I wish this one was mine!

I found some more retreat photos I forgot to get off the camera and here is a quilt on one of the beds. Frances had the privilege of sleeping under this beauty. Karen at Parklee has just recently finished it. She said it was for her son and daughter-in-law but they didn't like the colours, until the quilt was finished and then they liked it very much! (Apparently they were tough out of luck having already turned it down - I guess it was a case of looking the gift horse in the mouth!) I like it too. I wish it was (or should that be 'were'?) mine.
I think Karen said the quilting was done by Jacqui Karl. Jacqui does fantastic work on her domestic Bernina. She is a wonderful tutor and makes beautiful quilts in a wide range of styles. We have her booked for another workshop next year.

This is the quilt that I slept under (an "oldie but a goodie"):

P.S. I forgot to say that Frances said I was allowed to say she was in her jim-jams early of Friday night at the retreat (see her nightie in the photo in the previous post.) She said that a lot of you will totally be able to relate to that!

Quilting Heaven

When I die I want to go to Quilting Heaven which is at Parklee Quilters' Retreat in Kimbolton (north of Fielding, about an hour and fifteen minutes from home - just the right amount of distance.)

Last weekend I had the most fabulous time away with 6 of my quilting buddies. The studio was large and well equipped. I was most impressed with the ironing surface on top of the chest freezer - so much easier having a large ironing surface - I want one! The beds were warm and snuggly with quilt patterned sheets and topped with fab quilts. The food was fantastic! Roast pork and apple sauce with home made gravy and roast veges. Yummy lemon pudding with whipped cream to follow - and that was only Saturday evening. Home-made jams and toast bread for brekkie (fruit and yoghurt for the health conscious amongst us along with the usual cereals.) Delicious lunches and the best part was that I didn't have to cook any of it! Did I mention the chicken and broccoli bake or the tune quiche? I didn't realise how much more quilting time I have when I don't have to stop to get meals ready, clean or do laundry. I could get used to this real quick.

We arrived on Friday evening and soon after (a few wines to wind down) the machines were whizzing along. Carol won the prize for the first project finished (well, she did bring Phd's and the first one was a bag made from 2 fat quarters):

Did you see that Featherweight Carol was using? What a sweet sound to listen to!

Carol also completed this fun top. Some of the blocks were from an internet exchange. The pattern is called "It's always 5 o'clock somewhere" by Pat Sloan:

Frances got comfortable:

And I didn't take nearly enough photos.