Our annual group retreat

This past weekend, it was the Gumtree Quilters annual retreat to Cockatoo Downs, a facility just off the highway between Bordertown and Keith. It is situated in a lovely, peaceful, rural setting, and there are many animals on the farm. As well as the Bordertown girls, there were some from Adelaide, Gawler, Padthaway, Keith, Kaniva and Stawell.

Meet Camilla the Camel, who escaped on Friday evening, and was "pruning" the roses, outside our workroom.

On Saturday morning, it was the goat and a sheep that needed rounding up and taking back to their enclosure. The goat, (whose name I have forgotten) would have come through the door into our room if we had let it.

Delma was admiring the poultry in this yard. They supplied us with eggs that were poached for brekkie each morning.

I am glad the pigs did not get out of their yard, and their was no bacon to go with the eggs.

A view of the conference centre, where we spent our days, sewing, and chatting, and laughing and eating. No duties to worry about, or meals to prepare!

One of the cottages for accommodation.

And another cottage up the hill. Around the other side were bunkhouse accommodations.

A lovely old wagon, which was later used for a quilt photo shoot.

There were 30 of us in the hall on Saturday. Some ladies stayed the whole weekend, and others came for a day.

This corner was popular for the hand workers, and was jokingly referred to as the "naughty corner".
It was also the warmest spot, just by the combustion heater. ( Most of the following photos don't need a comment.)

President Pat always makes us stand up at intervals and do some stretching exercises. This time she had us all doing the "hokey pokey!"

I was on a mission to complete some sewing on my days there, so did not take photos of everyone's projects, but there are a few. I spent more time sewing than socializing. (And thanks to Faye and Delma for sending me the photos they took.)

While we were in America, we attended a performance of the "Presley family" in Branson, and I purchased the DVD of the show. A few of us viewed this on Saturday evening, and it was good to watch and remember our time there.

The quilt on the right is the one I started last Sunday and finished on Thursday, that I have posted about. And the one on the right, I commenced on Friday morning, by cutting the fabric before I went to retreat. And just before lunch today, I sewed the final border on it!! (And both are kits that I purchased in the US!) Tis amazing that I have sewn 2 tops in a week! I have enjoyed my "piecing" fix and that will possibly be enough for awhile now. It is back to some serious work this week. Any spare time will be taken up with designing and cutting for the Mystery Cases, that are coming up fast.

A lot of the girls sewed their own projects for the weekend, and some made a zippered bag, which they are proudly showing in the following photo.

And some made quilts like this, in their chosen colours.

Beth was making a quilt for a friend, who had chosen it from a magazine.

And when I saw the article, that had been published years ago, I told Beth that it was designed by Lyn, one of the members of our group!

And can you see who quilted it!?

This retreat was also a small reunion for some of us who went the America. The 2 whose backs you can see, are showing the labels of their purchased jumpers. Mine had the label on the front. We had lots to reminisce about. And you might notice that Pat is wearing her "duck" whistle that we were all given on the trip. (As our President, she used this a lot on the weekend, to get our attention, and bring us to order).

Now the front view, Pat, Raylene, Faye, Delma and yours truly. (Raylene had originally been on the list for the trip, but unfortunately had to cancel due to family illness. But if you read my travel blogs, you will know that she (and Margaret), came with us in spirit, as a "flat pack"). - see photo below

Another travel story is that Faye was "chosen" to go on the stage when we were on the Showboat in Branson, and had to "assist" the magician in his performance. Her role was to use a pair of scissors to cut a rope, and then say Ta Daa...!!  In recognition of her role President Pat presented her with a pair of scissors, and a piece of rope!

And I might add, that since that moment on our trip, and since we have returned home, when there is a special moment, we stand up and spread our arms and say Ta daaaa!!! (Although we have a bit more practice yet, to achieve a level of excellence to match Faye!!) Even those who did not come on the trip with us, are now saying Ta Daaa! There were a lot of Ta daa special moments on the weekend.

These are the quilt photos outside on the wagon.

And of course there has to be a group photo on the log at each retreat. 

It was another amazing weekend, with lots of fun and laughter. There were some new faces at retreat, and lots of regulars. And of course lots was achieved.

I arrive home about 3.30, unpacked the car, and quickly lit the fire. After downloading my photos, I retired to the lounge to write this post. And now it is time for an early night, in readiness for the week ahead. I have lots that needs doing, but I will be following doctors orders.

Blessings, From Jude