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Monday, November 05, 2007

Annual South East Dear Jane (and friends) Retreat, 2007




Now that the whirlwind of finding out who the winner if Cathedral Stars is past...I can finally unpack my car and find my camera and upload the pics from retreat!

Let me tell you that Mansfield Georgia is BEAUTIFUL in November! The drive there from here was lovely. It took me about 3 hours from my house, and the trees are just about in full color. I was in awe at the gorgeous golds, oranges, reds, yellows and various shades of green against a blue blue autumn sky!

The retreat was held at Charlie Elliott Conference center. There was a huge huge room we set up our machines in. The lighting was perfect. The windows overlooked the woods, and on down to a lake below! There are banks of hotel type buildings where we roomed. It couldn't have been better.

Not everyone was working on Dear Jane. Over the years that has kind of evolved into projects of all kinds as others have finished their DJ quilts, but still want to attend and it is more of a "bring your own thing" now! There was one energetic gal, Mary, who was making designer handbags out of the most beautiful upholstery fabrics with wild trims. So fun to watch her work!

I arrived, and upon entering the building for the first time, I was greeted by this welcome mat! Oooohhh! You know it is going to be a good weekend when even the door mats are quilty looking!


Not very many people were there yet, so I had pick of the corner I wanted to sew in. One wonderful thing..the walls were CARPETED so you could just PIN to them for a design wall!! I am so enthused about this idea, I might carpet the walls of my next studio.. :c) I hung my "Nearly Insane" there, hoping that seeing it would motivate me to finishing it sometime in the future too....but it didn't get worked on. Still, I guess it got to breathe outside of the box it's been kept in!



I have been dragging this pink/brown DJ thing to retreats for over 4 years now. Don't you think it's time I got it FINISHED?! Or at least pieced into a completed top? Every time I pull it out and work on it, I love it. But it is so tedious that I just keep pushing it aside for other things at home. I am happy to say that I finished piecing the last two rows of the center while at retreat!

Yes, you got it right. I pieced 17 blocks, and all the sashings and cornerstones that went with them during the retreat...and gave seven massages in between! How's that for productive?! *LOL*



The weekend was filled with the hum of machines, the ring of laughter, all the wonderful things that happen when quilters gather together. I really love the one on one time I get with quilters during the massage sessions. You really get to take time out and get to know someone so much better. These ladies are awesome and inspirational!



Now that I am home....I still have to attach those last two rows to the "Mother Ship" but it may be a while before I pull it out again. We have received the job offer from Corning in Winston-Salem and it is too good to pass up! They will buy our house here, so we are free to buy something else there. They want us moved quickly. We will have to start house hunting right away. My head is in a spin, I can tell you. The benefits so far are better than anything DH has had here....it is like a complete gift horse??

We are still waiting for a reply from the one job that would allow us to stay put. But at this point, staying put doesn't even seem like the best thing to do? Yes, I'll be walking away from my massage practice...and starting over....but compared to the benefits of the job for DH,that is small potatoes. Who knows...maybe I'll have more time on my hands to...QUILT?? :c)

If we don't hear back from Georgia Pacific about the job here by Wednesday, we will accept the Winston-Salem job and move full steam ahead. I would love to hear from anyone in the Winston-Salem area! I know NO ONE there...

23 comments:

  1. oh bonnie! i'm so sorry that it's looking like your answer is 'move'...but it sounds like a fabulous job! at least it's not far.

    good for you for finishing up those last blocks. now...time to move onto your tree quilt and get it quilted so i can sit and drool some more. ;o)

    tracey
    www.theehandworks.typepad.com

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  2. Guess what, Bonnie? You know me, or you will soon enough!! Welcome to W-S... You'll love it here, we've literally been around the world and couldn't wait to move back!

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  3. Great quilting retreat post, but the best part is receiving some concrete news on the DH job front.

    With your outgoing personality, and many skills - including energy and stamina!!!, you will find friends/acquaintances immediately.

    Love the DJ blocks -- all is going well, on all the fronts!

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  4. Woohoo on the job offer, esp one with great benefits. sorry to see that it takes you further north away from florida and GA, but I bet there are all sorts of advantages as well. And buying your house even? Excellent.

    the retreat sounds great. hmm, carpeted walls - does sound intruguing. would help dampen down the sound too. Just don't to shag carpeting - way too austin powers. Nearly Insane and the Albatross both look great - congrats on the almost finish.

