NOELLE & MOLLY

I just couldn't resist sharing this moment captured by my daughter. 

Isn't it nice to share your favorite cartoon with your best friend?  That's Noelle on the right by the way.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

CINDY'S BLOCKS

A while ago I posted on "Someone Else's UFOs".  Today I finished one. 

Cindy had a whole slew of blocks of which I have no idea what her plans for them were.  She could have had a king-size bed quilt in mind for all I know.  See that row in the back -- that is what I used to make this:

I think she would be happy to see it go to some child don't you?  Still more to go.  But, think I'll work on a UFO of my own next.  Gosh knows I have plenty.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

ROAD TO CALIFORNIA

I'm back from three days at Road.  Road to California is always inspirational.  Besides the beautiful quilts, they offer some great classes and an opportunity to spend time with friends.  Robin and I took two classes this year.  We took a two-day class from Mary Lou Weidman called Short Story Quilts. We all have that story within us and this is a creative way to get it out.  The first day was about making a cloth canvas to start building your story.  You can see how that would work by seeing some of Mary Lou's great quilts. 

As you can see, Mary Lou is a whimsical person, full of joy and delight. I thoroughly enjoyed this class.  My creative juices are over the top at the moment. 

On Saturday, five of our friendship group took the class, Texas Braid,  from Bonnie Hunter. Bonnie Hunter is a delightful person with a sunny personality.  And we had a great time. Sorry, I didn't get as many pictures.  I spent my time sewing, sewing, sewing.  This is what we are making. Bonnie took it off her bed to have for the class. 

Here are a few photos of the braids.

 

And of course there is a quilt show.  And a good show that is well displayed.  My favorite was the  Dia de los Muertos or "Day of the Dead" exhibit.

Dia de los Muertos is a celebration to honor the dead.  If you are curious, you can find out more about it here. 

Now to apply all this inspiration. 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

ROAD TO CALIFORNIA CLASSES

I think I'm ready for Road to California.  I have my stash all pulled for Mary Lou Weidman's class on Thursday and Friday.  I'm taking her Story Quilt class.  Think I will be honoring my parking angel, Cora.  Cora is a great story; but, that is for another post.

On Saturday I'm taking Bonnie Hunter's Texas Braid.  OMGosh, what a lot of prep work that class is.  However, I'm guessing that just like painting a room, it's all in the prepping,  Has anyone taken her class?  Am I on the easy side now?  I'll let you know. There are at least 1600 pieces in that box.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

HEALING HEARTS = QUILTY HUGS

Recently one of our quilting sisters with C-R-A-F-T Yahoo group lost her mother.  So, you know her quilty sisters had healing hearts for her.  Since I live on the same side of the world, even the same side of America as Wilma, I put the quilt together for her. 

Camera shy Wilma is holding the Quilt.

But, here she is showing the back art, also known as left overs.

Before it left, I snapped this photo.  And, since Trudy hasn't shown herself for a while, I'm including it.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn 

GUILD WORKSHOP

Today was Quilters by the Sea Quilt Guild's workshop.  Our teacher was Jane Tenorio-Coscarelli. 

Jane was kind enough to let us pick a pattern because the class was a small class of eleven.  What a fun time.  And since a picture tells a thousand word, here are a few thousand.

You can tell by the smiles that a good time was had by all.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

SOMEONE ELSE'S UFOs

Quilters by the Sea Quilt Guild has fairly large storage unit where we keep historical information along with many facility items necessary to have quilt shows and other events.  But, a large (very large) portion of it houses fabric for our Community Relations department.  Community Relations receives fabric from many sources:  our generous members, former quilters wanting to rid themselves of stash (yes it happens), and sadly from family members of deceased quilters.  This week I went to storage with someone from Community Relations and we did a bit of organizing.  We recently received a very large stash from a deceased quilter.  Cindy was an avid quilter and had a very large stash and many UFOs.  Sound familiar?  So, we are going through her stash in many ways.  Community Relations has already sorted at least once and has been putting together kits.  When I was at storage, I couldn't help but focus on her UFOs.  I didn't know Cindy; but, I could certainly relate to the joy she probably felt as she started each project.  Here are a few UFOs I pulled so far. 

 I think there may be three quilts with these blocks alone.

The folded fabric must have been intended for a backing.  That's what I'm going to go with anyway.

This simple square block quilt is layered and just needs to be pinned and quilted. Love the backing she chose.
 

So just how cute are these pandas? 

even found her plan for them.

Then there are these cute little blocks. Hmmm. Maybe a table runner? Any suggestions? Could be sold at our quilt show or become a raffle item.

I plan on putting each of these to good use.  They may not be exactly what Cindy had in mind.  But, I bet she will be happy to know that someone will love using them.  Cindy I hope you know we are thinking about you at Quilters by the Sea.

Quilt happy,
Marilyn

MONDAY MUSINGS

I was thinking today that most quilters have a fabric collection.  And, most of us have a style of fabric that we tend to gravitate toward.  There are some fabrics that seem to hop into my arms when shopping at a fabric store.  For instance, these dots:

Lately these word fabrics have started hopping on board the collection wagon.

And then of course, I collect all things poodle.

Especially poodles with dots.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn



I'M QUILTING

all day today

and tomorrow.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

UFOs?

My guild is having a UFO challenge.  We have to select five UFOs and commit to complete them.  I have way too many UFOs as probably most of us do.  I decided to pick the five I would really like to see done.  We turn in a list and someone will draw which one to work on during the time frame. So in January, I will be notified which of my five will be due at the March meeting.  Therefore, anything promised to someone else, it not on the list. I've decided on these:

I have a UFO challenge with my friends on C-R-A-F-T for six UFOs.  So, my sixth one is a promised quilt that I will work on first.  It only needs to be layered and quilted.

Quilt happy,

Marilyn

VINTAGE LINENS

I made ten of these for my friendship group.  They were to be passed out at the Christmas party I missed (because I was in Florida with a grandchild or two, or three, or four).  So I am handing them out tonight.  A couple have already found their way to the new owner.  I picked up the vintage linens at a quilt show back in February, thinking I could make some cute pincushions out of them.  They made cute pincushions, don't you think? 

Quilt happy,

Marilyn