Sentimental Stitches

We all have a tough time today knowing it's the last day of the retreat. Several of us had a lovely dinner at the Blue Gate before Show and Tell last night with Rebecca Haarer, whose shop you've seen pictured here several times, and Jeanette Yoder from Yoder's Department Store. We had so much fun we've decided it should be an "every retreat" event.

I'm going out this morning to make a final decision on the background fabric for the Shipshewana Amish Quilt. Now don't go running out to the store just yet. I haven't decided if I'm going to use all of the fabrics listed below but you can print the pattern for the first section today.

I have chosen mostly Kona solids and purchased 1/4 yard pieces of:

• Teal Blue
• Cadet
• Burgundy
• Windsor
• Sage
• Spruce
• Bayou
• Crimson
• Rich Red
• Brown
• Indigo
• Coal
• Charcoal
• Ash
• Espresso
• Brown
• Dark Teal
• Hunter Green
• Mahogany
• Indigo

Some of yesterday's highlights:

Good Morning, or should I say nearly afternoon. I stayed up way too late last night and it's nearly 11am. I have one block set of my 3" exchange squares (remember those from the last retreat) to finish and I'm not going to leave the building until they're done. Despite my occasional appearance of chaos I do take my commitments very seriously and besides those blocks are too darn cute. No pictures this morning but I give you an update either later tonight and in the morning. It's supposed to be 67 degrees here but with really strong gusty winds. I put on my hairspray helmet but am really not worried about having a bad hair day. Too much fabric to think about. I have my shopping list of necessities (wants would be a better description) and after several discussions on the appropriate colors for the Shipshewana Amish Mystery quilt, I think we've finally come to a consensus on the background choice. I know I said it would be black but we're talking Indiana Amish her so we have to step outside our comfort zone and look at the world through their eyes. I have been keeping a list of the color names I'm selecting for the project. They are all Kona Cottons which I won't be happy appliquéing with but I wanted to be consistent in an available line of fabric for everyone in case you have pieces in your stash or don't want to purchase a kit.

There have been a few 3 am sewing nights and I've seen some of the cutest Sew So Easy Schlep Bags coming together. My friend Nancee made one she wasn't too sure she liked but we all thought is was really cool. I'll see if she'll let me take a picture of it. She had a diamond fabric for the bottom section and worked really hard making the shapes come together nicely. I have my two quilts for show and tell in a Sew So Easy Bag. How cool is that? Two bed size quilts fit in one.

Gotta go.

Sorry this has to be such a short note this morning but it's already 9:30 am and I've got places to go and people to see. One of the things on my list is to put together the first installment of the Shipshewana Amish Mystery quilt. I'll upload it later today.

There have been a few changes around here. A new water park and visitors center have opened. Never thought I'd see the day when a water park would be here but here it is!

I couldn't resist stopping to watch (and listen) to the chickens and roosters running around this Amish family's farm, right on a major highway.

I spent a lot of time at Lolly's. What a feast for the eyes. If you can't put fabrics together for a quilt there - no problem! Check out just some of the beautiful kits they have. You too can have a little piece of Shipshewana with just a phone call and the swipe of a debit/credit card. Since I'm not dressed yet I don't want any of you calling there before I drive over and pick up the kits I can't live without.

Beautiful batiks!

Hot summer colors!

Cool in the country!

Seasonal serenity!

Thimbleberries and Layer Cakes!

Patriotic pride!

Baby days!

Glowing butterflies!

Carolyn's Creative Designs

The food market!

Civil War

Wonderful wool!

Mary Englebreit - too cute!

Dimensional pinwheels and little flowers!

You will not find a nicer family owned quilt shop than Lolly's Fabrics. Kris does a fantastic job or choosing fabrics, putting together beautiful display and kitting the most wonderful designs in sizes we can all accomplish and be proud of. All of this while raising 5 wonderful children and giving back to the community in a multitude of ways. She had good teachers. Her parents, Alvin and Elsie Miller work tirelessly to make the Davis Mercantile a place where there is something for the entire family if you come to visit Shipshewana. For all of that and more, we are grateful beyond words.

So much for a short note!