And That's a Wrap!

The view from the deck looking towards the PEI ferry.

The 15th Mayflower Quilter's Retreat is one for the record books now. After 30 years of organizing, fine tuning and fund raising, we can now look forward to a new beginning of sorts. I have only missed one Retreat (due to a family wedding) and have been at the helm of 13 of the 15 Retreats. the time has come to pass it on and hopefully it will run for another 30 years. There is so much more to learn, new teachers to bring to NS and we need to introduce new, young quilters to the Retreat concept. I am thrilled that the Retreat is going to continue in the excellent hands of Ann Carmichael. 

As I processed the pictures from this 15th Retreat, I thought of all the changes the quilt world has experienced in the last 30 years. how we have gone from templates and scissors to fancy rulers and rotary cutters not to mention how computers have changed our world! How lucky we are, those of us who have a good 30+ years of quilting in, to have experienced and embraced all these changes. there is still so much to learn, so much to share.

Barb M under our guardian moose in the main dning room at Pictou Lodge.

This Retreat was special, Pictou Lodge has been our "home" for every Retreat. we have gone through several owners, many changes in staff and changes in event managers. The latest, Karen Wolff just started in June and did a superb job. I think we initiated her well!

Laurie Swim, Ana Buzzalino and Karen Kay Buckley

Our teachers were all first timers! Karen Kay Buckley from Pennsylvania, Ana Buzzalino from Calgary and Laurie Swim from Lunenburg. Just over one third of our quilters were also first timers. Two of the 63 quilters, Kay S and Barb M have been to every Retreat! Such dedication!

 

Our Avonport Young Quilter Scholarship winner settled in just fine and I know from the smile of her face (for the entire Retreat!) was one of sheer happiness. I think Heather learned a lot and had a great time. We would love to have her come back.

Our fund raising efforts have begun for the 2017 Retreat, many thanks to all those who donated to the auction and those who made purchases as well as our silent auction. We are off to a good start!

There are lots of pictures in our photo albums, be sure and click on the link at the top right hand side under Retreat Memories.

And The Winner Is...

Krystal, Kelly and Debbie - all three winners of the Avonport award

Debbie Bliemel was the winner of the 2013 Avonport Award, a scholarship for a young (under 40) quilter. The award was made possible thanks to the generosity of Faye Brown who owns Avonport Discount Fabrics. Debbie was the thrid winner of this scholarship (an all expense paid scholarship for the Retreat). Her isher report - she did have a good time and learned a lot. Thanks Debbie! 

 Debbie shares her quilt at our Show and tell evening.        

  My first impression of Pictou Lodge was one of relief. After getting quite lost (and almost taking the ferry to PEI), the main building of the resort as it loomed up out of the heavy fog was a very welcome sight. Even if I was running horribly late. As I coasted down the long driveway to the main building, I sternly told myself to calm down. There was nothing to be nervous about. Although Krystal was the only person that I knew who would be at the Retreat, I reminded myself that everyone in attendance would be there to make something wonderful. And if there’s one thing that I’ve always known, those who make things are the best kind of people. 

            Dodging fat raindrops as I scrambled to get registered, find my bearings, drop my things off in the classroom and make my way over to my assigned room, I opened the door to see the very welcome sight of Krystal holding a large bottle of white wine. She cheerfully introduced me to my other roommate, Kelly. I smiled at Kelly as she gave off an aura of sweetness that I couldn’t help but like immediately. After we all decided that I would (happily) take the fold-out bed, they sat me down, serious looks on their faces.

            “Ok, now that you’ve won the scholarship, you have certain responsibilities,” said Krystal. Kelly nodded solemnly beside her. From a bag on the floor, Krystal pulled out a faded and tattered pattern for a quilted jacket. Clearly a pattern from the 80s, it had shoulder pads that were so poofy they nearly reached the model’s earlobes.

            “Okay?” I said, warily. There had been nothing about this in the brochure.

            “You’re going to have to make one of these while you’re here.”

            “Whut?” My eyes flicked between the two of them. The panic started to come back a little and I started to mentally catalogue the fabrics that I’d brought. Nothing I’d brought was half-way suitable for making a quilted jacket.

            Kelly started to giggle at the horror on my face, and it wasn’t long before we were all laughing. The knot of tension that had lodged itself in my gut slowly dissipated and I could feel my shoulders relaxing.

            “Oh, you guys are such jerks. You really had me for a minute there.”

            Krystal grinned and checked her watch. “Oh hey, we should get over to the main lodge. We’re late for happy hour.” 

            ***

            After that introduction to the retreat, there was nothing that could faze me. Dinner was decadent and delicious, much enhanced by the oft-fascinating conversation of my tablemates. The service was absolutely wonderful, as evidenced by the Irish coffees that appeared at my elbow on a regular basis throughout the night. (Thanks!)

            As everyone crowded into the auction room that night, I admit that I was rather eager to bid. Some of the beautiful sari silks were definitely going to come home with me. I was already mentally waving goodbye to my cash when a wonderful quilted jacket came up for bids. My jaw dropped, my eyes met Krystal’s and I started grinning wide enough to bust my face open. It would be mine. For I had plans for it. Big plans. Despite a frenzy of flurried bidding from all corners, I emerged triumphant, having won the jacket. And as Kelly, Krystal and I walked back to our room, I informed them that it would from this point forward be the “Avonport Scholarship Jacket”. All future winners would be required to wear it to breakfast, each and every morning. An initiation rite. I went to sleep that night happily listening to the sound of the surf roaring just outside my window.

