Retreat number 3........Midweek Mystery............

 Time for more newsfromjude, before another day elapses. There has been so much happening that I have to stop and think about what day it actually is. I think it is Saturday, but it feels like Sunday. There is another event tomorrow afternoon and then I can get back to some sort of normality, whatever that is??

After the departure of the second retreat ladies, it was into action with laundry and remaking beds, some cleaning and another think about the menu. 

It was Tuesday afternoon when cars started arriving and another group of ladies unpacked their machines and luggage and moved into Number 8. For some reason I don't seem to have as many photos to post this time?? There was a lot of 'other' things happening in the background, and there was the last minute loading of the For Sale pages of the blog.

The starting procedure was the same with the allocation process of Bingo for them to choose which quilt they wished to make. After choosing there packs, it was not long before they were all set up and stitching away. This time there was one space vacant at the table. Unfortunately one lady had to cancel at the last minute due to a family illness.

Chris picked the Up, Down and Across quilt and was soon into her strip piecing.............

...and crosscutting them into units............

.......to be joined together..........

The centre of the top was assembled before home time and Chris will add the borders at home.

Margaret was the most 'senior' member of the group, and was also the first one to finish her top!! She worked on Carnaby Street............

.......almost ready for borders............

...and Ta Daaa, it was done!!

Alison chose Hydrangeas, which was a log cabin quilt.............

............and got to this stage before home time, all ready for the borders to be added at home.

Jenny chose Hawaiian trips, a scrappy trips quilt in batiks.

Here are the blocks laid out on the bed, and opinions were sought as to placement..........

Here the blocks are being sashed...........

and Ta Daa!! If you looked closely at the blocks on the bed, you might notice that this layout is quite different. Ask for opinions and you will receive many!! 

Raylene chose a simple quilt, called Stepping Stones.... a lot of strip piecing.......

..and of course when you have all your blocks cut you lay them out on the fabric shelves don't you??

On the bed........

.and Ta Daa, borders added and finished. (Well ready for the quilter anyway).

Sherrel chose In the Pink for her quilt.............

...............and ready for the borders to be added at home.

Pat was making Ajaisi............

                         .............and thought she was ready for borders at this stage...............

..but there was a couple of whoopsies in the photo above, so some time in the chair with the unpicker was necessary!!

...........and here is her finish, on the table. 

We enjoyed another special roast dinner one evening, and they all dressed for the occasion. Thankyou to all the girls at each retreat for joining in.

Once again Pat got them out of their seats to stretch the muscles.

On Thursday we received visits from special people who enjoyed birthday cake for morning tea, and also joined us for lunch. Thanks for coming to visit, we loved having you. (Note there is no rest for Raylene, who has to keep working even at coffee time!)

And of course, here is the obligatory group photo, taken inside as it was over 40 deg outside!!

We also had many competitions and games with lots of prizes from the treasure chests again. Not long after this photo was taken the bottom was revealed.

All too soon it was time for departure and the end of another wonderful time of laughter, fun, friends and stitching. 

Later I received this photo, from the lady who had to cancel, with the message......"I had picked these from my garden for you. I'm sorry I didn't get to deliver them."  

Aren't they beautiful? And we were sorry that she had to miss coming.

That's all for this post. There are still 2 open afternoons to chat about, and a zoom session, so it is not all over yet.

The For Sale page is open to end of February with 21% of all sales still donated to BCNA. Thankyou to those who have purchased already. The raffle will be drawn tomorrow afternoon, so you only have a few hours now to purchase tickets. 

Blessings, From Jude.