The anticipation is over.  Each year ‘the group’ exchanges names and completes a quilt to be finished by the next quilters’ weekend at Watson Homestead.  Last year we anonymously exchanged envelopes of fat quarters and background fabric.  What a surprise the finished quilts were this year for all of us!

Just to confuse the person receiving my envelope, I chose patriotic fabric rather than my favorite – fall colors.  The patriotic theme is a favorite of Lisa and whoever receives  patriotic fabric in one of our swaps, assumes that it must be from her. It worked!  My exchange partner, Ruth, had no idea that the quilt she was making was for me and not Lisa.

Patriotic Quilt made by Ruth

Ruth always adds a surprise to the quilts she makes as she likes to add blocks to the back of the quilt  -  making it reversible -  I actually received quilts!

Back of Patriotic Quilt

Both Ruth and I completely missed at guessing who was the owner of the quilt that we were making.  I was certain that I had received Pauline’s fabric collection of soft pastels.  Knowing that she really likes baskets, I decided to make a miniature basket quilt. (Brown Basket, Timbleberries Pint Size Traditions.)

We both discovered that it’s unwise to assume anything. In the workroom at the retreat, both Ruth and I pulled out our projects when Pauline and Lisa went out on a shop hop.  We wanted to put the finishing touches on them before our exchange that evening.

Imagine our surprise when I told Ruth that the patriotic fabric was mine.

The joke was on me, however, when Mae said,”Hey, that’s my fabric!”  as I pulled out by finished miniature.  Luckily she is a fan of baskets also.

My quilt for Mae

I didn’t make a mistake when I chose the pattern after all.  In addition to the fact that she likes baskets, Mae is a basket maker.

We all had quite a laugh as we shared our stories at our exchange that evening.

For our project next year, we will all use a fat quarter of Paisley Tan from the Blessings collection by Brannock & Patek, add our own fabric for a quit to be given to our exchange partner.  The colors of this piece are some of my favorite.  Can’t wait to see our finished quilts!

On our annual quilting retreat last week, I decided to make the table topper mystery quilt.  I should know better.  I really like to put a project on my design wall as it progress, sometimes making changes to the fabric I’ve chosen.

At the retreat, I used a focus fabric that was directional – mistake.  When I started to put the project together it was a mess.  So I stopped what I was doing, came home and re-cut using a new focus fabric.  Everything is strip pieced so it goes together quite easily.

I liked the result so much that I ended up making two! I think that the second table topper will be one of my pieces in the craft boutique at our guild’s quilt show next year.

Lesson learned.

Our quilters’ weekend was over too quickly.  It seemed that we just arrived – and then it was time to pack up and return home.

Arriving on Thursday morning, the weather was quite a bit cooler than normal for mid-October.  Perfect quilting weather that encourages you to spend time inside – and what better way to spend it than quilting!  The day continued to stay cold and began to snow lightly by nightfall.  Yes snow!  Although not unheard of, it’s definitely unusual for it to snow this early in upstate New York.

Friday morning we woke up to a blanket of white.  I couldn’t resist taking a walk in this early winter wonderland.

The entire weekend was filled with quilting, shop hopping, and being with friends.

Fall and Halloween Feet

Handmade Gift Exchange

Quilters at Work and Plays.

Well it’s finally here!  We  leave at 7:30a.m. Wednesday morning for our annual quilters’ retreat at the Watson Homestead in Painted Post New York.  I have my projects ready and have made sure that I have the right thread, tools etc.  I can’t imagine that I’ve forgotten anything.  But if I did, I know that someone else has probably brought it.

My exchange miniature is finished. Can’t wait to see what everyone else came up with for this project.

I just have to remember my suitcase!   A few  years ago as we were unloading our cars at Adirondack Quilt Camp, we heard not one, but two women say, “Oh no.  I left my suitcase at home! ” We are all so intent, making sure that we have the right thread, necessary tools, etc., that clothes seem to take low priority.

In addition, he weather is supposed to be cool but sunny – perfect for a short hike to clear the ‘cobwebs’ during the non-ending quilting sessions.  The leaves should be just about at peak also.

Can’t wait!