This is the first project....

....that I worked on at the retreat last week inbetween teaching and doing a trunk show. I've had plans to make a dresdon plate quilt for my livingroom for quite a while now and I decided that it would be the "perfect portable project".

I've had this ruler for several years and I use it often. It's the EZ Dresdon by Darlene Zimmerman.

This will be my background fabric when all of my blocks are finished. I'm using 48 different fabrics for the dresdons.

So far I have made 7 blocks and I need 9 in all. I've decided to finish them at 15" x 15" each and to make the quilt square with a setting of 3x3. I havn't decided what I will do for the sashing yet....I'll see what it needs when the blocks are complete.

I took a really fun purse class along with Kim and Nanette....Rae Ann is going to take the class later. Amy brought a bunch of these purse tops in a wide variety of shapes and sizes and we all chose which ones we wanted to work with. I wanted to make one using several different fabrics (because I always go for the scrappy look) and this is what I came up with.

The other side....

The inside....

I also chose a smaller handle and made one for Kassidy. Don't you think it's the perfect size for her ipod and of course lip gloss too!

This is the inside...

As you can see, I have plans to make several more. I also bought a shorter chain to go with the handle pictured below. These purses are really fun to make and the possibilities are endless!

I havn't had time to make flowers to go on the purses yet but I will probably this weekend.

It was a blast and I'm so glad that I went. This was my first year at Amy's retreat and everyone was so kind and made me feel very welcome.

I've already put it on my calender for next year!

Another Trunk Show...

....from the American Quilting retreat. These fun and adorable girls are Carol Adams and Connie Cawley. They are close friends and design quilts together and have a pattern company called "Two Peas in a Pod".

I think thier quilts are just fantastic and so colorful. Carol and Connie each make thier own quilts when they design a pattern in thier own colorways.....so fun to see. They really put on a fun trunkshow and are very entertaining! Carol and Connie are blogless so I cannot give you a link. You can contact me through email for thier email if you are interested in any of thier fun patterns

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I'll show you the projects that I worked on at the retreat in my next post.

First on my schedule is Clothesline Club and my Family Reunion applique club.....more on that later too!

My BFF Nanette...

...came to the American Quilting retreat this week and did a trunk show.
Her quilts are so fun! Scrappy and Vintage style...what could be better?
I thought I'd show you what I saw through my camera....

Nanette is just as fun and cute as her quilts are! Did you notice the adorable apron she is wearing? Nanette also has the the most fabulous blog...go check it out... here.

I will have more trunk show and retreat pictures to come later on in the week.

I really had a great time at the retreat and now I'm attempting to get back to my regular routine...it's sooooo hard!

I always want to stay "just one extra day"....although I do have to admit that I am always glad to get home to Mr. Honey and the kids.

Dorothy was right....."there's no place like HOME".