When The Wind Blows Hard -

Yes.  There is a rainbow crossing through our photo.

It's March!  St Paddy's Day is less than a week away - and maybe there are leprechauns about!

But more like - it was super cold and windy (though sunny) and we dove outside to take a series of 3 quick photos and then back inside we went.

We had a marvelous time with Gail's Quilt Buddies on retreat at Quiltville Inn.

Birthdays were celebrated.  Surprise first grandbaby showers went off without a hitch.

Who cares if the weather was less than pleasant?

At this time of day I was attempting to be IN the shade while the folks were also in the shade so that the  mid-day sun wouldn't wash everything out. (Or put in impromptu rainbows like it did with my selfie above.)

Oh, what a beautiful morning! *singing*

Or what other song could this be about?

Of course the wind made it impossible to do quilt photos over the rail.  So we did them by bedroom pals in the dining room.

Lovely lovely lovely!  That's April's On Ringo Lake on the left. And the middle compass? Did you know that magenta is Pantone's color of the year?

Silk Path, Indigo Way, some cute applique blocks featuring Snoopy, and the scrappy tatami mat/potato chip blocks.  (I shared close ups of these fun blocks in yesterday's post.)

The photobomber in the back is cracking me up as I look at this photo.  LOL!

Wonderful beginnings!

Retreats don't always yield a quick finish.  some projects take longer, and only blooks happen.  And that's okay too!  The most important thing is that you relax and enjoy your time with your quilty friends.

I think we hit that part out of the ballpark. 

Gail has a long piece of quilt in progress around her neck - hidden by the Harry Potter finish front and center. Another quilt start is at the far right.

But what's with the squirrel?

It's truly a hilarious story - as the quilter holding the squirrel hates squirrels.  With a passion.

And as a joke, everywhere she goes her quilty friends drop off squirrels of various sorts to tease her.

They will visit her home and quietly put one down to be discovered later.

They will move them around her house until she finds them again.

And sometimes they show up at retreat as a gift on her sewing machine.  LOL!

This quilt has a name!

Thanks to everyone who suggested that I call it Mabel's Choice after the video I posted yesterday.

It's perfect - and I love it.  Be looking for this one in PDF format in May.

And by special request - Big String Quartet is slated for release on Monday, March 18th!

Yes, there will be introductory pricing, and a gift-away including color rolls by Cotton to Quilts!

So many exciting things are coming up, so stay tuned.

Today - Richmond Express is arriving for retreat!

And they scheduled an Emerald City workshop from String Frenzy!

There will be much scrappy string trading - and yes, we'll be sewing strips to phone book pages and making half-square triangles with the Essential Triangle Tool and celebrating St. Paddy's day in a very green way!

I'm sure there will be other colors too - but I'm super excited.

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

Vintage nine patch quilt found in North Carolina.

It's simple. The energy you send out goes on and on touching others.

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I love what David Dieda said:⁣

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"Everything you do right now ripples outward and affects everyone. Your posture can shine your heart or transmit anxiety. Your breath can radiate love or muddy the room in depression. Your glance can awaken enjoy. Your words can inspire freedom. Your every act can open hearts and minds."⁣

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We have a direct effect not only on how our days go, but also on others. Let your ripples be positive ones!

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!