Some travels take me far from home—some are a bit closer. Portland, Maine, is near enough to be an “evening out” destination for Tom and I. This particular week, Portland was a retreat destination for myself and twelve students. We settled in for five days at Hyatt Place in the revitalized Old Port, just a couple blocks from the working waterfront of fishing boats, lobster traps, art galleries, and restaurants.
The staff at the Hyatt were happy to see us return. Even the parking guys were asking how the week was going. One fellow named Drew came up to the second-floor classroom to see what were up to. He asked a lot of questions and the ladies kind of adopted him, taking him under their wings and explaining the ins and outs of fabric collage. The receptionists also came for a visit, remarking how much they enjoy seeing my retreat groups throughout the “shoulder” seasons of early spring and early fall. This year I will have three retreats there. My group remarked how friendly and helpful the staff was and I was told they were well-liked in return. That’s what I’ve always found: quilters are pretty darn good people!
This year spring in Maine is a little tardy. Fortunately the snowfall of two days prior had melted before most students arrived! But the lower temperatures outside did nothing to cool down the excitement as class began on Day One. As we went around introducing ourselves, some of these ladies were literally (in the true sense of the word) bouncing in their chairs with excitement, telling me how hard and long they’ve been anticipating this retreat. It was a lively beginning to the week and the colors of fabric inside the classroom soon made up for the lack of Spring color outside!
The ladies wasted no time getting to know one another. There was soon lively chatter going on in the room, though as they concentrated there were times when you could have heard a pin drop on the carpeted floor.
Joanne Schwartz brought her fantastic double moon collage (above) of lush Spring colors and flowers with her to class. I had seen this piece in progress during my Online Class Trial earlier this year. What a treat it was to see it in real life, as it was to meet Joanne as well. She used the moon and sun designs from my book, Serendipity Quilts, for this first fabric collage of hers—enlarged to different sizes, and turning the sun’s face into a blue moon. These designs and more are now also available as downloadable pdf’s from my website: Sun Portrait pattern link. Moon Portrait pattern link.
A variety of subject matter filled the room—Joanne’s cats Winston and Maggie, Terrie’s pup Cosmo, Laurie’s Boxer “Brown-Eyed Suzy,” plus wild creatures and beloved children. See them all below in the in-progress slideshow!
Student Work Slideshow
And then, all of a sudden, the luxury of a five-day retreat is over. The week comes to a close and our group of women who have been brought together over the love of fabric, disperse throughout the continent—Maine, Virginia, California, Rhode Island, Washington, Illinois, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Colorado, and Ontario, Canada. Until we meet again, and a wish from Maine to all fellow travelers…
Looks like a fabulous time. Looking forward to our May retreat in Australia!
Everyone of these WIP are fabulous!
LOVED our time in Portland last Fall! The hotel staff were superb… food wonderful! Really a perfect time of collaging and relaxing! Looking forward to doing it again!
I love all your blogs and am constantly amazed by the wonderful imagination your students show. But I’m also a huge fan of the beautiful pictures you add of the various locations where the classes are held. Great photography.
I agree with all the accolades on the Hyatt staff! They made an already exciting and creative time painless with attention to our needs. And the healthy meals Susan had arranged were a treat. This is the best place to take one of Susan’s classes! Seeing Maine for the first time was great, too.