I played around with solid fabrics and the honeycomb EPP shape. Not sure where (if anywhere) this is going.

So, year 9 of our Gruber's retreat has come to an end. Thank you for allowing me to share these recaps. I hope, if you get the opportunity, you too will embrace the chance to sew, laugh, and learn with friends.

Happy stitching,