I really, really wanted to come but timing this year just isn't going to work. Too many committments prior & after. That wasn't supposed to happen when I retired! Have fun and I already told my husband that we are going to North carolina next year!
Sue/polardream

Darn, I hate that I'm going to have to pass on this. We too, have way to much going on for me to skip out for the weekend. Maybe next year???? I'll be anxious to hear about all the fun you guys had.

Cindy~I received your check on Sat. thanks

What a group is going this year! WOW!!! You all will be laughing til tears roll down your face and doing all kinds of fun stuff!

I can't believe Gwen is going to miss out on the 'nite-aid' and playing LRC. Guess someone will have to fill in for her and me both! @:(

SharonG/FL (Indiana)

Do the newbies get to find out ahead of time about 'nite-aid' & LRC?? Or do we get to find out in surprise fashion??
Also another question-- if there is so much laughing going on, who brings the Tena??

just asking!!...;)

heh heh heh ~~~~ It was a surprise to me when I went so I'm not telling. LOL

SharonG/FL-INDIANA

Sorry, you must provide your own Tena. Details will be coming before camp time. (snicker)

beverly

If my DH saw what I typed last night he would blush & NOT be happy w/me! Oops! Forgot I'm supposed to behave like a lady:)...but let's face it, by midnight of a crazy day some pretty funny things can just pop out that are maybe not so funny/proper in daylight! I know that YOU all understand -- it's a girl thing, right??!

~Cindy

(had to google "tena" just now - ha!)

Cindy! Yes, that's one thing you won't be playing LRC with! LOLOLOL

I'm crackin' up and I'm not even going.....you guys will have a ball. Act like a lady? Only if you want to. What goes on at Camp Cheerio, stays at Camp Cheerio (we just obscurely refer to the happenings. teehee

SharonG/FL - IN

"What happens at camp, stays at camp" was a quote from the 2nd (?) year I think. Very true statement!

I think the nite-aid will need to remain in your rooms this year...we'll see.

LRC is a game we play with fabric. Very lively & fun! We'll have to decide if we want to play with strips, charms, smaller squares or what? Maybe HSTs???? (There's a thought!)

More details to be emailed soon. We're almost to a count-down! hard to believe tomorrow is Sept 1st!!!

(had to google "tena" just now - ha!)

Teresa, you worry me...how old are you anyway???!!

LOL! Not all that old, yet! Just 63 this month, but I didn't know what product Tena was, so parts of me are still young - just not my knees or back. :o(

If it weren't for all the stupid commercials on TV, there's a lot of things I wouldn't know about!! Yea merchandising:(!:(

Glad to see so many admitted to not knowing what Tena is... I didn't know either. Maybe that is a good thing!

Really looking forward to the weekend of retreat (and looking forward to receiving more instructions about what to bring, etc. - I am starting to feel somewhat lost and I don't mean in terms of a map. LOL)

Jeanne

Here are some ideas of what to bring and my quilt retreat packing list:

personal: jeans/slacks, jacket/hooded sweatshirt, comfortable clothes, pajamas or gown, sturdy shoes if you want to hike, maybe a hat or scarf, umbrella (weather can be chilly/rainy), hair dryer

snacks: something to share with the group, your own beverage if you are particular

(we usually exchange small gifts, nothing expensive, FQs, notions, something handmade, something from your area, etc.)

Check list for quilt retreats and workshops:
sewing machine with its manual, needles, and several bobbins, all extra feet or accessories

foot pedal and surge protector cord

notions case: small ruler, seam ripper, small scissors, tape measure, pencil, pen, thimble, finger pincushions, hand sewing needles

cutting mat, rotary cutter and extra cutting blades

Ott light

travel iron, ironing mat

straight pins, safety pins

thread, assorted colors

hair clips for holding binding

large scissors

quilt or block pattern, book, magazine, or directions for project you want to work on

marking pencils, tailors chalk

tape = masking tape, blue painters tape, scotch tape

small paper trash bag

Pigma pens

notebook

glue stick and deli paper (if paper piecing)
freezer paper (for labels)

camera

batting

fusible web, stitch witchery

Other:

Teresa,

Thanks for the list -- I know it's just the beginning, but 'a very good place to start'.
(Great! now I've stuck that song in my head for the day! :( How do I do that to myself so easily??!

