Ruth
McDowell writes that if subjects from nature inspire you, real
flowers, plants, leaves, shells, fruit, any critter or tree “Designing
from Nature” is the retreat for you! Ruth’s methods
will offer you the opportunity to look carefully and in detail
at possible subject matter, or if you wish, prepare a large size
careful freehand line drawing in advance. This may also be traced
from your photo or a picture you admire taken by another artist.
Please make sure that you have obtained written permission from
the artist or their representative to reproduce the image.
Ruth does not
need introduction but I want to tell you a bit about her. She
began her quilting career in 1972 and has completed over 350
quilts, imagine 350. Her wall quilts have been exhibited nationally
and internationally in many galleries and museums, as well as
in juried, invitational and several solo shows. They are also
represented in many public, private and corporate art collections
worldwide. She is the author of A Fabric Journey, When Quilters
Gather, Pieced Vegetables, Pieced Flowers, Piecing: Expanding
the Basics, Art and Inspirations, Symmetry: A Design System
for Quilt Makers and Pattem on Pattem.
This
will be the experience of a lifetime taking a class from a master
like Ruth and I will provide you with all of the comforts to
make this a wonderful experience. The classroom at La Casa De
Maria Retreat Center is large you will each have your own 6
ft. table to work on and has a lot of natural light. The grounds
are so beautiful 25 acres of wooded land that will offer you
many opportunities to photograph nature. Maybe you would like
to create a wall quilt from a picture of the local Montecito
landscape. Pictures of the Retreat Center are featured under
locations on this website. The retreat center offers good food
and I will make sure that you have all of the treats and drinks
you will need during class time. They have a Masseuse available
and reservations may be made in advance for this service.
the zen room |
The
facility that we use for the retreat is a private retreat
center located in the Montecito section of Santa Barbara,
set on 25 acres of oaks, fruit trees, meadows and gardens.
It is a peaceful and unique facility, making it the ideal
place for a quilting retreat. The food is good, the rooms
are comfortable and the classroom is perfect for quilters
needs. Come and let us take care of your every need and
you kick back and quilt, quilt, quilt. Read
more about the location here. |
We
will have some wonderful prizes to give away each day! Love
those surprises! Our Wine & Cheese Party at the Treasure
Hunt in Carpinteria is a night of fun, shopping with a 10% discount,
tasting some local Santa Barbara County wines, and a delicious
Mexican dinner at Senor Frog’s.
I
can’t wait until November! I hope you can join us.
Love Cathe
