Friday, Teresa and I headed out to our retreat very early. I had indicated in my prior post that the retreat was located somewhere a bit different. It was at Camp Blanding which is located in a more rural area and is on a beautiful lake.
Our retreat activities were held at the Armory in the Drill Hall. We took all our meals in the dining hall with the service members and ate what they did. The food was delicious - lobster for lunch? Really? Yep, really!
We had to be out of the Drill Hall by midnight so it could be locked up. Here is the scene Friday night at just a few minutes before midnight. Teresa and I stayed until midnight both nights and were at our table by 9 am each day. I was worried about it being so loud with about 200 men and women at the retreat but the high ceiling height helped. It wasn't loud at all.
The first day, the General came to see us at lunch and the retreat organizer donated a quilt for him to give to a soldier. They had just got back from Afghanistan and one solider was killed. The General was going to give that quilt to the family. It was a very emotional moment. 4 more quilts of valor were donated - I know one is going to a service member with lung cancer. I'm not sure about the other 3. The General talked to us for a few minutes. He was entertaining and not stuffy at all. Not a good picture but he wasn't hard on the eyes either!
And another shot closer to dark.
Friday after setting up my "nest" and socializing more than I thought possible, I worked on my applique blocks for the 2010 $5 quilt. I have two more pieced blocks and 4 applique setting triangles to make and I'll be ready to sew the blocks together. I had already had the backgrounds on these blocks pieced and the applique fused down. I just stitched around each piece. All those thread changes took some time (and so did all the gabbing). The day just flew by and I was shocked at how little I got done.
Next time, I might hand applique those tiny circles in the picture above.
I also managed to start a new knitting project.
Barely. I started at 11pm.
I took waaaay too much stuff to do. I guess you could say I was over prepared. I'd rather that happen than not have enough to do. Next time, I'll edit just a bit to see if I can find a happy place with how much to bring. I really underestimated how long the applique would take. I'll post more about Saturday and Sunday activities later in the week. Happy Stitches!
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31 comments:
Well that's an unusual place for a stitching retreat! How nice that the donated quilt was made and you had the visit from the general. Ya think the lobster was special because you guys were there?
You did some nice quilt work and knitting too. All in all, sounds a very special retreat!
Looks like a wonderful place for a stitching retreat! So cool! It always happens, doesn't it? Things always take longer than we think they will. Your quilt blocks are so pretty though, as is your new knitting project! Glad you had fun!
Seems like it was fun AND rewarding (with being able to donate something to a family that could really use a lift right now.)
Glad to hear that you had a good time AND got a bit of your projects done - in between "socializing"!!! That's how it is at rug camp, only throw in SHOPPING too. You must be disciplined to get things done - but it's fun!!! Ha-Ha!
I rarely leave home without bags projects. Wishful thinking, I guess. Love your Jenny Bean Halloween. Almost done!!!
What a fabulous weekend! I love your quilt blocks. The shawlette pattern looks fun to knit.
Love love love those blocks....glad you are having a good time.
Sounds like a great time. Love your applique blocks!
Sounds like you had fun! Where is that Fort Blanding?
I spent many happy days and weekends on Kingsley Lake as a teenager before my folks bought their nearby lake place. I heard from Katie that it was a blast. Nice to hear what you thought and agreed with her on the retreat. So neat to hear about the quilts donated to the service men and women. Your applique project is lovely and the new knitting start is nice too. Mel
It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time. Lobster??? Wow, sounds good to me. I would love to go to something like that - all that time to work on projects! Your applique blocks look absolutely perfect. It's going to be a stunning when it's finished.
Love that yarn that you're using too. Can't wait to see more pictures of your time.
The armory is a great space and the scenery is so beautiful. I think a sewing retreat would be a glorious time!
Oh my, Camp Blanding. I spent several consecutive summers there at US Army Reserves annual training. Fond memories of Cliff!
Oh you went! How fun. Did you make or meet any new friends, too?
Jackie, it sounds like you had the most wonderful weekend! Your applique is beautiful, and what a great start you got on your knitting. I would much rather have too much than to sit around wishing I had brought more! Beautiful place for a retreat. Paulette and I talked this morning. ;) I think she might be feeling a little bit better.
That's an interesting place to have a retreat! Guess they kept y'all all in line!
Love the sunset pic too! Glad you had a good, productive time.
Sounds like a wonderful time for you - btw, love your "rolling tote" in your previous post :)
he is cute.....yummy.....looks like y'all had a great time....
What a great experience! Sounds like a great retreat at an unusual place. Love your applique blocks! Beautiful colors and design.
Glad you had a good time at the retreat.
I was really touched to read about the quilt donations. Our servicemen deserve the best.
Sounds like you had a good weekend. The setting looks great. Did you actually sleep on camp too?
Your applique blocks look great, I'm looking forward to seeing the quilt all put together.
Hi Jackie, it sounds like you had a wonderful time in that so special area for a quilting retreat :-))
I read your post and looked at all your pictures with a great pleasure.
Thanks for sharing with us your retreat .
Take care,
Isa
Sounds like you had a wonderful time Jackie. Thank you for sharing the photos.
What an interesting and wonderful place for a retreat! I enjoyed knowing that the group found a way to "pay back" that helped some soldiers know they are being remembered. I absolutely KNEW you wouldn't be able to touch everything you took on retreat with you! What a hoot! I think you learned a lesson there and next time, instead of filling a trunk, I'll bet you'll be taking a shoulder bag! Glad you had a good time.
What a fun and interesting weekend you had. And that a quilt was donated to a soldier's family, wow, that is so awesome. And that General is definitely good looking. Sounds like so much fun. You go to some really great retreats Jackie!! BTW, what are you knitting, I can't figure it out?
Pea Green!! That's absolutely what I am.
Amazing!
That room looks huge, with room to set up and spread out. How wonderful!! Gosh, it would be great to go on a retreat like that. You just get to have all the fun!!! I love your applique blocks - they are just beautiful.
Looks like a great place for a retreat. Love your applique blocks.
Cool place for a retreat! How awesome about the quilt being donated. Sounds like fun - great blocks!
The retreat looks amazing. It is quite an unusal place, but seemed to have lots of character.
That is a touching gift to give to the family.
The applique blocks look really special. You have a great talent.
General Gallant?? REALLY?? That's awesome.
Your appliquéd quilt blocks (triangles?) are beautiful!
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