lakeside weekend . . .

I retreated this weekend.

Aaaaaaaaaaah. It was good. Cuz I mean I really retreated. Like, no cell service or WiFi. In a house on a lake. With quilt-minded friends. 

It was *real* good.

We arrived midday on Friday and set our stuff up and got straight down to business. Lunch. Wink, wink.

And then sewing. (Of course!)

We went out to dinner on Friday evening, but before we went to the restaurant, we stopped and met up with a local long-armer (who's also in our guild) and toured her beautiful quilting space.

I mean, wow, what a set-up.

And what a view! (Not us...sheesh...our lakeside backdrop!)  I'm almost afraid I'd be so distracted by the view, I'd have a hard time sewing!

Saturday we took a road trip and visited "Wilson's Fabric," which I'd never heard of, much less visited. Good GRIEF! I didn't get to spend NEAR enough time there.

It was really lovely.  Lots of bolts of pretties, gadgets, embellishments, and regular fabrics, too. Plus vinyl and notions . . . it was really a lot of fun.

And of course, I had to do my small part in helping the local small business.

We came across a heavily discounted 'row by row' they'd done...maybe last summer.  Lots of fun quilting friends blocks.

This was my favorite of the blocks . . .

We decided to recreate that block on Saturday afternoon.

Too funny!

Sunday morning we had breakfast and went out onto the lake for a ride.  Just a gorgeous morning!

The weekend was over way too soon, but I did manage to get some sewing accomplished.  I stitched up the stack of pink hexies for my hexie flower project.  I need a name for that thing. I've not been satisfied with anything I've called it to date.

And I also got most of the way thru stitching my starburst patriotic topper together . . .

I also read my book, ate, collaborated on quilting and guild matters, took a nap naps, browsed through magazines, walked by the water, contemplated life from the dock, watched hummingbirds play, and drank tea. A most excellent way to spend the weekend, I can assure you!

Plus I made this funky, adorable "handwork pillow" . . .

I didn't even know I NEEDED one of these!  Isn't it fun?  Took about 90 minutes. Crazy pattern at first glance, but super easy. If you're interested, check out Legacy Patterns. It helps alleviate stress on neck, hands and shoulders while you do stitching (or reading or knitting or whatever).  Awesome!

Five more sleeps and we wake up in the month of September.  Who's ready for that? I'm ready for another weekend like the one I just recounted!  Linking up with Small Quilts.

:)