October 13, 2020

Who would have thought a year ago that we would be in the world we are living in now....not me, for sure. But it is what it is and we all have to do our part and be as mindful as we can. So, we will wear our masks and we will distance as much as we can and we will QUILT!!   

Ethel who has taken care of the guild quilt in previous years realized that it may be difficult  for us to participate this year and brought along this wonderful quilt she made for a grand son and suggested we give panels a try this year. This was an example of what one could do to create beyond the panel.

Marilyn is actually behind this beauty...it is a block exchange...by that I mean you provide the fabric and it is exchanged with another member and you get your fabric back with a centre done  and you finish up.....well, this is a wonderful sample of how one can 'finish up'.....

This is also Marilyn's...it was a fabric exchange with the technique to create our patriotic maple leaf flags. Marilyn got it done this summer in time for Canada day and proudly displayed it outside her home for all to see.

Not a typical jelly roll race but certainly a stunning way to use a jelly roll...especially in those colours.  We had a long hiatus from quilt guild and everyone got a lot done.

This example of a round robin that was organized by Vera and shows some amazing applique and piecing. Vera labelled it with the names of all the participants...a wonderful keepsake.

There were quite a few of us that did this stained glass technique with Brenda Dunsmore in the spring but Ann typically thought outside the box and did a gorgeous burgundy background with a dark sunflower then had it mounted behind glass ...note the large leaf in the corner of the framed quilt...talented lady, that Ann!!

Marlene participated in the block of the month that turned out to be a 'fidget quilt'. Unfortunately, with Covid interrupting our lives everything is put on hold. It will find its home once life gets back to normal.

She also showed us this beauty...a showcase for an amazing fabric. She picked up on all the soft, pastel colours in her showcase fabric. The picture does not do the justice to the absolutely feminine nature of this quilt...

This was a block of the month from a couple of years ago...a really sweet pattern that taught several techniques. It made a perfect quilt for a little girl and probably that was Muriel's intent in finishing hers.  Lucky Grammy...lucky grand child!

I believe this is another project that Muriel finished up...one of her PHD's....projects half-done. Regardless it is wonderful.

Renate rearranged her furniture and realized she needed a co-ordinating throw rug...what a perfect chance to make this with matching fabrics.. great job, Renate....

I couldn't begin to count the number of  1.5 inch finished squares in this beauty nor the hours spent piecing them together...Carolyn thy name is patience...it is fabulous!

Judy got another stunner finished over her lockdown time....this one, and Carolyn's will be show stoppers when we can finally have our quilt show....

Ethel, our resident bag lady made some more totes....she is like the EverReady Bunny, she just keeps on going....tirelessly and puts us all to shame with her generosity and kindness.

But she is trying to clean up her stash....teehee....it ain't gonna happen....don't tell her that fabric just reproduces itself when you aren't looking.  Ah well, nine patches are always in need.

Susan spent a busy summer...while everyone else was using the red truck Christmas panel she appliqued her own...smart cookie!

Then she made this Dresden plate...another sweet quilt and of  course, hand quilted.

 She was all geared up for the Villa Madonna this spring when everything went to hell in a hand basket and got cancelled. She made it anyway....it is one of those quilts one has to pay attention to lay out completely and she did an amazing job.  Atta girl, Susan!!

Well we are off to a start...albeit a different way of life for our guild...only one meeting a month...mostly show and tell to motivate us to keep on keeping on. This , too, shall pass and just think of all the things we can make now that we can't go gallivanting around like we used to.  Cheers, everyone...quilt your little hearts out....and show and tell!

February 25, 2020

 Today was table topper day and you will see some amazing projects as well.

Here is Judith's President Challenge.  The centre of this pillow was the fabric provided by the President and it was up to each of us to decide how to use it.  Judith made this pillow and practised her piping skills as well.

 This is her pot holder with the technique that Agathe taught last month.

 and here is the beginning of her table topper...some string piecing...she may be adding borders to bring the scrappy pieces all together.

Ethel wasn't sure about this topper and after seeing a picture of it decided the darker green border was the element that didn't suit her ...some unsewing and adding another colour will do the trick.

 Gail R. showed her table topper...

 Jean passed along some grippers for opening jars ....to go into the door prizes for the upcoming quilt show.

This is one of her blocks from the block of the month fidget lap quilt...sleeve cuffs....

 and this one with the snap enclosure.

 Diana added to the door prizes with these thread catchers...our cache is filling in.

 Bea brought along a table topper....

 and this baby panel that she said was the last hand quilting she has done.

Joan brought in this bright and Christmasy table topper....

and owl one (pattern available at the Fabric Cupboard)....

 and this really sweet fabric that she made into another topper.

 Susan D. brought in this wonderful topper with the couching that she experimented with and turned out great.

 How's this for a table topper....a big one for sure.. Renate made this for her daughter's table.

Susan S. found a new ruler and gave it a go.  Turns out she had fun and is ready to go a little bigger than her table topper...will be interesting to see what she does next.

 A double Irish Chain...Susan tried out the double binding using a flange of a different colour. Turned out perfectly.

 Marlene got into her stash and did some toppers with place mats.....in blue.......

 and gold......

 Ann taught this at a class using directional fabric...hers turned out better than mine,

 Those that took the sunflower course were anxious to see this one finished...we all loved the colours that Ann chose and couldn't wait to see it.  It was worth waiting for...gorgeous. Ann is planning on framing instead of binding. We'll see that when done too.

 Marilyn started playing with Hickory Nuts and made her table topper with them......

as you can see it is reversible too.  Good job there kiddo!

February 24, 2020

 The evening ladies had a show and tell with Carolyn showing her nearly finished jelly roll race...just needs to be quilted and bound.  Sure is pretty with batiks....

 Ruth made this gorgeous card trick and Agathe quilted it for her.

 The other Carolyn made some Japanese bags...seems she rather likes them for quick trips into town...no big purse where she can't find her keys...a problem we all have...

 Chris is hiding behind this John Deere Tractor pillow case...sure is a cute one!

Linda finished her jelly roll race and backed it with minky....warm , cozy and snuggly.

Special Project Day!

It was a gorgeous sunny day but staying inside and putting together  a wall hanging of a sun flower was more fun than the weather.

We had Brenda Dunsmore come over from Cambridge Narrows to teach and it was well worth it.  Here she is showing a scene that she designed using the 'stained glass' technique that we requested that she teach.

 Here the ladies are diligently listening to Brenda's instructions...they were clear and easy to follow since she took us step by step to creating our own sunflowers.

We've been fortunate to have some great teachers come to inspire and motivate us and Brenda certainly is one of them.  She  showed us how to do her technique and how we can expand on it to make different pictures. The only thing holding us back is our own hesitation. I know I can't wait to get mine done and maybe another pattern that I downloaded from the internet and then there is another I think I would like to do...well, you get the picture.

We had a great turnout for this class and, no doubt, I will be posting next week some finished products...I'm hoping mine will be one of them.