Spending time with Michele

As promised, I am back to report on the last few days here at Number 8, with back to back retreats with Michele Hill. It has been a fantastic few days, spending time with 2 great groups of ladies. It was time to spend working on any of Michele's designs, with Michele.

We were joined by her collection of Peter Rabbits, who watched over us while we worked. Aren't they just the cutest little guys?

GROUP 1

The first group arrived on Friday afternoon, and were here until Sunday afternoon. The weather was perfect, and a few meals, and cuppas were enjoyed outside.

Gypsy the cat, found quite a few cat lovers to pet her. She even got her photo on Michele's blog.

Quite a few of the local girls called in to see Michele, and have a cuppa, but in between all that, there was lots of sewing happening, as you can see in the following photos.

 I managed to get a little bit of cutting done, for my "Dear William" quilt, that is in the very early stages of happening. I have quilted a lot of William Morris quilts, for customers over the last few years, and decided that I wanted one of my own, and purchased the whole pack which was a BOM. And there is one lady here, who picks up my camera for a few sneaky shots!

That sneaky lady with the camera also managed to snap Michele as she was marking quilting lines on one of her new quilts, that she has made using bright colours.

And this is another Michelle, (with 2 ll's), who has started her first William Morris quilt. She is also doing Dear William, and her text message to me after the weekend said...."Thanks for a fab weekend. I am totally obsessed with Dear William ......." I love the colours she has chosen for her quilt.

 This is the group 1 photo, taken Sunday afternoon. It is always hard to find one where everyone has a nice smile, and this was the best of everyone else, and me with my mouth open, saying, who knows what?

Michele, with her feet up, hand stitching in progress, one evening, while watching the news, to see what had happened in the world. 

The last of group 1 left early on Monday morning, to go back to the city, and it was then action time, to cleanup, remake the beds and prepare for group 2, who arrived just after lunch that day.

GROUP 2

The weekend weather had been glorious, but by Monday it was heating up, so the curtains were closed, and both airconditioners were running day and night to keep the temperature comfortable inside. There was one early riser who spent time outside sitting in the garden, and some ventured to the local shop one day, but mostly we were closeted inside. With the windows closed you could almost imagine you were in another world, although the daily newspaper and computers don't let you be too isolated.

These are Michele's boxes that some of the girls were making.

And this tree with the colourful, embellished birds was gorgeous.

There were even 2 babies in the nest!

A hive of activity with group 2.

Michele spent quite a bit of time making bowls. The one in the background is now sitting on the filing cabinet and filled with my keys. Thankyou Michele.

 I do hope the stitching was still neat, after a few sips of this drink, which was called, "Limoncello". From all reports, it was delicious.

Photo of group 2.

The was much discussion re this gorgeous container of Michele's, and the girls were trying to work out how it was made. If anyone can tell us how it was done, we would love to hear from you!!

Once again, it has been great to spend time with 2 lovely groups of ladies. Group 1 mostly knew each other, but group 2 did not, and it was not long before they got to know each other. There was lots of laughter, and stories, and new friendships made. The range of subjects to talk about was vast, and I often think that a group of quilters could rule this country, and the world, better than those who are supposed to.

Thank you to those who came, and to Michele for your vast William and May Morris, Peter Rabbit and Beatrix Potter knowledge. Your work is amazing. And I especially thank you for your friendship, and giving us your time.

Blessings,
From Jude