The Reject's Retreat

 This was the start of one of the best weeks ever! 
 I get to see these women once a year (some a bit more often) and 

I was going to get to introduce Kailie to all my friends!

One of my sewing goals was to finish my Comfort and Joy top and then work on my Denim and Lace top.

First star!

I used Holiday Homies flannel for this one.

It will be a Christmas gift.

We shopped, a LOT while we were there too. 

 The original gang (OG) went to MStar the first day so Kaliie and I stayed back and sewed.  

The next day we went to the KC Maker shop.  

Kailie and I bought the same shirts and wore them this day. 

 I think some of the other folks will be getting them too.

Off to Lawrence, KS and Sarah's.

 An iconic quilt shop to be sure! 

 We got everybody together for a shot at this shop. 

 I love these women!

Another day we went to the Fabric Chick. 

 I forgot to take pics there.  

This shop is called Stashworthy.  

They had a lot of nice stuff including Liberty!

Stashworthy had a great window with vintage machines in the window. 

 So cute!

I finished my top! 

 I love it!!  

I made the back when I got home and sent it off to my quilter. 

I had to pattern match this backing too.  

It is not my favorite thing to do but I think it turned out pretty well.  

I sewed and sewed and SEWED and managed to get 4 of my Denim and Lace blocks finished.  

This quilt is not for the faint of heart, LOL. 

 I will work on it more when I get time, now that  I'm home.

Mel and Kailie are making this too.  

We all traded low volume strips and Mel and I traded some of the bluse.

Kailie is going to make hers cranberry and LV.

It should be pretty.

She finished THREE tops.  

Made me feel like a slacker, HAHA.

It was a fun week but all good things must come to an end.

On Sunday Kailie and I headed out to Hannibal, MO on our way back to MI

Chris had told us we needed to stop there as there were 2 shops to visit.

It is the boyhood home of Mark Twain.

There was a cute little downtown AND 2 really nice shops.

First shop we went to was called Bits and Pieces

SO much to see.  

Lots of modern stuff including a LOT of Tula Pink!

There were a lot of antique toy sewing machines too.

I especially love the Fisher Price lady at her sewing machine! 

Second shop just down the street was called the Hickory Stick.

It looked small on the outside but went over several buildings!

This is what greets you as you enter this shop.  

On our way to the car we saw a steam boat. 

 I would love to go back and visit this town again with Chris. 

 It had a lot of interesting things in the area.  

Maybe it's time to branch out in our camper.

We eventually made it all the way home to MI.

Kailie spent the night and left the next day to go back to her place in OH.

Someone was sure happy to have me home!

~XOP~

 

More of the Reject's Retreat

 So...where did we leave off?  

Oh yes, the rest of the retreat! 

 First up was our trip to Sarah's in Lawrence.  

This is Traci modeling in front of the shop. 

This is inside the shop.

It was a great shop and one everyone should visit!

Paula found the cutest pineapple pin cushion!

After some shopping we went back to sew. 

 I managed to snap a quick selfie with Mel. 

 I may not have said it, but I missed these ladies so much!

Traci made the cutest pink elephant bag!

Just look at that flap! 

 I think it was my favorite part of the bag, but the peanut lining was pretty sweet.

We headed to Liberty and Angela Walter's shop, Quilting is my Therapy.

It was cool to say I have gone there but it really was not anything special. 

I enjoyed the other shops more, actually.

I did get this terrible photo of me and better one of my friends though, LOL.

The coolest thing, to me, were these angel wings!  

I have seen other people use them but never saw any myself.

There was the big pair you see me in above, and there was a little pair for kids next to it.
  OF COURSE, I had to sit down and take a selfie with the children's wings!  LOL.

Now on to talking about the things I was working on.  

My daughter, Shelby, drew a dragon in 2006. 

 This is the modified version of the dragon. 

 I wanted to make him into a quilt, BUT, did not have what I needed with me to actually do anything other than make the binding, SMH.

I made binding for another top that I finished while at retreat. 

 It is a Christmas gift, so I can't show the actual quilt top though.

This is a pic of the quilt top AND back and binding!!  
WOOT WOOT!!  
I sent this one to Liz to quilt for me as soon as I got back.

I bought these Kitty Corn fabrics to make a buffalo plaid quilt top at the KC Maker shop.  

This one is the Buffalo Plaid free pattern by the Empty Bobbin. 

 I can NOT believe how quickly it went together. 

 This will be for me.  

I am thinking that I will be adding the cat in the jack-o-lantern from the panel to the front of this one.

  I just ordered a back today, the same green kitties that are on the front.

The Knotted Thread has a bunch of this line packaged for backs (5 yard cuts).

If you are looking go check her out!

I finished a little bag also, but again, it's a gift so I can't share it right now.

No trip to KC is complete without having some BBQ.

We went to Jack Stack on the first night.

I had the brisket and turkey.  

Honestly, the beans were the best part of that meal!

I know, I know, turkey?

 But when it is done right it is the BEST!

This was more like lunchmeat.

I was pretty disappointed

Not everyone in our group loves BBQ 

(Who are you people?)

We went to another place called Q39.

It's a newer place but I have to say the brisket was the best I have ever had!

It melted in my mouth!

So for now, this concludes my trip with my buddies.

Never fear though, we are getting together again in November!

Traci owns a quilt shop in WI called Something Quilty.

She is having a retreat from the 3-7 of November.

Want to join us?

Give her a call!

I would love to meet you!

~XOP~