33 comments
 Friday and Saturday last week was our first Freda's Retreat with daughters and granddaughters of Freda Nielson Breton, my mother.  I was inspired to have a family  retreat when I heard Jill Finley lecture and read her book.  I am really happy to share the talents I picked up through my mother to the other women in the family.  Above is my Freda's Flowers quilt, which was our project for the retreat.  In my entry table is a photo of Freda, our favors and patterns in the giant teacup and the banana black walnut cupcakes from my mother's recipe.  Banana nut cake was her absolute favorite.
We sewed in my kitchen.  A few of the girls had made quilts before but most had not.  So it was really a learning experience.  Left to right is my niece Tricia, sister Teri and niece RaShelle.
 Here is my niece Tana and niece Amber.  These girls were all very hard at work.
Sister Michelle is in front of the machine, sister Paula has her back to the camera, nieces Melanie and Vanessa and sister Teri in the corner of the photo.
We used Jelly Rolls for our fabric.  Above are Paula's blocks in Dream On.  I really love this line of fabric.
I think these are Jenny's blocks above.  I love the prints and colors.
These are Teri's blocks.  I really like this new line from Sandy Klop.

  
 Here is my niece Jenny making her blocks.
 
 Michelle, Paula, Teri and me in my sewing room.  We had a great time.  Tomorrow I'll show more pics of blocks making progress.  

I think everyone had a good time.  I really loved getting together and dedicating our work and projects to my mother, Freda.

-nanette

(I don't know about you, but this new version of blogger is buggy and I'm struggling with it.)
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33 comments

Bobbi said...

What a great idea! I would love to do this with my sister, aunts, and cousins!

And I love your setup on your entry table. :)

Di~ said...

So So COOL! Good job Nanette! Wow!

Trisha said...

What a wonderful time you must have had. Your mother would be so happy to see all her girls gathered.

You gotta switch over to Windows Live Writer. It is SO easy! I just can't deal with blogger anymore. Way too frustrating and time consuming.

Lori Holt said...

Oh
my
heck.
How fun is that? I just loved seeing everyone working on thier blocks...and your pattern is sooo versatile, it works with every fabric line out there!
I love it Nanette. I'm glad you all had such a goid time.
The photo at the top is just so adorable, I could look at it forever!
Your mom is soooo proud of you girls. I just know it:)
xx
lori

Unknown said...

Wonderful idea and what a beautiful bunch of ladies! Mom, grandma must have been very proud.

Elizabeth said...

Sounds like a fun weekend.

Unknown said...

What a GREAT idea! Loved the table setup. Interested in posting the recipe for what looks like delicious treats? I might need to get the book, thanks for the inspiration!

Nedra said...

I started working on my Freda's Flowers last night, and I love them. My backgrounds are more neutral.
So fun to see all the ladies. I'm sure your mother was hovering nearby with a smile on her face.
And I was completely frustrated trying to use the new blogger system. There was no way to move pictures around: they seemed to have a mind of their own. I went back to the old way until they MAKE us use the new system. Hopefully they will have worked out a few of the bugs by then.
Maybe they will give us detailed step by step instructions for the new system? (I won't hold my breath)

Rae Ann said...

Nanette ~ You and your sisters are just darling in that photo. Love it! What a special thing to do and a wonderful way of bringing family members together.
I simply adore your flower quilt! Your entry table is lovely and I am sure that everyone could feel the presence of your sweet mom as they entered in. What a beautiful woman!
The new blogger version is going to take some time for me to get use to... that's for sure!

Messy Karen said...

great family fun. i know that you're doing it for them. but they must be having the best time getting together with you. can't wait to see more.

jen said...

it was only the FUNNEST WEEKEND EVER!!!
xoxo

Browndirtcottage said...

What a treat....looks like a bunch of crazy wonderfulness!!!!

Your 'entry' vignette is FAB!

That white lacy 3 tiered piece should go right back there for Christmas filled full of Christmas balls....yep....if it was mine that's what I would do...HA...just let me know if there is anything else I can boss you about!!
Oh yeh...and tie a big fat bow in the top loop.

Sandy said...

How fun!!! Such a close family, you are very lucky.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Until today I did not realize how much you look like your mother! So beautiful. You are the hostess with the mostess!! What a wonderful time!

michelle said...

It was the most fun ever and you made it that way for all of us. Can't thank you enough for the best weekend ever. We will be talking about it till our next retreat. Thanks to you!

Thimbleanna said...

Looks like you had a wonderful weekend Nanette -- what a fun thing to do. I'd love to get together with all of my girl cousins and do something like that, but even though their mother sews, they'd probably rather sleep on nails that pick up a needle LOL.

You're the second blog in a row to comment on blogger. From a commenter point of view, it drives me CRAZY!

pratima said...

Beautiful retreat and beautiful memories for future generations too... it's an amazing idea, Nanette and your sweet quilt is a perfect backdop for the table filled with sweet treats :)
Everyone's flowers are very pretty. Would love to see their finishes sometime :) Thank you for sharing!

Retrogirl said...

What a fun day with fantastic fabric and a wonderful pattern, Nanette.

I'm struggling with blogger these days, too...couldn't post for a couple hours yesterday because pictures wouldn't upload. What's post without pix?? Not to worry, it won't be long and they'll have everything fixed.

Best Wishes,
Heather
=)

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

It is extremely buggy! I've had to try multiple times to leave a comment and still have not been able to load pictures. Bummer.

It looks like you all had a very productive and fun time. How fun to be working on your very own pattern with your very own family members!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh how I love that quilt... How lovely to have everyone together.. Lots of chatting and laughing. :-)

Warm blessings,
Spencer

Shari said...

What an absolutely marvelous idea and it looks like so much fun!! So nice to see...

CreationsForEleanor said...

Oh my, what a wonderful idea! It looks like you were all having a wonderful time, I am sure you made lots of great memories.
And of course, topped off with a great Eagles win!
Christine

Unknown said...

What a fun time with family!! And of course a great project to work on. I hope you will show their versions when they are complete!

Calamity Jane's Cottage, Bonnie said...

Keeping the family together and making memories are the best. The fabric and project were great picks.

Lurline said...

It all looks so lovely - Freda has left you a great legacy and looks like you are following in her footsteps!
Hugs - Lurline♥

Kim D. said...

Great photo's Nanette! Looks like you all had a special day, with your mother right there in the middle. Those cupcakes look so yummy too!

Vicki @ DottyJane said...

It looks like such a fun time and the quilt you're making is so pretty!

I use Windows Live Writer to write my blog posts and it publishes them to my blog. Very user friendly!

PamKittyMorning said...

You guys are always having fun!

Alice Regan said...

What a great idea. I love the table vignette, and those quilts are gorgeous. Looks like you all had a great time.

Sparky said...

What a hoot...I felt like I was part of it, ok from some distance...but you are one of the most delightful quilters of our world...I can't even imagine what 12 years of quilts looks like..YOU all look sew happy...thanks for a snapshot of your world...sew appreciated...and yes ps...the new version has some hiccups..like loading pics...
blessings msamm

Sparky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aunt Spicy said...

I love, love, love this idea! It looks like you guys had an amazing time!

Ginger Patches said...

A family sewing retreat, what a great idea!! It must be wonderful to have so much family so close :)
I hated new blogger too...I am back using old blogger lol!