Ashville show pics

In mid November several of the quilting pals and I went over to Ashville Quilt shop so the girls could register for the 2015 Block of the Month. We also were there to view the tops the two groups of this year's participants had finished up. They had spread them out over the tables in the Fellowship Hall near the shop. That doesn't necessarily make for decent pictures since the foreground is huge, the angles all off. Still, it was fun to see the tops in person and get away for a "Girlfriend Day". I even ran into a friend that lives on the GA side of the state line at the shop! I don't know if Debora had been this way to see her daughter in the Birmingham area or other family as she is originally FROM Calhoun County, where I live.

Anyway, the format was that they all were given fabric each month which was a variety of very similar 30's reproduction type prints, a closely packed design. They could pick whatever pattern they wished to use rather than be locked into what the shop had chosen.   I love 30's prints but working in one fabric line is not easy for ME to do, Normally that means little variety with just a diference in colorway but they did not seem to have trouble.  I know some of the ladies had to have supplemented what they were given to squeeze this big of a top.  

Okay, I'll hush up and just point out two that I know belong to some friends or if I know the design/designer!

These look a lot like Darcy Ashton's Claire's Cats--there are two books. I have some downloaded from the net some time back so that might be why I think I have some of the patterns, LOL

This one is pretty neat and makes the pinwheels so much more interesting, IMHO

The sashing gives this one a neat focus away from the simple Single Irish Chain

This one is quite striking!

This one as well---Chaining Blocks with Alternating Stars and not easily pieced ones either!

Classic!  Arkansas Snowflake is one name for this

This is Lois' quilt.  A friend of her daughter has laid claim to it and it was pinned at the last meeting.  I like the block pattern and love the embroidered kitty at center.

Cute owls

This one seemed to be telling a story

This one (I think) is variations of either Disappearing Hour Glass or Pinwheel.  I would have to check the Missour Star Quilt Company you tube videos.  They are some blocks I would like to try!

This belongs to my friend Ada.  The block at center is a Card trick block and then she copied decks of cards and applied the image to cloth.  Clever girl!

Well done Sampler

 Same here

Interesting 9 patch variations

this might have  been a first quilt?  Can't remember now

I am fairly sure that most of these blocks are from the Eleanor Burns/Quilt in a Day Egg Money Quilts

It does not look like they let me upload all the pictures or else I forgot Margarita's so looks like another post will be coming.

Lick Skillet Quilt Show

This past Friday and Saturday (September 12 and 13) the Lick Skillet Quilt Guild held there first ever quilt show at the Oxford Civic Center.  I went on Saturday because I was still busy sewing on Friday and attending the quilt show made for a nice break away from home and machine.  Also I knew that some friends from Friendship Quilters would be attending then and I might see them.  Ordinarily it would have been our meeting day but it was cancelled as some of the group was off to the AQS show in Chattanooga and some of us are either Lick Skillet members too or like, wanted to support the local show.

These were a few that caught my eye though I wish I had gotten a picture of Brenda's unusual flying geese pattern quilt.   Because she gave the pattern source in the program I can link to someone else's version online.  http://cheaperthantherapyquilting.blogspot.com/2012/03/no-worries.html   It is called "Dizzy Geese" by Joan K. Streck and was featured in the book Quick Quilts from Your Scrap Bag.   Actually, I had gotten to the last row of quilt before I remembered that I had stuck my camera in my purse so it made it harder to track down the ones I liked.  Especially since I was stopping to talk with folks that I knew, LOL.

I was not all organized and marked the program with the pictures I took but some of these I knew the quilter.   Can't read the numbers on the drapes either.  This first one I think of as a split star

This one is "Anchors Aweigh" by Julie W.  Her husband is retired Navy.  She made it for him for Christmas but knowing that the show was coming up, she would not let him use it yet, LOL.  Julie is one of our Belles though Lick Skillet is her main group.

Surely this was foundation pieced.  Not sure about maker.  This is possibly from the Debby Kratovil workshop they had???  But sure looks a bit like a Judy Niemeyer pattern too.  I probably mispelled that name.

