Retreat Repeat 2018

WARNING!!!  PICTURE-HEAVY POST is an understatement!!

Retreat Repeat 2018 at Lake Bluff

Day One - Monday, Sept 24

Two groups of two quilters arrived for the retreat.  The second pair were just in time for sunset:

Cottages on the way to the sunset spot. Scroll down to view the beautiful progression of the first day's sunset from different viewpoints on Lake Ontario. 

Day Two - Tuesday, Sept 25

Morning arrived to a subdued sunrise.

Two anxious quilters awaited the final two, as mystery instructions could not be provided via text or email. Sew... One of the two went out to take more photos:

This is the edge of the Bluff, it's planted with specific plants to prevent erosion.

This squirrel deterrent reminded us of Joanna's bird feeder hanging system. 

This lovely quilt made by Candy was displayed in the cutting room. 

Remember the challenge from the first retreat at the Bluff?  Joy gave all quilters this print  and everyone made something different.  This was Candy's creative solution to the challenge. 

Everyone got set up at their sewing spot.

Ruth dazzled us with this amazing king sized quilt!

Ruth's project for the week is working on the appliqué borders .

Eventually, the last pair of quilters arrived!

Deborah's fabric for the mystery quilt.
Ready to meet the rotary blade!

Linda completed her initial cutting...

Then started sewing.

Gayle's acrylic felt applique bunny.

The artists at work!

Gayle is taking a break and checking to see what Bluffer Linda is working on.

The Sewing House.  Right on the shores of Lake Ontario.

Deborah is almost done with her initial cutting.

Joy hurried into the food cottage to get this shot of hungry quilters.

Fancy colored pencil sets...

... And colorful stones occupy the artists' table.

What an intricate design, Margaret!

Guess who is busy cutting fabric scraps???

It's Joy, of course!

Bluffer, Linda, made quick work of sewing and moved on to pressing 4-Patches.

Smile for a group shot!!

Many thanks to the man behind the camera!!  We appreciate your assistance, John.

This step was sewn by Margaret...

While Linda (Margaret's Mom) worked on another projects.

Ruth is getting set up to do some applique.

Guess who went bright and bold???

You will see this view many times.  It's even more breathtaking in person!

Heron sighting!

Art Quilt, anyone?

Joy thinks this shot has quilt potential...

... As does this one.

Deborah made a Hostess Gift for Ruth.

Day Three - Wednesday, Sept 26:

Good morning, Lake Bluff!!

The day dawned gray and damp...

As the fog rolled in....

and out.

Joy was prepared!

We were sewing...

Gayle is thrilled to be at The Bluff!!

Capturing a butterfly ("on film".)

Changeable skies, the quilters keep on sewing.

"Bluff Linda" was happy to be able to join us for this retreat.

She's making quick work of this flannel quilt.

Candy is sad to see the erosion that has taken place in the years since we last visited.

The edge encroaches.

After lunch, quilters walked around to see more of the bluff. 

That's Bluffer Linda's cottage right on the edge...

What's this??

Margaret found a four leaf clover!

Looking for some sunlight...

We all loved this view of the lake from the sewing house.

Another art quilt idea...

Looks like a storm off to the west.

So glad to bee sewing!

Ruth completed the applique on her first border.

Block A and Block B of the Magical Mystery Quilt Project

Candy prepares to start sewing her first block. 

Linda's 4-Patch units ready for assembly.

She finished her 1st 4-Patch, but there are more to follow!

Candy pleased with her 1st 4-patch.

Gayle completed her goat.

Linda's daughter is making progress on her project.

These are the materials that Gayle is working with.

Deborah's 1st 4-Patch is sewn.

Her units are taking longer because she wants to keep things random.

Joy's block parts are all ready to go.

WARNING! WARNING!!

DANGER KEEP OFF THE SLOPE!

The sun is slowly sinking down...

Sewing or sunset?  What's a quilter to do?

Glorious views!

Race in and out, obviously!

We were playing with Joy's sample blocks.

Linda finished a block!

Margaret concentrates on a beautiful design.

Relax and enjoy the following sequence of photos of another glorious Lake Ontario sunset.

Ahhh...I feel better...how about you?

Quilters and neighbors enjoy the sunset. 

It's quiet sometimes at sunset.

Different views....changing colors

Watching the sunset...

Bluff Linda's primary mode of transportation, while at her cottage.

Packing it in for the day.  Notice the sunset view out the windows across the room.

Last view of this evening's sunset through the trees.

Random shots from around The Bluff:

Ruth's House Tour:

What a beautiful quilt and wall hanging in Ruth's bedroom. 

This pumpkin quilt is perfect for this time of year!

Ruth's sewing room includes this lovely red and white quilt. 

Ruth's inspiration board!

Ruth's Bluff Quilt won and Honorable Mention at the NY State Fair.
Congratulations Ruth!


