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April Showers and Another Retreat!


Hello April- We got it, the April showers thing.  The sun has finally come out but we have had some cold and rainy days here. The poor weather has kept me inside and sewing has been my outlet.  I guess the groundhog knows his business- will it ever warm up? 
Tomorrow I leave for another retreat.  This one is at Cactus Rose in Stephenville, TX.  I was there last year and really enjoyed the retreat center.  I am bringing several projects that should keep me busy for a few days.   Keep reading to see what projects I am bringing and what has happened since we last talked.
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Martha
Month 11 of Martha BOM, pattern and fabric kits by Treehouse Textiles, is now completed and I just got impatience - I just wanted to get started putting the top together.  So above is the start with the first row of blocks.  Even with Month 12 to come, I can get a lot of the top pieced together. My blocks are fitting together nicely and it is looking great.

The second and third rows are constructed as much as I can without Month 12.  The fabric and pattern should arrive sometime in the next week, then I can get the top complete.  I love the soft colors chosen by Treehouse Textiles- I can't wait to see this beauty completed.

Sweet Tweet Month 6
Sweet Tweets, Month 6, pattern by Focus on Quilts,  is complete and now I can add it to the second row of blocks and sew down the branch that runs across blocks 4,5 and 6.  Above is the block connected and the branch pinned down for applique.  Whoops, I forgot the eye for this bird- I must remember to add it before going on to Month 7!


Retreat Projects
​Pick A Petal
Pick A Petal , a project I will be teaching at Must Love Fabric this year, is one of the projects I will take to retreat.  This Block of the Month was designed by Jen Kingwell and I will be teaching the project starting in May.  I will be sewing on Month 3, the Nine Patch block.  I have the pieces cut out for 18 blocks, so this should keep me busy.  We will meet once a month in a lecture /demo format with lots of tips and ideas for the students.  Come join us and have lots of fun!

Boardwalk Quilt
Boardwalk Quilt, pattern and starter fabric kit by Treehouse Textiles, is the second project to tackle at the retreat.  With the fabric kit, I should be able to get a few of these blocks made.  This is another great scrappy quilt projects from the creative ladies at this Australian shop. 



I made two blocks with my own fabric to get a feel for the pattern.  It is not a difficult block but it is also not quick.  Let's see how many I get made at retreat- no pressure!

Indigo Puzzle Box
This is another project going retreat.  I will be teaching this quilt, Indigo Puzzle Box, on a Stitchin Heaven Caribbean cruise this May.  I received a student kit and have made a few blocks.  Although I don't need to have this completed before the cruise, I want to get most of the blocks made.  If you like this pattern and won't be joining us on the cruise, you can purchase the downloadable pattern only Etsy shop, Petite Quilts, and sew along .

Diva Orphan Blocks
This is the last project going to the retreat.  I have 3 binds of orphan blocks, blocks gathered in block exchanges but not used in previous quilts.  The retreat center has large project boards to lay out tops.  I hope to take advantage of these and get some ideas for stitching these blocks together.
That's all I will take to the this retreat, but I think is enough to keep me busy!


Spring Classes at Must Love Fabric
​Don't forget the classes quickly coming up this spring, some new, some back by popular demand, all at Must Love Fabric in Colleyville, TX.  Above is my next class, A Wild Ride, so come and join us!

A Wild Ride, Wednesday, April 17, 6-9p
Pineapple Quilt, Wednesday, May 22, 6-9p

Pick A Petal, Class is once a month for 6 months, starting Sunday, May 18, 2-4p

I will have samples for the classes on display, so call the shop at 817-488-6764 for all the details and come join the fun!

Sewcation in Lancaster,PA
Join me and Jo Caraway in Lancaster, PA for a fun Sewcation, July 6-11, presented by Stitchin Heaven .  I will be teaching Scrappy Anvil Quilt and we will have a wonderful time sewing and visiting the Amish country in the area.  Check with Stitchin Heaven for all the details and join me for all the fun!

Spring Has Sprung
Despite all the cold and rainy weather in North Texas, the azaleas are blooming and creating quite a show!  The Japanese Maple behind the azaleas looks beautiful too.  These bushes remind me that the Masters in Augusta, GA tee off this week.  Since I am taking golf lessons now, I watch the game with a different eye- maybe I will pick up some pointers!

Sourdough Bread
My husband has been trying to get his sourdough production going but has not been successful with making his own starter (don't ask me what he was doing, I don't cook!). A good friend Karen gave him some starter and he made his first loaf with it a few days ago. It was wonderful ( I don't cook, but I do eat).  Thanks to Karen, this is only the first in many loaves to come!


Keep up on my retreat progress by following me on Instagram.  After I get back on Sunday, my husband will have knee surgery.  I am not a great nurse, but he had a shoulder replacement earlier last year and he did great.   Enjoy the beautiful April flowers - get outside and soak up the Vitamin D - but don't forget to make time to sew and quilt.  It's all in the balance!
Until then time, keep busy, stay safe and healthy and keep on creating!

Later,  Annette