I’m sure you’ve heard of a Staycation, so what is a Staycation for Quilters? I’m calling it a Retreatcation – an At Home Retreat!

Usually in the Spring I attend a Quilt Retreat in the Blue Ridge Mountains but this year I wasn’t able to go. So, the next best thing is a virtual, at home Retreatcation.

It is nice in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Spring and I love seeing all the new growth & flowers. But I’m not exactly missing that as I have some pretty blooms in my yard!

Instead of packing the car with the majority of my sewing room, I spent Monday finishing up 2 tops for Fabric Cafe’s new book. It’s not available yet but you will LOVE it! Then on Tuesday I did some clean-up, cleaned my machine, changed the needle, cleaned my rotary cutter (yes, they get dirty & full of lint) and pulled out some Retreatcation projects.

The Blue Ridge Retreat started with the Quilters arriving Wednesday after 4:00 pm to setup & have a late supper. What I miss is the visiting with the others that first evening.

Spring 2023 Project – Fall 2022 UFO – QOV 2022 Mystery QAL Long May She Wave

I got my first project on my sewing machine. It is a Quilt of Valor Quilt Along which was last fall. I fell behind making lots of Flying Geese.

There were loads of Flying Geese. So finishing the Flying Geese & Chain Piecing the Star Blocks is first on my agenda.

Wednesday I had some errands, but I did get 13 Blocks made but didn’t get them ironed & trimmed/squared until Thursday morning. Then Thursday I did some other Flying Geese & pulled together the other Flying Geese for the other blocks – White Stars with Red Background & Red Stars with White Background. A little more cutting & Friday will be more block assembly.

Retreatcation– At Home Quiltung Retreat – Meals

One thing I will miss are the yummy meals prepared by Paula! She always feeds us well. So my plan is to make breakfast & use my crockpot & mixes to make meals with the least amount of work.

So, Wednesday evening was a leftover dinner. Thursday morning I made Sausage/Egg/Cheese Bundles with Pillsbury Crescent Rolls. It only took 1/2 cup of Sausage & the rest is reserved for an Overnight Breakfast Casserole.

While in the Kitchen I put Panera Broccoli & Cheese Soup in my LunchPot by Crockpot adding a bit extra Broccoli. And then tossed a chuck roast, potatoes & carrots in my CrockPot with Lipton Onion Soup mix, Cream of Onion Soup with some Beef Broth.

So a little prep & kitchen time in the morning has meals for the day requiring minimal time later in the day. I usually prefer to cook from scratch. But will be using preprepped & quick mixes to save time.

Hot temperatures on Friday & afternoon showers on Saturday will make it a good time to be in & stitch. My Retreatcation – At Home Retreat isnt quite as fun but it’s nice to dedicate some time to stitch. 

Hope you are finding some time to stitch!

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse