The holiday season is beginning just as busy as usual. Thankfully, no hurricane threats to deal with this year and I’m hopeful that trend continues.
Today a couple of guild members met at our county fairgrounds to judge the contest blocks for this year’s quilt. Each year the guild makes a quilt to display with the fair’s theme. It then becomes part of the collection dating back 40 years. Quilts from previous years are displayed during the South Florida Fair hanging from the rafters in the exhibition hall. This year it’s “Party with the Pirates”.
I was honored to be asked to piece the top this year. I wasn’t one of the judges so was able to submit my own block. Since the judging is complete I can show you the block my granddaughter made (left) and the one I entered (right). I’m so proud of how patient and careful she was stitching her block.
Last week our guild had a Santa workshop. It was lots of fun! When I got home the only thing left to do was sew on the button eyes and nose.
I brought two items for show and tell. One was a bargello quilt I made earlier this year. I initially planned to donate it for a family member’s quarter auction fundraiser (for a child’s kidney transplant operation). A guild member asked if I’d sell it to her. I usually donate quilts, so this was new for me but I’m happy it went to someone who loves it and for probably more than it would have taken in at the auction. I have another quilt planned for the fundraiser, and I’ll show you that one when it’s finished.
My other show & tell was this little table topper “Not Kitten Around”. It’s part of a Riley Blake calendar series. I’m not making them all but I was able to purchase this individual month from our local quilt shop, Quilt a Bit. I bought the turkey today to make for Thanksgiving. They’re small at only 12″ x 14″ but that’s just the size I need fit the stand I already owned.
Don’t mind the open garage door in the background. My husband has started his annual Halloween decorating. With a 20′ x 30′ garage and two sheds (11′ x 20′ and 8′ x 10′), he still barely has enough room for all the Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Halloween decorations in addition to patriotic, Easter, and Valentine’s Day. The kids in the neighborhood absolutely love it when they see he’s beginning to decorate. 😉
When people ask what he thinks about how involved I am with my quilting and fabric, I just roll my eyes and think, “if you only knew!” I believe he’s secretly thrilled that I have my own “thing,” so he can enjoy his hobby without interference from me. LOL
I finished one of my patriotic string quilts in the last two weeks also. I’m happy with what I did get finished but, not so much with all the things I’ve started and put aside. Oops! As soon as I finish assembling the fair quilt I’ll get busy with all the WIPS (works in progress) so I can enjoy making a few things for Christmas. It’ll be here before we know it!
One of our guild members shared an idea this month for a leaders/enders unit. (No one explains what this is better than Bonnie Hunter. You can read more about the process here.) The drawing above is the one our guild member has invited us to join her in making for the next six months.
Today I started cutting some scraps that I plan to use with a black background. I think I already know how I want to finish the quilt so I’ll be excited to see it progress over the next several months. It it goes quickly, I have a plan for a second quilt using different fabrics and setting. I think this will be fun!
Time to Quilt 