Retreat Weekend

Duck, Duck Goose! is the name of our latest pattern. This is the project our Scottie Dog Mystery Quilting Retreaters made this past weekend. It uses the Quilt in a Day's Small Flying Goose Ruler and is actually a quick and beginner-friendly quilt. Our version is Queen, but there is a smaller size too. Patterns are available now at our store.

Retreats are fun. We have quilters from all over the United States come...many of them over and over again. We have them Spring and Fall. If you'd like to come to the California Redwoods and spend a weekend quilting with us, email us at ScottieDogQuilts@aol.com.

Sandi used her floral border as a starting point with her quilt. The floral had a chocolate background so she went with a deep chocolate brown as the quilt background. Her turquoise accent really popped!

Shari chose a Laurel Birch Cat Border fabric, decided on a solid black background with bright, bright FQ's and look at how great it turned out. She made the throw size.

Ann's quilt was well on it's way to being finished when she discovered a misplaced block. She ripped it out and then posed with her beautiful quilt. Everyone was successful and chose great fabrics. Some people say they don't like working on Mystery Quilts, but we try hard to take the guesswork out of the job of choosing fabrics.

Saturday was a busy day for our family. Eureka was hosting the annual Rhododendron Festival. Every year we've taken Sydney. Since Mom & Grandma were busy at the Retreat, Daddy had to work, Grandpa to the rescue! He parked the pick-up truck along the parade route, set up comfy chairs and the W.A.I.T.I.N.G began. It always seems to take an eternity for a parade to start.

Finally! Fire Truck after Fire Truck led off the parade blaring sirens! Can you tell that Sydney loved the noise!!! She and Grandpa went up to Ft. Humboldt after the parade and rode the steam train. What an exciting day!

I love a Parade!

Every small town has it's own personal parade. It may be the Fall Festival Parade, the Santa Claus Parade, the 4th of July Parade or maybe in a coastal town, a Boat Parade. In our small town of Eureka, CA we have the Rhododendron Festival Parade. Rhododendrons and azaleas grow wild in the Redwood Forest and Eureka celebrates this noble bush the end of April every year.

Bill and I invited 3 year old Sydney to the parade a few days ago. Even though she's shy, she proudly has announced to one and all, "I'm going to the parade with Grandma and Grandpa!" I'm not sure she remembers the parade last year, or was really sure what she'd signed on for, but if Grandpa and Grandma were in and she got to ride in her wagon, it must be something great.

The weather was perfect! Sunny and warmish (it"s never hot here in Eureka, warmish is all you can ever hope for and the good Lord delivered!), we found the perfect corner, set up the dual "couch" chair for the old folks and Sydney set up in her wagon. We sang songs, watched a jet bound for Europe zip by, saw a tow truck and a helicopter (two things that thoroughly excite this 3 year-old) and after about 1/2 hour we heard the siren of the lead vehicle. A Police Car! Soon followed by the color guard and the American Flag. We stood and clapped for the flag and the Korean War Vets, thanking them for their service. A very nice lady from the Covenant Church came by and gave Sydney an orange balloon.

Small town parades are pretty predictable....there were fire engines, the kids on bicycles with rhododendron blossoms taped to their spokes, the Shriners and their band and guys in fez hats driving tiny cars, the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, the political candidates in convertibles, marching bands, clowns, horses, the swim team and many local businesses. Some threw candy, some passed out toys, a local Indian Casino passed out used decks of cards! By the end Sydney had a plastic cup (from the Coast Guard) filled with candy, whistles, toys and such. Truth be told, I watched Syd more than I watched the parade. The delight and wonder on her face was far more interesting to me than another flatbed trailer with bales of straw and wilting flowers.... Another day in the life of this grandma!