Anyway, it's getting exciting to think we only have four short weeks!!! Yea!!

Teresa, thank you for sharing your checklist. Just this morning I started one of my own so yours is very timely and helpful. Your list mentions that you usually exchange small gifts. Does everyone bring one for each of the other participants (and spouse or friends in who come along) or do you bring one for swapping? I'm thinking of those games where you toss a pair of dice and when some gets a double, they pick a present, etc., etc., and at the end everyone shares so everyone gets at least one? Whatever I bring will probably have to be purchased, not handmade because I just won't have time.

I'm starting to get excited about the retreat and our trip to NC. In addition to the retreat, DH and I hope to paddle and maybe fit in a visit a niece who just moved to Charlotte.

How's the weather out there? I know Hurricane Earl is causing problems along the coast but wonder how things are going in inland areas.

~Ginny

Usually we bring a small gift for each quilter, forum member or not. I think we are up to 11 quilters now? Jennifer can advise us on this. Purchased gifts are fine.

Inland North Carolina is sunny, hot and hazy, but not too humid. Saturday and Sunday are supposed to be cooler. No sign today of ol' Earl where I am.

The weather has usually been really nice. One year we had quite a bit of rain, but fortunately I don't lump up. The gift thing has just kind of evolved, don't worry if you forget or just can't bring one. I know several will be traveling a long way. Snacks are at your discretion.

The food will be outstanding. No typical camp food here, one year we had smoked salmon. If they do serve pizza, it will be completely home made and really good. There is always fruit for breakfast and we are welcome to take food back to our work room.

Jennifer will be sending an e-mail with more details later, but she brings her big ironing board and it has always been sufficient, so don't worry if you can't bring a small one. There will be lots of tables and chairs, if we are upstairs even leather sofas and a BIG screen TV.

wireless internet is also available

We will also have some cutting mats and rotary cutters, but you may want to include any special rulers you like to use. The lighting is ok during the day, but Jennifer and I found out at 1am it is pretty dim, so a small light may be useful. After supper we usually play a game of Left/right/center (dice game) for squares or strips, that can be decided later.

I usually have some word search and such to do and have small prizes for the winners (don't get excited, they are from Tuesday Morning this year).

There are lots of other things to do too. There is a small lake with canoes,

horse arena (we have never used it, but it has been offered),

tennis courts,

soccer field,

climbing wall,

walking trails,

BIG covered porch with rocking chairs just perfect for reading a good book or doing some hand stitching. It is also nice for a Saturday afternoon quilt show.

and let's not forget the beautiful view from the dinning hall

I am so looking forward to riding some of the bike trails in the area and having some time just to relax. I'm getting excited!

beverly

Thanks! Beverly for the awesome pics! Every time some are posted I get more & more anxious - looking SO forward to a great weekend. Wish all on the board could be there, was super disappointed to learn Odessa would not be among the campers:( Hopefully another year...
I'm looking forward to the long weekend - & hope to get a lot of quilting done. May do a day trip Sun after church but not much else is planned. Just being able to sew a few days is a holiday for me!!
Everyone have a fun, safe weekend. - & remember, just because they call it LABOR DAY does not mean we women are to LABOR all day!!
Enjoy!

~Cindy

Teresa & Beverly ! Thanks so much for chipping in here and offering packing lists, photos, and all the other details! You've been a huge help to me already!

I do promise to email everyone with a list of things to bring, list of things that I'll bring, and other thoughts/suggestions. As usual, things have been extremely busy around here what with the kids, starting school, DH's uncle passed away this week and those details are working themselves out for next week I presume. Plus, so much more (You're in for a surprise at Retreat!)

I promise to help everyone out with an email soon. I have not forgotten about you!! I seem to live one week at a time, and have yet to consider what I'll even work on at retreat!

Take care ya'll!

Oh, I love/hate surprises! Is Amanda getting to come again?

Hope all your committees and BOMs are going well.

beverly

Nope, Amanda isn't comimng. I'd never get any quilting done if she were around!! LOL That's why I'm looking forward to retreat so much!!

Hey Jennifer, I just sent you an email. Let me know if you don't get it.

Faye

Hey, Jennifer, I'm not going to retreat so you can tell me!

