Sunday, February 28, 2016

Three Days with Gwen

"Housetop"  59" x 59"
I've just returned from a lovely three-day retreat on medallion quilts with Gwen Marston. 





While preparing for the retreat, I thought I'd take all my spare blocks 
and work them around this Gee's Bend inspired log cabin.
It might have worked, but I decided to expand on the original design instead.





One old dress, two tablecloths, an apron and a friend's scrap later, 
it began to take shape.  
The corners are one log cabin block that I quartered--
one of Gwen's many brilliant suggestions.




The retreat was in beautiful Port Gamble, Washington, 
offered by the Quilted Strait quit shop.  




This sewing room was right across the street from the quilt shop.




This is the view from my sewing table.  
It's a miracle anyone got anything done!



Some of us ate lunch outside and enjoyed the quiet surroundings.




I caught the sunset on the ferry ride home.
A perfect weekend!




A windy photo shoot.  Good thing Mr. Nifty can perform Photo Shop magic!



41 comments:

Mystic Quilter said...

Lovely Medallion and pleased you went with the expanded original - brilliant red by the way!

Chris said...

Ooh - retreat with Gwen! That sounds wonderful! Love what you did with your medallion - fresh and fun!

The Cozy Quilter said...

A retreat with Gwen is the best!!!! Love your quilt!

Sujata Shah said...

What a way to spend three days! Seeing with Gwen in such beautiful setting. I love the mix of fabrics in your medallion top. Say hi to Mr. B!

Diane Harris, Interactive Editor said...

Sounds like a weekend in heaven. I love your funky quilt--the colors and the composition are inspiring!

Susan said...

Love how your quilt came out. The idea for the corners is brilliant! I never would have thought of that.
Gwen Marston is certainly a treasure of the quilting world. I think everything we have in quilting today- including the Modern Quilting movement- can be traced to her. How wonderful that you were able to learn from such a terrific lady.

Linda said...

Great quilt. How lucky, three days with the wonderful Gwen Marston! I am green with envy, my face probably matches the green in your quilt!

beth s said...

Love your quilt and am so happy you were able to spend time with Gwen. She's a gem.

Juliann in WA said...

Love Gwen's style and love that shop. How fun!

Sharon said...

Love what you created. I noticed the corners right away, great touch. I'm heading out tomorrow for the next round with Gwen, Small studies, Hope I have some great pieces to show. Lots of ideas rattling in my mind. I too, am taking previous blocks, hoping to build on them from my last time doing this workshop.

Rachaeldaisy said...

Lucky You!!! 3 days with Gwen in a beautiful place, that's the stuff dreams are made of. I love your medallion, the colours, the mix of fabrics, all of it.

Kristine said...

It's a beautiful place to have a retreat with Gwen Marston !!

I love your "fabrics mixture", great idea for the corners.

The color's quilt for spring it's the good choice.

Julie Fukuda said...

What a bright cheerful piece. Looks like your material had as much fun as you did.

Quilteuse Forever said...

Just like the other quilters above, I guess you had a wonderul time at Gwen's retreat, in such a wonderful place!
Wishing I will also have a full-time retreat with Gwen one day, she is the one who has changed our vision of quilting - for the best!
Daring red, happy greens, here comes Spring with your new medaillion top!

fiberchick said...

Would love to do a GM workshop in such a beautiful place. Love your medallion with the mix of graphic fabrics! It looks like a quart of fresh strawberries:)

Nann said...

Oh, lucky you! What a splendid way to brighten up late winter!

Janie said...

How exciting! I've been to that quilt shop and my son and daughter-in-law were married in the little church there about 5 yr.s ago!
A class with Gwen Marston, doesn't get any better than that.
Great quilt in progress too. thanks for sharing.

Quilting Stories said...

How I envy you! Such a wonderful retreat with Gwen Marston... and you came back with another marvel! I as well love your display of blocks that you prepared, especially the Basket block. I am sure you will create something special again with them. Everything that comes from your hands is always stunning!

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

Beautiful quilt and BEautiful Setting!

Monica said...

Looks blissful! I can definitely see your inspiration, comparing the bar photo with your quilt! It really has a great sense of depth, and light. Thanks for sharing!

Monica said...

Argh -- barN.

Janet said...

Gwen Marston has had a profound influence on me and how I make quilts. Her book "Liberated Quiltmaking" opened up a new whole new world for me and how I make quilts and I've never turned back once I learned how to liberate myself. I enjoy your blog very much.

Anonymous said...

turned out fantastic - love your color choices and the big prints with the solids. lively, happy rooftop.

apiecefullife said...

Your quilt looks great. I am sure you could arrive at a beautiful quilt on your own but so nice to be able to be in a workshop with Gwen.
I am going to have to do some planning to get a workshop with Gwen.

Hilacha (loose strand) said...

Ooohh! those reds!!
I see you've had a great time, and so productive!
Who would say Mr Nifty added his magical touch?? (ha!)
And please, save those green-white fans, I's love to see them in another quilt. ;)

Marit said...

Your quilt top is so happy! Love the bold scale and vibrant colors together. Great way to show off those lovely thrifted treasures. I sense a few elements that makes this a signature you design in addition to its timeless character. Really lovely!
Spending days in a workshop with Gwen in beautiful surroundings on an island - how wonderful! Thank you for sharing it with us.
xo

Barb said...

how wonderful for you to have 3 days with Gwen.
Your medallion is great. I love the "different" corner. How fun to use re-purposed fabrics.
Gorgeous setting!!!

Heidi said...

Your weekend sounds like a real treat, and the resulting quilt is fantastic! Your style really shines through:)

Linda @ kokaquilts said...

Lucky you, sounds like it was a great few days in a wonderful setting! Love your quilt, amazing use of those vintage-y fabric treasures!

fernroycequilting said...

So inspiring!! I'm enrolled in the last session (abstracts in solids) and can't wait to start on Friday. Since this will be my first time to Port Gamble/Quilted Strait I was thrilled to see the lovely pictures of the place.

Ann said...

I love your fabrics, especially the black and white gingham. Great idea to quarter the log cabins for the corners. Lucky you to attend this workshop. Three days would barely be enough.

audrey said...

You make me want to be more bold with my fabric buying.:) Love seeing your beautiful makes!

the girlfriend gap said...

Dreamy . I love how brave you are with fabric. Makes me Smile . Janita

janequiltsslowly said...

I think that 3 days sewing with Gwen Marsdon coaching/teaching/suggesting might be my idea of heaven. Seriously. That is one gorgeous quilt. Thanks for the gingham.

Quilter Kathy said...

What a magical place for an exciting creative adventure!

jeanne hewell-chambers said...

I hope this was as much fun to make as it is to look at.

Karen said...

How wonderful to spend time with Gwen. Your medallion turned out great although it probably would looked great with your orphan blocks too.

Annemieke said...

O what a bright and fun medallion quilt top! And that must have been a dream retreat with Gwen.... I thought about some retreat with her one day, but don't know if that will happen. Until than I will watch your quilts/work instead;)
Groetjes
Annemieke

Andrea said...

Love this quilt LeeAnn! It just knew what it wanted to be, didn't it? And it is beautiful!!!

smazoochie said...

It looks like a beautiful setting. The green in your quilt represents how jealous -- yes! I will say it JEALOUS! -- I am that you got to do another workshop with Ms. Marston.
Her tutelage has given you wings.

Ruth said...

I'm crazy about this! You are so deft at combining prints and colors, just superb.