My Disney Land

Incase you didn't know, my version of Disney Land includes goats that take their meals on metal roofs.  What can I say, I'm a simple gal.  I tell my dear friend Julie all the time, she is my Disney Land, more specifically my Tigger (she is bouncy and full of energy, and just makes you smile).  Every fall for the past three years, she graciously invites several quilters/quilt bloggers to retreat to her little slice of heaven and spend several fun filled days, sewing, shopping, and don't forget the laughing.  I can honestly say if it's my one and only trip each year, I can die happy.  Meeting with friends, new and old, recharges my batteries and leaves my heart full.


This year, Beth (Cooking Up Quilts) and I met up and drove to the retreat together.  The party started early for us.  She was even nice enough to let me share a room with her.  OMG, you guys!  So much fun.  We stayed up late laughing, doodling free motion quilting designs and may have ordered a pizza after 10 PM...we live on the wild side, what can I say.  

Our group consisted of (starting from left to right) Meta, a local friend of Julie's, who should really have a blog.  She is a lover of red work and so knowledgeable on all things historically quilty.  Next was, Irene, a regular sewing buddy of Julie's who was just so much fun to hang out with.  She even brought over things from her stash she wanted to part with.  I was lucky enough to take some of it home.  Next we have Sarah (Confessions of a Fabric Addict).  This was my first time meeting up with Sarah, and I sure hope it is not the last!  Then of course awkward little ol' me.  If someone is going to blink in the picture or do the wonky face, I'm your girl...someone's got to do it.  I've made peace with that.  Then of course Beth (Cooking Up Quilts).  Even though she is 2 hrs away from me, I will always think of her as my neighbor.  Not pictured because she is taking the picture is our wonderful host, Julie (Pink Doxies).

This was my happy little sewing view for the retreat weekend.  It was so nice to be in the same room with other quilters and listening to the sound of the machines working away.  As is normal, we were so busy, hardly any of us took pictures.  I was able to finish piecing a quilt top and get most of the piecing done on a baby quilt, but we will talk about those later.

So many fun shenanigans happened!  I wish I could tell them to you, but what happens at quilt retreat stays at quilt retreat.  Let's just say, Beth and I got drunk on fabric and the next thing I knew I caught her trying to pick up a model.

And of course the food in Amish country is ALWAYS amazing!

Sarah introduced me to this neat little marking tool and even gave me one of hers!

This is a hera marking tool.  It is such a quick easy way to mark lines for quilting or sewing without any pen marks to worry and fuss over when you are done.  I've been marking up pieces like a mad woman since I've been back.  

The trip has also left me super motivated to organize my stash and make it more useful for myself.  After a conversation with several of the ladies, I've decided anything 1/2 yard or larger will stay untouched (FQ's will stay fat quarters) and anything smaller will be cut into 5" squares, 2.5" squares and 2.5" x WOF strips.

These organized little piles are pieces from the fabrics given to me by Irene.

This is me overwhelmed by just my green scrap tote.  This process is going to be ongoing and take a bit of time.  It will be well worth it in the end.  Instead of having piles of fabrics stuffed into a tote helter-skelter, I will have neat organized piles I can work with.  I love patterns for precuts and this will allow me to turn that messy pile into usable quilts!  Anyone want to join me for an online cutting party?  Maybe we can party on a Saturday night and post our progress to Instagram?  What's your favorite way to deal with scrap fabrics?