Mixed Sampler Guild, Siren, Wisconsin

I am 'playing catch-up' this week with some blog posting after being away teaching in Wisconsin, vacationing for a few days and attending a business meeting in Washington, DC and taking a wonderful workshop with Gwen Marston in Port Gamble, Washington.

First, let me tell you about the retreat in Wisconsin.  I flew to Minneapolis, was met by Anne, the program coordinator for the Mixed Sampler Guild and we drove to the Lodge at Crooked Lake in Siren, Wisconsin.

I haven't felt that cold bite of winter since I lived in the Northwest Territories as a teenager!  It was bitterly cold (at least for me!) and I was glad I bought a winter down coat this year.  The lodge was amazing; full of rustic charm but I had very a modernly appointed room and the classroom spaces were large, well lit and outfitted with excellent table space, enough power for all the machines and irons. The restaurant just across the parking lot and the deli were great places to eat our meals.

I taught 2 classes at the retreat. It was so well attended that I did both classes as 3-hour sessions, offered twice - once in the morning and once in the afternoon. While some members were in class with me, the rest of the 'retreaters' worked on other projects in the large conference room.

This is only part of the large conference room - enough space for everyone,
plus machines,  plus cutting and ironing stations. 

Anne showed me this year's Raffle Quilt for the guild - she had finished the machine quilting and the binding had been added to finish it off. I was so excited to see that they selected one of my patterns for the quilt (quite by chance!).  Here is the guild's version of my Log Cabin Leaves quilt and a table runner using the same design. This project is in my book Fat Quarter Frenzy Two (out of print unfortunately). I'm considering doing this as a separate pattern. What do you think? Should I do the pattern for this quilt?

Log Cabin Leaves - raffle quilt and table runner

On the first teaching day students learned all about Give & Take Applique as they began making blocks for their Sunflower Table Runner.

Morning session - notice the 'extra student' in the background who kept us 'on track'!

Afternoon session - more happy Give & Takers!

On the second day students made Spring Tulips using my Ripless Paper Piecing system.  I KNOW they can't wait for Spring to come to Wisconsin and Minnesota!

Several morning students finished their quilt tops while I was teaching in the afternoon. Great work everyone!  

Here are a couple of pictures outside the lodge:

Snow was falling on the first day but the second day was bright and sunny - perfect for a winter photograph.

Thank you Anne for all your hospitality and for bringing me to the Retreat.