The one where we meet Jenny!

We drove as fast as we could from Hannibal to Hamilton along route 36, passing scenery which reminded us of Hampshire. Rolling green fields full of crops and farmhouses. The road was very empty and it continued to rain on and off.

At 4.30 we arrived and parked up outside the Missouri Star Quilt Company shop. We ventured in to buy a cutter for the class and we were greeted by assistants who knew we were coming, "they are waiting for you over at the retreat centre!" We resisted the temptation to look round the shop - it looked amazing!

At the retreat centre we were met by Jean who has been emailing us over the last few months with lots of information about Missouri and how to travel to Hamilton from St. Louis.

She showed us to our room. There are quilts on the wall! In fact there are quilts on every wall!!

The beds looked comfy.

We woke up to this quilt every morning!

Downstairs Jenny was ready to show us how to use the twister tool to transform a simple quilt into something much more impressive. This tool was later dubbed 'the evil tool' by Debbie as it was quite tricky to use but the effect was worth all the effort.

We each had our own workstation with an amazing Baby Lock sewing machine and everything we needed.

Chris and I were making mini quilts but most of the class did Christmas wreaths.

Here is Debbie's.

And Jenny modelling my work in progress.

It was a fantastic class and by 10pm everyone has something to show for the camera.

There were eight of us in the class and we had plenty of room to spread out.

The retreat centre classroom had a kitchen so we were able to stop for drinks and snacks whenever we wanted to.

This is Jean, she interrupted class frequently with a fanfare and a 'prize pitcher'. I won some fat quarters and Chris got a lovely book.

Jenny was very helpful and full of funny stories.

It was amazing to meet her after watching so many YouTube videos.

When we finally climbed the stairs to bed we found a present from Jenny, a quick unpick and chocolate.

"Finished is better than perfect".

An amazing day - we will not want to leave this place!

 

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