This is one of Brenda's quilts.  Grandma's Country Album II  Robert Callahan design, I think from McCall's Quilting Magazine 1999

Brenda's "Oceans of Fire"  Project in a magazine and she hangs it during the summer months

Carolyn D.  Civil War Legacies II--"Baskets for Betsy"

Shawnee who comes to Belles on occasion made this one.  "A Giant Labor of Love"  made for her daughter and son-in-law as a wedding gift.  Design source:  Trash to Treasures Pineapple Quilts by Gyleen Fitzgerald, inspired by "Noodle Soup"

Carolyn D.  "Cactus Wreath"  by Cozy Quilt Designs and designed by Georgette Dell'Orco

I saw several of these as they were done as the guild mystery quilt.  This one is Julie W's version and she called it"The Plot Thickens".  It could be a pattern from Cozy Quilt Designs called "Hanging Gardens".  She left the borders off for a couch throw, she told me.

This one has a split nine patch/Chiclet feel to it but I liked the set.  Do not know the maker

This is my friend Bev's music quilt.  I have seen this one in progress as she was binding it at one of hte last meetings.  

They also had a display of sewing machines and quilts in vignettes of the eras set up in another room along with their numerous country store items.   I got a bag of fabric for just three bucks loaded with all the fabrics you see pictures.  Mostly fat quarters but a few pieces larger.  2nd picture is a little fuzzy but it was in the same bag of goodies.

I think someone was making tea bag holders and mug rugs out of the coffee items as I saw some of those for sale.  The only other thing I got was that little scrubber thing on the bottom right.  I planned on stopping for lunch before I went home.  I also made a quick trip out to the exchange and Hobby Lobby for some supplies I needed to complete some upcoming projects.  Trust me, I was NOT the only one who had been to the quilt show first either.  I saw at least 10 people who had, like me, just come from there!

I didn't get home till about 2 so I had a good  time away from home for a little while anyway.

Friendship Quilters Show 2014

The quilt show is done for another two years.  All the months gearing up for it, setting up, enjoying the quilts up on display and down it comes in an hours time.  We did the check in a bit differently this time, sort of self checking yourself in.   The tables were set up with half the alphabet by last name on two tables.  Donna had stacked up all the paper work by name----the receipts we kept and the cards that were actually to be pinned to the quilts.

Next we were to take them to the category number tables---100 for bed quilts, 200's for small quilts, miniatures were 400.  Lots of wall hangings so those were also separated out by sections.  

Okay, that worked out pretty well.  Jane, Aline and I stayed out of the fray in the other room and concentrated on getting the quilts piled in numerical order.  Jane and I  knew from hanging the Gadsden quilt show enough times that as soon as you have a road map of the layout (and which end of the building they were starting on) you start stacking the quilts by twos or fours.  We were ready when the runners came in with a list of 4 quilts they were to bring back with them.  I was checking them off as we went so I knew which ones had already been called for AND more importantly, picked up.  Once it left the room, not our problem, y'all stuck them somewhere in there!

The only real snafu was when a couple quilts did not show up and of course, they kept asking for them.  Another gal was later arriving but between the quiltmaker/exhibitor and one of the gals helping her, we got them all checked in just in the nick of time.  

I did not actually see the show until yesterday.  Jane had a last minute family event and I was going to drive and just hang out so I could get my quilts picked up.  I filled in for her shift at the admissions table.   Aline and I left in enough time so I could visit the Country Store, see the show and take some pictures to share with you here.  There were over a 100 quilts so this is just some of the ones that caught my eye.  I missed getting one of the top vote getters for Viewers Choice, a lovely Baltimore Album quilt that was hand quilted by our friend Gary.

This is Donna's and won Viewers Choice edging out the other quilt by just one vote!  It was a Block of the Month from the Quilt Show which year I do not know.  If you saw the video links I posted earlier, then this was one of the quilts hanging in the interview.

Brenda's Log Cabin

Miss Sally's John Deere tractor--- adorable!

Jessica's Sunshine on a Cloudy Day.  It started off life with a far less complimentary name..but I can't remember what that one was now.  I think the NEW name fits perfectly

This horrid picture in no way does Brenda's "Dear Jane" justice.  It is a wonderful quilt in person! Also shown in the TV interviews.

Peggy's President quilt--blocks made by the guild members

Jackie's Civil War Quilt

There was a series of row quilts and this is a representative one.  

One of my Facebook friend's Mary Alice made this one!  

