The End of a Family Tradition

In June I traveled to Alaska with twenty-two of my relatives to celebrate my grandson's high school graduation. It was a wonderful trip — and a bittersweet one, too, since he's the last of the grandchildren to graduate. We have been so many place over the years together.  All of those wonderful family graduation traditions we've built over the years will be coming to a close after this one.

A Quilter's Escape: Gallagher's Retreat

In July I spent a weekend at Gallagher's Retreat House in Gibbon, Minnesota — a 1910 Arts and Crafts home beautifully outfitted for quilters. It's the kind of place that transports you back to another era, with period furniture and fixtures throughout, but don't let the old-world charm fool you — it's also a top-notch space to sew.

This retreat has a special place in my heart: I opened it in 2001 and closed it in 2004. My niece later reopened the house and has made such wonderful improvements! If you're looking for a spot to gather, this house is perfect.

Our meals were catered by Tammy Stoddard — for those of you who visited the retreat house back in the day, she's the one who ran the restaurant in the back of the quilt shop. She's still a fantastic cook.

If you're looking for a retreat, I highly recommend checking it out.

On Grief, and Finding My Way Back to Quilting

On a personal note, because it's part of this story too.

My husband, Dennis, was a short story writer. Each evening he would be upstairs in his office writing, while I was downstairs in my sewing room.  It was a lovely arrangement — there was something so comforting knowing he was just a few steps away, working, while I worked too. At the end of the day we would come together, have a glass of wine, and talk about our day. 

People talk about the stages of grief like it's a path you walk once and then you're done. I've learned it's not that simple. I have a new space now, and honestly, life is better — I'm not where I was. Things are getting easier.  But it's still hard in a way I didn't expect, he is no longer “upstairs”. And for a long time, that is what has kept me from creating. 

Am I better than I was? Yes — majorly. But some things just hold on. Maybe I'll always expect him to be just at the top of the stairs.

After two and a half years, I'm beginning to feel my passion for quilting returning! My Kaffe Fasset quilt is almost finished, and I have something to be excited about. I found this pattern in Arthur, North Dakota at Mary's Quilt Market. The pattern is Fat Quarter Love by Bill Kerr.

I'm also in the middle of a second project — Star Tracking by Kathy Doughty. I was on a bus trip and stopped at Mary's Quilt Market in Arthur ND. I fell in love with so many projects! Quilt is all triangles, which makes it a bit fussy to work with, but the result is really striking.

Keep Your Tools Close with Rita's Racks

As always, if you're looking for a way to keep your rulers and other quilting tools organized and within reach while you work, check out my Ruler Racks. The large rack holds up to 48 rulers, and the small 18" rack holds 28.

Patterns Available

My quilting patterns are also available on my website — [link to be added].

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Thanks so much for following along this month. More soon!

I give you my Irish goodbye.  

— Rita