2017 Sew Deja Vu Retreat - Bertram Inn

"Two quilters who have just met will be strangers only until their mutual passion for quilting is revealed.  Then they can talk for hours like the best of friends."

 ~ Jennifer Chiaverini

The quote above sums up our retreat very well.  We met new friends, visited with old friends and talked for hours.  Of course we threw in time to eat and sew.  

The ladies from Sew Deja Vu bring practically their whole store to the Bertram Inn, so we threw in some shopping time too.  What a great weekend.

Jen, Barbie and I worked on some new projects and I splurged and bought a new chair just for sewing.   Pretty fancy

Tried out my hand at free motion quilting

Jen is starting a Civil War quilt for her brother

Barbie is busy as usual - happy to be sewing

We met new friends from West Virginia and Pennsylvania:

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We saw our QBee friends from past retreats:

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There may have been some dancing going on along with the sewing - FUN!

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Lots of beautiful projects:

I really admired this quilt made from men's neckties.  What a lovely creative quilt!

Retreats make me happy!

2015 Sew Deja Vu Retreat at Bertram Inn

Definition of Retreat:  A place of refuge, seclusion or privacy.  

I'm not sure if that definition fits our "quilting retreat," but it gives you something to think about.

Bertram Inn Retreat

The staff at Sew Deja Vu in Stow, Ohio offers a wonderful retreat each year.  Last year it was at Mohican Lake, but this year it was closer to home for me at the Bertram Inn in Aurora.  I packed up my little car and headed north and was there in half an hour - Yea, more time to sew.  The food was excellent and we had a hospitality room for treats.  The Sew Deja Vu ladies worked hard to make sure everyone had a good time.  There were fun prizes, a drawing for a sewing table and a "Special Punch" to keep us powered up!  This is one of my favorite retreats!  CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE SEW DEJA VU WEBSITE.

We plugged in all our power strips for sewing machines, irons and lights.  Luckily we only fried one plug that I know of.  They probably had to build a sub-station at the local power plant - hee hee.

Our room was buzzing!

Quilting Projects:

Below are some sample pictures of the projects from our talented quilters.

Barbie and her "Trip Around the World" Quilt.  Love those blues!

I finished my "Norwegian Woods" quilt.  I picked this kit up in Paducah at Hancocks because the squirrels caught my eye.  

Sister Charlotte always spices up our retreats with her humor.  

Shy quilter showing her gorgeous quilt!

Another shy quilter.  Look at this beautiful star quilt done in Christmas material.  Love it!

I met a new friend named "Barb."  

Ladies from my guild were working on "Swoon Blocks"

Sally finished this stunning sampler quilt.  

Adorable stuffed Kittens!  Big bows or angel wings?  Could be either.

This is going to be a bag for the lucky lady on the right. 

These fun ladies traveled all the way from Southern Ohio and West Virginia.  I had fun visiting with them when I cut material!

Another shy quilter with her fabulous twisted bargello quilt.  It's stunning!

Sew pretty!

Special purses that will be for sale at the "Craft Shoppe during the craft show at the Quirk Cultural Center in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio on November 7th - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Felice Troutman

I was walking around looking at different projects and was pleased to find a designer at our retreat.  Felice Troutman creates her own quilts using wool and cotton applique designs.  She will be teaching her technique at Punderson Manor Lodge in Newbury, ohio on April 15, 16, and 17 of 2016.  Go to

www.felicequiltdesigns.com for more information about Felice and her upcoming classes.

Felice is working on a beautiful poppy block.  the picture doesn't do it justice.  Very artistic!

Hand quilting is still in fashion!  The white on white really shows off the design.

Seeing double for Christmas quilts!

Free motion quilting with a Janome cousin to "Her Majesty" - Mrs. Dilly Dally's Machine - Click Here to visit her fun Blog inAlaska!

Fancy Table Topper!  This was Dana's first retreat!  Judging from her bright smile, I'm sure she had fun.

Jen finished her star quilt.  This was her first retreat too.  The ladies loved this bright pattern.  Beautiful!

Another retreat has come and gone.  Blogging about it and looking back helps me keep these fun memories alive for me and I hope it will do the same for you.  

Happy Fall Quilting!

Sew Deja Vu Quilting Retreat at Mohican Lodge

"When autumn darkness falls, what we will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to talk, and every single rose.  These are the expressions of a nation coming together and caring about its people ~ Jens Stoltenberg

What I will remember is the autumn weekend in October, 2014, and the gathering of quilters from all parts of Ohio at Mohican Lodge and Conference Center for a quilt retreat sponsored by the lovely ladies of Sew Deja Vu in Stow.

Judy and Lynn of Sew Deja Vu

Sew Deja Vu picks out the best places for retreats and the weekend was full of laughter and fun, oh yes, and lots of food!  We were blessed with the best weather; bright sunny days and crispy nights.  My side-kick Barbie and I enjoyed a walk by Pleasant Hill Lake.

After getting some fresh air, we were ready to sew.  A quilt retreat is like a huge classroom full of teachers and students all interacting and sharing ideas, creativity, quilt techniques and stories.  It is the epitome of how learning should be for everyone.  I have always met the nicest people at retreats.  They inspire me to try new things and not be afraid to make mistakes.  I need those lessons!

Pineapple Block using Civil War prints.   I love this pattern.

Christmas Table Runner!  Beautiful!

A Quilt of Valor!

Mary inspired me with her awesome T-shirt quilt to not be afraid of free-motion quilting.  Just do it!!

Yes, Barbie is finishing yet another snow man quilt.  She did a great job quilting this on her machine!

This Hunter's Star Quilt is fabulous!

Disappearing 4-Patch:

Here is a fun technique that I learned at our retreat. You might already know about it, but it was new to me.  Kerry took the time to make a block and show me how it's done.   Thank you so much!!  

First you pick out four 5" blocks and sew them together.  Next measure 1 and 1/4 inch from the center seam and cut.  Do this on each side.  A mat that rotates is helpful here.  I hope the picture shows this step for you.  Now comes the magic or the fun part.  (Do I sound like Jenny on Missouri Star Quilt?)  

Switch sides on the two bigger blocks and rotate the little four patch in the middle.  Again I hope the picture shows how this works.  Then, of course, you sew it back together.  

Kerry and her lovely Disappearing 4-Patch Quilt!

Sew inspired, Barbie and I bought material to make this pattern.  Oh, yes we could buy material right at the retreat.  Sew Deja Vu brought half the store with them for us to shop.  They are the best!

 Looking for a new sewing chair?  If you are, you can order this little beauty from Sew Deja vu.  I tried it out, and it was perfect.  Nice support for your back!  There are wheels on the legs and the seat opens up for storage.  It doesn't weigh a lot, so you can take it with you for classes or retreats.  I really like it!  

 

At the end of the day, Barbie and I wandered up to sit back in the rocking chairs by the fireplace.  

What a wonderful weekend!