I’m just back from the Anna Lena fall retreat.  Boy, was it fun!   We were at the Falls Creek Retreat Center, and we did our sewing in the gymnasium.  There was plenty of room for all 63 of us!

One of the best things about retreat is the inspiration you get from seeing what others have been doing.  I’ve posted pictures of the show-and-tell we did to flickr.

Evelyn brought the Twelve Step Program quilt that she’d made from my book, Bundles of Fun.

And during the weekend, Terry made the same quilt!  It’s amazing how different they look!

It was fun to see other quilts made from my books.  Ginny made this quilt for her daughter.

It’s the cover quilt from Big Print Quilts, but, boy, does it look different with the fabrics she chose!

Here’s another one from Big Print Quilts.  See me subtley waving the book above the quilt?!?  This one is Pat’s and it’s called Whopper.

This quilt, called Summer Fun, is from Fat Quarter Fun.  Janet made this one.

I love the way Twelve Drummer Drumming, from Bundles of Fun, looks with Mary’s fabric choices.

Also from Bundles of Fun is this basket quilt.  Sue made it and is donating it to a breast cancer fundraiser.

Renee was making these adorable dress blocks from a box of scraps from her grandma’s attic!

Teresa, who teaches first grade, was making book bags for all of her students!

Barbara had a kit to make a table runner–and she didn’t even know the fabric was from my Santa Claus Lane group!  And the pattern was designed by my friend, Karen Montgomery!

And, speaking of Santa Claus Lane, Robin made a Santa Claus Lane Jumper for her granddaughter.  I just had to use the last of the Santa Claus fabric to make kits for this.

You have to have some fun at retreat, too.  Here I am wearing my Christmas tree skirt!

We had an ugly fabric exchange and made bags–most of which weren’t ugly at all!

Bob even came by on Friday to do maintenance on people’s Featherweights!  He was the only boy allowed–and after lunch we sent him on his way.

It was a great time, in a great location.  I even walked to the falls–but more on that later!

In the meantime, you can see other posts about the retreat from the following atendees:

Monica – The Happy Zombie

Sarah – Anyone Can Quilt

Robin – Crafty Musings

Evelyn – Use The Loot

I’m so excited about our upcoming retreat.  There are six spaces left, so if you could use a little uninterrupted time to work on your projects (as in Christmas is coming!), won’t you join us?

Days – You have the option of a three or four day retreat.  The four day retreat is an additional $75.00–but think of what you can get done!  THREE Day Retreat – Friday, November 6-Sunday, November 8.  FOUR Day Retreat – Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 8.

Place – The retreat will be at the Falls Creek Retreat Center.  The Retreat Center is 35 miles west of Chehalis on Highway 6.  I taught there a few months ago, and it’s a lovely facility.  We will be sewing in the gymnasium, so we’ll have plenty of room to spread out.

People – There will be 64 of us, including three “staff” members.  Staff members are Robin Anderson, Monica Solorio-Snow and me!

Meals – The 3 day retreat includes 5 meals–dinner on Friday night, three meals on Saturday and brunch on Sunday.  The 4 day retreat includes 8 meals–dinner on Thursday, three meals on Friday and Saturday and brunch on Sunday.

Accommodations – We will be split between the Creekside Lodge and Cedar Lodge.  Each lodge has a lovely sitting room as well as the bedrooms.  Everyone will have their own bed.  Bedrooms have between 2 and 5 beds.  Each bedroom has its own bath.

Structure – You are free to do your own thing at the retreat–work on UFO’s, start a new project–whatever you desire.  The only thing we ask is that you not bring embroidery machines and have them running continually.  I will also be offering a mystery class to those who would like to participate.  Email me if you’d like details on that.  The Anna Lena Staff will be there to offer assistance with your projects.  These often lead to impromptu demonstrations.

Cost - THREE Day Retreat – Friday, November 6-Sunday, November 8 – $199.00

FOUR Day Retreat – Thursday, November 5 – Sunday, November 8 – $274.00

Click here to sign up.  We’re going to have a blast!