Next challenge

After much discussion, debate and specifics hammered out we have decided the next challenge.

The challenge shall be black and white and, if wanted, one other color. Color being defined as a color family. Quilters are to do something they have not done before and no, that doesn't mean finish the thing, using a book, pattern or tool that the quilter already has. Yes, a book that has been used before can be used but not the same pattern in said book. No, it does not mean you can make "that pink quilt you made before, in black and white".
There is no size limitation or finish date established yet.
Quilter's should be ready to start, or have started at our next meeting in October.
I have to copy and paste this stuff to Dianne, the blogg-less, now.
Feel free to comment and discuss.

Dizzy Blond

It occurs to me that no one might recall that I was blond, I was, along with being young. Now I am just dizzy. Dreaded Vertigo. Talked to the doctor about treatment and as it was what Ruth suggested I will try it so I can get back to sewing.
Our poor Judy has been having a horrid time of it this summer but her sunshine came out again as that iron hit the floor. It just broke her tension. I guess those people who throw things in anger know what they are talking about. I actually think it sacrificed itself for the good of the world because an Angry Judy is not a good thing. It did seem to take wings and fly to the floor. Lucky no one was hurt and the heat did  no damage to anything. Judy went ahead and ordered a replacement to be sent to Lori because her mom raised her that way.And Judy does not especially like to be beholding to anyone. If only there had been some artificial snow to soften the fall.
Ruth had a series of masterpieces, ho hum... (In my mind I think I wished I could be more like Ruth but all I got was her vertigo)
Sue, I can't recall what she was working on, but after the stress in her family we were just glad to see her there..Mary Ann too who worked at some wool work. Too much stress to finish the fine detail on her circle piece.
Gwen cut for charity quilts but showed her most marvelous circle piece. Her homage to deer and her dearly departed gardens. This piece should win prizes.
Jan cut another tessellated piece from her prize at the Jelly Roll race. We love that template and thank Mary Huey for the class.
Judy broke things,almost broke things and shopped. She also brought bagel and shmere for our breakfast. She is wonderful. On the really creative side she did make a lovely bag and start another.
Lori took to the Tina quilt and started twosiing. We patted our selves on the back for leaving it marked and a chart as to what the marking actually meant.
Laura has been really busy with her quilting work and brought Gwen's Halloween piece, finished.
Lynnee brought more "peace" signs to fuse and cut and showed us her acu cut pieces. Looks like fun. Of course she left them at Lori's so there will be no progress on that for awhile.
Dianne, Syd and Fran were missed.
Lunch...pizza and desserts. Also some shrimp, rice and beans and some injury free salad.
So that's my 3 cents worth.

Gwen's quilt story

Here's what I can tell you about my quilt and its background:

I started gardening here in Mentor Headlands about 1965, the spring after we moved in. There were perennial gardens established and we had a few problems with rabbits and woodchucks. A few years later we shared a big garden space across the street and grew much of our summer produce. It had a short fence to keep out the woodchucks and rabbits. Later we increased the fence height because deer were getting into a few crops.

I inherited wonderful daylilies from my mother-in-law that I planted in a very large bed across the front of our property. They were wonderful. We had roses, tulips, hostas daisies and many other deer treats. As the deer herd increased in size our gardens became their nighttime dinners. (They move from the protected Mentor Marsh to the lake for drinks and we are are the dinner spot along the way! ) We put in plastic deer fences: first about 5 feet, then 7-8 feet. These seemed to be working well, but they always found a weak spot or a way in. We discovered that they were pushing under the fences to get at the most tasty things I loved. We are now using ground stakes every few feet. I still spray with deer spray regularly and try not to plant things they love. But I can't give up everything, and they still have roses and hostas that by July are devoured. I keep hoping next year will be better!