The house tour was followed by another glorious sunset:

More random shots from around the Bluff:

This house will be moved back next fall due to erosion at the Bluff. 

This house will be torn down. :(

The sewing house equipped with sewing tables facing Lake Ontario!  Also bunk house for Candy and Joy. 

Wildlife on The Bluff:

Hungry squirrel

Sweet chipmunk

Day Four - Thursday, Sept 27:

Joy is back at her machine sewing....

... And sewing...

... And sewing!!

Meanwhile, Candy finished her first blocks.

Linda also finished some blocks.

Ruth S. is busy preparing additional applique pieces.

Deborah's scrappy batik blocks may take more time, but they certainly are pretty!

Gayle is working on another animal.

Bluff resident, Donna, is working on some small art pieces.

Morning views for today...

Oh! What's this?

Margaret has put that amazing marker set to work!

Here is a previous finish.  Such fine detail work!!

Joy had Ruth bring over a design wall for testing layouts.

Deborah and Candy tried it out right away.

Joy put it up over a rug hanging on the wall.

And the fun began with Candy auditioning her blocks.

Everyone got a turn.  These are Linda's blocks in her first choice.

Then, Linda tried the start of a Barn Raising set.

Deborah added more blocks to the wall.

Here, you see Linda's design filled in.

Gayle finished her hummingbird!

Linda observes as Candy puts her blocks on the design wall. 

Here's one possible layout for the quilt.

Candy added more blocks. Hmmm...not so sure about the solid blue on the bottom row. 

Margaret continues her latest design. 

We posted blocks A and B on the wall so quilters would not get confused!

Donna made this quilt for her mother.  

Group shot on Thursday.

The photo above came before the one including Ruth.

We're all laughing, as we wait...

... For Ruth (who was busy. Telling a story.)

Linda previews a collection of Beatrix Potter fabric.  She plans to make a baby quilt for a co-worker. 

Donna is excited to see what fabrics Linda will choose. 

Looks like Joy is ready for some chain piecing!

Vrrroom....Chain piecing with Lake Ontario views....priceless!

Wow...that was lightning fast chain piecing Joy!

Joy's blocks get pressed. 

What layout will Joy choose?

Ruth is excited to have a this lovely appliqué border completed. 

Ruth is happy to see how it looks next to the blue border.

Maybe the blue border should be smaller?

It's fun to test out borders before one sews. 

Close up of Ruth's wonderful appliqué work. 

Evolution of Joy's quilt.

Sew

many

possibilities!

It's game night! This is the Five Crowns  group.

This is the Quiddler group. 

Five  Crowns is a Rummy like game with two deck and five suits. 

Quiddler is a word game. 

Scoring the game....Deborah was the winner for Five Crowns!

Margaret wins Quiddler!

Joy volunteered to be the clean-up crew:

A walk on the beach:

Linda found a wooden light stick. 

View of the trees down from a recent storm. 

This lake rocks!😀

Another view near the bay. 

The Green House. 

Day Five - Friday, Sept 28

Two groups of two quilters departed.

One group of two quilters remained.

One went for a morning walk with one of the Bluffers:

Beautiful Monarch butterfly...soon to fly south.

Joy and Donna on their morning walk. 

A picture-perfect morning view.

Rock collecting.  It's the Bluff way.

Two went Apple-ing with two of the Bluffers in the midday:

And then there was an afternoon of MORE sewing:

Linda is almost finished quilting this quilt. 

A closer view

Coffee and quilting 

Ruth works on her appliqué border.

Joy gets her layout ready to sew.

Barn door layout for Joy's quilt

Looks like chain piecing is getting ready to happen.

Joys has five strips ready for more chain piecing!

This quilt will be finished before sundown!

Ruth adds some finishing touches to her appliqué .

Close up

Kathryn visits the quilters!

Joy's quilt top is finished and what a wonderful photo of quilting by the lake!

Wait!  You hold it and I'll take the photo!  LOL!!

Hello, Nimble Thimbles back at home!

Look at all you missed, but know that YOU were missed here, too!

Donna creates intricate drawings.  Notice the semiprecious stone in the center of the top left.  She will frame these in shadow boxes. 

Donna is preparing her art work of a show called,  "Into the Woods."

What a wonderful week!!  Thank you SEW much, Ruth S., for hosting us all.  Our love for your "other home" is immeasurable.

DISCLAIMERS:

Please forgive any duplicate photos in this post.  With two photographers, there were more photos than we could (and TWO editors, sort through.)  Believe me when I tell you, we tried!

The editors know that there are probably more sunset photos than you ever hoped to see on a quilting blog, but The Bluff is ALL about the sunsets!!

We attempted to consolidate and planned to separate the post by retreat day, but ultimately, you get what you get (and you don't throw a fit.)

Until next time...
Enjoy the Repeat Retreat!!!