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  5. Oh Bonnie! You may have to move, but is sure sounds like it is all falling into place! I know nothing about that area either! I"m sure you'll be on pins and needles for the next few days!

    I just LOVE your nearly insane! I don't think I even knew you were working on it! I love it! And I just really love the pink and blue one! I"m so glad you got so much done! That retreat center looks wonderful!

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  6. I'm glad the offer is all you could have asked for, even if it will involve a move...

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  7. Sometimes what seems too good to be true really is THAT good. Hubby company was bought and we were very worried but got luckier than we ever imagined and it just gets better.

    Question...where did you purchase the surround for your featherweight? I need one just like that!

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  8. bonnie, LOVE the DJ; must be a relief to have all the blocks done finally! whew! sorry to hear about your move BUT the very best thing is all your quiltville friends will be there as soon as you get your 'puter up and running. that's the best thing about blogland for sure

    cityquilter grace

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  9. Bonnie, I read your blog daily and I'm friends with Mrs. Goodneedle. We think it's wonderful that you will be moving to Winston Salem. I've lived several places too but Winston Salem has always been the best. We can't wait to make you feel at home here. Let us know if there is anything we can do to help. There are lots of wonderful quilters here!!!!

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  10. Hey there Bonnie - how wonderful that you've finished the blocks for your DJ - are you going to go on and make the triangles too? My second one is going to be triangle free - I don't think I could face them again.
    I hope all goes the way you want it to with the job situation. I have a good feeling about it all!
    *hugs*
    Tazzie
    :-)

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  11. Bonnie, the retreat sure had a spacious location for sewing! You chose two of my favorite quilts to work on. It's good to see the progress you made on them. If you keep moving north, you'll be able to attend the Dear Jane gathering in Shipshewana, IN. Sounds like there are two friends already waiting for you in the W/S area.

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  12. Bonnie,
    Great work on the DJ and NI and HUGE congrats on the job offer. In six months, you'll know two hundred people in Winston-Salem. Lucky them!!!

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  13. Bonnie,
    The retreat sounds great and I'm very impressed with your work on the DJ and NI. I love the pink and brown. I'm sorry you have to move, but I know you and within six months you'll know half of the people in town!

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  14. Anonymous8:18 PM EST

    Shall we go? Shall we stay? I hate that uncertainty. So glad a choice has almost been made and that it's a good one for you and your family. Congratulations.

    I can honestly say that your DJ is perhaps the nicest one I've seen so far - those sashings and cornerstones were inspired :-)

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  15. I've heard that's a nice area of NC and it sounds like a good offer. Look for the positives in the move and I'm sure it will work out well for you.

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  16. You are approaching the probable move with a great attitude. Good for you! SC's loss will be NC's gain. My sister used to live in W-S and my niece was born there. Can't be all bad! :-)
    I absolutely LOVE your DJ.

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  17. Love the nearly insane. Good news about the job for DH too.

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  18. Hate to say 'Told you so' but I just knew there'd be something round the corner for you all - at least if you have to move your skills are good and portable so you can build up in your new place :o) and thanks to the wonderful world of blogging you've got two friendly neighbours already - magic!

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  19. Looks like you had a great retreat.
    Don't worry about the move, you'll make friends in no time, Just head for the nearest quilty shop.

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  20. Good luck on your upcoming move. You're heading to a great area.

    The retreat sounds super--ANY retreat sounds super. Your Nearly Insane looks great, as does the DJ.

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  21. Bonnie, you don't know me either but I am nearby in Raleigh, NC. I've been a faithful reader of your blog for years now and am tickled that you'll be in this area. The people around here are great and I'm sure you'll find it very similar to life in SC. There are lots of quilters! Great work on the retreat quilt...all I can say is you must really work, work, work while you are there.

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  22. How nice to see your NI blocks again Bonnie. Mine will be worked on as from tomorrow, as I have booked machine quilting for my quilt in March. I am about half done with the blocks.

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  23. Just getting caught up after traveling. Congrats on the move (YES CONGRATS! lolol) the carpeted walls are a wonder! Do you think carpet tiles would work? I think I'm wearing my husband down on a long arm...I will just HAVE to have a bigger design wall! :::grin:::

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