Spring has finally sprung in Minnesota, and I’m so thankful for warm days, green grass, budding trees and singing birds! Maybe that’s why I decided to add another piecing project to my list! I’ve started working on a darling pattern called “Springville” by Thimble Blossoms, and I\’m using a beautiful new fabric collection by Lella Boutique called “Nest.” Here are a few of the blocks I stitched up:
I went out on a limb (pardon the seasonal pun), and selected a very soft yellow for my background fabric. I’m hoping the final result will be a cheery row of homes and trees surrounded by sunshine! The yellow I selected is a Moda Bella Solid Canary (#9900-272). Oh, and you’ll probably notice that I threw in a few Fig Tree prints as well. The trees and the grass are all Fig Tree prints from my stash. Once again, I\’m pulling from the scrap buckets and have a great time!
I started this project last weekend during the semiannual quilt retreat I look forward to every spring and fall. A couple of years ago I wrote about our group on my blog: Koronis Quilting Retreat. I feel very blessed to count these ladies as friends. Heck, I might even call them quilting family!
Two talented friends, Nancy and Diane, agreed to be pattern testers for me last winter. They brought their finished projects to retreat so that I could see them post-quilting. Nancy sewed up my Summer Breeze pattern, and Diane sewed up Fat Quarter Flourish. Aren’t they beautiful? (Both the quilts and the ladies!)
Both ladies sewed their projects using Fig Tree fabrics, predominantly from the Coney Island collection. Diane’s finished project features a sweet overall quilting pattern and red gingham binding. Nancy\’s quilt is showing off some dazzling custom quilting done by a friend of hers.
This year at retreat, I will admit that I didn’t get a whole lot accomplished, but I had a wonderful time. I stitched a few blocks, ate way too much, sat by the lake, took a long walk, and had a wonderful shopping expedition with my mom and two other retreat friends, Harriet and Holly. Blessings! That is what all of these ladies are!
And so are all of you who are kind enough to read my blog and sew up my patterns. I hope that my posts bring sunshine to your life as well.
As always, get carried away quilting!
~Taunja
Lovely post! The retreat sounds wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating, especially after the long winter we have had. Beautiful mini quilts, and I so enjoy seeing your start on your pretty Springville Quilt!
It sounds like you had a lovely weekend. I'm loving the start of the Springville Quilt! The yellow is perfect. How wonderful that your retreat friends tested your newest patterns. They both turned out beautiful! Did you make any progress on your Fig Tree BOM? I really need to get started…I keep saying that. Happy Quilting,Jen @ferryquilts
Thanks so much Sigi!! You are so right . . . after this long winter, spring retreat was a boon to my spirits in so many ways!
Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂 No, I admit I haven't even started on my Fig Tree Autumn BOM! Every time I get one in the mail, I put it in a nice basket and wait for the next one. ha ha! My plan (right now) is to work on those blocks at fall retreat. I'm thinking it will be fun to \”sew in season.\” Hope all is well with you! Happy quilting right back! I sure loved your bird quilt progress! What a beauty!
There are all sorts of great reasons to go on retreat and sometimes not being terribly productive is just what's needed!! I am so glad you are finally getting some spring weather. Winter was too long this year!
How nice..and what lovely quilts :0 I'm going on a retreat next month. It's been several years so now i'm even more excited. I have considered working on a few UFO's but maybe i'll start something new—or work on my Christmas gifts. Yikes- I can't wait. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
It sure was!! And I think you are right . . . just what I needed. Thanks for popping by!!
Oh good for you! I can \”hear\” the excitement in your comment! Maybe bring it all along and then sew what sets your heart on fire when you get there!
❤️ This is such a great update today. I love the fabrics you are putting together today, very sweet colors. I love the center part of the Springvale quilt. So adorable. I love red.Nancy and Diane are beautiful. You are blessed to have so much happiness right there in your community, and helpers to try your patterns. What fun.I dream of going to a sewing retreat. I do not see that anytime soon. ….So, many times I just have my own retreat and talk to myself hahahahaTaunja, your blog is always so inspiring. I am blessed to know you.
Wonderful blog post about your retreat and new quilt patterns. I need to get to a retreat or as Rosemary said above, maybe just have one for myself if I can't get away! LOL Your combination of Fig Tree and Nest is lovely, by the way. I may have to do that myself. 🙂
Using Nest for the Springville pattern is a great idea!! I just may have to copy you! It looks so sunny and happy. =)
You made me giggle Rosemary, because I sometimes enjoy a Taunja only retreat myself. ha ha ha! I recall one weekend a few years ago when my husband took the kids fishing for a weekend. I sewed, watched movies, ate cereal for supper, etc. It was so nice. Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate you!!
Hi Amy! Thanks so much! I was hoping for a sunny quilt. I admit I was pretty hesitant about that much yellow throughout, but in the end I decided, hey, it's just a quilt! Go for it! Happy sewing to you!!
Oh Allison I know you would just love it! We are a very low maintenance group, just coming together and sewing at our own pace, etc. It is really nice to go to a place where someone else cooks for you, though! Maybe you can get something organized around your area! Have a great week!!
I absolutely love that yellow background….and those blocks, Oh my goodness. Can't wait to see the finished product. Miss you dear!
Oh thank you dear!!! You would love this pattern, let me tell you! Too much fun watching little trees and houses come to life!