Saturday, October 29, 2011

The Final Retreat Day



Wednesday morning we awoke to this, it finished up at about 6" of the white fluffy stuff! At 7a.m it was 23 degrees and at 9a.m still 23 degrees!

We had about a 30 minute power outage during which time we figured out how to get the garage door open without power so we could join the Montrose Huggy Bunch quilters for their weekly sew-in! And fortunately we had already made our morning coffee before we lost the power!

My two companions were, I suspect, a trifle nervous about getting down the mountain in the snow but I have a great 4WD vehicle, the snow was dry and I am a very cautious driver so it was no problem at all.
Here are some of the quilters gathering to sew. The friendly folk at Crossroads Victory Church generously allow us the use of their multi-purpose area including the kitchen, for the weekly quilting group.

Once a month it's "pot luck" for lunch and BJ had made a large casserole of rich and yummy macaroni and cheese-from scratch- as our contribution.
We left Huggy Bunch around 3-ish to pay a visit to LadyBugz quilt shop run by the delightful Lori and Kristi. This lovely store, set in a quaint cottage, holds way more than you would at first believe, and it is well organized and bright so you can really enjoy browsing the merchandize.

It's a busy place, there is much to see and weekly more fabrics arrive. Class offerings are varied and interesting, there was a bargello class in progress while we were there. They have a great collection of CW and 30's repros and something for about every quilter's taste, batiks, florals, kid's designs and patterns and tools and other notions. Definitely worth a visit as we can all testify, none of us left empty handed!

For our final evening in CO. we sashayed back into Ouray [pronounced you-ray] to O'Brien's Pub. They have wonderful fish and chips- I love the option of the sweet potato chips- and Lauren is really crazy about their Irish egg rolls made with corned beef, cabbage and potatoes.
We all ordered the jalapena cheese soup, which you must try if you go there, and if you go to Ouray you simply must eat at O'Brien's!
A glass of Guinness will wash it down nicely.
We arrived back in Phx. safely Thursday evening, tired but well satisfied with our adventure.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Colorado Adventure Continues


Sunday evening our retreat ended and we headed back up the mountain, stopping on the way in Ridgway at Colorado Boy Brewery for some of their excellent pizza and a jug of Stout!
I prefer their Porter but they didn't have it so we settled on Stout.

Monday morning we were back at our sewing machines......
that is the Cimarron mountain range you see.

And here is Lauren with a completed top that she made up from fabrics in a kit- this is not the original design that came with the kit.

After lunch we drove into the beautiful town and ski resort of Telluride, where Lauren finally found her bear!

Most everything is shut down for between season repairs/ renovation etc, but we did find one store open and these cute shirts on sale. We thought them perfect for quilters!

Tuesday morning found us sewing again, BJ showing off a completed top from our deck with 12,583 ft. Corbett's Peak behind her.

Three of these fabrics I bought at the Phx. Shop Hop last month, the other two came from stash. The design [sent to me by Leslie] calls for one yard each of five different fabrics- I have quite a bit left over that may go into the backing.
After lunch Tuesday we went into the charming town of Ouray] pronounced you-ray]where we had more shopping success!

First stop was Rocking P Ranch store, owned by the most delightful Pattie and her mom Oleta. There is something for everyone, items from $3 to thousands of $$, most made by Texas artisans.
I love Rocking P and both of the friendly ladies who greet everyone with a big Texas welcome.

Here Lauren modeled this sock monkey hat........

while this unusual treasure came home with me, a bracelet made with vintage watch faces telling me that it is "time to pray"!

A very Texas style cross with cowhide and turquoise was gifted to me by BJ. I know it's meant to be a necklace but I'm thinking of putting it in a shadow box where I can enjoy it every day.

Next we were drawn into Gumpshun Gallery by their amazing display of exotic purses.....

where BJ found plenty to delight her..........

as did Lauren and I,
note my new head wear!
Another fascinating store is "Kristopher's Culinaire" where I never fail to find unique kitchen accessories, and my two quilting companions found their own irresistible items!

Our final stop for the day was at "Mouse's Chocolates", a must if you are ever in Ouray!

All chocolates are made on the premises with only premium ingredients, from truffles of every flavor........

to their [in]famous "scrap cookies" filled with all the slightly imperfect chocolate rejects! OMiGosh!
Hot apple cider with Mouse's own sinfully delicious caramel sauce and topped with whipped cream defies description-Lauren's comment was totally apropos but you will have to ask her what it was, LOL!

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Colorado Quilt Retreat, ETC!

Thursday of last week three of us set off from Phx. on an eight day, 1300 mile adventure!
The first night Lauren, BJ and I spent at our mountain home, then on Friday morning we drove down into Montrose to begin our three day retreat with the San Juan Quilters.

The retreat was held at the Hampton Inn and the theme for the San Juan Quilter's this time was Western/Cowgirl.
Around thirty quilters all told, gathered at various times over a three day period.
We took over the inn's convention room and hospitality area for our events.....

and we gathered each evening to share a meal, first offering thanks for our blessings.
All day we munched our way through a variety of delectable home made treats, never lacking for caloric sustenance!
Each year Roena is the fortunate recipient of a handcrafted undergarment made in the theme of the retreat.
Note the thoughtful addition of the gun holster...............

and although Ro has quite an impressive collection now, we have yet to see any one of these divine undies actually modeled.

In spite of the distractions, on a more sedate note Roena managed to work on these batik blocks.

BJ learned to make a lovely ornament, now she has to teach it to the AZ Huggy Bunch Quilters.
A Christmas tree skirt.........

and a handy tote bag.
A thread catcher......

a very clever Halloween hanging by Lynn..........

and her adorable Fall door decoration - I have one almost finished, it was just too cute to resist!

A beautiful table runner from Pat from Log Hill

and a black and white quilt top from Pat from Montrose!

Jean pieced together these blocks donated by various members for a Quilt Of Valor for a Wounded Warrior.

Norma pieced this top...............
and began working on another project!

This is Elma's bright and cheerful quilt............

and one from Wendy-who does not make any small quilts!
Wendy bravely quilts her tops on her domestic machine.

Monica's been busy, this is the first of two tops she completed over the weekend........
as well as this original design.

An eye catching quilt by Leatha.

More blocks for a sampler quilt.

I made this top from a set of fabrics in a kit "Olivia The Pig Exercises". I had purchased it at a show a few years ago because it was cute, but when I read the directions I decided that it was waaaay too much trouble!
Feeling the need to get it out of my stash I concocted a different plan and this went together much better, so now it is ready to quilt and some lucky Olivia will want it, right?!

Lots of small scraps of 30's repros also needed to make their way into a quilt and turned out very sweet when combined with a lovely Marcus Brother's WOW gingko leaf design fabric.
There's more to report of our excellent adventure to Colorado, but that's all for tonight and I am a weary wandered now off to bed!
G'night!
Sweet dreams of fabrics and quilt designs to delight a quilter's heart!