In mid-October I took a step back – a retreat from the usual day-to-day living – to a beautiful location on Quadra Island, a short ferry ride from Campbell River on Vancouver Island. The occasion was the semi-annual quilting retreat for the local quilting guild.
Four days of sewing and camaraderie, in which we had no cooking or cleaning to do. Just sew and go for a walk now and then between rain showers.
The buildings are old, but the natural scenery is older and for the most part, unchanged. It was a very quiet and beautiful spot.
The quilters each bring their sewing machines and fabrics, and all their tools and supplies needed to complete their planned projects. I had several unfinished projects, and by the end of the four days, I felt I had accomplished a lot.
One of the things I did was to take the ill-fitting squares I had made a couple of years ago and try to use them in some other way. The quilt I had intended them for was not working out but I had already done so much work on the tiny red and white squares, and on the appliqued birds and flowers.
I decided on place mats and pieced them together in whatever way the squares would fit, patching places that were odd sizes.
The result was four place mats and one table center, good enough for my own table for everyday meals.
It felt good to use up the unfinished project pieces and I was happy with the results. Now all they need is a meal to be served on them.
Beautiful environment helps creativity 🙂
Life is Good !
That’s so true, Hans. And yes, life is good.
Wow. I would keep these placemats for special occasions.
Thanks, Brigid. That’s kind of you to say so.
Lovely scenery and delightful placemats!
It really was a picturesque setting. Great place to spend a few days and just sew.
awwwwwwww man they r so pretty.
I was happy to make something useful out of a project I was almost thinking of throwing away.
so beautiful –
Thank you, Beth!
What a wonderful escape. Your place mats are so beautiful!
Thanks. It’s a beautiful place, and the mats were a surprise when they turned out to be okay.
What a blessed life. Stress-free to the max.
That’s the whole idea of this retreat. Four days away from the usual rat race and then you come back feeling good and refreshed and ready to tackle the world.
Too nice! I would need placemats to protect these placemats. 🙂
Hahaha! Thanks, Pat.
What pretty placemats!
I like making things spontaneously. I had no idea what I was doing. I just slapped the pieces together from this other “failed” project, and it worked out not too bad.
I really like the birds in your placemats which are both creative and cheery, Anneli. The setting is lovely at your annual retreat “quilting headquarters!”
It’s so wonderful to have four days of not worrying about the usual responsibilities. Our meals were good and we didn’t have to cook them or clean up. A nice break.
I’m so glad you had a vacation before I went on my own strange visit with my college friend. We didn’t go out for more than an hour or so, we had to head towards home at least a half hour before sunset. . . If she felt like there was some bad vibrations or something, we stayed inside All Day. I cried when I said goodbye because I felt my old college friend may not ever be who I used to know. . . especially next time I may see her closer to home (Ohio or Michigan.)
We enjoy the time together however we can.
It sounded like a nice, relaxing time. You still were more productive than I was on my escape.
These are lovely!
It was a bit of luck that they worked out. Thanks, Darlene.
Gorgeous place mats and center mat Anneli. I would covet them if I didn’t have a beautiful table runner made by the very same artist!
Love the bright colors .
Thanks, Dawn. They are brighter than my usual projects. I usually like muted earthy colours.
So beautiful👌 I’m in love with them😍
I need them😊😊
Thanks, Jannat. They were a surprise to me, that they turned out at all.
You’re so creative.!👌
Looks pretty there!
It is really scenic, and this was one photo I took when it wasn’t pouring rain tooooo hard. It was a rainy four days.
Very beautiful place and your placemats and table center mat are wonderful! Good job!
Thank you, Sonja. I actually had more fun making those place mats because anything was okay – no pattern.
Sounds like a wonderful place. With lovely results.
It was a really nice break. Thanks,Belinda.
So cute. Great job.
TY, Lori. ‘-)
Those place mats are very pretty. They would look very good on the wall too. The retreat reminds me of the QCHI, especially the rain.
Yes, it does look very Queen Charlotte-ish. It was pretty and quiet there
We all need to step back – retreat – and surrender to doing something different. Something that is creative in a different way. That’s exactly what you did – beautifully !!
Yes, we do, Pam. I felt so much better about all the things on my “everyday living, To Do list” after having time to come up and smell the roses. We all need that once in a while – just a little time-out.
So beautiful, Anneli! And I’m so glad you had such a good time. Haven’t you done that before? I remember reading about it.
Yes, I’ve gone to three of these retreats now. They do them twice a year but usually I can’t go to the one in October because we go to Montana. Too much heat and drought and wildfires this year so we stayed home and I was able to go to the retreat.
You were lucky this year, but not for a good reason!
I do think no cooking or cleaning is extra nice! Everyone deserves a break from routine and some relaxation, Anneli.
I sure enjoyed it!!
Yay! This was something I would like only easels and paints, Anneli. 🎨 🖼
That would be fun.
Yes, you would enjoy trying cancas or drawing pads, I think we shared this interest once before. It would be fun!
very Artistic placemats you made:)
Thank you. You never know how things will turn out sometimes.