Celebration!!!

The CELEBRATION began with the arrival of this quilting magazine in mailboxes and newsstands.











Our quilting teacher/mentor/friend Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilt Company designed the project Gathering Baskets in the Sept./Oct. 2010 issue of McCall's Quilting.

  

Yahoo!!!!  At one of our "Musketeer Sewing Sessions", Pat worked on this project to submit to McCall's Magazine. We'll been waiting for monthS to actually see the quilt "in PRINT." On Saturday, August 7th, Mita owner of Patchwork Cottage Quilt Shop hosted a party to help in the celebration of this event.

And gather and celebrate, we did. 

Pat and Karin 

Pat and Marty

Pat and Suzanne (long-time BFF)

Me and Pat and "The" Magazine

"The" Quilt of Honor

Sarah getting her magazine signed.

Gathering Baskets in different fabrics.

CELEBRATION!

Thank you, Mita for hosting this Celebration!

Christmas in July

I dug under my cutting table and pulled out another plastic container with an aged project. That's my goal this year - to empty some of those containers. I don't know why, but I felt like working with Christmas fabric. It could be the post that Brenda did on shopping for Christmas all year long. About three years ago, I took a class at Stitch 'N Quilt Shoppe with Pat Wys. The class was her Christmas tree skirt, Slice of Christmas.


I selected Moda's Maison de Noel Christmas fabric, one of my all-time favorite Christmas fabrics. The pattern involves a special ruler. I borrowed Carol's ruler because the shop was out of the rulers when I took the class. It's probably time to return the ruler to Carol. The last time I worked on this project was at a Summer Stitch-In.

I cut one panel completely wrong. That's when it was put back into the plastic container to age. I wasn't sure that I had enough fabric to complete the pattern. About a year ago, I ordered additional fabric from several online shops. This afternoon, I cut the additional strips that I needed. With my Ipod playing a favorite book, I completed sewing the strips together. Sometimes this weekend, I'm hoping to press the strips and cut the wedges with Carol's ruler. This pattern makes two Christmas tree skirts. It would be super to have them ready for Christmas gifts.

Thimbles.... Where Everyone Knows Your Name

It took years of searching, but I sure do belong to a great sewing group, Silver Thimble Quilt Club in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Yesterday, was our montly meeting day. As each person entered the room, there was clapping and cheers. It made me think of the TV program, Cheers, where everyone knows your name. This was our second offical month to meet. Many of us became friends from other quilt gatherings. I first joined Pinheads which was an early group lead by our teacher/mentor/friend, Pat Wys of Silver Thimble Quilt Company in 2003 (I think)  I sewed with that group only a couple of months. In 2004, Pat began a new quilting club called Stitch 'N Sisters at Stitch 'N Quilt Shop. We spent years laughing, sewing, starting projects, finishing some projects, adding fabric and ideas. Through it all, we improved our quilting skills and became friends. With the closing of Stitch 'N Quilt, we are now meeting at a local church and our club is called Silver Thimble Club. What a great beginning! We missed Pat our leader.  Pat was at home, highly medicated after knee-replacement surgery. Remember, Pat, new body parts are a good thing! Here is our show and tell so that Pat will see that like good students, we did our work when "our teacher"  was out of the room.

 Sarah does inspiring work. Her collection of feedsacks has been enhanced through Gretchen's influence. They both love Ebay. She is using her feedsacks to make a Yo-Yo Quilt. It is breath-taking - an unbelievable project.

 Carol had knee-replacement surgery in January. She was a whiz on her featherweight. Her table quilt from Fons & Porter magazine is almost complete.

 Karin worked on her Double Delight Mystery Quilt from Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville.com site. Lots of little pieces, but Karin's quilt is stunning.

  

Gretchen is preparing for Mardi Gras. Her Orange Crush Mystery Quilt will be so festive. Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez

Sue completed her Georgia quilt. 

     

Mercedine took Pat's pattern, Pinwheel Parade, which was our project in January, and completed this wonderful patriotic quilt. She actually made two quilts in the past month. Seeing her quilt inspired many of us to get working on our projects.

A Change in Opinion

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting with several quilting friends. Our dear quilting teacher and mentor, Pat Wys, had knee replacement surgery two weeks ago. Debbie, another treasured friend, agreed to get together to sew during my Spring Break. We decided to bring handwork and visit Pat. Pat looks wonderful, but is still in a bit of pain. She showed us a new design for her Silver Thimble Quilt Company. I'm psyched to sew that pattern, but it's still in the design stage. Susan, also a dear quilting friend, dropped by to bring Pat lunch. Both Debbie and Susan gave me lessons in different embroidery stitches so I can begin my Ring in the New Year stitchery Block of the Month. I need practice, but I can do this:)  Melisa, owner of Sweet Home Quilt Shop (one fabulous quilt shop) dropped by to visit Pat while we were visiting. She shared the news about one of her customers. While using a rotary cutter for normal fabric cutting, her customer cut off one of her fingers. Just like that, part of her finger was gone. Well, I was of the opinion that Fons & Porter on their TV program on PBS were over-doing it with their Klutz glove. I was willing to risk needing stitches or bleeding a bit from a rotary cutting accident, but I'm a bit fond of my fingers. This morning while running errands. I made a quick stop at the "J" store as my friend Gretchen has dubbed JoAnne's.  The Klutz glove was on sale. I didn't even have to use my coupon. For $12.00 and a bit of getting used to putting the glove on my hand before I get my rotary cutters out, I too will proudly wear the Klutz glove. 

Melisa, also brought some of Moda's new line, Prairie Paisely. We are all now lusting for this line of fabric. So this afternoon, Debbie and I made a road trip to Sweet Home. It took a great deal of restraint, but I only purchased two yards of Prairie Paisely plus a luscious neutral print and a red tone-on-tone. I just love going from room to room (the shop is an old home) looking at the fabulous fabrics. We should have to pay just to look at the great fabric Melisa is selling. (Just kidding, Melisa:) 

Two great afternoons! This has truly been a great week!