Monday, June 29, 2015

Quilts and Autos in Shipshewana Indiana

Last week Barbie and I traveled on a quilt tour with Eagle Rock Tours to Shipshewana, Indiana.  We met lots of wonderful new quilting friends and saw some amazing exhibits.  I want to start with the Hostetler's Hudson Auto Museum because of their unique quilt show of Hudson Autos combined with quilts.  It was just "awesome."

I'll let the pictures do the talking.  Enjoy!



























Grandmother's Flower Garden on a red convertible.  Woo Hoo!!
This was one of my favorites!












The pictures are wonderful to see, but to be there in person was even better.  I have to say that the combination of shiny chrome, vintage cars and colorful quilts was an extraordinary visual experience that I will always remember.  It was beautiful!

  

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Big Bang Quilt Retreat

It's that time of year again.  Time for the summer retreat at Zinck's Inn in Berlin, Ohio.  This year's theme was the "Big Bang Quilt Retreat" and it really fit.  We learned how to make an exploding pineapple block, hence the name "Big Bang." It really was easy, even though it seemed complicated at first.

Many of the ladies created some awesome quilts with this new technique.  Take a look:

As in every retreat, we ate too much good food and stayed up too late sewing.  It was perfect!
Mr. Tomato Head, a gift from my granddaughter Zoe, kept me company while I sewed.

Show and Tell Projects:

Barb added sashing to her disappearing 4-patch



Love, love this English Paper Piecing Project
We had some amazing art quilters at the retreat!





Take a look at Betty Lou's rotary cutter - it's a Martelli  

I finished piecing a disappearing 4-patch baby quilt
Scrappy Sample Quilt for the "Big Bang" or Exploding Pineapple Block

Cutting Boards

I was amazed at all the different and unique cutting boards that other ladies brought to the retreat.
This is a Martelli board - CLICK HERE for more information about this product line:


I wonder if it is time for a new cutting board yet?  

I loved learning how to make the new block, but as always, the best part of the retreat was the camaraderie among the quilters.  They are all about sharing ideas and friendship.  What a wonderful weekend!  

"There is a fountain of youth: it is your mind, your talents, the creativity you bring to your life and the lives of people you love.  When you learn to tap this source, you will truly have defeated age."  ~ Sophia Loren