Nothing Says Summer Quite Like Red, White, and Blue!

Hey everyone! Holy cow… How is it already Friday again so soon? Trust me, I’m not complaining, but it feels like this week went by at the speed of lighting! I guess that’s what happens when things are as busy as they have been around here. Time just keeps on flying by! We’ve had a full house at The Gathering all week, with retreaters visiting from all over the country. It’s been wonderful! The creativity is flowing along with laughter, friendship, camaraderie, and of course, great food! It’s been a blast! Even the weather has managed to behave itself – for the most part anyway. It’s not been the warmest out there, but the sky is clear and the sun is out. Considering what Mother Nature has been dishing out over the last week, we’ll take it!

It might not feel like it, but we’re also only a couple short months away from the summer season being upon us. That’s also kind of hard to believe, especially since I was literally just watching flurries fall the other day! Even so, it will be here before we know it, which means now’s the time to start working on projects you want to finish in time to be part of your summer décor. That being said, it’s also the time to start planning for the awesome retreats, clubs, classes, sales, and online events  happening at The Gathering this spring and summer! I’m sure you’ve been over the 2023 Event Schedule with a fine tooth comb a thousand times by now, so obviously you’re aware of all the fun things we have planned. Hopefully you’ve found a bunch to attend already but if not, don’t panic! There’s still time to get signed up. Now, if you haven’t taken a look at the Event Schedule yet, I want you to know I am shaking my finger at you and saying, “tisk-tisk!” LOL, just kidding! I know you’re busy… If you would like to take a look at it now or print out a copy to keep for yourself, you can do so by clicking the link below! You can also always find it located in the main menu of links here on the blog.

Need help deciding on which event to attend? I mean, personally I think you should come to all of them, but obviously it’s not quite that perfect of a world. One of the next retreats on the docket that I’m super excited about is the Red, White, & Blue Retreat, happening June 19th – June 25th, 2023. During this multi-day retreat we will be working on one quilt project and one wool project – both designed specially for this event. The quilt project is a darling sailboat-themed piece that would look exceptionally clever in your boat or lake house. I’m calling it, “Regatta.”Sweet, right? “Regatta” is simple to make, yet fun to look at. It measures 67″ x 74″ when finished, and can easily be done in a weekend. In fact, I think the most difficult thing about this quilt is the fact that there are a handful of giant half-square triangles involved… Which by now, I know you can all handle since, we ain’t afraid of no triangles!!!

If boats aren’t your thing, don’t worry. I have an alternative planned! As you know, I have over 800 antique quilts that I pull inspiration from all the time. I found one last year that I really love and think about often. I’ve wanted to reproduce since I got it and feel like now is finally the perfect time, so let’s do it! This beauty is from the early 1900’s and done in alternating 4″ red, white, and blue broken dish style blocks. Check it out!

I know this looks like a lot of work but with my custom designed Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper it’s actually super easy (Need some? Click HERE to shop!). In fact, this is the perfect summer quilt to use outdoors for your table or grass picnic because it’s NOT a lot of work and you won’t be mad if you get a little dirt or catsup on it. As far as the wool project goes, that one is not totally finished yet so it’s not quite ready to be shown. I’ll let you know the details on it as soon as I have it ready to go, so stay tuned!

The Red, White, & Blue Retreat fee for non-lodging, daily students is $550 per student for the week and will include materials for both projects, an exclusive behind the scenes tour lead by yours truly, and a field trip to somewhere fun like our local cheese shop or my favorite antique stores for example. We also throw in dinner on Monday, daily lunch, and Sunday brunch for all participants. The rate for lodging students is $325 + lodging (please call The Gathering for room rates and availability) and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, the tour and field trip, plus a PG swag bag full of goodies, and a gift card for the shop (swag bag and gift card are exclusive to lodging students only)! Ready to sign up? All you have to do is call the girls over at The Gathering and they’ll be happy to help you get it all figured out! Their number is 920.778.8031. You can also email thegathering@primitivegatherings.us.

Ok gang, that’s it for today! I need to get back over to the retreat house to take some of my guests out shopping for antiques. We’re going to my one of my favorite local places that I love to peruse as often as I can called Ye Old Goat. Then it’s back to The Gathering for five star dinner and a long night of stitching shenanigans to follow! Jealous? Change it! Sign up for retreat so you can join me! As always, before I go we’re going to celebrate the end of the work week by giving away some prizes. This week we can all give a pat on the back to Robyn M. and Bea Ann H. for their comment contributions to my blog last week! Thanks ladies, you made my day and I appreciate it. Please let us know where to send your prize (note: I do not post last names or email addresses for your privacy, so if you think you’re one of our lucky winners please be sure to check your email. You can also contact Heidi at heidin@primitivegatherings.us if you have not already received a prize confirmation letter from her)!!!

