I guess I took a little unplanned break from blogland. I think this has been my longest time between posts ever! ?
Well you really haven't missed much. Valentines day came and went, pretty uneventful. We did our usual seafood dinner which is always a treat...even tho' we do it often really but we make it more special on Valentines Day.
I have had some pretty bad flares from my rheumatoid arthritis, in my hands. I'm sure it's due to weather and a lot of prep for my then upcoming quilt retreat.
Our weather has been so strange this winter, warm, cold, rain, snow and ice.
This past weekend I went to my annual quilt retreat up in the north Georgia mountains, Hiawassee to be exact. It was kind of sketchy this year as there was snow, ice and mountain driving. Which some took the interstate and I did not. I took the mountains.
I'm a Minnesota girl I can drive it right? I mean we don't have mountains in MN but we do get snow and ice. Which it is dangerous to have those conditions in the mountains, but I gotta tell ya it's one of my favorite things about this weekend is driving through the mountains, alone and taking in the pure beauty!
The higher I got the foggier it got or should I say clouder...it was clouds actually I was driving into.
It was our 5th year of our quilt retreat and I have been to all 5! Jennie our fearless leader out did herself! She does a wonderful job making a fun and different experience each year. She works hard all year on this and it shows.
Our theme this year was at the movies. We had many prizes, games, a dance and song show and awards, along with a surprise speaker!
We each received a the smaller popcorn bucket with treats at check in...I don't know about you but I still get so excited to get the little things!
I just had to show you that I am famous as well...see my name on the clap board? Janet and I usually take photos for our group and post them on our snapfish account.
One of the many games we play.
I had gotten a flare up in my right hand on Friday night so I just sat, visited and gave my opinion on quilt lay outs, like the one Ana is working on.
Some of the quilt goodies to purchase from our surprise speaker.
Our surprise speaker is Jennifer Jangles. She has the cutest things! Love her fun colors, they are so happy!
A very and fun talented group of ladies who put on a little song and dance to the music of Shake it off but with their own lyrics about quilting. It was great!
The Sassy Stitchers, 5 years strong, a fun loving group of friends!
P. S.
This group of ladies are so much fun that they took advantage of the snow early Friday morning and made a Sassy Stitcher Snowlady to great us upon arrival.
Hugs,
Tania
Sassy Stitcher sign in/welcome table. This years theme is ice cream or sweets. Pam made the quilt on the table, so cute! Or should I say so sweet?!
I made several bags this weekend. I was making them for the craft show Mr. Man and I were going to be in but I sold them right off the machine. Oh well they sold! Here are two of the four I made of this style. They are mini bags.
Every morning I would go outside (the back yard) and look at the lake and the mountains. A beautiful setting I think I would enjoy this view every morning.
Another style bag I made. Ugh I can't tell you how I fretted over this easy peasy bag! Hours and hours and many times taken apart and then it clicked in my brain so easy. I was making this bag much more difficult than it was. I love it so cute!
Saturday night after dinner it was ice cream time! So cute once again!
I'm lactose intolerant so I just had a small sample of the sweet treat. We also got to keep the bowl and spoon. One of the ladies didn't have any ice cream but she let me have her bowl and spoon for Mickey. Nice!
Some of the ladies put on a skit from the story of A Christmas Carol but had to do with quilting. So funny! Joan, the one in pink was the creator of this skit.
This is Katherine showing us her beautiful quilt.
Another bag style I made, this is an origami bag
Theris, Joan and Barbara made the same quilt together they are absolutely adorable. I know you can't see them very good but they are Christmas trees and snowmen with lots of polka dots.
What a fun retreat it went by so fast. This year I did win a door prize which was the first time for me! It was a Jim Shore I already had! Go figure! So I gave it away to someone who really wanted it.
This year we there was a massage therapist available for those who wanted a chair massage or hand. (ahem my idea) Everyone had at least one of the two and some had both. I gave up my second spot to someone else but I did get a chair massage. It was wonderful!
Good times, good food and good friends.
Hugs,
Tania
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