Winter Retreat ~ 2023

Time goes by so fast and I’m thrilled that it’s winter retreat time at Cattail once again. Before I share a bit of the fun, I’d like to answer a few questions I received on last week’s post about my new studio. My first comment is to thank everyone for their kind words and especially Ginny for telling me that it was time for me to “get sewing and have fun messing it up” 🤣!

I’m always afraid I’m being too repetitive in my weekly posts, and for some of you long time followers I probably am. But I do have some new readers too and I hope to find a balance. That being said, in last week’s post Rene commented with a request for more information on my “magic box”. I blogged about that in 2016 and anyone who is interested can click here to read more about it.

Then Sue commented with a question about my Handi Quilter Sweet 16 mid-arm machine. Please click here for a post on that topic from 2012. The metal contraption hanging at the back of the machine table is an invention of my own I call the Quilt Float System.

It can be made rather inexpensively from supplies at your local hardware store, and I would not quilt a crib size or larger quilt without it! The Quilt Float lifts the weight of the quilt off of the table and makes it so much easier to maneuver, especially with bed-sized quilts. I’ve been using this system for many years and you can click here to find the most recent and comprehensive post I’ve written about it. And ~ as you can see from this photo ~ it works for domestic machines too!

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Now that we covered that 😊… I’m at at a wonderful snowy retreat in Poynette, WI!

Don’t you love going on a quilt retreat? Spending time with other quilters doing what you love is just about the most fun a person can have. If you’ve never had the opportunity ~ I highly recommend you searching one out, or grab a few friends and find a place to sew together. I know your friends will thank you 😊. I’m blessed to eat with these dear ladies:

and sing along to 70s music, laugh ~ and sew much more. We get a lot of stitching done too!

We’re supposed to head home today. I just hope we can get there in spite of all the snow that fell overnight. Or maybe we should just continue to sew today away and worry about driving home tomorrow. After all, tomorrow is another day 🤣.

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And one more thing…

Last week I signed up for classes at the AQS show in Paducah and ended up posting about my love for Paducah and the show on their FaceBook page. In case you missed it, here it is:

“I just registered to take classes in Paducah, and the thought of Spring at the AQS show is helping me to get through this cold Wisconsin winter. This will be the 32^nd time I’ve attended the show and I can’t wait. I’ve been blessed to help to hang the quilts every year and they never disappoint ~ they’re the best in the world; and then there’s the vendors ~ amazing!

I called Bonnie Browning today to talk to her about hanging and taking down the show in April and I got so excited sharing with her all the things I love about Paducah and the quilt show, that she suggested I share my thoughts on their FaceBook page.

Being there so often has allowed me to really get to know this wonderful city. The convention center is walking distance to a very charming downtown (although trollies and buses are available). There are lovely shops and restaurants, and the murals on the flood wall shouldn’t be missed! Then there’s the National Quilt Museum – I recommend going there at least once, but I usually find myself there two or three times.

Member registration is now open, so this is the time to join AQS – just do it! Click here to link to their website. I’m really looking forward to it and maybe I’ll see you there.

Oh, and don’t forget bubble tea at Etcetera in downtown Paducah”