            The next morning, I gulped down a hurried breakfast, cheered Kelley as she paraded around in the jacket and finally scrambled over to the classroom. After a lingering wander through the temporary store set up by Mira Stitch ‘N Post, I was ready to start my class with the lovely Cheryl Arkison.

            As it was my first formal quilting class, I was eagerly anticipating learning some new techniques, maybe some nifty tricks. What I was not expecting was to have my eyes opened to the quiet beauty of low-volume quilting. My instincts have always guided me towards bright jewel tones, but after looking at several of Cheryl’s quilts, I came to realise that quilts that are easy on the eyes can be just as beautiful.

Debbie and Krystal at work.   

Thinking back, I think that my favourite part of the class was watching everyone start to loosen up as they became more playful. There were many ladies who I suspect were more accustomed to formal and traditional quilting, and it was an absolute joy watching them explore and enjoy a looser approach to putting thread to fabric.  Myself, I think that I was the most excited about learning how to work with freezer paper to make a ‘window’ block. It’s definitely a technique that I plan on using in one of my future quilts.

            I certainly learned a lot over the next few days of the retreat, as much from my fellow classmates as from Ms. Arkison. Ruth, I can’t tell you how excited my local Bee was when I showed them how to make bias tape using just two pins and an ironing board.

            The evening activities were so much fun, providing a very welcome break from being hunched over my machine. From the fascinator challenge to the show and tell, each night had something to really look forward to. Of course, that didn’t stop me from returning to the classroom each night – the freedom to sew late into the night was too hard to resist. Having the time to allow myself to abandon all else and just sew was an absolute luxury, one that I plan on repeating at the next Retreat.

            Yeah, you heard me. I’ll definitely be coming to the next one. Wild horses couldn`t keep me away. After all, I have a jacket to pass along to the next winner of the Avonport Award for a Young Quilter.

            Thank you all so much for making my first Retreat experience so incredible!

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.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Marie Hayward, winner of the Mayflower Quilter's Retreat Raffle! Marie has been a long time supporter and attendee of the Retreat. And she served on the committee for many years. Marie was at the Mayflower meeting when the winning ticket was drawn. She was very excited, she already had her registration form ready and cheque made out. many thanks to all who bought tickets and congratulations again to Marie.

Marie at the 2009 Retreat.

Congratulations as well to Debbie Bliemel, winner of the Avonport Award For a Young Quilter. We had seven applications this year and I know the jury had a difficult time choosing just one winner.

Debbie is from Hammonds Plains, NS and she writes "I have always loved sewing. When I'm tired or grumpy, I sit down at my machine and start making something. Soon enough, I'm immersed in the serenity of fabric gliding between my fingers. As a project starts to come together, a deep sense of contentment grows inside my heart and I am happy. 

I've been sewing for about 30 years, but have been quilting for only three of those. When I was young, I made clothing for myself and my dolls. After I married and had my first child, I began making clothing and cloth diapers. I even had a small business making custom-made cloth diapers for a few years, but I closed the company once I moved from Ontario to Nova Scotia.

Debbie's "Manly Quilt"

I first began quilting when an organization called Craft Hope put out a call for children's quilts for Margaret's Hope Chest, a group that collects quilts in Michigan. I looked at all of the wonderful baby fabrics that I had lying around. Then I said, "I can do that." My two quilts were simple, wonky and slightly lop-sided. But I was hooked. 

Debbie's "Baby Quilt for Frodo"

After that, quilting became an integral part of my crafting life. Currently, I knit, sew, spin my own yarn, occasionally dye my own yarn, embroider, crochet, make wire jewelry, and of course, quilt. When I'm not doing any of that, I am a stay at home mom who likes to travel. I also write short stories and am working on my first novel. I would say that I'm mostly interested in modern quilting. Some of my favourite quilt blogs include Oh Fransson!, Film in the Fridge and Red Pepper Quilts. Bright, vibrant colours hold the most appeal for me. 

By far, the quilting project that I'm happiest with was coercing/organizing a group of my knitter friends into a year-long quilting bee. Each month, all of the members work on squares for one person's quilt. We get together at the end of the month to exchange blocks for new fabric packets, and we also enjoy tea, cake and chatting. It's been great fun, and I'm hoping that the love of quilting will remain, even after the bee is completed. 

My flickr account is filled with all of my crafty endeavors, should anyone wish to see what I'm working on (http://www.flickr.com/photos/k-townrocks2006/)."

Congratulations Debbie, we are all looking forward to meeting you in September.

Avonport Award for a Young Quilter 2013

Once again, for the third time, we are thrilled to be able to support a young quilter with a full scholarship to attend the 2013 Quilter's Retreat at Pictou Lodge. The Avonport Award has been made possible thanks to the generous support of Faye Brown at Avonport Discount Fabrics, Avonport, Nova Scotia.

The scholarship provides a young quilter with a full Retreat package - a 3 day workshop of choice, 11 gourmet meals at Pictou Lodge, accommodation at Pictou Lodge for 4 nights and a wonderful experience with 60 plus quilters and teachers! You just have to get yourself to Picotu Lodge and bring along your supplies for your workshop.

Kelly, winner of the 2011 Avonport Award and Krystal, winner of the 2009 Avonport Award

The criteria is pretty simple - you must be a resident of Nova Scotia, you must be between the age of 19 and 40 (born between 1973 and 1994). There is an application form to fill out and sent in accompanied by photos illustrating your quilt/fibre experience. You do not need to be a member of a quilt guild. You do not need to be an experienced quilter - just willing to learn!

For more information and a registration form please contact Sandra at sandycolville@aim.com