2000 Quilt Retreat Extra Day

The extra day at the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend is a go. We have enough signed up.

This is just a reminder that the cost of the extra day is $25 if paid in full by April 1, 2009. After April 1, 2009, the price for the extra sewing time is $35. You may either send me a check at Quilts by Barb, 421 Mill St, Bloomington, WI 53804 or go to 2009 Quilt Retreat and at the bottom of the page there is a link to pay by credit card.

Yes, we still have openings for the 2009 Retreat.

Questions? Email me at Quiltsbybarb@tds.net or call me at608-994-2821.

We would love to have you join us.

Diane's 2008 Retreat Quilt

Got this picture (see more pictures on my website, www.Quiltsbybarb.com) and I wanted to share her story with you.

This is what Diane wrote to me:

"Barb - I finished my quilt from the retreat but I won't have it to show at the next retreat since I gave it as a comfort quilt to a friend of my son.

His friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor (grade 3 - fast growing) in the last month. I made it so his friends and family could sign it in the light areas of the quilt and even the back when they visit him. As you can see the backing was made from left over fabric. I even made a cover/pillowcase for the quilt from leftover fabric. I quilted it on my domestic machine.

The label reads as follows:

Chris - This quilt is just like you...one of a kind!

Wrap this quilt around you and remember all of our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Diane Kettleson - Kirk's mom
February 2009
Tumbling Blocks"

Great job, Diane, and our prayers are with Chris. Aren't quilts the best!

Barb

Jean has her quilt top done

I got another picture of a finished quilt top from the 2008 Retreat. Don't you just love it??

The border just really makes the quilt.

Thanks, Jean, for the picture.

Barb

Christine's Log Cabin

Check out Christine's Log Cabin Quilt from the 2008 Quilt Retreat Weekend. It is put together as a log cabin BUT looks like a Double Wedding Ring. This quilt is from Judy Martin's Log Cabin book.

The quilt is custom machine quilted by Quilts by Barb. All participants of the Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekends receive a 10% discount on their retreat quilt.

Click on the picture to see more pictures on my website.

Barb

Whirling Spirals

This is the second project I made from the Easy Bias-Covered Curves book. My fabric choices have a much "calmer" feel than the sample quilts in the book. I used some of my hand dyes with a fossil fern background and a striped batik. I'm planning to cut the corners off diagonally to make this 8 sided and use it for a table topper on a round table.

I sent this off to Barb to be quilted because I figure she'll put something really cool in all that background.

This design could easily be upsized to make a lap or bed sized quilt. The size of the blocks can be made as large or small as you like to fit the size you want.

Diane

Retreat Projects

I received my Easy Bias-Covered Curves book and was immediately intrigued. All those fun curvy designs. Could they really be that easy?

Those of you who have been to past retreats sponsored by Quilts By Barb know that I usually make a nice BIG quilt. After reading through the book, I decided to make a series of small quilts so I could try lots of different designs and learn more about the techniques in the book.

So I opened the book to the first block pattern and came up with this design. It looks alot like the get started project using this block, but I made it lots bigger with less curves. It went together REALLY fast and I quilted it on my home machine, making simple curves with my walking foot. I haven't put a binding on it yet, and I'm still thinking about embellishing it. Maybe some fabric circles or some fibers.....So it's hanging on my design wall while I wait for it to tell me what's next.

And what I've learned already is that this technique is FUN!!! Making bias tape is quick and easy with the bias makers, and adds an extra design element to the curves. Even a beginner can easily succeed and your project will look much more difficult than it really is.

Now, on to the next project.....

Diane

Thanks and welcome to Kim!

I want to introduce you to Kim Lapacek. She is going to be helping me out with computer work and other odd jobs getting ready for my retreat. Many of you will remember Kim from previous retreats.

Kim and and Jared are part owners of Lapacek's Orchard, with Diane and Frank. Kim loves quilting and many other types of crafts. She hand dyes a lot of clothing items for young children and her hand made jewelry is beautiful. Check out Kim's Etsy site, Kim's Crafty Apple to see and purchase any of Kim's wares.

Welcome, Kim!

2008 retreat pictures

I finally did it!! The slideshow on the right hand side are action pictures from our 2008 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend. The retreat was at Camp Wawbeek Easter Seals Camp in Wisconsin Dells. If you would like to see a larger picture of any picture, just click on it and it will be enlarged.

If you participated in the 2008 retreat and have pictures, I would love to add them. I have more pictures I will be adding shortly.

Happy quilting and hope to see you in Belmont in 2009!

Barb

2008 retreat pictures

You will see a slide show of pictures on the right hand side of my blog. Yes, they are labeled as 2008 Retreat BUT no, they are not from the retreat. I am working on it and hope to have this corrected soon. I am a quilter, not a computer guru!

Barb