Have a wonderful, safe, and restful weekend everyone! ~Lisa

 

 


24 responses to “Nothing Says Summer Quite Like Red, White, and Blue!”

  1. Karen Kudla Avatar
    Karen Kudla

    There’s so much happening! I’m going to start saving my pennies for a trip to your store. Wish I lived closer! I look forward to Thursday afternoons to watch you on YouTube. Yesterday was very informative and so interesting. Your hand dyed wools are gorgeous. Also, I loved your Comment Sold yesterday! I was able to pick up a backing for my latest quilt at quite a savings. Thank you for all you do. I love your generous and compassionate spirit!
    Karen

  2. Bea Ann Avatar
    Bea Ann

    Thank you so much!! I’m a new wool appliqué quilter and jumped right in and ordered the boxes last Jan – so I love all the tips for us newbies and todays show was “spot on” in the learning department

  3. Sylvia Fletcher Avatar

    Love the red, white and blue. The sail boats are really cute.

  4. Cindy Avatar
    Cindy

    Looking forward to our retreat next week!!!

    Have a fabulous weekend!

  5. cthomas5895 Avatar
    cthomas5895

    So ready for the summer love the red white and blue!

  6. Tammy walters Avatar
    Tammy walters

    So many classes and retreats available. How do you pick? Cross stitching sounds fun but so does everything else. 🤔

  7. Tammy Marquardt Avatar
    Tammy Marquardt

    I love the Goat! Happy shopping!

  8. JoAnn West Avatar
    JoAnn West

    Thank you, Lisa, for this beautiful Rustic Gatherings Stitch a Long! I can hardly wait to start!

  9. Stephanie R Avatar
    Stephanie R

    So many great events at PG this summer! I am hoping to attend a few sit and stitch when I am home in July <3

  10. Geri Puckett-Sherwood Avatar
    Geri Puckett-Sherwood

    Sounds wonderful. Love the projects!! RW&B are my favorite

  11. linda d bechtel Avatar
    linda d bechtel

    Love Love Love everything PG!! Can’t have enough wool time!

  12. Joanne Hudock Avatar
    Joanne Hudock

    We are hoping to go to the Ye Old Goat when we arrive in just 2 weeks !

  13. Patti O'Donnell Avatar
    Patti O’Donnell

    I love the Regatta. It is adorable and would look great in my lake house. Hope it will be a kit soon.

  14. Ellen Reinwald Avatar
    Ellen Reinwald

    I can’t wait to get back to WI and PG to see all the new stuff in the store!!!

  15. Pam Meulemans Avatar
    Pam Meulemans

    I love the event schedule! It is such a simple idea but a mammoth undertaking and help in planning! I’ve already used it to sign up for an upcoming class. Love it.😊

  16. lee Avatar
    lee

    Enjoy the weekend! I am looking forward to summer and lots of red white and blue!

  17. Amy Pingot Avatar
    Amy Pingot

    There are so many fun events planned at The Gatheriing. Looks like I need to take a road trip to Wisconsin to be part of the fun!

  18. Carmen Montmarquet Avatar
    Carmen Montmarquet

    Did check out Ye Old Goat online, what a cute shop! Nice of you to take time and bring your guests to visit them! Really enjoyed your video about wool dyeing with your SIL, such gorgeous wools! So wished I lived closer to you! Maybe someday I will get to visit you!

  19. Judy Zoll Avatar
    Judy Zoll

    A stay at your retreat house is on my bucket list. I’m trying to find a week and a project that will work into my schedule. Even though I haven’t been able to coordinate a stay just yet, it doesn’t keep me from shopping online 😊 I really missed you at Paducah, I love seeing everything up close and personal. (I really wouldn’t want to be a vendor at a show—looks like a lot of work and long hours. )

  20. Diane Madison Avatar
    Diane Madison

    I absolutely love this antique quilt! I happen to love anything red, white, and blue. My son serves in the Air Force so I would be excited to do this pattern. Thanks for all that you and your team do Lisa!

    1. lisabongean Avatar

      You are very welcome Diane! We thank your son for his service!!!

  21. Barbara Avatar
    Barbara

    Hi Lisa. I have a question regarding the appliqué black star flower farm stems. I’m doing cotton needle turn appliqué not wool this time. Are you using bias stems? And are you tearing your blocks like we did on Fresh cut or actually rotary cutting them? Thank you in advance.

    1. lisabongean Avatar

      Hi Barbara! If you are doing needle turn appliqué I would make my stems using the bias tape method. I think I tore my blocks 15″ and then sub-cut them with the rotary cutter into 3- 15″, leaving the selvages on. You will be trimming them to 14.5 after appliqué. Hope this helps! ~Lisa

      1. Barbara Avatar
        Barbara

        Thanks Lisa. Yes information was helpful. That’s what I was leaning towards on stems. And yup I’ll tear then trim later. Appreciate the response especially since you are busy with website stuff. Good luck tomorrow. Barb

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