Well, another of Suzanne's retreats has come and gone! This past weekend, quilters from all over Georgia--actually, from all over the United States!!!--joined together at the Gerorgia Baptist Conference Center in Norman Park, Georgia for another fun weekend of quilting. Because the 2009 Fall Retreat was such a success, Suzanne couldn't pass up the opportunity to host a Spring themed event.
This time around, just like Fall 2009, the Retreat weekend project was another surprise! Before they arrived, the only information quilters were given was the theme "Spring Brings a Garden of Quilts" and the colorways they had to choose from: Sunrise (pastels on white), Midday (brights on white), or Evening (batiks on black). Just like the retreats before this, Suzanne kept the entire project under wraps until her grand reveal at the retreat. And the grand reveal still kept a lot of secrets from the quilters! Of course, everyone was given all of the fabrics in their chosen colorway to complete the project. But the entire project was still a secret--Suzanne handed out the pattern and instructions one step at a time! So, this kept her secret going even longer. The quilters would see what they were making as they finished the project! Below, you can see the creative display of fabrics that was true to the theme of the weekend. Each colorway was rolled into a rose-shaped spiral and placed into a decorative tin flower pot. Once all the flower pot fabrics were revealed the sewing room was filled with the brightness of Spring, sounds of happy chirping from the elated quilters, and a cool Springtime breeze from their busy sewing machines.
Sunrise/Pastels: Midday/Brights:
Evening/Batiks:
Once the first round of instructions were handed out, fabrics were cut and sewn nonstop! Nonstop, that is, until it was time to take a break for more delicious food. There was also the Block Challenge to vote on. The Block Challenge was a fun extra project that the quilters worked on before they came for the weekend. Each quilter came to the retreat with a finished block and all blocks were displayed at the Retreat. Each quilter voted for his or her favorites: winner of best technique went to Jimmy Gainey and the other three awards most creative, most unusual, and most popular went to Sandy.
By the end of the weekend, everyone was full from the delicious meals served by the Conference Center Staff and happy with the quilts they had put together. Thanks to all who came to the 2010 Spring Retreat. It is because of our loyal and enthusiastic quilters that we can host such fun, eventful, and productive retreats for you all. We are already looking forward to our next retreat, believe it or not! The 2010 Fall Retreat will be held during the first weekend in November, the 5th, 6th, and 7th. Check our next eNewsletter for links to our 2010 Fall Retreat information.
3a07863a-2826-4242-8021-42eca78a06c2|1|5.0