Thursday, January 29th, let the fun begin!!!

Our schedule for travel to retreat this day worked with military precision thanks to Deb (retired Navy nurse) and Kathy (our private little Sargent). Kathy's goal was to get the 5 or us in our van. Now if we were on a day trip, I would think that would be possible, but 5 ladies with 4 sewing machines, at least two supply bags per person and 5 over night duffels? Well, all of us with the exception of Kathy were skeptical. But, you know, she made it work and we did it!!!
This was my load alone without my duffel, and we all had at least this much.
We shop hopped on the way up, which was a blast. Our first planned stop was in Whitewater, but they open at noon on Thursdays. We went to a new shop to me in Fort Atkinson that I just loved; Backyard quilts. I found some very cute apron fabric. I purchased more reds and whites for a redwork quilt I am planning for next year at JJ Stitches in Sun Prairie. Also, drooled quite a bit in the 30's repro room there and bought a very cute basket pattern. We hit Millhouse in Waunakee and Deb and I both spotted a coordinating apron fabric for me. Our last stop before the final destination was Quintessential Quilts in Reedsburg. On the way up, my feet were killing me and I couldn't figure out why. I thought I had Candice's hiking boots on, but when the other gals hit a yarn shop in Baraboo and left me in the van to nap, I took them off and found out I actually had Catie's boots on. She is an 8 1/2, I am 9 1/2-10!!! So, when we stopped for groceries in Baraboo, there was a J C Penney's next door, and I went in and bought new shoe boots. One of my best purchases all weekend, because they are perfect for when it is sloppy, but you aren't going to be trudging through ankle deep snow or deeper. I love them and my toes are very thankful.
After settling in at retreat and popping a pizza in the oven, we started up our machines. I set these very unrealistic goals for myself at retreat every year, and this year was no exception. I thought I could actually get this one together before I went to bed on Thursday night, but the most I could do was piece the blocks and square them up and get it on the design wall. I crashed at 9 pm with only a 15 minute nap the whole day. It's hard to go after working the night before, but that was how my schedule worked this time.
I finished by noon the next day. Isn't it cute?? It's from the Happy Hour book. I was under the delusion that Happy Hour meant that all the quilts in it took only an hour to make. Then I read the fine print. "Every hour spent quilting is a happy hour". Oh......well, that's true....