The San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild retreat (recap)

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.

SewEzi Table

My friend Charlotte had a SewEzi table at an annual workshop we both attend.  I was pretty impressed with it, and decided that, since I am struggling so much with tendonitis in both arms from, well, a variety of art-related insults (read multiple activities that have vigorous repetitive motion) this table makes a lot of sense.  One thing I am always bothered by in workshops with my sewing machine is that the machine sits high up on the table, which requires me to lift up my arms at an angle that is not good for the tendonitis.
This table can be positioned at a right angle to a typical workshop work table, so it enables me to have even more room.
Plus, it has custom inserts for the surface:  one comes with the cost of the table and more can be ordered.  I even ordered a solid insert so the table can double as a lightbox!

The tables comes with an impressive travel bag, which protects the table and allows the rolling wheels to remain exposed

Here is my Bernina 440QE seated in the table.

The table comes with one clear insert and straightforward instructions as to how to assemble the 

machine base (onto which the wheels are attached) in order to have it flush with the surface for your particular machine.  Brilliant!

here is the insert

See the skate wheels on the edge of the machine base?  Love.

the table underside, prior to folding up the legs

folded legs, ready to roll!

The cover has two pockets:  one for the clear insert, and I think I'll use the other for storage of an extension cord.

I'm preparing to go to the 2nd annual San Antonio Modern Quilt Guild retreat this weekend.  I'm taking the table with me (along with a truckload of other important stuff LOL) and I'll take some photos of my set-up while there.  I'm excited