Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Sew South

Oh boy - how to capture what happened last weekend??  A group of 50 women coming together from all over to sew and create - exactly what this girl was needing.  Sew South was the perfect combination of retreat and making - beautiful things and beautiful friendships.  What a visionary Jennifer is - her hard work to bring this kind of event to life was incredible!  What a joy it was to walk into the reception Thursday night and be hugged by friends I haven't seen in a while, as well as make new friends, matching faces with blogs.  The whole weekend was all about the people and connecting- the belly laughing that went on long into the night as we huddled around our machines.  So it's weird that I don't have pictures of my friends to share with you today - I know!  I didn't take that many and the few I have are not downloaded yet.  I was so in the moment!  A nice place to be, for sure.
I'll have to share more later, but I just wanted to pop in and share a few things.  Here is what we made:
 This clutch pattern was created by Diane  (and available for free on Craftsy!), who also taught the class.  I love how they turned out!  It was so easy to do and looks so polished - I see lots of these in my future.  Great gift idea!

 Oh, The Duffle.  This deserves it's own post!  Lindsey was a calm, encouraging, fearless leader in helping us all make this.  50 duffle bags!!  This thing was a beast that I never would have tried to tackle on my own.  But together, as each person finished, a wild, LOUD cheer would erupt from the room.  Oh, the community!  And yes, that's a pleated zippered pocket you see there.  Major props to all the people who helped me - you know who you are!  I'm in your debt.  I don't know what the official tally was, but many of us broke many needles on this one.
 Jennifer taught our paper pieced star pattern. Never mind my points don't match up!  I still love it, and have plans to put it in a special quilt.
 And there was the pajama pants - in the first picture, it's the turquoise print with the pink circle cuffs.  I've been wearing them every night to bed, feeling a small beam of pride that I made something I can actually. wear.  I didn't think I had it in me.

Not to rub it in, but there was some serious swag.  A giant thank you to the super generous Sew South sponsors!
 And this is a shot of everything I came home with that I did not have before the retreat.  Some was swag, some were gifts, some I made, some I bought, and some were swaps.  All is appreciated!
 
And lastly, this was on the design wall when I came home.  Don't you know my hubby was just waiting for me to clear out of here so he could have his time with the design wall?!  
I am blessed indeed.


13 comments:

  1. That little heart your husband put together is just the nicest thing ever! I drove 7 hours home and had dinner ready for me by my husband which I really appreciated. Aren't we lucky?
    Linda F.

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  2. Val, I am so so so glad you came and that we had time to hang out. I just adore you and wish so much you lived closer- in Charlotte! Be that as it may, we will have to get together again - maybe meet in Winston at the Little General or something for some girl time before too long. Thank you so much for coming to Sew South and for being a part of it in such a special way. xo

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  3. Glad you had such a fun time - I always think a lack of pics is a good thing, it means you were too involved to stop and pick up a camera! Love the welcome home image too :oD

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  4. Oh you can't take that heart down now or you have to make it in to a block...it's such a sweet thing to do. So happy to read of your wonderful time at SS :)

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  5. Oh man, it sounds like an amazing time!! <3 I was thinking of going but it was too close to quiltcon and another workshop for me to make it work. :( Now I'm doubly sad I didn't go - I missed out on the fun, AND hanging out with you!!
    That heart is so adorable!

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  6. now i really wish i would of gone - silly silly me...

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  7. This sounds so amazing, Valerie. How I wish I could have been there!!

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  8. How sweet was that. That must have been a nice thing to come home to. I wish I has taken more pictures too but I guess I was having such great time I didn't even think of it. It was nice meeting you and look forward to staying connected online.

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  9. It looks like you had a wonderful time. I will have to go next time.

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  10. Wow! Sounds like you had a fantastic time!

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  11. I just love you to pieces and am thrilled to have had the chance to meet and get to know you! Absolutely cannot wait to get together again! xoxo

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  12. Another beautifully written recap. And that heart at the end just melted mine! So sweet.

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  13. I'm so glad I had the chance to meet you last weekend. You are such a kind, warm person. All the best to you!

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