A Handcrafting Retreat.

My mom jump-started my love of quilting about 6 years ago and I am so grateful. Quilters have the biggest hearts, they are welcoming and tell incredible stories. As they work, they talk about everything from their husbands to their grandchildren to their most intimate stories of growing up. They are really good company.

Recently, my mom’s, friend’s, son (yes quite an intricate connection) offered his vacation home to his mom and some of her friends. I was lucky enough to get to go with them. A free place to stay in the beautiful pines of Pine Top, AZ in the summer. It was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

My husband was supportive as long as I would make time to rest and relax instead of sewing until the early morning hours (he knows me too well). I made sure I rested and relaxed.

So, for 5 days this is where I quilted, designed new quilts, listened to great stories and shared home cooked delicious meals. It was relaxing to say the least.

The first morning I woke up at 6 am and was wide awake. It was the first full night of sleep I have had in a while so I was fully rested.

I went out on the back porch with my favorite fleece blanket and listened to the woods wake up with me. I meditated, stayed warm in my blanket and enjoyed the fresh morning air.

I also took some pictures as it rained almost all night and the raindrops were still hanging on the leaves around the property. Black bark on pine trees against clear blue sky and green pine tops is one of my favorite views, it was a beautiful morning.

Morning view from the back porch.

Raindrops hanging on.

I love this color green!

We took walks during the day to break up sitting at our sewing machines for so many hours. The temperature was perfect. We ate lunch on the back porch enjoying the fresh air. Thunderstorms would roll in almost every afternoon, we would open the windows to let the cool breeze in and hear the rain.

Room for 6 sewing machines. This table is full of creative energy.

My mom really wanted to get some pictures of one of the quilts she recently finished. So we went in the backyard and tried to find the perfect spot.

A very sweet quilt.

Here is the back.

A close up of the lollipops and some of the quilting.

We also took a few pictures of a quilt I have worked on for more than 5 years. I finally finished it! I started this quilt when I was pregnant with L. He is now 5. It sure feels good to see it complete! I made it for my husband…he loves it.

Don’t worry, it didn’t touch the ground.

A close up of the quilting.

As we were packing up I realized how many incredible handmade bags these quilting women brought with them. They are all so talented and unique, as creative woman are. I found their handmade bags a beautiful extension of their personalities and so I decided their bags would make a great group picture.

Say cheese.

Pleased to introduce My Mom.

Hello Sandy.

Hello Jeanne

Hello Pam.

Last but in no way least, JoAnn

5 days filled with creative energy, good food, great company and beautiful trees…I can never get enough.

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