The 14th Quilter's Retreat

The calm at Pictou Lodge

Another Retreat has come and gone. We had another wonderful time with some pretty wonderful quilters. The days flew by all too fast. The classrooms were a beehive of activity and creativity, conversation and quiet. The weather was great for arrival day, then we had two days of wind and rain (no hurricanes this year and no snow). Then we had two wonderful days of sunshine and blue skies.

Penny and Cheryl

We were delighted to have Penny Berens from Granville Ferry, NS and Cheryl Arkison from Calgary AB with us this year as our teachers. It was wonderful to see their workshop show and tell on the last night and see how much everyone accomplished, truly impressive. We were saddened that Karen Neary could not be with us this year due to a death in her family. We all send our sincere sympathies and hope to have her with us at a Retreat in the near future.

The Retreat happens thanks to the help of many both in the two years it takes to plan and organize and the 5 days at Pictou Lodge. For one reason or another many of our committee could not be with us this year. Meredith and Ann worked hard and lent their support many times, I could not have managed without them, I am so grateful for their support. Jamie jumped in the last few months and took on several jobs. Once at the Retreat Davida and her sister Jeanne Kay helped with the seating plan for dinner, Barb M and Kay looked after the table favours, putting them out at each meal. Thanks to all who donated the favours - Barb and Kay, Gerri and Beth, Marie, Rhoda Moore (from Trend Tex Fabrics). Meredith and Ann were joined by Diane to manage the sale tables of books, magazines and fabrics. Rosemary, Isabel, Joan and Anne looked after the auction (fund raising for the 2015 Retreat) and Linda, Linnet and Jamie managed the silent auction table. Patsy, Bev, Debbie P and Debbie V managed the draws for door prizes and distributed them each night. Anne MR, Tina, Sandi and Deb P organized the fascinator challenge parade on the final night and teachers Cheryl and Penny along with our vendor Jacquie were the judges. I am sure I have forgotten someone - it sure is testament to that old saying that many hands make light work! Please see the previous post for a list of our door prize donors! More thanks there!

Many, many thanks to Jacquie Gillis and Monica from the Mira Stitch 'N Post Quilt Shop in Sydney, Cape Breton who came to the Retreat to be our vendor with a one ton truck loaded with all sorts of goodies and $3/m fabric. And they jumped in to help with the show and tell.

Wes visits Penny's workshop.

The staff at Pictou Lodge is the best! From Wes, the manager to Amanda our event co-ordinator to Chef Thomas and his staff in the kitchen to Sharon, Joanne and all the wait staff as well as the housekeepers and grounds staff. Everyone always had a smile and were all interested in what we do and ready to help when asked. I think we are a bit of a change from their usual conferences and meetings!

Krystal, Kelly and Debbie - our Avonport Award Scholarship winners.

I had many special moments, I think one of the best for me was seeing our three Avonport Award Scholarship winners together and having such a great time. Krystal form 2009, Kelly from 2011 and this year's winner Debbie. The criteria for the scholarship is to be under 40 and keen to learn about quilting. All expenses are covered (except supplies) and we are thrilled to be able to offer the scholarship again in 2015 thanks to Faye at Avonport Discount Fabrics.

Be sure and check our Photo Albums, the link is to the right. I have organized the pictures into 3 categoreis - the 2013 Retreat, the Fascinator Challenge and Workshops. Thanks again to Lorna for sharing her pictures with us too.

As I went through the 500+ pictures I took, then went through Lorna's pictures (thanks Lorna!) I could not but help to think about the future of the Retreat. I was almost 30 years younger when I had this brilliant idea to have a Retreat. I hope we can muster a committee together for another one. I hope there is enough interest and people willing to carry on for many years to come.

The chairs wait for us to come back September 23 - 27, 2015.