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The Circle of Friends Quilters Retreat in Branson is now over... Seems like everyone had a good time... at least I hope so So let's post some pics

OK .... me first Here's the official Circle of Friends Group picture ... Each retreater was given a printed picture to take home Nice momento for our treasured memories

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SavedSinnr,

Here's a pic of all the family members of the retreat These are moms/daughters, sisters, even a G'ma and Precious

We have left to right ...

SavedSinnr & Precious
Terrimae & Charmingsister, and they adopted Sewlove2quilt
CBQ & mom SDGranny
Lionpride & mom Tommitalk
Angelinamor & mom Fishingwidow
Magnoliaescapequilter & mom Craftylady 1924 MILDRED!
PattyJ & kneeling SisterSue
Royalboomer & DIL *Chris*

What a great bunch that we can all be family and quilting family too!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SavedSinnr,

Nice to meet'ya Ladies...always good to put a face to the names.

Thanks SS for the great pictures....

I'm sure there are lots more pictures to come. I put mine on the computer last night and have re-sized a few and added them to other COF comment threads .

I must say that it was great to see everyone that I have met before and meet everyone that I had not yet met. It was wonderful to have Precious visit with us--she was certainly a great addition to the group. Her mom and dad too .

The only bad thing was that the time went by so fast! After thinking for many months that I would not make it to the retreat, it was wonderful to be able to make a surprise entrance.

Thank you again, Lindsay and committee, for all of your hard work. I know that you are all ready for some well-deserved rest.

Oh my! I'm craving some of that steak with the jalapeno grits right now. Wish I could be enjoying that for lunch today!

How nice to see all the quilting buddies! That's such a special picture with all the family members. What a great looking group of quilters we have on our board. I'm really glad that Precious had a good time & was able to participate in the activities. We need more youngin's to carry the torch. Hey, did she get her hair cut? It looks precious on Precious!

Glad you all had a good time. I am hoping next year is my year to attend.

This was my first retreat and I loved it. I can't tell you how great it was to be accepted the second I got there. This was a BIG step out of the box for me and I'm so glad I got to go. This sisterhood of quilters is the best. I just wish it hadn't gone by so fast. I love being able to now put faces with names I see on the boards. I didn't get to meet everyone, and I know I can't match up every face with a name, but it is good to be able to put faces on some of the names. Thank you for all the work that went into making this retreat happen.

Way to go Lindsay and everyone who made it possible to raise that total amount for the RMH in 2012!!

If memory serves me right..


2008 - 1875.00 Durham, NC House
2009 - 3000.00 Dallas, TX House
2010 - 4,000.00 Stanford, CA House
2012 - 3651.00 Springfield, MO House
______

Total Raised for RMH in 4 years - $12,526.00

There is definitely strength in numbers!!

Let's not forget that Jayardi raised 4100.00 in 2011 for Muscular Dystrophy through quilts you all made!

And edited to add that Needlecrazy led us in a Hurricane Ike Relief fundraiser, raising 2300.00!!

And if you recall our 2005 , 2006, and 2007 fundraisers where we bought Christmas for needy children, bought back to school supplies for needy children and presented the Susan G. Komen Foundation with proceeds from one fundraiser...

Quilters... You have helped raise close to...............

$22,000.00 for charity in 7 years!!!

You all deserve a standing ovation for all of the time and effort you have put in to each and every fundraiser!!

I say thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Remember, we have a stepping stone on the playground at the Dallas, TX RMH!! Smile

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Quiltaholic,

Quiltaholic, are you forgetting the $2,300 we raised for the Hurricane Ike relief in 2008?

As everyone else has said, the time went by way too fast. I regret not getting to sit with every single person for a few minutes. For those of you who came for the first time, you may not remember all of the names/faces. If you keep coming, more and more will fall into place for you. It was so good to see so many new faces as well as the familiar ones.

You are truly one of the nicest groups of people I have ever had the privilege to know. Every single one of you is very special to me.

I'm very picture-challenged, so if anyone could post a picture of my D*** Jane and my fq challenge quilt, I would be most appreciative.

Okay, on to Harrisburg! Those signups are October 1st, so ladies, get ready.

