Thursday, March 5, 2026

Kintail Retreat Report

 Christine and I spent last weekend at Camp Kintail at the crafter's retreat.  Others were making paper crafts, scrapbooks, knitting and painting. Four participants were quilting.   It's always fun to see what everyone is making. The food and snacks were plentiful and tasty too. 

My first project was an open wide zipper pouch that I had started at home. This one may just stay here for me to use.  This project was a good place to use the large scale print that I loved but would not be good to cut up into smaller pieces 


Next, I made two rainbow scrap challenge blocks.  Yes, I have started a 4th RSC quilt for this year...  All of the blocks I am making are made from squares and HST's.  This newest block was inspired by one I saw on Facebook. I'm going to match the dots in the background fabric to the scrap colour.  This month's colour is red.  I will be working on my red blocks next. 





Every year, the VP of the Oxford Guild hosts a VP quilt day--she chooses the pattern and everyone makes the same quilt with their own fabric choices.  I had a solid jelly roll and the dark gray background fabric in my stash.  The VP day was on Saturday while we were at the retreat so both Christine and I worked on our blocks on Saturday while the others were sewing at our guild meeting place.  I made 14/20 blocks at the retreat and will work on the rest this weekend. 







Christine's big project for the weekend was a queen sized quilt top that had been aging for a while in her sewing room as a bag of fabrics...  She finished the top and will now be looking for a backing and a long armer.  There are lots of lovely low volume fabrics in this quilt top.



I made this scrappy quilt top at the last Kintail retreat and quilted it at this retreat.  I have found some binding in my stash and will get that attached and sewn down soon. 


Finn has come to stay at our house for his annual Spring visit while our daughter is busy at work.  He held the quilt top down while I cut the batting before the retreat.   He is very helpful. 


I added some more hand quilting to my pineapple quilt at the retreat as well. I need to get back to working on this one on a regular basis if I want to finish it...


Finn has been keeping us entertained and supervised...


I made him some banana, peanut butter and yoghurt "Pawsicles" this week.  These are a big hit!


In my "spare" time, I am knitting poppies for a Remembrance Day display in Ingersoll where the quilt guild meets.  I found red and black yarn in my stash and started on my first poppy...  we have already established that I am not the fastest knitter so don't hold your breath waiting to see a large pile of completed poppies next week. 


I finished my second Folk Art Critter--a rabbit this time.  I gave this cute bunny to my daughter for Easter.  It is sitting on her bookshelf.  I hope to make some more critters soon. 



 I will link up with Kathy and the Slow Sunday Stitchers,  Angela and the RSC folks and Frederique this weekend.  

14 comments:

  1. Those RSC blocks are awesome, Gail! I was looking at their construction - did you make quarter star four patches with the green and blue and then add the additional fabric to create the circle effect? I really like those! Your VP blocks are neat, too. Looks like you got a lot done at the retreat. Have fun with Finn there!

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    1. The circle blocks re made with HST’s and squares. No fancy seams or construction methods.

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  2. You sure keep busy! Lovely work.

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  3. I love that yellow/black print for the bag and all the quilts you show. nice big stitch quilting too. Finn is so cute I love that dog he reminds me so much of my daughter's much large dog - other than size they resemble each other

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  4. Retreats are the perfect place to work on a little of this and a little of that. You and Christine got so much accomplished! Great idea with the polka dot backgrounds, love your yellow bag, and the sweet bunny. Of course I love all things Finn - he has such soulful eyes. Have a good week!

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  5. Wow, you sure got a lot finished up! Everything is lovely, but my favorites are those new RSC blocks you’ve started! So unusual. Don’t be surprised if you see several of us borrow the idea!

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  6. I love your bag and the print you used is gorgeous! Also love the new RSC blocks, like birds flying in circle. That little bunny sure is cute! Enjoy the knitting and Finn. ;^)

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  7. Would you believe that I have just made a bunch of those little blocks - these are for my quilt club next month. Participants go into a draw and the winner takes all. I do like that circle setting, I haven't seen that layout before. What fun you had at your stitching day, those interlocking chain blocks look intriguing. Hello Finn I bet you enjoyed those treats.

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  8. What a lovely collection of projects you worked on at your retreat! I especially like the interlocked single colour chain blocks. Lola always picks a spot on my quilt if I have to lay it on the floor. Finn is so lovely. Those paw and bone treats were a big hit I’m sure! Sarah quilting by the sea.

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  9. The retreat was very productive for you and Christine, and all your projects are beautiful! I love Christine's low volume quilt. I think my favorite blocks are your new RSC project, they look fantastic! Fun prints too. The bunny is so cute! Thank you for sharing your inspiring projects and linking up! Hi to cute Finn too ;)

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  10. What a wonderful way to spend time and sew together. Always enjoy Finn❤️

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  11. I adore the quilt that you started at the retreat. Those solid color links are fantastic. Christine's quilt is very pretty. How wonderful that she was able to finish it at the retreat. I like the RSC blocks. Do you really have many different colored dot background fabrics? Finn looks happy to stay with you.

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  12. You have been busy, what a great variety of projects!

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  13. So many great blocks and projects!!! I love them all!!!

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