Note from Alba

Dear friends,

Firstly, thank you, Sally, for undertaking such an enormous task in polling our feelings about the location for our treasured retreat, and for doing it with such diligence.  I can't imagine it could have been handled more fairly or with more consideration toward each of us.

We all agree that change is difficult but now that a decision has been made, I feel relieved and even happy to be trying this new location. I trust Sally's judgement that this place will work for us. I also know how resilient we quilt broads are.  We will help each other overcome the challenges.  We can move mountains so what the hell is a hill to us?  There's food at the top of it!

The most important aspect of this change for me will  be keeping most of us together.  As much as the setting of Point Bonita has contributed to my pleasure of attending all these years, it is the women who matter most.  I hope to see everyone who possibly can make it next January.

Note from Sally

Hi Ladies,

I think I have heard from everyone who wants to be heard.  The vote was split down the middle with 17 gals wanting to stay at the Y, 17 gals choosing Earthrise, 22 gals would go to either place and 6 gals abstained from voting.  I have heard from some gals that they won't be returning to Point Bonita and from some that they can't do Earthrise.

My emotions have run the gamut during this time and I have vacillated between both sites several times.  What that told me is change is very hard, and I don't want our retreat to end.  But in my heart, I cannot continue at the Y, and  the one thing I have learned, probably the hard way, is to be true to myself.  What the Y offers that cannot be duplicated is the magnificent view of the ocean and city and listening to the fog horn.  What it lacks in accommodations, it makes up for in price.

Over the last 2 years, I have visited many sites and they all fell short of Pt Bonita.  Then I visited Earthrise and I knew this could work.  The facilities are beautiful, updated and clean.  The people are incredibly professional and attentive to our needs. We can drink and eat to our hearts' content, and we can fit in the workspace provided.  I have not been able to achieve all of those requirements at any other retreat sight.  As for, exclusivity- we will get our own sleeping chalets and no one will be walking through our workroom.  There is no doubt in my mind that the hill obstacle at Earthrise can be overcome. 

In fact, it already has.  6 gals have volunteered to shuttle everyone back and forth, and Earthrise Management said we can park 2 cars in front of The West Room/Dorms in order to do this.

 

I don't want our retreat to end, and I hate change as much as you.  I am willing to offer and run Earthrise as an alternative to PB, so we can stay together.  But I need your understanding, patience and willingness to try something new in order to accomplish this.  I have worked very hard (for free) for 2 years to keep us going.  Can you imagine how hard I will work to keep you happy at Earthrise with a little salary!  I know you will love it there. 

Ann's Victorian Puzzle

Ann R. sent pictures of her version of the Victorian Puzzle that Barbara was working on.

It looks like a hexagon but it's a string pieced diamond. See a tutorial here:
http://therootconnection.blogspot.com/2012/02/sunday-paper.html

Books & DVD's 2012

Stevii has compiled the diversion list:

Books:
1. The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht
2. Nothing to Envy – Ordinary Lives in North Korea – by Barbara
Demick, Journalist
3. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein –narrated by a wise & endearing dog
4. The Hare with Amber Eyes by Edmund deWaal
5. Chinese Lessons by John Pomfret
6. Leaving Mother Lake by Yang Erche Namu & Christine Mathier
7. The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
8. The Painter from Shanghai by Jennifer Cody Epstein
9. The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer
10. The Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson
11. Swamplandia by Karen Russell
12. Glass Castle (book 1) and Half Broke Horses (book 2) by Jeannette
Wells
13. Moby Dick by Herman Melville
14. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
15. These Is My Words by Nancy Turner
16. Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson
17. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
18. Trilogy: The Hunger Games (1), Catching Fire (2), Mocking Jay (3)
by Suzanne
Collins
19. Inspector Montalbano Mystery Novels by Andrea Camilleri (Italian
author). In
order: The Shape of Water, Terra-Cotta Dog, The Snack Thief, The
Vocie of the
Violin, The Excursion to Tindari, The Smell (Scent) of the Night,
Round the Mark,
Patience of the Spider, Paper Moon, August Heat, Wings of the Sphinx,
Track of
Sand, Patter’s Field, Age of Doubt. Also has a novel coming out in
2013 entitled
Hunting Season.
20. Anything by Lorrie Moore, Mona Simpson, Michael
Cunningham, Jeffrey Eugenides and Shirley Hazzard.
21. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
22. The Art of Detection by Laurie L. King. Set in the Point Bonita
area!
23. Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCullough
24. Eighteen is Enough by Janet Evanovich. The whole series is great.
25. This Year I Will.... by M.J. Ryan
26. Sing Them Home by Stephanie Kallos
27. My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira

DVD’s:
1. The Artist
2. Margin Call
3. The Decendents
4. 50/50
5. Wasteland
6. Wolves Unleashed
7. Dolphin Tale
8. Becoming Santa
9. Hugo
10. The Warrior
11. The Help
12. The Guard
13. Brides Maid
14. The Separation (Iran)
15. The Vista
16. The Vicar of Dibley
17. Doc Martin

New idea

Here's the place Sally is suggesting

http://www.noetic.org/earthrise/accommodations/overview/

It seems to be on the ridge of a hill. There is a lot of walking between buildings.

But the views seem lovely.

More Purple

In the last purple post someone asked where's Jeanne.

It was her purple quilt.

Two in progress by Bobbi

There's always a plethora of purple

Sue's Doilies and Wool Throw

Sue F. came with a box of lace doilies

She dyed them

And here is the finished wool throw

Home is Where the Quilt Is

During Pt.B week Merikay and Deb R. worked on their entries to the Alliance for American Quilts' combination contest and fundraiser for 2012 "Home Is Where the Quilt Is."

See the guidelines here:
http://www.allianceforamericanquilts.org/projects/galleries/Home/guidelines/

Merikay's inspiration was the stained glass window in a family home

Here's a summary of the event. Entries are due June 1st, 2012. "Contest quilts become a donation to AAQ. All entries will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds supporting the AAQ and its projects." The Entry Fee for each quilt is $5 for Alliance members and for non members $25 for the first quilt and $10/ea for subsequent quilts. The entries must be done in an overall house shape is 15"w x 19.5".

Deb did her string quilt technique

with no piece too small to save.

You can bid on these quilts later this year. We'll keep you posted.