This was my first retreat and it was wonderful. In fact, there were 22? new retreaters who got to participate. The results of all the planning were super, from beginning to end, including even the pre-official start activities. Accommodations, classes, food, games, loads of donated items and give aways from members, and most of all the comaraderie and cheerfulness of quilters. So fortunate to be able to participate, hope all can attend at some future date, if you are able. Displayed quilts filled two rooms, the row robins, each lovely and amazing; and of course seeing the actual raffle quilts. Thanks to all who contributed.

Another retreat come and gone It was truly a wonderful time. Met old friends and made some new ones. I loved every minute of it...looking forward to PA next year. I brought my camera and then didn't take it out of the suitcase.... I'm going to have to get a different "little" purse that it will fit into as well.

Here's most of needlecrazy's COF FQ Challenge quilt.
Isn't it gorgeous!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,

Oh wow! yes, I did forget Carol! That takes us over 22,000.00! Remarkable!

I have some good ones of your challenge quilt, Carol, and will e-mail em to you. As for Jane, I hope that someone else took pics, since I was helping you hold her.

Thank you for posting your pic, Karen. You were staying busy with your camera! Great to meet you.

Only have close ups of 2 Jane blocks, my camera was too slow.
Beautiful color scheme and I was so glad to get a closer look.

Lisa, I have to document what I see, or else I forget...Lots of photos, and camera was mis-placed for about 24 hours.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,

Wow, they are gorgeous!

Thanks, y'all, for being such good photographers and generous enough to post for me.

Hi, I really enjoyed the retreat...had more fun...getting to see old friends, and making new ones...Now, I can't wait until next year...I have a question...I missed the info about getting more pictures from Walmart..Will please inform us again? thanks very much....Mildred

Oh WOW that FQ Challenge quilt of needlecrazy's is absolutely gorgeous!!! I love the colors, design....everything about it.

I don't know who made the Jane blocks but I sure do lik them & the FM quilting that was done in that gold thread. It really stands out beautifully.

Thanks for sharing the pics & I look forwad to more real soon.

Needle I hope some one comes along with a good pic of the whole quilt. It was amazing.

Thank you Shawkl for the travel toothbrush, Have you ever tried brushing your teeth with a Q-tip swab? It is OK until the cotton tip comes off in your mouth. What fun!!!!

Speccial thanks to my friend Malou for rescuing me at my lowest point. The Coffee, pastries, and shoulder to cry on was the perfect place and perfect time. Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers and the lovely card. For those that dont know, I lost my first husband in 1970 after only 18 months of marriage in a car accident. I was 5 months pregnant with my oldest child. We lost his grandmother, My ex MIL Friday night to heart failure. My quilting buddies are life savers for my sanity. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

Lindsey, Shauna, Rainbow, Crazyboutquilts and every one from behind the scenes, OUTSTANDING JOB!!!!!!!! The entire retreat was the absolute best...

Precious====== The name says it all.

Jane Kiwi is a wonderful cook and from now on she is my room mate!!! Thank you Jane

Florida Farm Girl, Toryam, GA quilter, Shawkl, the trip was so much fun. We rode a van up to Branson on the Garman and we rode a Broom home on the Garman. So much fun!!!!!

Jane, Shaw and Pandibear were wonderful roomies.

Bring on Hersheys in Harrisburg in June 2013.
I am packing today as I unpack.

Oh yeah I almost forgot!!!! I finally won a challenge quilt. YeaAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!

Thamks to all the people that worked on my Round Robin Wallhanging and lap quilt. They were both just gorgeous. If you have never participated in this project, you should because all the quilts are so lovely.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: warm buns,

Carol, that is one gorgeous quilt!

When do we get to see pictures of the Round Robin quilts? Bring 'em on!

Needle/Carol, that's a great picture of your COF quilt. Its absolutely beautiful.
I hope there are more pics posted of the quilts and projects folks were doing there. This is a fun thread.

Carol- your challenge quilt is an absolute beauty! I hope some one has a picture of your entire Dear Jane.

As i am packing to leave from Brnson.....I realized that i do not have a pattern for a kit i bought at the quilt show....i was sitting there and admiring all my purchases....this is a wool quilt kit....it has a sunflower/crow bird....and a really cool saying on it....if anyone may have picked it/ or recognizes this.....could you pm me...

I may just have to contast the place i bought it from and see if they have another.....I have all the frabrics for it...just not the picture and pattern piece

Great retreat. Thanks to all of you who made it so wonderful.

