Fab weekend. Great people, great sewing, great food.

Not sure about those photos! Fab weekend though.

So sad I was unable to make this weekend. Sounds like it was a good one!

Looking forward to hearing more.

Fantastic weekend and so special to see such a poignant quilt!

What an interesting Blog. Thank you. It has made me think about my family phrases. Ooh and my grandmother was a tailor and she taught me to sew. She used to make me dresses and if I wasn’t available for a ‘try on’ for the length of the belt – she would wind it round her ‘ample’ waist and if it fit she would say that will fit our Sooney (my childhood nickname). I was like a lathe and it would go round me about 4 times!!! Little did I know I would grow up to do the same for my granddaughter…. and I look more like my Nan than I like to think (haha), ‘ample’ waist an’ all……

A lovely update. I know there’s a dinner in my home town this year.

I think I have already told Maggie this but just in case the new Essex Modern Quilt Group are planning to make next year. Such a wonderful cause.

Working in the Social Care sector in Safeguarding and LAC children, I can see how well this will be received by Care Leavers. Something they can call their own. I will have at least one top for you next year; I don’t think I could get it finished for this one unfortunately. Keep up the good work Maggie & Co. x

I’m nervous about things like parking and food too (being disabled plus coeliac) which also makes me a bit nervous sometimes about going new places. WE WILL BE FINE! We will thoroughly enjoy ourselves and even if things don’t go according to plan it will work out. See you there!

YI am sure you will have a great time. Rescue Remedy gets me on planes…sheer cussedness makes me stay on them, despite the rising panic. Just keep to the 15 minutes. Then another 15..and so on

I’m nervous about going too. Not for the same reasons, but still a bit worried. And go from ‘I can’t wait’ to ‘hmmm, not sure’. So I will feel a big sense of achievement once I’m back home again. Look forward to meeting you. x

Jane – thank you for this blog – I too am feeling a bit unsure about this weekend, trying to get everything ready, and wondering what I’m going to bring along to it to work on. We will have a fantastic time – the retreat will be what we make it! Now I just have to make it through until Friday, and try to sort out the quilting on a quilt that I said I would make for a raffle – it needs to be finished by Thursday, and I’ve unpicked the quilting twice today…

Jane, you are a very brave lady! Although I am not going (too far to go from Spain, and we are over at Christmas – so the expense is another factor), I will be thinking of you all and hoping that you all have a great, rewarding and enjoyable weekend. I used to live about 2 miles away from the venue – so I can picture you all there. I am sure you won’t need that corner to hide in – you will be just too busy enjoying yourself. Hugs xx

I am looking forward to part 2! Really succinct and well illustrated. I have often thought of doing this, now I have no excuse.

Sounds familiar. Hope you do better next time.

Love the idea of a home away from home. I, too, have two machines and another one. My other was is a Newhome too, had it as a present to myself when I was widowed in 1978. It, too, doesn’t work but it still has pride of place in my workroom. Look forward to hearing more of your tales from the Acorn Falls…… thank you x