4 day retreat! Here I come!
 

I feel like I'm packed for a 30-day trek into the wilderness. Nope - just a 4-day retreat. I have 7 sets with all pieces cut out and ready to sew for various projects. I have another cut out, but just don't see any way I can get to that many. The first four I plan to do are works in progress, then I have 3 that are ready to start sewing for Christmas gifts. I'm taking some batting, but don't know that I'll make it that far. Hard to know, isn't it? I'm riding with someone else or I'd just throw it all in. The best thing is the retreat center is just about 20 minutes away. It starts Monday at 9 AM and will end around 3 on Thursday. I've looked forward to this for MONTHS. On Monday afternoon we'll come back near my house for a shopping spree at the quilt shop that sponsors the retreat - and get a 25% discount on the total purchase. Whoo-hoo! I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. I'll use that to get backing for some of these projects. Can't afford to get much new - because I paid for the retreat! :)

Oh the excitement before you go is wonderful. I love going on retreats but at present one of my dogs can't go into kennels a skin complaint which does not pass on but kennels will not have her.
I loved walking around and seeing other people's projects as well as getting zillion tips.

Have a fantastic time and just think no washing or cooking. Just sewing sewing and sewing.

Ps just editing because in all those babes where are your clothes?...

LOL - my clothes are in a suitcase in another room. I got the important things ready first, right?
My husband will man the home front and take care of the livestock - that's 2 geriatric dogs and 2 cats. He'll also have our 6-year-old grandson during the day. He will be VERY glad to see me on Thursday.

I'm sorry about your dog - we have a friend who keeps ours, but they are getting harder to send on sleep-overs. One is 15 and the other 13 and they are showing their age.

Have a great time. Jealous here cause I'm heading to work!

Four day retreat...how wonderful. You'll have a great time. Enjoy!

Have fun!!!!!! I've never been to a Retreat. But, lots of my friends have and they love it!! Let us know how it was when you get back!!

I love retreats! You'll have a great time. My guild has two retreats a year. And the guild pays for it! All our fundraising goes to fund the retreats.

I LOVE retreats!!
I go twice a year and bring many precut projects. Nothing that demands too much attention because we do as much gabbing and laughing as we do sewing. These are overnight retreats and the sewing room is active from 4:00AM well in the wee hours of the morning ( some early risers and some night owls )
They feed us, we go for walks, we sew in our pyjamas..........
Have fun Jan!!!!

How fun!!! Looks like you are armed and ready!!

Sounds like such a good time, enjoy!!!!

Lucky duck :)

I found that most of the gals (or guys?) at the retreats bring WIP with them and it seems that they get an awful lot done. I use to bring things from scratch, but after watching the others, I learned to bring my WIP and by the end of the retreats, I had a few quilts all finished (not quilted, but the tops done). And we spent so much time admiring everyone else's work and visiting and telling stories and laughing and eating and NOT sleeping much. Oh, how I love retreats!!! Have so much fun!!!

It sounds like you are armed and ready to sew! Have fun at your retreat. I've never been to one but I think I would like to try one.

Did you need a chair and iron? Looks like you have everything else covered. I usually carry all I need and end up buying to start another new project that I hadn't planned on. I just love retreats. I get a lot done if I work on small projects. Too much talking and laughing to get much more done.

Enjoy your time.

Congratulations and have lots of fun. Where is this retreat? I've never been on one and from your avatar it looks like it may not be far from me. Can you see the the green eyes shining? :). LOL

Have a great time!!! I LOVE retreats. Our guild sponsors two a year: a fall "No frills" one and a fancier spring one that offers mini classes if you choose to take them. Always a good time!!

Linda in MO

How exciting to be getting ready for a retreat. I'm envious. Went to a 4-day in Texas a few months ago and looking forward to going again in November. It's great to have nothing to do but sew, talk, laugh, sew, talk, laugh, sew all day for several days in a row. Have a great time at your retreat.

Jan, where is the retreat? Your avatar says Gulf Coast, and I'm in the Houston area. Four days sounds like heaven. I know you will get a lot accomplished. I made myself a portable ironing table from a wooden TV table purchased at WalMart. Covered it with 2 thin layers of batting, a piece of the Teflon fabric and muslin. It's just the right height to sit and press at. And I can set my cutting mat right on top of it if I need to trim. I smiled when I saw the plastic boxes, because that's how I keep my WIPs.

I am a member of two guilds and am going on retreat in September with one and January with another. Both are at the same place outside Navasota. Plus several of us are talking about doing a small group retreat at some point. There are several retreat centers in this area and we are checking into all of them to see what amenities they provide. I've been to a couple in Conroe and one outside Canton.

Misty's Mom -- One of the guilds I belong to meets in Atascocita, if that's not too far from you. You're welcome to come anytime. Check out our website at Peace By Piecing Quilt Guild.

This sounds like so much fun!

Give us a report when you get back!

I got back yesterday afternoon - then napped the evening away, was in my pjs by 8 and in bed by 10 - that's early for me. Whew! I'm exhausted from so much fun. I got a full/queen WIP finished, 2 twins, 2 throws, and 3 pillow cases. I took everything cut - last year there was a cutting board hog so I learned to not plan on having a big space to cut. I had my 18X24 mat at the end of my table so could cut there when I needed to. There were 14 of us and we did eat, talk, laugh, and sew at all hours. I'm a night owl and one "night" went to bed at 5:30 AM! My dearest friend was my roommate.

The retreat is held at The Orchard at Caney Creek right outside Wharton, TX. This site is used for weddings, receptions, reunions, retreats, etc. It's a wonderful place! The lady who runs it and her mother both live on site and are both quilters. That's a bonus!

Our local quilt shop organizes the retreat - that seems to be an unusual thing. The Cedar Chest Quilt Shoppe in El Campo, TX is my LQS. The owner generally hosts 3 retreats a year - January, June, and July. This year it was January, June, and August. This July retreat was called the Teacher's Retreat because those of us who are teachers can't go in January or August. Of the 14 people at this retreat 9 of us are teachers.

Here's a pic of the pile I got done. When I get them quilted and bound I'll post them separately - don't hold your breaths! :)