2010 Quilting in the Trees (VQG) @ Pearson College

Twas a great retreat indeed and I have a few things to show for myself!  My first day was photo editing/printing on fabric/image transfer techniques with Susan Purney-Mark.  I came with memory stick loaded with an assortment of photos but it soon became clear that my Peony picture was a must for a photo quilt.  Here is the result: (Printed photo on EQ printables; printed a second photo on Extravorganza, cut 2 pictures into tiles and then steam a seam lite onto the photo as a 'suggestion' of a second photo superimposed overtop.)  I managed to get it framed and pinned but not yet quilted.

Here's another small project we all did in the class: (teacher supplied kit with photo and fabric):

I already knew some of the techniques we used in the class but it was great fun to learn new things and to actually have some dedicated time to focus on a small project/art quilt.

The second and third days were a mystery quilt designed by Kelly English and Arlene MacKenzie.  The quilt is called "Dash to the Finish".  The centre block is a big Churn Dash featuring a focal fabric.  These sunflowers just called my name at Bib N Tucker Quilting here in Victoria and became the focal point for my quilt.  I then had 2 choose 1 light, 1 medium and 1 dark to compliment the focal fabric.  I just loved these fabrics and had so much fun putting this quilt together.  Here is an array of photos as the quilt progressed during the 2 days.

 Center block done.  Next came auditioning borders with various strip sets.

I love my focus fabric and will be adding one more border of it on this quilt.  I think I will be sending it out to Arlene MacKenzie for quilting.  I've just finished quilting a queen-sized quilt on my Janome 6500 and have had it with puckers appearing on the back despite my best efforts to baste.

All in all, a fabulous, creative time away at Quilting in the Trees.  My goal now is to finish off all projects from this year before signing up for next year's inspiration!!