Sunday, January 31, 2016

Retreat News - Happy Hens Creative Whimsy and Stories! Alot of Fun, Originality and Color- Come join Us!


I have just posted information for my June retreat at "Mary LouWeidman.com which is my website. If you look at the top menu, you will see the information under "Retreats."
The dates are June 12th (a Sunday) through the 16th. One day of touring Spokane and the area and four days of sewing, creating, laughing, eating and fun.
The theme this time will be "Chickens". Now we don't have to work on chickens we just like a theme for food served and napkins and doodads and a pattern by Mary Lou. You may work on your own story quilt idea or a Christmas tree which Mary Lou likes in her story quilt classes too.
 Mary Lou Shows the class a very fun and creative block for borders. Easy and creative!
 Above is a story quilt about the 60's that is very Whimsical done by Mary Lou.
This girl above is always at Mary Lou's retreats and she always has something good to eat on her. This must have been the French themed year.
Mary Lou loves chickens and birds of all kinds and can show you how to start with an idea and develop it into something pretty wonderful.
 Above is a photo of my dessert girl again. She always has awesome stuff on her thanks to Miss Tina who flies in to cook and bake from LA. She is a great quilter in her own right and always has good things to share. And she is fun!
Above is a wonderful quilt made by Nancy Miller who lives in Sacramento. She started this in a story quilt class and ended up with a full size, amazing quilt. Nancy I am sending it back. Stay tuned.
I have NO idea who did the rooster above but love the whimsy and fun of it. 
Speaking of whimsy did you ever think you would see a woman riding a chicken? My chickens run so fast it would scare me but on a quilt its a great idea!
I made the inside of this quilt and the borders were done by Freddy Moran. It is a great way to starting a story quilt with a simple theme and developing it. Imagine the fun.
This is a new story quilt I have not shown yet. It is about meeting my husband and falling in love. Lots of color, lots of whimsy and done in a different and fun way.
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We will be meeting in a beautiful church in a small town close to me. There is a latte/bakery about two blocks away for those of us who love our coffee. One Wednesdays there is a great Farmers Market in the parking lot that is always fun. We plan to go to some of the best quilt shops in the area and on Wed afternoon we will drive to Coeur d'Alene to have dinner on the Lake at Dockside (Mary Lou will pay for dinners but alcohol is on you. Hee hee. They make the best huckleberry shakes in the world. We will also go to a big and wonderful quilt shop that is close to this.
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Below is one of my favorite story quilts

If you are interested, send me your name, address, phone number and email. First deposit is due March 15th.
Cost is $650. total.
You will be responsible for your own hotel and I can tell you where two nice ones are. Holiday Inn off Argonne and Mission and
Hotel Quality Inn on Broadway and Argonne. Both are in Spokane Valley and Both are reasonably priced.
Hope you will join the fun and the fun people already signed up!


Friday, January 15, 2016

Florida A Blessing for Mary Lou and being a Blessing!


Can you guess who this little girl
Is? It is me in my most favorite dress. My Mpm cut my bangs and they were never even. Do you know what I mean? 😊
I thought this upside down snowman was a great idea! So whimsical and happy!!
I just spent time in Pembrook Pines and the guild there was great! This quilt above was a show and tell! Isn't it wonderful?
Wa Ted to share the button bracelet Marlys made for me. I wear it all of the time. Really fun and flashy too. 😊
Flower Power fun and many smiles in class!
Sam made a darling Cardinal! Happy! 
Jo's chicken is fun!
Barb's happy with her birdie
Charlotte's happy with posies
Birds make us all happy! 
And finally I want to end this with a story quilt from Charlotte.  She had 't done something for her Grabdson and she said "I guess I am a bad Grandmother" and her little Grandson said "There are no bad Grandmothers." Here she is with all of her Grandchildren. So cute!!
How lovely that Charlotte will
Someday leave her many StoryvQuilts and her Grandchildren's 
memories. The whole point of these quilts is memories and legacy pieces for a testament to who you are and who you love. Wonderful stuff!
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Hope your week is going well and God is blessing you. Stay positive, share, offer to help someone, write a positive note, bake cookies to share, hug a child, go for a walk, call an old friend, send a get well message and share your smile. It is sure to bless you and others too!