Such a full week

Last week that is – we left last Saturday for the Woolenwillows ( http://woolenwillowretreats.weebly.com/ ) rug hooking/quilting retreat in Davis, WV at the Blackwater Falls lodge ( http://www.blackwaterfalls.com/accomodations.htm )Oh the scenery was fantastic – lots of gorges and a couple waterfalls and friendly deer that grazed in the courtyard behind the restaurant….who could ask for more?  Well, there was more – a wonderful gathering of like people, enjoying their craft.
There were more quilters than rug hookers but some of the quilters did some rug hooking as well.
I have many pictures and had to go through them to get the most out of just a few, but ‘just a few’ will most likely will turn into a lot once I get going here!

It was iffy whether I would go in the first place because both Doug and I got some kind of bacterial thing and we were both down for a week – in fact the day we decided to head out we were already 2 days behind schedule but we both felt good enough to make the drive.  Tired but still feeling a lot better.

Our first stop was in Powell, TN, we met up with Betty Crowe from http://bettyjcrowe-throughmybackdoor.blogspot.com/ and I must say she is just as bubbly in person as she is in her blog posts – what a great lady and friend.  We were to meet at her house for supper but because we got a very late start I surprised her when we got on our way with a call and we met for breakfast.
What a dear lady!

(click to view pictures larger)
 

Our first meeting
 
Saying goodbye!

Then it was on our way heading to Ashville,  NC to visit our very dear friends Bill and Linda Nottingham – they finally sold their home in St. Kitts and relocated in NC.
We spent 3-1/2 days with them before heading northeast again to the retreat.
Bill met us at a parking lot to lead the way to their house…it’s up the mountain.

If you all remember my last post with the mushrooms…well, we took a
box down to Billy – he was like a little kid setting the kit up.

Ms. Linda got gifts of WINE!!

Cocktail time and enjoying the view from their porch – one could get used to that view quite easy!

 

I won’t bore you with more pictures of scenery because one is the same as the next going through the mountains but I will show you what the roads were like leaving their place and heading to the retreat.  We were a solid hour on roads like this up through the mountains.
Lots and lots of winding switchback curves…up and down as well.

On to the retreat!!!

If it wasn’t for my husband I would not have gone to the retreat – you all don’t need to hear ‘again’ the why’s – but  it’s the same ole story about my back/hip so I’ll leave it at that.  So bless his heart he said I was going no matter what.
I think he actually enjoyed his time there as well although he didn’t participate in the retreat he did peek in every so often between nature trails, reading, napping and golf.

This is just a bit of what he saw

 

The retreat room was huge – not sure how many participated but I think Sally said there was room for 50 people but there may have been one or two more or less.
A few early birds – we were one of them.  The room had  the same amount of tables on the other side of the room plus 2 large round tables in the center.
Teresa Miller and Lisa George came in about an hour after us.

And then when it was full….looks like a mess but it is all an organized mess!
I took this when most everyone was out for lunch.

There was even one gentleman who participated only he designed and built ‘rotot’ things.
He brought his last years project – a dog that would do all sorts of things.

 

Teresa Miller and her work in progress

 

Lisa George – her first ever rug hooking….great job!

My sheep work in progress.  I pulled the wool 3 times before I could get the look I liked.  Ended up taking some of the lettering pulls out too.

I also started this piece – it’s huge so I probably won’t finish it for quite some time

We also played Bingo for ‘wool’
Who ever wanted to play had to bring a fat quarter of wool to use to purchase your bingo card.
I won it all on a 4 corner bingo!!

The three of us with our projects
Me, Teresa and Lisa

Teresa presented Lisa and I a cute little gift
A hooked pillow tuck or pin cushion and a magnet for our scissors (I love how it works) Keeps the scissors right near your work. It’s in 2 pieces – one goes on the underneath of your work, the other on top.

The little group of hookers – there were a few more as well

Back row: Genny Wadel, Linda Evon Keller, Diana Gilroy, Joanne Walker McIllmurray, Margo Harley.
Front row: Lisa George, Karen Martinsen, Teresa Miller.

Some of the girls projects
 

 

 

There were so many quilters and I just didn’t get around to taking more pictures but they sure were lovely.

This particular one is laid out on leather and the blocks are Harley T-Shirts

That’s all I have for you – hopefully my next post will be the kitchen redo.
Troy the countertop guy was here yesterday removing the sink and counter…so we are without much to work with in there, sort of like camping…lol

Blessings and see you later

Karen