En Provence Finale

This is my version of Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt "En Provence." I finished sewing all the blocks together recently at our annual Heatwole Sewing Retreat.

My sisters Emily and Polly and a friend Queena also joined in the fun of making "En Provence."

It's so neat seeing how the same pattern looks with different fabrics.

And now I'm already looking forward to next year's mystery quilt.

Some Highlights of Our Heatwole Sewing Retreat

I love being with my family.
We sure missed Sheila ...

... and our sister-in-law Cheryl joined us later for a couple days.

Mother and Polly worked with color and value on this project. For most of mothers life she has been an artist painting with oils. Polly heard her say several times that she sure was enjoying this layout of color.

Then Polly worked all day making blocks for this quilt.

Our sewing space was simply amazing. Lots of room to spread out.

Mother is telling a great granddaughter Dori the story of the time she worked in a sewing factory on a fast machine and after going home she sewed over her finger with her momma's slow sewing machine.

Here's a finish. Emily's Moo Cow.

I made this quilt for a grandson Josiah and have blocks for another grandson Bryce.

This one has a modern feel to it.

June did a lot of hand sewing on this heirloom quilt that was started years ago by her husbands relative.

Coleen's project was to put the finishing touches on her velvet pillows. Mother did the piecing years ago and Coleen did the fancy stitching and is making them into pillows.

Afton was a trouper making this from start to finish. She even wanted to quilt it but didn't have a backing.

Her momma Jolene's final creation.

Cheryl made this stunning quilt from a layer cake packet. Love it.

This quilt is for a competition coming up soon. I call it "Summer's Heat."

Trip to Sarasota ... Continued

I always enjoy watching the quilts sell at the Haiti Benefit Auction. So often they just don't bring what I think they are worth.

The folks from Meigs, GA made blooming onions for lunch.

We left after lunch and went to Sarasota Jungle Gardens.

We ... being Paul and me, ...

... my cousin Ann Marie and Adan, and ...

... my sister Coleen and Glen.

The flamingos were so pretty and would eat right out of our hands. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they could survive on our pond?

And I loved the beautiful colors of the parrots...

... but wasn't too fond of all these alligators!

The walk through the gardens was also pretty.

And then it was time to head on up the road. Paul and I chose to travel along the coast just west of Tampa crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

We stopped at Treasure Island, walked out onto the beach, and watched the kites for a while.

And then it was time to head on north for home.

A Trip to Sarasota, FL

Paul and I had a weekend trip to Florida.

Crossing the Mobile River.

We met my sister Sheila & Sanford...

... at Dave's Catfish House...

... in Atmore, AL for supper.

Then we traveled on to Sarasota, FL and met another sister, Coleen & Glen and had supper with them at Der Dutchman.

After the men's SLM board meeting on Friday, we had supper at the Haiti Benefit Auction site. Most people, like us, opted to wait in the long line for catfish.

Full house, tent!

This was my view for the evening program.

Imagine my surprise when I spied not just one ...

... but two quilts made from my sister Barbara Cline's pattern from her book Star Struck Quilts to be auctioned off.

This was another quilt that I liked.

And these dolls were so cute, ready to find a new home.

It was so special to visit with my Great Uncle Nelson. He is Grandfather Ralph's youngest brother and the only living sibling.

And another surprise meeting was with Dave and Martha Rohrer's Clifford. Dave and Martha bought our place up on Dry River; and we moved to Bridgewater when I was six.

... to be continued.