Shipshewana Day 2...and 3

Somehow day 2 and day 3 of our retreat have melded together and just slipped away. It could be all of that talking and eating. I'm sure the lack of sleep has quite a bit to do with that, too. Thursday started with a trip outside of Shipshewana into Amish country. First stop was the Red Skillet over at Rome City.  I don't have a photo so imagine a red building that looks like a red metal farm building that sits back off of the road.  I had bacon, eggs and toast here for breakfast.  The idea was to have a good breakfast so that I would make good shopping decisions. 

First stop was Caroline's Cottage Cottons in Rome City, Indiana.  Caroline's is a small quilt shop in a house  a block off of the main highway.  I bought a little bit of fabric there. 

I had a list of fabrics I wanted to buy for projects that I have in mind.  This is a fat quarter pack of blue and cheddar reproduction fabrics.  This was the first thing I bought that wasn't on my list.  But it was a nice pack and it was wrapped up with a frilly bow.  I know I'll find a use for it.

Then I found this piece of Jo Morton border print.  This was the second thing that wasn't on my list, but I love gold and rust so I know this one will find its way into a project one day.

These pieces of fabric said, "Pick me up and buy me."  They weren't on the list either, but I just love them.  At this point I just stopped looking at that list and shopped on pure instinct. 

Next it was on to Knitting Today at Wolcotville. 

The yarn here is just beautiful.  There is a lot packed into the shop, and everyone there is so helpful. 

I bought a bag full of yarn which wasn't on my list either, but at least I know this yarn is for a blanket that looks like a nine patch quilt. 

After all of that shopping it was time for a latte' at The Kitchen Cupboard in the Davis Mercantile building. 

A pretzel at  Jo-Jos is good anytime of the day....even for breakfast.

At this point in the retreat there is more shopping and eating than there is sewing...but we're having a great time.  There will be plenty of time for sewing after we get finished with all of this shopping.

I hope you are all stitching today.  Thanks for visiting. 

Shipshewana Quilt Retreat: Day 1

You know you've arrived in Shipshewana, Indiana, when you see your first horse and buggy. 

The quilting can't officially start until you have a little bag of fabrics from Lollys.

Of course, you have to "fish" for fat quarters in the boat.

Chicken and  noodles at The Blue Gate is always on the menu.

And, we always need at least one cupcake from The Garden Gate Cafe.

Having fun visiting with old friends that have come to the retreat and missing those that weren't able to make it.  We know you are here with us in spirit.  Now I actually have to do some sewing since it is a quilt retreat. 

I hope all of you are finding some time to stitch and maybe even eat a cupcake today. 

Thanks for visiting! 

Let's Twist Again

I've seen the Lil Twister quilts showing up all over blogland.  I left a comment on Diane's blog about her quilt, and she wrote me a nice email with a lot of helpful information as well as some links that show these quilts and the technique.  The quilt takes 36 charm squares.  I used part of a charm pack and cut some of my own fabrics.  One of the sites I visited had sewn a 3 inch border around the outside of the charm squares before they cut the twister blocks.  Here is how the quilt started.

Then I used the ruler and cut out the windmill shapes.  The fabric looks a bit like swiss cheese after you cut out all of the shapes for the quilt. 

The pieces that are left are nearly 2 1/2" square and could be cut down and used in a pieced border or put into your scrap container for later. 

Here are the finished quilt blocks on my design wall.  I know it's another UFO, but I just couldn't resist.  This would  make a cute - but bright - table topper.  I'm thinking more that this would be a nice center for a donation quilt for Project Linus. 

Thanks to Judy L at Patchwork Times for hosting Design Wall Monday.  You can see what others are working on by clicking on the link.  

I hope you are finding time to spend stitching in your sewing rooms today.  Happy stitching!