Five Shadows

Sorry I have been so long in posting. I have lots to share and will start with this picture of these pretty ladies on their way to “Moonlit Morocco” Prom 2009.

Charis and Anna

My next project completed is a curtain for a friend. I don’t like to sew curtains, and really don’t remember why I agreed to make up these – but finally! the curtain is finished. (Sorry Sandy that I took so long to sew um up.) Next time I’m asked to sew curtains, I think I’ll recommend the person goes to Jo-Ann Fabrics and inquire about a seamstress! Sandy made a lovely quilt for a young grand-daughter and now has a matching curtain.

I sent this little 12″ square quiltie off in the mail yesterday to meet the deadline for Lenna’s Fabric Technique Swap. The idea behind the swap was to try out some new-to-you techniques. I had planned a go at needle felting, but then my last issue to Belle Armoire arrived in the mail. I used Roberta Morgan’s technique for using alcohol inks on fabric – pages 40-43. Great article and a fun, simple technique! I also did hand stamping, foil, beading, and free motion quilting.

I’m so happy to show this quilt top which has actually been on my  to-do list for TWO years!  That’s right ladies, two years! I planned this quilt two years ago to make for my  friend, Ria, who lives in South Africa! She was here visiting at the time, and asked if I would make a quilt for her. Of course I said yes! She picked the block pattern and then headed for home.  I started buying fabrics. But never got around to starting the quilt until I received an email saying she was coming to visit the end of March.  Yikes! I had to get busy! But when I pulled out the bag of collected fabric, I knew it was just not bright and bold enough for Ria, so off I go shopping for the right fabric. I completed the top on Monday. I headed back to my local quilt shop on Tuesday for fabric for the back and finished it up at about mid-night last night. This morning I created the label and took the top and back to a mutual friend who volunteered to do the long-arm quilting as her part of the gift quilt to Ria. I should get it back next week when I will then add the binding. I’ll show better pictures of the quilt and back once it is quilted. This pic will have to do for now.

Block name: Spinners. From The Thimbleberries Guild for Weekend Quilters. This is so not Thimbleberries fabric! Kittie Juno checking out the quilt.

I just read Jacquie’s Spring to Finish post over at Tall Grass Prairie Studio. She is challenging her readers to join her if pulling out the unfinished projects and seeing how many you ca complete by the end of April. Since that is just what I have been doing, I have decided to join in! I have a curtain to complete for a customer, a quilt top to finish up for a friend, and Yikes! I even have a deadline to meet by April 22 for a swap I signed up for and have not sewn one stitch for yet. And do I get to events count too? I’m coordinating a spring formal dance “prom” for 120 teens happening April 24. The to-do list for that seems to be getting longer rather than shorter as the date draws near! – just two weeks away! But yet, here I am blogging! LOL I needed a break!

Here are some photos taken by my friend, Mary. She is new to quilting and, I think, having lots of fun! But I don’t have a picture of her or her piece work! We each brought along the projects we wanted to work on, plus there were three classes offered. Some of the ladies took the classes taught by quilter Twila Longenberger.

here are a few of the blocks made during two classes

Two of Twila's quilts (one on top of the other)

Another quilt by Twila.

Cynthia taught her daughter to quilt! Genevieve's first quilt top!

Melanie's Thimbleberries Quilt Top

Dianna's Quilt Top

Melanie's crazy quilt top

Busy Bee Kathy

Newbie quilter Jeannette and her table runner

Last month I attended a 5 day quilting retreat. There are 12 of us who rent a local camp lodge , cabin, and dorm, in a pretty setting out in the country. We sew in the lodge, setting up tables around a lovely, huge rustic fireplace. We take turns preparing meals. I provided the first evening meal of chicken tortellini soup, veggie crab soup, deli wraps, and black bottom cake. Then I was free of kitchen duty for the rest of the days! Uninterrupted sewing time! I think the ladies try to out do each other in the meals they provide! We had such good ‘eats’ all the time. We only do two meals a day. A brunch and a supper. And then snack in between if you can’t wait for supper! tee hee I snacked too much on yummy chocolates! We had one gal that prepared two classes which I opted to not participate in. My goal was to complete several tops in progress. Here is how I did – - -

Union Star using Civil War reproduction fabrics

Union Star

Turtle Quilt

River City 9-Patch from 9-Patch Reunion quilt book

Today I am celebrating my birthday with family and friends. I’ll be meeting some of my girlfriends for lunch. And then, those who can, well join me to take in a local quilt show. Sisters of the Cloth are displaying quilts at the Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery – located in our public library, with a reception from 2-4 p.m. The show runs today thru April 5 – if anyone happens to be in the Fort Wayne area.

Pictured here are several fabrics I plan on using in making this cute Ashley purse.

Look at this oh-so-lovely Inner Child Doll I received by participating in Pat Winter‘s One World One Heart giveaway! She is so lovely! Do you see the tiny shoe charm and the tiny hand charms? Pat’s bead work is really something! I do not do such small work, so I’m just tickled to win this doll. And she is filled with Lavender and smells so nice. THANK YOU PAT!

Today I woke up to a fresh snow fall and our brown world is once again a winter wonderland! Not that I won’t like it to be Spring, but a fresh snow is very lovely!
Those girls over at Cloth Paper Scissors are just so clever! Do go visit them at this post:

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