CQ Retreat - Final Part

I meant to post this several days ago, but it's been a busy weekend. On Friday night the company my husband works for had their annual family picnic up in the mountains. It's about a 25 minute drive from here at a campground area called The Spruces up Big Cottonwood Canyon (just below Brighton and Solitude ski resorts). It was a beautiful, balmy evening up there, while down here in the Salt Lake Valley the temperatures soared to over 100 degrees (and same for the entire weekend).

Our contractors arrived early Saturday afternoon and began working on a few projects I have for them. One is replacing the wall in my studio that was damaged last year in the first flood (in August) when a pipe burst. The original contractor flaked out on us and I gave up trying to chase him down. So, now I've got someone reliable to finish it up, as well as expand my upstairs hall closets and put bi-fold doors on them. He'll also tile my laundry room floor that was ruined when the washer overflowed and flooded earlier THIS year in February. We had to dig up and replace all the old style drains (that didn't work) and have new, to-building-code drains put in, which chewed up the floor. So when these projects are done, all will be nice and neat and tidy.

I've also started removing the old wallpaper border (maroon floral, very "eighties") in the master bedroom. Last year we remodeled all our bathrooms, and the goal was to do the master bedroom this year. So, I'll strip the wallpaper this week and paint this week or next (have to decide on a color first). The carpet and wood blinds are already ordered. And the poster bed is OUTTA HERE - as soon as I can get DH to haul it outside to storage (until we have a yard sale later this summer). Today he replaced all the old smoke detectors and hung a bulletin board for me here in my office, so he's off the hook today, LOL.

Then on Saturday night we took DS & DDIL out to dinner to celebrate my son's birthday. We had a lot of fun. DDIL is pregnant, and their baby girl, London, is due September 1. We set the baby shower date for August 16 here at our house. I'll have to share all the preparations with you. :-)

And now, let's finish up the Crazy Quilting Retreat stuff. I wanted to show you the goodies I bought (not much; I was selling most of the off-class time) and the lovely gifties I was given. Also, I've got pictures of the CQ wallhanging I bid for and won at the fundraising auction AND the grand prize crazy quilt I won in the raffle.. Woo-hoo!!

First, let's start with what I bought. Below are lots of ribbons from Mangelson's, a local fabric and craft store (and restaurant and party store, and.....) The greens are mostly wired (and bought to make leaves); some ribbons are gifts for my DDIL who sews clothes & kid stuff for the local Farmer's Market, and some are for me for CQ. The white with pink baby feet on them are for the baby shower. You'll see what I do with THAT in a couple weeks....

Below are some vintage ribbons and trims from Elsie's Exquisites (left batch) and the beads, roses, cabochon and beeswax leaf I bought from Sherrill at The Bead Ranch.

The next stuff is (left) from The Daisy Den - couldn't resist that child's coin purse, and some of the delicious ribbons that Helen Gibb carries (right).

Before I show you the quilts, I have some pictures to share that I took of a purse that Tami Schmidt made. Tami and I met a couple years ago at the 2007 Omaha CQ Retreat and discovered that we were both big peacock fans. Well, no peacocks this year, but take a look at her lovely purse!

Normally I'm not a blue fan, but I do love this blue and brown. The main fabric is ultrasuede in a lovely brown and blue paisley print. Below is the back of the purse. Nice job, Tami!

And here's a close-up of the CQ heart on the back.

Below are some gift squishies I got from Karen South (left) and Freda Butler (right). They were both so generous and thoughtful, and I really appreciate the lovely fabrics!!

At the very bottom of the above photo is a Make & Take posie pin that I made in Karen Bristow's vendor class on Saturday night. I love it! She was so organized and well-prepared.

Below are some of the goodies I got from my roomie, Donna Johnson (the grouping on the left). The embossed velvets don't show up so well in this picture, but they are to-die-for paisleys, a martini glass, and some other lovely designs. The button was painted by Donna with Adirondak inks. The charms she did this way sold out in no time! And look at that dyed lace! Those colors are soooooo perfect!!

The star and dyed lace on the right are from Lisa Caryl. You can't imagine the color and texture of these items. And watch her blog for announcements about that star. I think she'll be selling those in her Etsy. When she lists them, RUN to get yours - they are so unique and gorgeous! And last but not least is the little heart in the lower corner. Martha Green - the goddess herself - made that and graciously gave her heart to me! :-) It now has pride of place on my Gifts from Friends bulletin board. Thank you so much, ladies. You are all so special to me!

So......... here is the Grand Prize Raffle Quilt. My photography skills (or lack thereof) do not do it justice, but hopefully if you click on the picture you can see it a bit better.

Below are close-ups of two of my favorite blocks on the quilt. The first one was done by Kate Hollifield. The border looks brown in the picture, but I assure you it's black, LOL. Isn't her work so rich-looking??

And the block below was made by Cass Salinas, who made at least 6-7 of the blocks on this amazing quilt. She is one of the most versatile CQ'ers I've ever seen!! Beautiful!

And to end the post, here are some pictures of the 3-block wall hanging I bid on and won (it was a fierce battle, but I beat out my friend Carol Kramer for it!).

I love browns, and this small piece will fit nicely in our home. I took close-ups of the three individual blocks for you.

That last one is my favorite. Yum, yum!!! AND IT'S ALL MINE, muaaahahahaaaa!! ;-)

Well, that's it for the Retreat. Waaaaah! It was so much fun. If you have the opportunity to go next year, don't miss it. It WILL be held again in Omaha on the second weekend of July. Start saving your pennies!

Hugs,