This past weekend, I attended a retreat. 30-40 like-minded crafters from central New York and northern Pennsylvania gathered for a weekend of good food, good gab, and focused stitching time. I was fortunate to have been included in such a diverse group of quilters, stitchers, and crafters. It was great fun!

For the bulk of the weekend, our group occupied the White Eagle Conference Center at Lake Moraine. On Friday afternoon, I took a break from stitching to wander about in nearby Hamilton, NY.
Hamilton is perhaps best known as the home of Colgate University. I parked the car in front of this charming Episcopal Church. Doncha love the red door?
A few steps away is the lovely center of the college town of Hamilton.
Hamilton is everything you'd expect from a small college community.
Classic old hotels, and a main street full of life. Boutique shops, pubs and eateries, an old theater featuring current movies with all the amenities, an ice cream shop, lots of green space.
Just a quaint community, about to become energized as Fall Semester begins.


Back at the Conference Center, I worked on a few stitchy projects, including this upcoming addition to the Stitchery Crossover course offerings. More on this new addition in about a month or so. Fun!
Back at home, with the start of a new week, I spent my weekday morning sewing sessions finishing up (finally) my little experiment with the so-called 'split flying geese' project.
As a reminder, this started as an element on a Nearly Insane block. Then, one thing led to another and the finished product is a place mat. You can follow progress here and here.


A Charley Harper print for the back . . .
. . . and a machine-stitched binding for a quick finish.


And, just like that, my basement workstation is prettied-up and cozy.
Since my project is scrappy, the end effect of dark-to-light color transition is somewhat muted.
To make a more bold look, I might consider selecting 7 solid-reading prints and make each vertical row the same, flipped alternately. A solid-reading sash and border fabric would also create a more bold look.
Perhaps another day. . . . Or not!
For now, I'm happy with the scrappy, muted, fun addition to the desktop space.
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