This weekend I was distracted with many non work related activities, from family obligations to my once a month bridge group, to a couple friends going through life's struggles.  All I wanted to do was to be in the studio and work on the latest piece.  In writing this now I can see how in this instance "the Studio" and work can be an escape from the emotional drain of our human interactions. How going into your safe space you can close out the troubles of the world and just think of those things that you know how to manipulate and create something beautiful, interesting or challenging.  For that slice of time you can close out the bigger world and surround yourself in what sustains you. I wonder if that is reflected in the work.

I hosted a retreat weekend for Andrea Gibbs in our Second Story Studio work room for 2 weekends in the month of March:

Weekend Quilting Retreat 

Purpose:  Andrea Gibbs, the current president of the FLQG is creating quilts and writing a book inspired by her exploration into iconic African textile designs and how they never seemed to be translated into quilt blocks and/or patterns.  Considering the significant participation and contribution of African Americans in our American quilt history, and the powerful influences of textiles and design in African culture this seems a curious missing, one worthy of pursuit.  Andrea and I have discussed the idea of a retreat, that would not only be a fun way for us quilters to get together and do what we all delight in doing but a way to propel her project forward.  We as a group can not only produce more than she can alone, we will discover things that she might not, that would be useful and insightful.  Specifically that means we will be making quilts for her to photograph and use as examples in her book and possibly to show.  That can manifest in many different ways, either your owning the quilt in the end or your doing the sewing for her collection of quilts. She will bring fabrics for those who just want to sew, but bring fabrics to add to the stash also if you choose. If you want to use your own fabric and are intrigued to use these designs you will keep the quilt in the end. Our focus is to all work on the development of these designs only.

The weekends were great fun and very productive.  I will post the images as the quilts are finished and I receive images. My favorite part was how inspiring the whole area of study is and how each participant ran with different aspects and how we barely touched the surface.  I have 3 finished quilts to show for it and ideas for many others that should keep me producing for at least months if not years. We may continue and have more weekends on

this project and I am open to hosting others.  Please let me know about your ideas and projects.  These are not money making events, we do not charge for theses retreats, they do not include instruction.