Like a Bunch of Wild Animals!

I made it home last evening with only an extra hour spent in Chicago. YAY!! I’d consider that “pretty much” on time as far as delays go.

I just stitched hexagons all the way home…making progress on my filling in around the medallion. More pics of that to come later!

((Note to self -- Cut more NEUTRALS out before next road trip!!))

Our weekend was spent at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. I’ve been informed that it is pronounced BEEEWWWWWNA Vista, Not Bwayna Vista! This always cracks me up! I remember moving to South Carolina, and the first time I went to meet Siobhan and Tonya in Augusta, GA….I was told the neighboring town, Martinez, is NOT called MARTEEEEEENEZ, It’s Martin-ehz. Weird. Especially for someone who grew up in the Bay Area of California, and everything has hispanic roots and it definitely would have been MARTEEENez. :cD

So..back to the university! Our classrooms were in the science building! And we were greeted by copious amounts of…….TAXIDERMY!!

It was really very cool, as far as stuffed animals go. I can see why the students would find the science department an interesting place for hands on learning! Biology of all creatures, you know? This guy was saying “Keep away from my fat quarters!!”

This guy was saying ---- “I know I left my rotary cutter somewhere!!”

This guy was saying “Yes, I do believe you can cut stripes off grain and mix them with polka dots!”

This one was wondering whether she could mix batiks and animal prints together ;c)

And THESE animals were having a great time even in close quarters! They came from Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri and beyond. And we sewed!

I will say, that this retreat wins hands down ((or is that bottoms down?!)) for the BEST SEWING CHAIR AWARD! Everyone had comfy office chairs that we could raise and lower to whatever height we needed. And when you are sewing like a bunch of wild animals for 2 days straight, we need good chairs!

Friday’s workshop was Pineapple Blossom……and we had many blossoms in many colors going on. I love this class, the blocks are easy, the designs made with them are striking, and you can change up the options to create even more different looks!

		Pineapple Blossom Storm Lake IA 2011 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

It was an incredibly fun day! We left the heat and humidity outside, and stayed in and sewed our brains out! And if you happen to spy some little bow ties in the pics above....Some industrious someone was using them as leaders/enders! YAY!

I love this pic of Jo from Jo’s Country Junction and her daughter Kelli……Like Mother, Like Daughter, look at that long line of chain piecing!!

Here’s Jo laying out her blocks in the hallway! Aren’t they looking yummy?!

Jo, Kelli, Amy, Kathy ((all of the 14 Kathys LOL!)) Janell, everyone --- Thank you so much for the terrific welcome and a fantastic weekend!

Me, Amy and another of Amy’s online friends, Anne! Amy came from Wisconsin, her friend from Missouri!

There are more photos to post, but I’ve got a pet sitter coming by to interview for taking care of the animals while DH & I are in Alaska in a couple weeks. ((ALASKA!!! I am so stinking excited I can barely stand it!))

Stay Tuned…more to come later!