Needle Girls March Retreat - Glenrose House

My first retreat for the year!!!

I keep a "Retreat Book" - I head each page with the venue and dates and list what I plan to work on (tick it off when done), and include other notes, such as who went and for one retreat - who was in which cabin.
The book was nearly full - not enough pages for the planned retreats for 2027 - so I selected this Journal that Deb had made and gifted to us at Sunday Stitchers last Christmas.

It is very pretty and will keep me going for a few years....

My plan included:

• DV Baby Quilt
• Baby Quilt for Alana
• 28 Square in a Square blocks for Flower Pop
• Squares for the centre panel for Village Green
• Placemats - if I got to them

I am happy to say I got it all done except the placemats, so I spent some of my free time making large scrappy blocks for a DV quilt - it takes me a while to get my head around the "randomness" and the "just hack it" as De suggests.
Anyway - I got 4 done and brought home a fair stash of fabric pieces to make some more...

My projects:

28 Square in a Square blocks

Baby Quilt for Alana

DV Baby Quilt

Village Green centre

These all need to be trimmed and joined.   There are two I might replace before that happens.

As always, a fun time was had, much chatting, some snacking and a glass or two!!!

Not too long til the next retreat!

Needle Girls Retreat - Glenrose House

This year, we were able to get a booking in the house at Glenrose.   There are a lot of advantages to the house - more room and no walking back to the cabins in the dark over the gravel...

I had a collection of DV quilt tops to make - most of "my" stuff that is waiting for attention isn't really suitable for sewing at a retreat, so I thought I would just work on the DV stuff instead.

I had a 3 yard pattern called Town Square, which ended up a little wider than we like for a child's quilt, so I redrafted it to make it a little narrower.  (It will now fit a standard width of fabric.)

I made this one in a child size:

I also made an adult version - its wider:

I had cut a lot of I Spy squares for Helen as she was planning a simple I Spy quilt.  This is the one she finished:

And, as there were a lot of squares left over, I decided to make one the same - for DV.

De made this Daisy quilt - it was a bit fiddly so it took most of her time.

Maureen put her sashiko runner together - Sashiko one side and a lovely rose fabric the other, so that it is reversible.

Helen also finished off this top.

In Sunday Stitchers, a number of us were making a quilt called Floral Fun from Quilter's Companion.  Although I love it - it was a small quilt - 36" square and I wasn't sure what I would do with it....So, as Helen was thinking the same, we decided to join them together and add something down the sides and use it as a DV quilt.....during that process, "we" decided not to add the flowers....LOL
Helen added the Black side borders and the pieced borders that I had made earlier.

Needle Girls Pillowcase Challenge

Last year, we decided that we would each make a pillowcase that could be used when we are on retreat.
Here are 4 - Lynda hadn't arrived when we took this photo, and we forgot to take a second one with hers.

Naturally, I had to make mine matchy-matchy with all my other Needle Girls things.

Retreat Challenge - Sashiko

Last year, Chookyblue kindly gave us each a piece of a sashiko panel.   We decided that we should have them finished by this retreat.   I have already posted about mine - but here is the collection....minus Lynda as she wasn't finished.

Retreat Stocking Swap

Every year since 2021, we have made a stocking from a Nancy Havorsen book. Its title eludes me for now....

This is this year's collection - minus Lynda's as she forgot to pack it.   I will add a photo of it later.

The requirement is that the stocking is the shape in the book - but the design can vary.
It is interesting that mostly we each pick a different design even when using the book..

I made the stack of presents and it went to Lynda.

There was other sewing happening

• Helen and Sandi made some scrap blocks for a future DV quilt, 
• Maureen made a lot of blocks for her long-term Chuck Nohara quilt, 
• De put some pre-printed floral blocks and 9 patch blocks together for a DV quilt
• Helen cut what seemed like 2000 squares for some of the Sunday Stitchers girls to put together.

We had a great time - we always do - of course!!!

Our normal Thursday is to leave by 9:30 or so and go to the Garden Centre for a look at the Christmas things and a farewell breakfast/brunch.

