Home Sweet Home....

I returned home in time for Father's Day.  Katrina and Abbie had a fine celebration planned for their Dad and Grandpa.......it was a joyous homecoming!  My time away was absolutely restful and stimulating, even though part of it was a working vacation.  When your work is what you love, the path you walk is absolutely delightful! :-)  I took bunches of photos along the way and I will begin sharing them with you today.  If I were to choose the highlight of my time away, it would be the retreat at Spring Green, Wisconsin.  The retreat was held at the Country Sampler.  This retreat is held each summer in June.  This is a fabulous quilt shop, and I will attempt to share with you some of the highlights.  This may occur over the next several days!

Julie and Keven graciously hosted me once again.  When I packed for this trip I filled half of a large suitcase with these bags and the fixing's  to complete the design.  My first project was to stitch the design and attach it to the front of the bag, which did not take long at all.  Then I scotch guarded it with several coats and used it for the remainder of my trip.  And the end to this story is that I sold every bag and kit for the design.  The marvelous part of this is that now I had one half of suitcase to fill with treasures! :-)  I am now felting more wool and getting ready to put together more kits.  It is a wonderful large bag that holds a bunch of treasures!  If anyone is interested in having one, contact me and I will have it on it's way to you.

This is the girls peaking through the window of the shop the evening we arrived in beautiful Spring Green.  I'm not certain that I can find the words to describe how charming this little town is....you'll just have to go and find out for yourselves.

The front door......enticing us to discover what's inside.

The old fashioned lantern lighting the back door.

At the back of the store is the class room.

We were so excited that we were there outside the school room before the retreat began at 8:30.  This is cute Roxanne from California who was part of our group of wonderful quilters.

There were wonderful touches every where you looked.

The name of the retreat is The Grand Old Flag, and waiting for us on our table was this bag holding all of the kits for the retreat.

We received this kit in our bag, which was one of the quilts we worked on.  The pattern is called Signal Flags, a Civil War Legacy's design by Carol Hopkins.

The first project we worked on was to finish this doll bed which had been made for each of us. We learned some great tips on all to paint and finish wood to look distressed and old.  This class was taught by Linda Lautenschlager.  She also taught the class on cross stitching a design onto linen.  Also, on day one we started piecing the little quilt for the doll bed.

Also, tucked away in our bag was all of the linen and thread to complete this design.

When we first arrived in the morning we were served a yummy breakfast.  This rack held all of the plates. In this case it was the tin pie plates we used.

Our breakfast the first morning was pancakes, which were some of the best I've ever eaten, bacon and blueberries.  A perfectly delightful start to our day.

I'm sure you are all interested in attending this retreat.  Jeanie Horton who is the owner of the store hosts this event.  I'm thinking that when everyone finds out about this retreat and this charming little town, she will have to offer multiple retreats.  I know I want to make it an annual event.

I have been enjoying reading a series of novels called the Bregdan Chronicles. I am learning so much about the civil war from them as well as being royally entertained.  There is an abundance of wisdom woven through these novels by - 

Ginny Dye.  My quote for today is from the 4th book in the series which I am now reading.

"The best way to show gratitude for kindness and opportunity is to offer it to someone else."

I am happy to be back, and I'm looking forward to sharing more with you tomorrow.