Thursday, October 20, 2011

New Business!

Kathi, me and Anita!


Anita's Xcentric/Concentric block quilt
Anita Grossman Soloman visited the Museum Quilt guild last week!
We enjoyed her company for three days.  As the workshop chair, it was my pleasure to be her hostess.  She is fun and witty and gracious!

Elaine, Kathi, Anita and Dodie at our welcome dinner










In addition to the presentation at the meeting, many of the members-myself included!- were lucky enough to take classes with Anita.
Blocks made by class participants


The class I took was the one for the Xcentric block quilt shown at the top of the page. It's a fun process that will have us all buying striped fabrics to play with!









I used all the same fabric for my blocks.  This is what I got done in class.  Hopefully there is enough fabric to make a quilt some child will enjoy dragging around.



When I got home, I was playing with a border stripe I had used for something else and got these blocks.  They might end up as a bag, if I can find a nice coordinate for a lining.
















Anita also gave a slideshow and trunk show at the regular meeting for those who couldn't take the classes to enjoy.  There are more pictures of this, plus the monthly show and tell (or there will be very soon!) at the guild's blog.
Now that I'm done with this project, I am hoping to spend an entire weekend sewing.  So, don't call me- I won't answer.

I am grateful for:
Winning the boss lottery
Being treated like a rock star by the members of the Yorktowne Quilt Guild
The stomach bug I had Sunday and Monday was relatively minor.
Neither of my boys were hurt seriously in their(separate) accidents.
Some time and the tools to play mad scientist in the studio.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Old Business

 I've had a busy couple of weeks and am still way behind and in the middle of another busy week.  So going back a couple of weeks.....

 We'll start back at the "Quilting Around Chautauqua" event. It was a wonderful day, in spite of the early weather forecast.








This event takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Chautauqua Institute


I loved the texture of the bricks and the rock garden edging.
 We get to spend the day admiring the architecture and gardens, as well as the quilts on display.
I need to find out what kind of Coleus this is!



















The quilting on this one makes it really special!

In a little cafe used by one of the guilds.

Part of an "Under the Sea"challenge with a sister guild from Australia

Another "Under the Sea" quilt




















There are displays by 8 quilt guilds or quilting groups from the area in several venues around the grounds.










This one makes me want an embroidery machine!


A bunny tea party- one of the vignettes in this display area.

Someone missed the bus.  

The weekend after that, while the men were off on a hunting trip, I did some sewing!

Calendar quilt from "count on it" by Nancy Halvorsen

The top for a baby quilt I have to get done in the next two weeks. Gender of the baby is unknown.

A panel I got at Calico Gals in Syracuse in August, and I actually got it done for this Halloween!

My portrait so far- from the class MaryLee taught at Guild last month. 

Coming in the "new Business" will be a report on Anita Grossman Soloman's visit to my guild.  I'm taking a class tomorrow, then she'll speak at Guild on Saturday!

I am grateful for:
October with cool nights and fall colors!
Working well with my husband on occasion.
The Bills winning 4 games. (I'll get on the bandwagon when they make the playoffs)
The completion of a major project!
An end to the gardening season.  I need a break. :-)