Cake, or not, this was the theme of the weekend for the group of SAMQG members who traveled to the Deep Woods retreat center in Smithville TX for the second annual retreat. With quilt makers and scrapbookers in mind, the Deep Woods facility was ideal for our retreat: a large building with great lighting, plenty of design wall and table space, a dining room with commercial kitchen directly off the work-area, and 6 bedrooms, each with a full bath, in separate hallways off the opposite side of the work area from the dining room. Each room had 4 twin beds, which were very comfortable (I'm embarrassed to admit I was concerned about this: I'm such a baby!).
The retreat center owners provided a lovely lunch and dinner. There was a bit of confusion about breakfast, but no worries: we had enough "stuff" of our own to deal with it. I believe we will bring some breakfast items the next time we come.
One of the first things we did was make our beds. We were encouraged to bring a quilt for our bed: it could be one we made, or one that had some special meaning to us. Most had quilts that had a wonderful story attached to it. I loved the quilts people brought that their mother made when they left for college, old quilts that had been acquired by another family member (provenance unknown, but still beloved), and quilts that had been made for another loved one. We voted on our favorite which was not an easy task. By overwhelming majority, Erica Mitchell won for the beautiful quilt she made, but had not yet given, her grandmother. Equally gorgeous on both sides, the quilt is something special!
The group gathers in one of the bedrooms to hear the story of each quilt.
Erica Mitchell's beautiful quilt, made for her grandmother.
My design wall with 2 projects residing side-by-side.
I can't overstate how happy I am with my new SewEzi table.
I placed it at a right-angle to the work table, giving me extra room for my supplies.
My position to the table was perfect, from an ergonomic standpoint.
This has become critical to me since I am struggling with chronic tendonitis and ulnar neuropathy,
all a result of repetitive motion. Stretch, people!!
I'm adding another little tidbit: I always carry a Dyna Disc when I go to places with long sitting/sewing
sessions. What is it? I discovered this little gem many years ago from a fiber-artist friend.
I bought one to carry along to the many (and I mean MANY) softball games I attended with my daughters. Bleachers are hard, full of splinters, and this little thing really made a difference.
The other added bonus: it raises my height a couple inches which helps with the positioning at the sewing table. Check it out:
Here is the link.
Another shot of a portion of the large work room.