We made it to Orlando last night and home today.

Carol, I may have a pic of your DJ. I did not take many pictures. I'll look a little later as I have to take care of a few other things first.

See you in PA.

I've downloaded some of my photos to webshots.
This link should take you to the first of several pages I could download pretty much straight from camera, ie no labels, names etc... the bigger round robins are there. they were all SUPER!!!



ETA photo of the wonderful ladies who were our COF teachers...in front of some of those RR quilts.
http://home-and-garden.webshot...83442861oErPGP

This message has been edited. Last edited by: wildcatmom,

Home and finally semi awake! I had a ball! I won 2 of the Ronald Mcdonald house quilts. Had to buy another travel bag to get all my goodies home. lol
I had the best roommates in the world, the five of us were perfect together. Got to spend time with old friends, meet new ones, and just loved our condo. Great classes, finally figured out prairie points, thanks CitySandie, I love you!
Hand piecing with Bluesnail was great, even though she taught me handpiecing before, I learned more this time too.
And the free motion quilting class with Jean was tons of great info, just need to practice, practice, and more practice. I was so glad Shauna had her machine for this, as it was the same machine I have at home that worked our perfectly.
I wish I could have had more time with Trish, but there just wasn`t enough hours in the day to spend with everyone you wanted too.
Maylou and her DH were great, loved the breakfast cafe, now of course you know we will expect that at every retreat!! lol
NOW, on to PA!!!!
Tammy

Great pictures! Sounds like everyone had a great time... Chris

wildcat mom, I went to your webshots & saw all the pictures. It sure looks like everyone had fun at the retreat & what beautiful Row Robins! WOW!!!

Home at last! We hit some very bad traffic jams due to construction and one because of a bad accident.

My first retreat was AMAZING!
Many thanks to the special committee members that planned and worked so hard to make it just wonderful for all of us!! Meeting everyone and spending time with you are things that will be in my memories forever.

Warm Buns, I was so glad I was awake and you came to our condo. I've kept you in my thoughts ever since and am so glad we had that time together.

tisme, had to laugh at "expecting" the Morning Cafe` at all the future retreats!
I'm so glad I did that! It gave me a chance to have one-on-one with so many of you retreaters and it was so much fun when there was a crowd gathered around that table in our condo! I know I promised to share recipes so just PM me and I will take care of that.

Thank you for making me, a new-comer, feel so welcome!

Marylou

I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to all the teachers! These gals gave of their time and talents, and some supplies as well, to teach us new ideas and projects! I hope I get to learn the classes I missed, while I still have the teachers at my house

I would like to identify the awesome teachers in the pic L to R is ~

Gonesewin, Crazy'boutquilts, Shauna's Crafty Quilter, Kentucky Sunshine, City Sandie, Jayardi, McPatches, MsBananas, and on the front is Chanlady, Will Quilt for Chocolate and Toryam.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU GALS FOR THE EXCELLENT JOB OF SHARING AND TEACHING! ...

and a SPECIAL BIG OLE THANK YOU TO OUR COORDINATOR, CBQ!!! She IS the super organizer, and did a fantastic job of organizing and getting everything together!!! Thanks CBQ... couldn't have done it without you !

• • • I made it home last night just before eight. I walked in the door and Dan had dinner all ready and waiting for me. ♥ ♥ After dinner we watched a little TV because I was just too pooped to do anything else. Everything is still in the car and hopefully will be unloaded sometime today.

I don't think I'll ever drive that far again all by myself. Luckily, I had a cooler with ice in it so I could splash my face, but that wasn't getting rid of the problem. I had to stop and rest my eyes, they just didn't want to stay open. So the next time I stopped for gas I took a little nap. Twenty minutes later I was completely refreshed and on my way again.

THANK YOU to the committee for putting a wonderful weekend together. I definitely will remember this one. Made some great new friends and connected with a whole bunch of wonderful people.

I've got my fingers crossed for next year. Sure hope I can make it there.

Jayardi, that's what usually happens to me when I drive over three hours by myself. I wind up catnapping in a fast food parking lot or somewhere. Just have to close those eyes a few minutes and then I'm good to go. Hard to explain the need for it to those who can drive for hours at a time.

But, Lindsey, there's a teacher missing ... or was Lois just too small to be seen?!?

