To Do Tuesday #178

I was having so much fun at the quilt retreat, I could not tear myself away from my sewing machine to write last week’s blog. So that means you will be bombarded with all that got done in a 6 day retreat (4 full days).

Yes. I will be linking up with Carol at Quilt Schmilt for this week’s To Do Tuesday linkup.

Ready, Set, GO!

Quilt Retreat in Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe

First I just have to share the photos taken while there. I meet my friend Mary Elizabeth there. It was our first time to attend the Easter Week Retreat with Studio B. We were setup in a room with the most awesome name – Inspiration.

We had a gorgeous view of the lake all day long and into the night. We did take walks around the Conference Center during the week. We arrived on Easter Sunday to a toasty 60F and the most beautiful sunset ever. As the week progressed, winter started flexing her muscles. It cooled off but no snow or rain until Friday our day to pack up and leave. You can stay until noon and still quilt, but I had packed up Thursday night so I could head out early for my 10 hour drive home. (It actually took me 12 hours to get home. Lots of rain and traffic). It was worth it though.

Mary Elizabeth had some really cool quilting tshirts that I just have to share with you. This Mama & polar bear cub was Mary Elizabeth’s project. It is foundation paper pieced. She started it on Sunday and finished it Thursday. It turned out spectacular!!!!

I didn’t get a photo of her second project she started at the retreat, but it is a Tula Pink Grayworks Snow Leopard table runner. While she didn’t finish, she got a large percentage done on Thursday. I wish I had thought to take a photo.

Block Challenge

So Beth (our host) likes to do a block challenge each retreat. This time it was a very spring inspired theme. We were provided with 3 fat quarters to make a 12 1/2 inch block of our choice. I made these two blocks – one for me and one for Mary Elizabeth (using all 6 fat quarters). A new quilter won the blocks which was very satisfying. There ended up being 24 blocks and all the leftover scraps for her to take home. I don’t know why I didn’t think to take a picture of all of them, but I didn’t.

My Project – Hip to Be Square using Jason Yenter’s Pacific Northwest collection used in 2025 PNW shop hop

I precut the first three blocks before coming to the quilt retreat. I originally was going to take Elizabeth Hartman’s Legend (Big Foot) to the quilt retreat, but then decided I didn’t have the brain power to work on it at the retreat. It is using the same fabrics that are used in this quilt.

There is a total of 6 for 5 different blocks. I am not showing you block 1 because it is just a plain 12 1/2 inch block.

Block 2

Block 2 is a simple 4 patch which is using one of all 12 fabrics in this quilt.

Block 3

Block 3 is also pretty simple with a 2 1/2 inch center square for the 12 1/2 inch block. I fussy cut an animal out of my main focal fabric and tried to choose a good blender to frame it.

Block 4

Block 4 is still pretty simple, but instead of it being a small centered square, it is a little bit larger square off centered. I decided to use a different print for each block plus my greenish cream color and all the blenders as my inside square.

Block 5

Block 5 is still pretty simple block with a four patch sashed. I decided to use 2 of all my prints and the cream mixed in with some blenders. I tried to use different blenders to sash each four patch.

Time to Assemble

The quilt ends up being a 5×6 layout with 30 blocks. I spent a good hour moving blocks around trying to distribute the colors as well as dark versus lights. I spent an entire day sewing together the rows.

I still need to make the pieced border. I had enough time to make it at the quilt retreat. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know that I have some serious ADHD tendencies. I was done and was ready to work on something else.

While I am ready to put this one away, I can’t. I am planning on finishing this for my daughter Cailin’s anniversary which is May 23rd. Jannes and Caitlin will love this. I will give myself a week break before getting focused back on his quilt. I guess this means I will also have to quit procrastinating using my brand new Gammill Statler machine. LOL 😳😂

While I did work on other projects (big surprise) at the quilt retreat, I will share that progress below.

Project Updates

Between the quilt retreat and TWO Zoom quilt days before the retreat, I have tons of progress to share.

Abby Rose Churn Dash blocks

Just a reminder that this is one of my leaders and enders project. I finished THREE more blocks in the last two weeks. That makes four already for April. I think the middle block is my favorite.

Autumn Seed Quilt by Lori Holt (Bee in my Bonnet)

I finished my pumpkin block for this month. This one was one I worked on after finishing the Hip to be Square blocks at the retreat. It is kind of a cool star block. I thought about using it for the block challenge, but I it doesn’t work out with neat numbers for a 12 inch block so I gave up on that one.

Stars Aligned by Strip Club

This is another leader/ender project for me. I made some fantastic progress. This quilt I finished the center at the last quilt retreat. I am actually kind of excited to see how much progress I made. I didn’t really want to stop working on it now that I almost have the first strips together. I relented and packed this one up to bring home to finish with the top in front of me. Just in case you don’t remember this quilt. See below:

Bring Home the Tree Quilt by Lori Holt (Bee in my Bonnet)

I finished number!!! This is the yellow car using Alison Glass christmas collection from 2019. Only two left to finish. Here are the other 3:

And there will be four tree blocks. I will just show you one of them for now:

The trees are scrappy so the colors are all over the place.

April Monthly Color Challenge

I love how this simple block just makes a statement. The color this month was blue. Yes I am using Alison Glass fabric. I think they are both from her handmade collection. The dark blue fabric has notions interspersed with flowers. Pretty fun right?

That is everything I got done in the last two weeks. A lot right? I am definitely feeling good for the month.

Weekly To Do List

Things done from my March 3st list:

• Finished cutting (and sewing) blocks for retreat quilt
• Definitely started PNW Hip to be Square quilt
• Packed (and unpacked) for the quilt retreat
• Made it safely there and back home
• Did my quilt Zoom with my friends (and one with my new guild)
• Started (and finished) my Bring Home the Tree car block
• Started (and finished) churn dash block (times 3)
• Continued piecing pairs for the Stars Aligned pieced border (and began assembling them together as one varigated blue/red border)

Wow! I think that is the first time I actually finished the ENTIRE to do list. It is amazing what can get done with 4 full days of sewing from sun up to sun down. I am thinking this next week will be just a wee lighter. I am going out of town with my daughter Caitlin and her husband Jannes for the weekend. There will not be a lot of sewing time this week. But I have to have a list of what comes next:

• Start cutting 4 1/2 inch blocks for the PNW Hip to be Square quilt from left over fabric. I think I remember needing like 70 squares. I will have to double check before cutting
• Quilt Turkey Lurkey wall hanging
• Work on Farmers Wife 1920 EPP block 50
• Continue working on Stars Aligned pieced border
• Start looking at my stash of panels to use for putting together a panel quilt
• Continue loading fabrics on new mini bolt system.

Okay. That is good enough right?

Musings

Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results. -Willie Nelson

I am pretty worded out so I will let the above quote speak for me. It is definitely something I strongly believe. I got so much positive vibes from the quilt retreat. Everyone there was warm, encouraging and supportive. They were quick to celebrate wins and to find the positive in any situation.

I like to think I brought all that positive energy home with me. Have a great week everyone!!!

Peggy Stockwell in Vancouver, Washington