Happy Monday – Welcome to Main Crush Monday! I am home from a very productive quilting retreat, and am so glad I took a few days for myself to go. The day before I left I said to my hubby “I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to go away for 5 days during this time of year“. I was feeling a bit guilty for leaving, knowing that I have several deadlines to meet before Christmas. Being the great guy that he is, hubby convinced me that I needed to go and I shouldn’t worry about deadlines or anything else as it would all be here when I got back. So off I went. I finished the three projects that were at the top of my list, and came home reenergized and ready to face all those deadlines. If you ever have the opportunity to attend a quilting retreat, I say Go! It was worth every minute.
As I said, I finished the top three projects that were on my quilting To Do list. Because they are gifts for Christmas I am only going to show you a portion of one of them. If I share any more, the recipients will see their gift and we don’t want that to happen until they are actually gifted! Here is a peek of one of the quilt tops I finished:
It’s a simple rail trail pattern with sashing. I love the way the dark blue sashing frames the blocks and allows them to be the star. I can’t wait to show you the finished quilt – you’ll just have to be patient for a while longer. 🙂
While I can’t show you my projects, I can show you some of the terrific projects others were working on at the retreat. There was just so much inspiration there!
Look at this adorable WV puppy quilt Susie made! He is a true WVU fan! She used Elizabeth Hartman’s Dogs in Sweaters pattern and changed it up by using only one dog and adding in all the team colors. Makes me want to make my own doggy quilt!
There were some beautiful hand embroidered projects being put together. I fell hard for Marty’s red work blocks. She embroidered the centers, then pieced the blocks, and then sashed them. I think this quilt is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see it when she gets it finished.
Another hand embroidered beauty is this fun collection of witches that Mary Ann is putting together:
In this pic she has the panels together. She is piecing the blocks for the borders. It’s going to be fantastic once it is finished. We had a lot of fun choosing which witch we wanted to be. 🙂
Here’s a close-up so you can see the detail:
After all the embroidery work was done, Mary Ann colored the panel with crayons as instructed in the pattern. I wish I had the skill to make something like these embroidered pieces – they are beyond cute!
Another fun quilt is this Halloween one, which shows off so many fun fabrics. Notice the ‘candy corn’ blocks in the center that make a star shaped medallion.
I don’t collect novelty prints, and I especially don’t have Halloween themed fabrics. After seeing this quilt though, I might have to change that!
While I was at the retreat I spent the majority of my time sewing (and eating, and talking, and laughing). I did take a break one afternoon and visited a local quilt shop with some of the ladies. I found some tiny hexie papers for English Paper Piecing. Then I came back and made these:
These hexies are 3/8″. Yes, you read that right – they are smaller than a half inch. They are tiny, and they are fun! Since I was playing with small hexies, I decided to go even smaller….
The red one is a quarter inch. Makes those 3/8″ hexies look gigantic doesn’t it? LOL I think I have a plan for these. I just have to see if I can execute it!
So that’s it for me today. There’s just so much quilty goodness to crush on! I’ll have some customer quilt finishes to share with you later this week, after they are delivered. Now it’s time for you to share your quilt crushes – what are you working on that has you excited to be in your sewing space? You can link up any blog post, Instagram, or Flickr pic – here’s how:
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Where was the retreat?
I am completely in love with the witches quilt!
Hi Beth, I’m glad you had a good retreat. Good luck with those tiny hexies!
It sounds like you had a great time at your retreat. It feels great to visit and get things done. Your tiny hexis gave me a little headache. I can’t wait to see your finished projects!
WOW, I thought my 1/2 x 1 flying geese were small. I’m speechless. Thank you for the linky party.
Tiny tiny hexies! Wow, very tiny 😉 Love your secret project, and the quilts featured
Sounds like your retreat really was a retreat. Love your tiny hexies!
5 days at retreat sounds heavenly, Beth. Welcome home and hurray for a good time and feeling rejuvenated!
Sounds like retreat was a blast!!! Glad to hear you had a great time and hubby was right in telling you to get your tushy there 🙂 Maybe I can join you next year?
hexies are sure addictive and those tiny sizes are so cute – I used the 1/4 inch ones once to make hexie flowers to applique to a border – I can’t begin to imagine how some make a whole queen size quilt with those little pieces but they do
Oh my goodness, Beth! Quarter inch hexies?!? Now I’m really curious what you are up to! Sounds like a fun retreat; I haven’ t been on one in years. Love that rail trail quilt, the fabrics are so pretty!
Hi Beth! I’m so glad you had fun, although I knew you would. Also, fabulous work getting all you wanted to get accomplished! That’s just the best. Nice eye candy you are sharing today! I have always wanted to make the doxie pattern and this just reminds me why! And the witches project!! I have those same patterns and have gotten as far as selecting the background fabric. No tracing, no coloring but again this is providing inspiration! Happy Monday to you! ~smile~ Roseanne
Sounds like going to the retreat was just what you needed. Those are tiny hexies, you have more patience than I do to work on them.
Wow! You hang out with a very talented crowd. Glad you got your weekend away to work on your own stuff.
Holy cow-Those tiny hexies! The witches are incredible! So glad you had a great time-thanks for sharing!!
Sounds like a fun retreat! So much eye candy! I’ve only tried working those tiny hexies once. Too small for me!
Those sure are tiny hexis!!! I’ve started my hexi project finally and I love doing it. It’s my travel project.