Loretta's Halloween quilt which she designed.  She had other very inventive quilts in the show as well.

Beth's Seasons in a Row---mine stalled out with the flower row though I did do the sailboats.  Cute, huh?

I think this was one done by another FB friend Joanna----can't swear to that but I think that is the case.

I think this was Joanna's as well---isn't it striking?

Not entirely sure whose these two Carpenter's Stars belong to.  I believe the Amish appearing one is Jackie's and the yellow background one is Irene's?  (I was checking in and out and basically just saw the backs!! Also missed reading all the labels in walking through the show)

The miniature auction did not go off which was disappointing.  The guild worked hard (not me but them) and really got behind the project.  The proceeds of the auction were to go to the Lakeside Hospice and Susan B. Komen for Breast Cancer.   A guild decision will be made about how to proceed next.

 I made several blocks for the group log cabin piece though.

While not having the auction was disappointing. moving the show from November to March boosted the attendance surpassing what we had over a TWO day period two years ago by about 60 some people.  This was the third time for the quilt show so maybe word is spreading??  Also the Country Store and Opportunity Quilt seemed to be doing well.  The drawing for that won't be till July, I'm told.

Last night for take down, Aline and I headed back in to the set up room.  This time the chairman had it broken down by the quilter number we were assigned  1-35.  As the quilts were taken down, again by the armful from the runners  we checked them off the list and then put them on the sections of tables stacking by owner/exhibitor.  Once the quilter/exhibitor was satisfied that they were all there and we had them all checked off, they could go.  It was just Aline and I at first so it helped when 3rd pair of hands could help out.  Things to know for next time, right?

This is what came home to live with me.  My friend Kay made this for the Country Store and I told her when she posted a picture of it on Facebook that I would like to have the opportunity to get it!  Well, it was still available.  She has little brackets holding the sewing items on so they can actually be used.  I love it just the way it is!  It is going to be the perfect item for my newly re-done sewing room, don't you think?  

I can't get a decent picture of it and still have you see what all is on there.  I love it!

Well, I still have quilts to put away.  Once I got supper last night and got home after 7:30, I had no inclination to want to drag my 11 entries in from the car.  I need to do a little shifting around to put them away anyway as they had been sitting on top of the armoire for months, waiting for the show.  I had entered my PopStix bed quilt but I already know I am not quite ready to put it on the bed, with those summery colors.  Give me a month or two, LOL and I will finally get to actually USE that one.

Hope you enjoyed the mini version of the show!

where to start?

Well, my Farmers Wife Inspired Sampler (FWIS) is still waiting for me to get to cutting.   At this point I can just about say it is not going to happen today either.  It is mid- afternoon and I promised DJ I would make some pizza for supper, meaning I'll be measuring out flour and trying to get the water temp up to make dough in a hour or so.  Cutting and this project was at the top of the quilting "to-do" list.   I want to do it but there are always obstacles to that plan. Piles of quilting, QOVs, something else.

Yesterday turned out to be paperwork day.  Quilt show entries, balance the checking account.  Take care of something for one of the Belles.  Mailings to prepare.  Couple errands to run.  No sewing, in other words.   I kept busy clear up till 2030.  Made a good dinner too.

Today, I've been up since 6 so you would think I would have more done.  The laundry is done.  Some minor household tasks are done.  More should be done, LOL but I don't live to clean.  Work on a handout was hampered by the fact that I either totally forgot how to do an exploded diagram and/or draw and color in simple shapes.   OR EQ whatever version doesn't want to play nice with Word 97-2003.  Where's those manuals when you need them!?  I got it finished up but not quite like I originally envisioned.  Downloaded some patterns and found something that might work for some Western themed fabric from the donation bin.  The link HERE will take you to EE Schenck and the free pattern site---take a look at one of the last ones "Galaxy Bunkhouse Blanket".  ( It is a pdf so I don't want to link to it directly).

One of today's tasks was to bag up all my show entries in their own individually labeled pillowcases.  New twist this year, all the contact information along with the name of the quilt.   Whatever!  I am not going to write all that info on a pillow case that I might actually use.   Take that back---this one isn't bagged as I am finally going to quilt around those watermelon seeds since I found the black quilting thread and dredge up a bead for the crow's eye.   Put that on the list of quilting "to-do's".

