Category Archives: Sew-in

A Word About Retreats

Posted on March 10, 2019 by heARTs Creations

Recently there have been several inquiries about the Quilt & Sew-In Retreats held in the Spring and Fall in Blowing Rock, NC. This is a great time where quilters/sewers/knitters, etc. come together to work on their projects, share, laugh, shop and enjoy the wonderful restaurants and all that downtown Blowing Rock has to offer.

Where’s the registration? Returning retreaters have an exclusive early sign-up period. After that time, if there are openings, information and the registration form will be posted on this site.

Spring 2019 Quilt & Sew-In

April 3 through April 7

The Spring retreat is currently FULL. If you would like to be on the wait list, please contact me at heARTsCreations@outlook.com.

Thank you to this year’s Sponsors!

2019 sponsors

Back from Retreat I

Posted on November 10, 2018 by heARTs Creations

Whew! Retreat is just so much fun – but really, 30 quilters?! There was a lot of sewing, sharing, laughing, games, prizes and fun, fun, fun. What a wonderful group. And I had the privilege of meeting some for the first time and there were a few that hadn’t been in a while. There are those that come every year. All lend so much to the retreat. In addition to North Carolina, they came from South Carolina, Virginia, Alabama and Florida!

Here are some of the pics – another took some and am awaiting those to be sent so there will be a second post soon. Each day began with a great breakfast to fuel us for the fun and work ahead. Lots of serious discussions too!

Beverly and Janet were obviously absorbed in their projects.

It’s not all sewing. Adrienne did beautiful painted rocks while Diane knitted scarves for a charity program.

Jean made a fabulous cover for her sewing machine and completed a nifty reversible apron.

One pretty and warm afternoon we had no choice but to go to Kilwin’s for ice cream. This has become a very yummy tradition!

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Betty Ruth was delighted to win at strip poker – things got a little rowdy!

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Lots of fun and laughing, but I have to admire the concentration and seriousness.

Pat was determined to complete her first quilt – a flannel rag quilt.

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Be on the lookout for Retreat Wrap-up Parts II and III!

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Surprises & A Great Retreat!

Posted on April 28, 2018 by heARTs Creations

Last week was the Spring Quilt & Sew-In Retreat and it was a blast! There was so much sewing going on, but that is truly the least of it. The sharing, assistance, laughing and teaching moments were all such treasures. The generous spirit of all who attended was just amazingly wonderful. How lucky am I to bring these quilters back together each year!

And there were surprises! Beverly made these darling heart appliqued bags for everyone and a few extras for the wonderful employees of the inn where we stay. She also made cute little butterflies (mine, unfortunately, is camera shy). She is the resident crochet queen! In addition, she blessed me with the crocheted doilies (if I ever made one of these, I don’t think I’d be giving them away!) and a sewing machine cover with pockets for tools.

Sandra made everyone this cute finger pin cushion (on the right). It is going to be a real bonus for me when I am hand appliqueing.

In their goody bags, each attendee received a pin cushion with a Velcro backing – perfect to place on your sewing machine or table or wherever you might find it handy (above left). Several were put to use shortly after receiving them! Both were made with bottle caps as the base.

Something very special that happens at retreat is that there is a bucket of block “kits” for each to sew if they choose. The blocks are then put together for Hospice quilts. Everyone sewed one – some more than one! These batiks are going to make a beautiful quilt. The very masculine blocks were put together and the quilt top is already finished – Yeah!

AND there was a last minute sponsor – Woo Hoo! Northcott Fabrics so very generously sent these goodies. Sponsor generosity helps to make the retreats so very special.

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In the Fall we retreat again in Blowing Rock. Lucky me – I of course get to be there!

Two Projects Ready to Sew!

Posted on April 18, 2018 by heARTs Creations

It’s time to pack up and head to Blowing Rock for the Spring retreat. I’ll be setting up our sewing room for the Thursday morning start when I’ll greet all the happy, ambitious and anxious quilters as they gather to sew until Sunday!

I have several projects ready to go. The first one I will be doing as a leader/ender project. It is just a simple four patch with a one patch sewn in between each. It will be colorful and fun and fairly mindless – the kind of project I need when I lead a retreat.

In my stash I had a pile of little triangles that I’ve looked at several times wondering, “what should I do with these?” Then when I came across 1 stack of 2 1/2 inch squares, it all came together! These will make a cute wall hanging or table topper – I’ll decide as I progress.

