Just Takes Two (and retreat)

What's going on here...? Read on......

A few weekends ago a group of friends and I headed out to the Whangarei Heads for our annual sewing retreat.

It is a lovely spot but not many of us ventured outside to enjoy it

Plenty of room for us to set up and spread out.
As Leeanne pointed out,our group seems to have shares in Bernina machines
 and Sew-Ezi tables!

Janis and Jan's lace collection is Impressive!

As the weekend progressed projects grew.

Because of my state of - (if you've read my previous post, you'll guess it) - discombobulation, I decided the easiest thing to pack was my Just Takes 2 quilt - all I needed were my 2 lengths of fabric. Easy, no colour thinking and sorting required!!
For those of you who haven't heard about this quilt, it is a mystery quilt inspired by the "Infinite Variety: Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts" exhibition that was held last year.  Every two weeks instructions for another set of blocks is released.
It had taken me a while to decide on and order my fabrics so, although it's been going since January, I hadn't started it yet.

I was particularly pleased with this block - it took me most of Saturday though,
luckily the other blocks weren't as time consuming!
{Yes Barbara, I have re-done that corner square that I had wrong side facing!}

Since that weekend I have done a bit more on this project, here are some of the blocks put together.

There is a real mixture of techniques, piecing, hand applique, paper foundation
piecing, freezer paper.

The instructions also tell us which quilt each block is inspired by - I would love
to get a book (or catalogue) to 'check them all out.'

I'm loving that all the blocks are different and I also appreciate the fact that I don't have to spend ages deciding on which fabrics to use!! (That can be a major downfall for me, sometimes it takes me as long to pick my fabrics as it does to sew a block - please tell me I'm not the only one who does that!) The instructions are pretty clear too.
Having said that though, I think I am ready for a little break from it. I'm going to have to have a rummage and find another WIP to work on for a change of scenery.
Happy creating, everyone - hope you're finding some sewing time,