This year we were able to book into a class at Sew Pretty Patchwork to make a bag from Denim bits and pieces.   That deserves a separate post....it was such a lot of fun!

Needle Girls Glenrose Retreat

It was time for our annual retreat at Glenrose using the workroom and cabins.
10th - 14th November.

In addition to our regular group of 5 - Chookyblue and Miss Jules join us - to add a bit of variety to our conversation topics and sewing projects.

I arrived around lunchtime so that I could meet up with Jenny who had been staying in the house section and was leaving by 2PM.

I didn't take a lot of pictures - but I've been able to get some from the others.

I started with an optimistic list...and didn't do it all, , , but I am happy with what was done.  

What I did get done:

I made some drawstring bags for some Christmas presents. . . but I can't show them yet.

I finished my Sunday Stitchers Birthday gift from 2023. . . but I can't show it yet.

I added the two borders to this Pansy Quilt (a DV project)

I made two panels into tops for DV.  I had prepared the middle embroidered sections at home.

I added two borders to a large floral quilt top - for DV.  But by Wednesday night I was just too tired, so I didn't finish it

I did some crochet in between other things.

Challenge Project

Each year we have a challenge project...we just love another bit of stress....LOL
In 2023  we made things to match our zippy pouches from 2022.
So, this year we had to make a receptacle for the glasses I gave everyone last year.

I used a Cadbury Drinking Chocolate container and decorated it.

Next year's Challenge???   It is not a matchy-matchy project....😞
Chooky gave each of us a piece of pre-printed sashiko with either a tree or baubles, so we decided to use that as our challenge.  To be stitched and made up.

Stocking Swap

Since 2021, we have had a Stocking Swap. We use a Nancy Halvorsen pattern for the stocking shape and can use either one of the patterns in her book or another design.

And we add an extra.  The 2024 extra was a zip - at least 16" long.

This year I added a machine-embroidered poinsettia to my stocking.  It went to De.

Mine was made by Miss Jules.

Here are all the stockings and zips

We ventured out once - to Warwick Gardens Galore - great food and a lovely gift shop - and to Shelly's Curtain & Craft - always a tempting experience.

As we needed to leave by 9.30AM on Thursday, most of us went back to the Garden Centre for coffee and cake, then shopped in Brysons - another lovely gift shop.  I was able to pick up a few things on my list.

A wonderful week away - always a bit tiring - but mostly productive and a lot of fun!

Thanks, girls!

Needle Girls Retreat @ Glenrose - Part 2

Now for the more serious part of the retreat...after the silliness of the challenge.

For three years now we have had a stocking swap at retreat.  We started with a Nancy Halvorsen pattern and for the last 2 years, we used a design from her set of patterns.  There are 12 in total so there is a fair bit of choice.

Last year I suggested we could stay with the same shape - but maybe do a different design - everyone was happy with that idea.

This year I made this stocking - using a machine embroidery design - it went to Lynda.

I received this one - from Nor.  I love the dimensional look.

This is the collection of stockings

My first priority was to make the last two blocks for My Kinda Town.

Here are all the blocks together - there are some "filler" bits needed.
I have to say I do not know why the blocks weren't designed with the "filler" bits added.  Not all blocks need extra bits...It's a bit annoying...but I will sort it out...in due course.

Overall, I'm very happy with it.  

My second project was for DD1.  She had asked me - a while back - to make a cover for her Cricut...She lives in Townsville and I don't have one, so found a pattern - got some measurements, and made this one.   Bit boring in white!!   The pockets I added are too short to hold the things she wants to put in them, so we will call this one the prototype!!

Then I moved onto working on the RSC I Spy blocks for 2023.   I didn't get very far, but did get the borders onto 3 sets.  There are a gazillion 3.5" squares to go around these blocks....

What the others did:

This is a top made by De - the Daisy Queen

and a bag made by Sandi

De also put this top together.  Very effective with just squares.

Nor worked on these blocks for a quilt - featuring sewing notions.  I missed a few of the blocks - one is a sewing machine and another one is an iron.

Sandi worked on several Lori Holt blocks

Chooky worked on a few projects simultaneously - the ones on the left for Chapel Street and the ones on the right for Starburst.