Oh, and see that document hanging off the bookshelf in the sleeve protector?  That is the Friendship Guild BOM.  We are having a rather impromptu sit and
sew on Thursday, Friday and meeting day Saturday next week---6th, 7th and 8th.  The days are supposed to be devoted to UFOs and comfort quilts.  I could cut out the blocks for the BOM and use them for one of my pro bonos for guild.  Or not, LOL.  I kind of like the blocks but I have another BOM up on the sewing room shelf that could be used too---already kitted up.  Now that one is really a UFO too.

And then there is this-----I was looking for the Batting Buddy templates that had been at the meeting site.  (Linda C left the batting template and the 4 patch on point pattern "Chit Chat" when she moved)  A couple months back Bev had asked for some help in figuring out the "Criss Cross"  pattern using the Fun and Done! Quilting technique from Prairie Sky Quilting.  Take a look as they have whole bunch of patterns that use this technique.   I was busy at the time but I did intend to get back to it and possibly demo it.   The others would probably be interested in seeing it as well.  Brenda had the template set as they had done this at another area quilt guild but I don't know that she took the class.    That was fine!  That is why we have a library cart in the first place---to share stuff  we no longer want or need but she thought I needed it back right away. I didn't and tried to tell her to keep it as long as she needed to.  She insisted that she was not ready to start her project.

Now I really do need to try it before the next meeting, LOL---the 11th.   The fabric on the right---the 4 fat quarters were what I pulled from the birthday bag at Friendship Quilters.  I like them but not really my palette of colors.  Then there is the stack of fabric to the left.  Marilyn gave me large pieces to use possibly for backs but there is some smaller pieces that I think were some of Linda C's leftovers.  I also have some olive-y greens that would work with it and can dig in my stash for others that might go with this.  Maybe for a more masculine appearing quilt or a fall flavored one.  Or it could possibly be my "sit and sew" project---kill two birds with one stone??   I am leaning towards that idea once I review the fabric requirements for a lap or crib sized project.

And sew it goes---------I do think I better quilt the watermelon seeds first though so I can put the quilt show entry deal behind me.  FWIS waited this long so what is another day.... or 5?  Grab the bags and go---and take them to Jane's or Betsy's next week or however they want to handle it.  I am going for set up but that might fit into the chair's plans.

The other change over the usual routine with the Gadsden show is that the quilts have to be turned in on the 10th about 11 days prior to the event.  Even  hanging sleeves are required, people still don't get the message.  It takes too much time to get the temporary ones pinned on when the guys are up on the ladders waiting for the quilts.  Jane said they were going to address the "sleeveless ones" at their meeting on the 11th and eliminate the last minute scrambling.  Still, it would be helpful if the quilters would bother to follow the directions.  Even more,  the chair person could stuck to his guns about "hanging (the ones) without sleeves at the show chair person's discretion".   I am afraid I would be a hard a** about it and say "no sleeve, no hang" but that is only because I have been one of the volunteers having to break my back bent over the table doing what they should have done in the first place!!   Did I say that I don't even belong to this guild but go to help them as they have a bunch of elderly members that physically can't help??

Auburn starts off its football season at 6 tonight on ESPN and Alabama plays Michigan at 7 on the ABC affiliate.   I had to laugh yesterday when I was in Walmart after ink cartridges.  Hard to print up hand outs and quilt show entry forms without that!  Right across from electronics they had a huge display of Alabama t-shirts and other items.  I said aloud "hey where is the Auburn stuff?"  thinking equal representation, right?  Lady going by with her cart dressed in black and it turns out red and white too says "they must have tossed it out".  Guy with her has a U of A cap on and grinned when she said that.  Never did see the AU stuff.   Actually DJ and I tend to cheer on both teams till they have to play each other.  We are not from here originally so we didn't have to declare allegiance at birth, LOL.  Truthfully, I do happen to have Alabama championship 2011 checks but that is more because they were cheaper than the others when I changed my account.

And for those wondering how we fared in my area--Isaac went so far to the west that we only got a 3/4 inch of rain at our house.  While overcast for days, no further rain.  It is back to being more humid than it had been----ugh!  I guess by now he is spreading joy up in the Midwest.

Well there is no shortage of things I should/would/could be doing---see what shakes out and what can be crossed off my list.  I hope you all have a safe holiday weekend.