I look at retreats differently than workshops. Retreats are where you bring your own stack of projects and start stitching. Workshops are where you bring supplies for a specific project that everyone is working on. This past weekend was a retreat. The other added advantages to a retreat is in the safety of the "girlfriend circle." You get to solve the world's problems, vent about your job, share family news, educate each other in the benefits of shopping for quilting stuff while snowbound, and goals for the quilting life. On this particular retreat, there was an in-depth discussion about the difference between Hoarding vs. Necessary Accumulation. All of our parents were products of a much more frugal environment. They either grew up during the depression or fought and lived through a war where they learned to repair and reuse. None of them were hoarders and none of us are hoarders...the fabric, kits and supplies that we stockpile in our homes is not a form of quilt hoarding, but a learned behavior from our parents of "Necessary Accumulation" and one we should not feel ashamed of or worried about. And, although I do not stockpile cleaned styrofoam from the meat or veggie department, I do understand the necessary accumulation of fabric...someday there may be a shortage of fabric, and like money in the bank, I will be smug that I had the forethought to prepare.

On another note, the 3 Quilt Alongs that I have organized are Sunflower Gathering from Primitive Gatherings, Bring Home The Tree and Give Thanks from Buttermilk Basin. I also have several...as in SEVERAL UFOs and WIPs that I want to complete this year. I have set up a hashtag (#) for Instagram for anyone who wants to post their completed projects. When posting a photo to Instagram just type #2017quiltchallenge  #2017bomquiltchallenge #2017stitchchallenge with no spaces, even if it is only a quilt block...that way we can all see the progress and be encouraged by the baby steps toward a successful finish! Be sure to check into the Woolie Blog or Quilt Roadies to see my progress. Have a great stitching January!!!