SharonG/FL-IN

As a newby to the retreat and never having previously met any of my fellow retreaters (and also never having been on any quilt retreat before), I'm not sure this is appropriate for me to do ... but what the hey! I'm going to put out this proposal. Let's have a "Guess what Jennifer's secret is" contest. Each who wishes to play, comes to the retreat with a sealed envelope with her (or his) guess (only one allowed per person) as to what the secret is. Each guess should include sufficient detail to allow for a clear winner should duplicate guesses occur. For example: "Jennifer will be moving to Hawaii" should be expanded with details: "to live in a grass hut on the beach at Lihue on Maui on February 15, 2011." Entries must be signed and dated, attesting that the entrant was not privy to insider information. An impartial, and unbridable, judge or panel of judges will determine the winner.

All retreaters including spouse and friends are eligible to enter except Jennifer since it's her secret. All entries will be sealed away with someone trustworthy until the big reveal, which will be left to Jennifer's discretion. I will provide a prize for the winner.

Anyone interested?

Gin, that is a great idea! Just the kind of thing we love to do. I'll have to put on my thinking cap.

beverly

Gini,
This sounds like fun!

Let me suggest that everyone place their suggestion in an envelope and seal it with their return address label before leaving home. (Not likely we travel with those in order to do it once at retreat)

I must insist (lol) that these be done before getting to retreat..otherwise it wouldn't be fair to everyone!

Gini, I think you'll fit right in with our Retreat! This is just the sort of thing we enjoy doing!

Count me in! Definitely will be fun (funny?!) Trouble is, I have two real possibilities floating around in my head...which one to write down???...

I am quite sure that I know exactly what her secret is!!!

Ha!

I am quite sure as well. But, don't feel bad Ginny. We know her already. Is it okay if we just keep quiet and not tell?

I think "Guess Jennifer's Secret" will be fun; glad others want to play. Let me add the additional rule that the guess date must be made at least 6 hours before entrant either arrives at Camp Cheerio or sees Jennifer (I understand she might be picking some of you up at the airport?), whichever comes first. Jennifer, good idea about sealing envelope with an address label (and dating and signing near the seal). Would you be willing to be the holder of the sealed entries? Teresa and Toolgranny, even though you already know Jennifer, unless you truly have insider information that you feel gives you too much of an advantage, rather than having a pretty good idea, I think you should enter. Remember, entries need specific details. I'm already thinking about my guess (I'm hoping you'll let me play too).

~Ginny

I signed and dated my letter and envelope yesterday, but I don't have any address labels. I'll use a quilt block sticker. Ha!

Teresa

We are going to have a fun group this year! Bring your cameras everyone.

beverly

I also have a good guess as to what her secret is. I'll get my envelope ready now. Just hope I remember to bring it.

You guys are too too funny!!!!

It's going to be a great weekend!

OK, I've been out of touch for over a year and I think I have a pretty good guess... ;)

I'm still negotiating for the time off :( but I'll know for sure the first of the week.

Did anyone try the horses last year? Can we really use them?

Nobody's ever tried the horses, but YES we really can use them....just have to let someone know and they'll set you up.

We can also do the archery, rock wall, etc. Just need to let someone know. How cool is that!?!

Wow, that would be great to meet Faye, too. That would make us 12. Biggest group yet. What fun.

Oh, we definately have to try all that fun stuff. I didn't know first year we could do that. But I also have to get 2 baby quilts made while I'm there. So we definately won't have any time for any shenanagans... ;)

Fay, it's easy. Play all day, quilt all night! There are also LOTS of deer near the archery range in the mornings.

beverly

So Beverly, are you suggesting we should go out in the morning and hone our archery skills on the deer? Just wondering.

Ginny

What, no shenanigans??? I may have to cancel.

Ginny, I had not thought of that, but it would make a great dinner ...

beverly

And isn't there a fireplace in the Sloan Center where we could roast our venison on a spit with baking potatoes in the coals?

Teresa

I'm sure there'll be a corn field just down the road. Few cobs roasted in the coals???

If temperatures continue to be cool (60s at night here) in the mountains, we just might want that fireplace!! Wouldn't that create great ambiance!

Oh my gosh! You guys are going to have so much fun. Someday! Yea, I'm going to keep dreaming.
Mayme

Hey!! I'm definately not going there to hunt and cook!! Play and Eat... YES!!

Quote faytay [Hey!! I'm definately not going there to hunt and cook!! ....]

Well, me neither and that's why I'm bringing my DH along! lol