Saturday, June 30, 2012

CRAZY QUILT RETREAT

I spent June 20 to the 23rd. at the Crazy Quilt Retreat in O'Fallon, IL which is about 300 miles south of Chicago right across from St. Louis. It is all due to the work of Mary Anne Griffin that we have continued on after the Omaha retreat fell apart. This is the third year for it and it gets better with time. I went in 2010 and then could not attend last year but was back again this year. There was a large contingent from Kansas City plus a lot of our old regulars like Mona from MN with 2 of her MN group, our dear Kate from Il.,Lydia Talbot from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and her SIS from CA. Karen South came with a friend from Louisville, Martha Green and Donna Johnson drove together from OK. Yvvone Streeter from Dallas and Lisa Caryl from Iowa were there. Also quite a few others whose names I cannot remember. Mary Anne had arranged for a large meeting room and there was plenty of room for those who bought their machines to sew and lots of tables for those who wanted to sell stuff. I had done a partial clean out before I came so bought a lot of stuff down and sold a lot. I  could have a retreat and sell every week and not get through all I have collected over the years. A lot is going to Goodwill once I have been through everything.

I did not get the names of the two ladies in the above picture but they both were doing some beautiful work.
The lady on the right was making a wall hanging with the basket being made in the log cabin style.  The flowers were all made with the Kumihoma flower makers.  I was very impressed with them and I must buy myself one or two to try them.


Mona was taking a picture of me as I was taking one of her. Next is MaryAnne who  made all this possible.
Here is a pic of Lydia Talbot and Martha Green.
Lydia had brought her wonderful CQ king sized bedspread for the girls to see that Martha Green made for her and gave it to her in Omaha a few years back.  I had seen it then but it was just as wonderful looking at it for the second time.  I don't know how Martha handled all that fabric.
Lydia's birthday happened to fall on the Friday and her husband and SIL arranged for a wonderful cake that we all shared..

Will be back tomorrow with more pics.  I have to give thanks to Bonnie Dudley from Iowa who took the time to show me how to post pictures on the new blogger.  Thank you so much Bonnie.  Now I can actually put text under the pictures.

7 comments:

Connie Eyberg Originals said...

I wondered what happened to the Omaha retreats. I'm somewhat new to CQ (2nd year) and had asked a couple of bloggers about it with no response. I had found the Omaha site while browsing and even signed on with interest (since I live just across the river in CB, IA) with no response. Now I know it no longer exists. It looks like you are all having fun and creating some beautiful pieces. Thanks for sharing photos.

Gina E. said...

Hi Freda, lovely to see you back on your blog! Didn't you have some problems with your computer a while ago? I did wonder if you were still off line when you hadn't been here for a while, but now I see you have been busy elsewhere! Gosh, you ladies get around the countryside - so many of you from all those states! I have been invited to a couple of retreats here, but for various reasons (usually financial) I haven't been able to go to any. Maybe one day I will...

Cathy said...

Oh my! I am going for sure next year!!! How great to see pix of everyone again. That is dear Bonnie Hargrove (left) in your first picture. hugs, Cathy K

Pat Winter Gatherings said...

I might join you all next year. I'd love to meet all of those I've become online friends with. I feel like I know you already so we must meet in that fun environment!

Queen Bee's Musings said...

So glad to see you posting and getting those pictures on..
Loved those treasures I got from you and will cherish the quilt tops! Bring more next year please!!!

Maggi said...

How lovely to have time to yourself to just go and be able to sew. Beautiful flower baskets.

Magpie's Mumblings said...

Wish they had something like this near to where I live - it must be incredible to be able to spend time with so many like-minded people.