More Retreat Pictures

 Hello Everyone,

I hope you’re all soaking up every last drop of this Labor Day weekend. 

Here are some more pictures from the retreat.  We made such happy memories last week!

My sister Gail finished the center block of her Timeless quilt. We had to make extra room at her workspace for the Block Layout Sheet.

Now, here's a parade of quilts for your Monday morning enjoyment.

Charlotte made this quilt out of denim and it was very heavy!

This is an original design which Charlotte made during Covid.

Linda made a memory quilt for her mother.

Our good friend Candace made this quilt for Linda, who is an expert in genealogy. Linda helped Candace discover and reconnect with members of her family, and this quilt is Candace’s heartfelt way of thanking her.

Debra started my pattern called Madrigal last August.  She quilted it herself and hand quilted the center applique section.  So beautiful!

Quilt retreats are just sooooo much fun. I had five new quilters this time—well, new to my Sew’n Wild Oaks family, anyway. And they fit in so effortlessly it felt like they’d always been part of the group, stitching right into the fabric of our little quilting community.

Next week I’ll be heading to my Independence Hall guild retreat at Snowflake Lodge, and guess what? I get to be a participant! That’s right—no teaching, no organizing, no mother‑henning. I’m officially off duty. I’ll be quilting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. like a woman possessed, working away on my new Ruffles design.

This week I’m starching and cutting every last piece of fabric so I can unleash some serious power‑sewing once I get there. And somewhere in the middle of all that, I need to order fabric and make kits. Wish me luck… or better yet, send caffeine.

Up here in the Sierra Nevada mountains, we’re experiencing the official Last Gasp of Summer. It's that dramatic moment when the “Summer People” flap their wings and migrate home. They arrive in June like a flock of noisy geese and depart just as quickly, leaving behind empty cabins, quiet roads, and a community that collectively exhales and says, “Ahhh…we have our town back.” 

They drive too fast with total disregard for the wildlife. On the Fourth of July in 2025, a tiny bear cub was struck by a car and died right here on our street. Yesterday, it happened again—another cub killed out on the highway. Someone posted a video of its sibling circling the little body, confused and desperate, while their mama stood off to the side, helpless. It’s heartbreaking to watch these families lose their babies like this, over and over.

We love living here in the mountains, and we hold deep respect for every creature that shares this place with us. It breaks our hearts to see the little ones lose their lives before they’ve even had a chance to grow. We never forget that we’re the ones living in their home, and it’s up to us to protect them however we can.

Soon,

Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Continued

 Hello Everyone,

This is a picture heavy post of the amazing creations the quilters brought to Show & Tell at my Sew'n Wild Oaks retreat at Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA.  If the pattern was designed by me, I've established a blue link in the title to my Etsy shop. First up is Cozy Country Christmas. It's not too early to start thinking about Christmas! 

Kathy made a table runner during the retreat to fit her holiday table perfectly. It's a versatile pattern to add Christmas charm to your home. 

This quilt is called Country Charmer and it's a great quilt to make to incorporate your scraps and that's just what Eileen did.....beautifully. I've made this quilt four times in all different colorways.

I taught a session on Lucy Boston blocks and several of the girls started selecting fabric from my Timeless Stitches collection from Marcus Fabrics.  The girls are going to make the blocks during my quilting cruise next May.

Here's a Halloween wonky log cabin quilt.

There was not one but two Laurel Ridge quilts in the room made by Barbara and Eileen! Barbara purchased the kit offered by The Quilt Show, and Eileen selected fabrics from her stash.

Nancy made Autumn Thyme and is looking forward to having it on display this Fall. 

There were two Lil' Orphan Scrappy quilts in the room! The girls only used fabric from their stashes to make their quilts. 

I had the honor of spending five unforgettable days with this wildly talented, fun and compassionate group of women. Every moment with them felt like a gift. I’m genuinely blessed to be woven into their lives, stitch by stitch, laugh by laugh, memory by memory 

More pictures over the weekend.

Soon,

Lynn

Sew'n Wild Oaks Retreat Day One

 Hello Everyone,

Snowflake Lodge in Arnold, CA was magically transformed yesterday—but not into just any quilting studio. No, no. It became a full‑blown quilting metropolis, complete with the hum of machines, beautiful fabric, and the unmistakable sound of quilters joyfully unpacking enough projects to survive a three‑year blizzard.

They arrived in all their glory toting sewing machines like prized livestock, hauling in project bags that could double as carry‑on luggage for a trip around the world, and offering up food like they were preparing for a quilting potluck Olympics. And of course, they brought the most important supply of all: a hearty spirit of friendship, laughter, and just a dash of mischief.....you Chico girls you!

With the first bobbin wound and the first snack opened, the transformation was complete.

Let the quilting commence and may the seams be ever a perfect 1/4".

Soon,

Lynn