Shelley, sorry we didn’t really get a chance to talk this year. You always think there’s gonna be more time and then there isn’t!

YDritch said:

so glad to be home but can't wait until next year

Amen! 

Thanks, thanks Misha!  That encourages us And helps know how to help each other....

quilters absolutely are the best!

Judy, thank you so much for being my secret sister this year! You did an amazing job of finding thrifty little treasures for me. I wore my kitty slippers today, they’re so comfortable! I didn’t have any slippers here in the city so they were much appreciated.

You truly spoiled me, and the mug rug is just so beautiful. I really got to looking at it today and I’m amazed at the beautiful stitching. 

That said, I was truly caught off guard by how sneaky you were! In fact, if I were Shelley I’d be casting a suspicious eye in your direction… LOL

Ami_Quilts (sewingupasto) said:

Misha I am sorry that time got away from us and we did not actually get to do some cutting and sewing on your dress

it’s OK, retreat is just like that! We always think there’s time for everything and then there’s a bajillion distractions because we have so many fun things to do! But those tips you gave me on modifying the shirt were super helpful. And I love the idea of using an existing garment as a pattern. I have an old sundress that will be perfect to follow. I got the sleeves off, as well as the collar yesterday as things were winding down.

I also am grateful for the tips on the Flying Geese border. I really thought that I was going to want them to be very uniform, but after seeing your ideas I think I will go freeform instead.

JulietDeltaOscar (fixin2quilt) said:

I would like to have everything unpacked

in that respect, I am the polar opposite of Carolyn. I’m actually sitting here trying to figure out just how much stuff I can KEEP in the suitcase for next year. Totally serious.

Similar to Mel, I got a really bad headache post retreat, but was able to avoid them during the retreat. Just in the last hour or so I’ve finally started to recover. I slept most of today away (after getting up briefly and going to the grocery store for essentials).  

I wanted to thank all of the hostesses for their hard work and dedication! With so much going on, nothing is ever going to be exactly perfect but it’s darn sure close. 

Though I didn’t win a door prize this year, the selection was most excellent. The massage therapists are always a highlight, and much-needed indeed. The goody bags were lovely, and the needle case will come in very handy. 
 

It was wonderful seeing all the challenges, and I’m already trying to think of something for the new fabric. 

Sharon, thank you for the loaner 301, she sewed like a dream!

And last but surely not least, Becky, I can’t thank you enough for taking on the challenge of running our first secret sister in a decade! I had a tremendous amount of fun both as a recipient and as a participant. I’m still trying to figure out who the rogue participant was this year, LOL. Like someone else said, there are so many potential suspects! Judy Akers sure surprised me with how sneaky she could be. Patty was asking an awful lot of questions, was that to deflect suspicion away from herself? And then there’s Viola…you gotta watch out for the ones that seem the least likely suspect.

Filed chapter 11 bankruptcy 

I *just now* unzipped my big suitcase and put a load of laundry in to wash.  I fretted all day about my debit card being hacked, but couldn't do anything more about it than I had already done on Friday, because the bank was closed today for President's Day.  Until the bank opens on Tuesday morning, I had to just cool my jets and settle down.  Nothing I could do about it anyway.  I did have some typing to do for "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," so I got that done to get some hours in for the day.  But you can bet I will be at the bank tomorrow morning as soon as it opens to get a new card and see what can be done about the unauthorized charges that the bank did NOT catch before Friday.  I tried not to let it ruin my retreat weekend.  Nothing could be better than getting to see quilting friends in person, and I had a great time.  Although I did not get any charity tops done for Ellen or Jetta during the retreat, I plan to do plenty of those in my new sewing room soon!   

Even good things (like retiring and buying a house) are sometimes stressful, and we'll see what happens when I submit my two weeks' notice TOMORROW.  I'm always a little scared every time I quit a job, but almost always very relieved and glad I did it.  It's just the ACT of resigning itself that is kind of scary - especially when I have been there for 13.5 years.       

Misha (MISHAMISHA) said:

Shelley, sorry we didn’t really get a chance to talk this year. You always think there’s gonna be more time and then there isn’t!

Isn't that the truth??   This year, I opted to work on one of Ellen's charity tops, so I spent Thursday evening and all day Friday on that.  I swear that top kept growing pieces to be sewed on!  One of the "problems" with a sewing machine project is that you really are tied to your machine and table.  You'll get a bunch of chatting done with your tablemates but not too many others.

Then on Saturday, I was working on my Hawaiian Applique and sitting with Kim & Linda Puttman.   I could have certainly wandered about the room, but as you pointed out .. there's really only so much time!

Mr. Pirate mentioned to me, upon my return, that it seemed that I had just left.  For such a long trip, why wasn't the Retreat longer ... like 4-5 days?   !!!!!!   Well, I told him .. SOME people actually have jobs they need to show up at.    What a concept.  :-)  

Next year, Gadget, next year.  :-)