I am also planning on making Chapel Street and we have been sharing fabrics where possible.   I had a stash of Kaffe Fassets and Tula Pinks which I took, so she cut pieces from those fabrics - kindly cutting mine at the same time.

There was a lot of laughing, chatting, solving problems (???), eating, some shopping.

It is always a fun time with these girls.

Needle Girls Retreat @ Glenrose - Challenge Projects

My last retreat for the year!!!

2023 has been full of retreats - in many ways, it's good that I no longer work, as I would have run out of leave days!

We arrive late afternoon on Sunday - so we plan take away for dinner.  Charcy's never fails us!
The menu is extensive - burgers, fish & lots of extras!

I settled for a bacon and egg roll with sweet potato scallops.  Doesn't look exciting but it tasted good!

At the last retreat we had a challenge project - to make a zippy pouch and Sandi kindly stitched out a logo for us to incorporate. She gave us some spares too.  The original pouch is here.

At that retreat, Mdm Organiser (aka Sandi) - challenged us to make something to go with our zippy pouch for 2023.
That's easy I said to myself as I had plenty of fabric and I AM a matchy-matchy sort of person....(I may have acquired a bit more of the fabric - in case - during the year too.)

When I went on a retreat in March - as no one in that group also attends this retreat, I made 7 things.  Things that I use at a retreat - Sewing Tidy, Foot pedal mat, Scrap bucket, Bag for a thread stand, Snappy pouch for the rotary cutter/s, 2 coasters (one wine, one coffee??), Bag for charging cables and plugs, 

I thought that was plenty of things . . . .no number had been mentioned....

BUT . . . in our chat group, someone indicated that "someone else (aka Mdm Organiser)" had made 12 things . . .so the challenge was on!!!

In September I was on yet another retreat - and we had a mystery project (it ended up being a square bag) - so I did it in matching fabrics...well...why not??   And I found a pattern in the shop for a small container that I wanted to try and made that in matching fabrics.....There were two small rectangles cut out of the shape so I turned that into a pincushion. . . .

One of the ladies had a cute little needle case, so I made one of them too.

And I added a tag to the square bag.

So, that was another 5 things, but I still had ideas for more.

Total = 12

During October I added more things:

I made a Design Board and Sewing Machine mat
I decorated a green Yazzi bag for threads.
I painted 2 boxes and added trims - one for my walking foot and one for my machine feet.
Since the paintbrush was wet and there was a pencil just lying around - it got painted and decorated too!
Then I spied the little pincushion thing that can sit on top of my machine - which I don't use at home - it was purple...it got sucked into the plan and now it's green!
and I already had a little bag made in the green spot - so it may as well get counted!  (or is that cheating????  LOL)

 


So, that is another 8 things.....total = 20

I did not ever plan on overdoing it...but when the challenge red flag is waved . . well...I just have to bite!!!

Fortunately, Mdm Organiser is still talking to me!!!

Here are some of the things the other girls made:

Nor:

Lynda

De - I loved her spool to use as a scissor stand!

Sandi - she was determined to use up all the fabric that she had.

It was fun - next year's challenge will be simpler!

Retreat at Glenrose with the Gypsys

I took one for the team - a friend was one person short to make the minimum number of guests at Glenrose, so I helped out by attending..   Sounds like I am doing someone a favour...

I made this little quilt - it's only 10" square.  My rainbow collection from last FNSI worked out OK. 

I managed one crumb block in between other projects.  Made from leftovers from projects I and the others were working on.

I had planned on my last two houses for My Kinda Town - I had sorted the fabrics, labelled them, added notes . . .and I took the pattern - but I had forgotten to copy onto newsprint paper.  So I re packed it for another time...   😞

Instead I put 42 string blocks together - the blocks were made by Nor and cut by Lynda

I made the rows for the black red & white string blocks that I have been making over the last few months. but ran out of time to finish it off.

We had a "Mystery Project".  All 6 of us made a bag:

I made a few other small things - but it's "Secret Squirrel" stuff.  So in a later post.

I had a great time - all very late nights (~ 1:00 AM finishes).
Thankyou so much Alison for inviting me!