There are a few more projects prepped, but as they are Island Batik Ambassador projects, I won’t be showing those to you just yet. I am excited about working on all of these and hopefully will get much accomplished!

And here it all is – the pile of retreat goodness ready to go!

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Two Fall Retreats – Fun, Fun, Fun!!

Posted on November 16, 2017 by heARTs Creations

Usually I post retreat fun immediately after returning. Having done two retreats back to back, I was totally pooped!! I always love being with these creative souls, and this year was no different – just double the fun and productivity. (Click on each pic to see captions)

Fall I

Great use of strips!

Inspiring charity quilt.

Color!

She built a neighborhood.

Many, Many absolutely precise very little blocks were made.

Major accomplishment – pieced (not paper pieced).

Super Heroes – big and mini.

Another Wow!

Wanted to take this one home with me!

Bright and fun.

The paper piecing queen – beautiful Christmas quilt!

Square in a square – shared her method with everyone.

Beautiful fabrics.

These flying geese were perfect – new quilter!

Sweetest hands and feet.

Bargello madness!

Art Quilt I

Art Quilt II

Log Cabin – Fall!

Antique Guilt Restoration of Binding

The snowmen are towels!

Log Cabin great beginnings.

Really???

Bright and fun.

The paper piecing queen – beautiful Christmas quilt!

Square in a square – shared her method with everyone.

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Beautiful fabrics.

These flying geese were perfect – new quilter!

Fall II to be posted soon! (And yes, lots more pics!!)

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Paper Pieced Veggies

Posted on November 1, 2017 by heARTs Creations

PP Carrot heARTsCreations.com (Medium)

Last year I was asked to do a quilt to be hung at a farm stand. It’s for a dear cousin, so I said “yes.” Having sketched out my design, I was all ready to go until I came across some paper pieced veggie patterns (Quiltmaker “Garden Patch). And yes, into it I jumped – finally!

PP Watermelson (Medium) PP Tomatoes heARTsCreations.com (Medium) PP Radishes heARTsCreations (Medium)

They were not difficult and I do like the way they look. Now for putting it all together. I have somewhat of a plan, but it hasn’t fully emerged. I need to also put the name of the farm on the quilt. Setting this aside for now waiting for a rainy or cold day which we are promised very soon.

PP Onion heARTsCreations.com (Medium) PP Corn heARTsCreations.com (Medium)

October is now at an end so I’ve updated my project listing.

Fall I & Fall II Quilt and Sew-ins are next week, so I’m hoping to accomplish a fair amount there. The biggest benefit of my retreats for me is the great creative souls I get to spend time with, laugh with and share in their always amazing talents.

Oct 2017 WIPs heARTsCreations.com

Linking up with WIPS on Wednesdays

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Sew Much Sewing, Sew Much FUN!!!

Posted on May 9, 2017 by heARTs Creations

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Just back from the Quilt & Sew-In Spring Retreat and WOW! It was such a good time. I am always impressed with the fun attitude and amazing camaraderie at retreat. I am also always wowed at how much everyone accomplishes and their exceptional talents. There is so much to show, I will do this in two parts.

Our Venue: The Meadowbrook Inn, Blowing Rock, has been home to the Quilt & Sew-In Retreat for five years. The sewing room is bright and each sewer gets their own table. There are 3 pressing stations that are counter height, and 3 cutting stations counter height. Each day we start out in the pretty windowed breakfast room.

Thank you Island Batiks for the pretty charm packs for everyone!

Free Spirit and Rowan Fabric also generously donated hexie charm packs with Kaffe Fassett, Joel Dewberry and Denyse Schmidt fabrics. Building up our stash!!

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The “Mad Button” game was played and lasted 24 hours. It was brutal! If someone said “quilt” or “fabric,” one of their red buttons would be taken – she with the most red buttons won. (Thinking about how often you say those two words? ) Cindy played with a fun and ferociousness that couldn’t be beat – 21 buttons gave her the win! She scored a ceramic magnetic pin dish with pins.

Quilt! – the Quilt & Sew-In’s very own first cousin to Bingo, was played several times over the weekend. Winners enjoyed the new Oly Fun craft fabric by Fairfield. Great opportunity to try something new!

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Whew! There’s LOTS more to share – tomorrow. Visit again to see the amazing creative projects by all who attended! Sorry, I have to use this word again – “WOW!!!”