The quilt was an idea that I had for a long time. I actually bought the deer fabric a few years ago. When Lori demonstrated the 6 minute circle I thought that was a perfect way to show garden plots. I found an old Thimbleberries fabric that I used for the fence and added the deer border on two sides. I decided that the deer would speak using the green lowercase words. My feelings are written in brown in the fence. Around each plant section are varieties of that plant that I either like or have grown.

Gwen Meissner 2012

A few more photos

I have a few more photos to add and of course I have to add my 2 cents.

 It is always a really fun day and though I had to go to Jack's birthday party I was not about to miss Diva Day completely.

Mike and Brady are always gracious, cheerful and helpful as we arrive and invade their space once a month. They are always ready to entertain us(Brady) and help with anything we need(Mike).

Lori didn't show her own circle quilt in her post but I got a picture of it. She demo-ed this technique of piecing in a circle for us twice and is working on larger quilt with circles for Brady.

Gwen used the pieced circle technique for her garden frustration quilt. It is  a really wonderfully creative quilt. I hope she will post about her quilt herself.

She has text all over it  that adds to the charm and creativity.

 

Gwen's Halloween  quilt that Laura quilted is another great quilt. I got a another picture of the front and 2 of the back. She had our Friendship group make the triple 4 patch blocks in Halloween colors and she had a fun panel  the she cut up and used for some of the other blocks. I love the fabic she used for the back.

 

August Recap

What a whirlwind day!  I am thinking that maybe that 830 a.m. haircut for Brady may have been a bit over the top.  After we finished up Diva sewing, we went to the Memphis Kiddie Park for the birthday party.  We ended that adventure with Brady screaming at the top of the ferris wheel and needing a special rescue lap to get him out of the enclosed car.  Then we went from there to Last Stop Willoughby and did the Haunted trolley ride.  We got home after 8:00.  Brady ate a few shrimp and then crashed.



Iron parts after it bailed

 It was a fun day but I can’t help feeling guilty that there is a brand new iron on its way to our house, thanks to Judy.  I’m still in disbelief over the iron’s demise or suicide or whatever that was.  I’ll need to make it up to Judy next time I see her.  After all, this whole basement thing wasn’t intended for me to score new gadgets.  We knew there’d be wear and tear around here and we are up for that.  You are all very gracious and generous guests and all three of us enjoy having you here once a month. On to the recap.

We hit the ground running since we had an early end today.  Ruth was able to join us for show and tell.  We made her go last, though, since the pile she hauled in was quite extensive and she’s always a tough act to follow.  I just had to give her an impromptu prize for most show and tell.  Her productivity and enthusiasm continue to inspire me.  Here area few photos of show and tell.

  

Gwen's amazing Deer vs. Gardener quilt!

Lynn's cheerful batiks

Mary Ann's one of a kind

Ruth modeling the skirt

Well done spiderwebs!

 After Ruth went to That Man’s 80^th birthday party, we worked on projects. Gwen cut squares for next week’s charity sewing. Mary Ann worked on some felted wool applique. Susie was industrious and also provided updates on her dad’s condition since surgery earlier this week. Judy worked on a purse. Jan organized some fun black and white+color that she dug out of her magic, bottomless plastic box that she hauls around with her (or maybe it was one of her beautiful tote bags). Lynn cut out fused peace symbols from some very on-trend bright batiks and dug through a box of die cut half square triangles. Kathy supervised and encouraged us in our conversations. She even inspired me to do a row of the Tina quilt. So far so good on the twosie foursies (jinx!). Laura stopped by to bring Gwen’s Halloween quilt, quilted! It is amazing. We are all jealous of Gwen’s friend/the recipient.

In one of our favorite pot luck coincidences, we had lots of dessert and enough of everything else to have a square meal.

In September, we are on hiatus due to all of the other weekend sewing commitments. We’ll regroup in October(10/20) to kick off our next challenge. The rules I heard were: black and white fabrics with one added color family (as many fabrics as you’d like); use a pattern you have but haven’t used yet; any size. Let me know if I missed anything there.