Quilt Retreat... fun, food, fabric and balloons!

I just returned from our annual quilt/sew retreat at Vina de Lestonnac in Temecula, Ca. This facility is a convent and former preschool that is now open for retreats and conferences . Is is a beautiful setting nestled in the wine country of Temecula and the Sisters are most welcoming. A group of 20 of us from our guild, friendship groups and friends  spent 4 days having fun doing what we love. Of course we ate, snacked, shopped at the local quilt shops , took walks and watched the balloons launch. Usually the balloons lift off several fields away, but this time the weather was such that they were right next to us, so I got a shot of the set up . I had no idea they lay them on their sides to fill them. 



Nancy with her Bear paws




Mary's Split 9 Patch




Gayle in front of Turning 20 Again (mine)



We had the use of one big classroom and we went to work! it is a lot of fun to work on projects and share opinions and fabric. We raided each others stash for help and one lady forgot her Viking cord and someone had an extra !!! Now that is awesome.  When anyone got stuck their were good suggestions from the peanut gallery and we got a lot accomplished. Everyone brings their own projects to do and we also make forays to the local shops for more!



Asian panel beauty




Designer Mystery BOM 2010



All the meals were provided and just a pleasant walk up the drive to the convent.  It was nice to have the break from sewing and we returned ready to sew on. This year they installed a coffee room that had coffee and hot water 24/7 at the touch of a button. This was great. I especially liked it as I was up at 6:30 and walked the perimeter of the property and climbed the hill to spy for balloons or coyotes and the hot coffee was a good hand warmer!

I got one quilt top done except for border and all 9 of my BOM done...now I am caught up!

We had cool mornings but sunny and beautiful. We lucked out as it's now pouring rain in Huntington Beach and Temecula too.

We had so much fun , I've already signed up for next year!