And That's a Wrap!

The view from the deck looking towards the PEI ferry.

The 15th Mayflower Quilter's Retreat is one for the record books now. After 30 years of organizing, fine tuning and fund raising, we can now look forward to a new beginning of sorts. I have only missed one Retreat (due to a family wedding) and have been at the helm of 13 of the 15 Retreats. the time has come to pass it on and hopefully it will run for another 30 years. There is so much more to learn, new teachers to bring to NS and we need to introduce new, young quilters to the Retreat concept. I am thrilled that the Retreat is going to continue in the excellent hands of Ann Carmichael. 

As I processed the pictures from this 15th Retreat, I thought of all the changes the quilt world has experienced in the last 30 years. how we have gone from templates and scissors to fancy rulers and rotary cutters not to mention how computers have changed our world! How lucky we are, those of us who have a good 30+ years of quilting in, to have experienced and embraced all these changes. there is still so much to learn, so much to share.

Barb M under our guardian moose in the main dning room at Pictou Lodge.

This Retreat was special, Pictou Lodge has been our "home" for every Retreat. we have gone through several owners, many changes in staff and changes in event managers. The latest, Karen Wolff just started in June and did a superb job. I think we initiated her well!

Laurie Swim, Ana Buzzalino and Karen Kay Buckley

Our teachers were all first timers! Karen Kay Buckley from Pennsylvania, Ana Buzzalino from Calgary and Laurie Swim from Lunenburg. Just over one third of our quilters were also first timers. Two of the 63 quilters, Kay S and Barb M have been to every Retreat! Such dedication!

 

Our Avonport Young Quilter Scholarship winner settled in just fine and I know from the smile of her face (for the entire Retreat!) was one of sheer happiness. I think Heather learned a lot and had a great time. We would love to have her come back.

Our fund raising efforts have begun for the 2017 Retreat, many thanks to all those who donated to the auction and those who made purchases as well as our silent auction. We are off to a good start!

There are lots of pictures in our photo albums, be sure and click on the link at the top right hand side under Retreat Memories.