Jean and Sue, I'm glad you took those few minutes to refresh and get home safely. Me, I'd try that and get arrested or mugged in the parking lot.

Lois did a great job teaching us hand piecing, with cutting templates and learning how to do that we never got to hand quilting, so Lois set up on Sunday and anyone that wanted to and had time to learn hand quilting, sat with her and she taught that as well! We all now know that we needed 2 hours for each part!!! lol
Thanks Lois!

Actually, there are 3 teachers missing from the photo: me, needlecrazy (who was already on the road when the photo was taken) and NTquilter who taught the marker-plus-alcohol method of fabric dyeing.

Sorry we missed the other teachers ... we put a call out for the teachers to come up ... y'all were probably outside :/

glad everyone made it home in good order, and I am trying to rest... I find I have short bursts of energy, then I wind down til I get nourishment

Today Crafty, Crazy, Granny and I all went to Bass Pro in Springfield for their FABULOUS breakfast buffet! BEST apple dumplings ever!

My pics are all at Flickr.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/4...s/72157631631681217/
They include some of my favorite quilts at the show we went to on Saturday.

I love the pictures, gonesewin. It looks like everyone enjoyed themselves & Chicky outdid herself! What a costume....hoot, hoot!!!!

I want to thank Lindsay and the committee for putting on such a great retreat. Patty J and I came to the retreat for the first time. We were not disappointed. Great retreat, lots of laughs, and also met new friends. We drove about 1450 miles round trip over 2 days both coming and going. I think a good time was had by all. Sue

I was so busy having fun, that I forgot to take pictures. I carried that camera everywhere I went, but didn't remember to actually use it very often. Lori thanks for sharing yours with us. Pat

HI all,

I got to DD#2 in Indy at 1:l5 this a.m. Had a long lay over in Atlanta. So am a little tired this morning. Going to drive home to Ohio tomorrow - about a 5.5 hour drive.

It was a great retreeat, met old friends, made new friend and had lots of fun. Can't believe it is over. Time went so fast. So will look forward to next year.

Going to check out Gonesewin's pics now.

Mary

Thanks, Gonesewin, for the link to the pics. I enjoyed "revisiting" the quilt show through your eyes. Somehow I missed seeing one or two of those quilts, and enjoyed seeing some of my favorites again.

***All pictures are great; I took a few but then focused on more immediate activities. Hope "someone" can identify people in our group picture; when time and energy allows. What a wonderful group.***

TEACHERS ... PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR NOT LISTING EVERYONE

My apologies to NT Quilter, Needlecrazy and bluesnail for failing to mention them in the picture above...

These 3 teachers did a GREAT job in leading their classes, and everyone enjoyed their experience!

It was MY fault in failing to mention them... I went off the picture instead of the notes of the retreat... my brain is not functioning yet, and I can use a little help in remembering things. I should not have thought that I could remember anything right now :-/

We DO appreciate the work and time each of you put into leading the classes, and I'd like to say I'm sorry for omitting you. You were a valuable part to the success of the retreat!

Lindsey, there are a few of us who can truly say we've walked in your shoes, and trust me, your exhaustion is normal and expected. Please don't apologize for anything; you and your committee did a fantastic-fabulous-wonderful-amazing job.

It looks like I got more pics on Wednesday evening of the early, early birds! I also got "some" of the show'n'tell & the row robins (sorry I didn't get the names on the lap quilts). Enjoy!

http://good-times.webshots.com/album/583454816EgWvlO

And here are a few pics from the quilt show...I didn't get a lot, but these are some that I really liked a lot. (Lori, I think I must have missed an aisle!)

http://home-and-garden.webshot...lbum/583459876PNozKr

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AngelaC,

quote:

Originally posted by needlecrazy:
Lindsey, there are a few of us who can truly say we've walked in your shoes, and trust me, your exhaustion is normal and expected. Please don't apologize for anything; you and your committee did a fantastic-fabulous-wonderful-amazing job.

THANK YOU NEEDLECRAZY! I needed that !
I remember the advice that EACH previous hostess gave me ... "you can't please everyone" ... so I guess I'm a success !

SS well if you didn't please everyone, I would be surprised! I truly have never been to an event were I heard NO complaints. Except this one.

You and your committee put together the best get together I've ever been to.