My 2 cents

What remarkable work was accomplished in Lori's Lower Level on Sat.
My sister Margie drove from Indiana to visit and specifically picked the weekend of our gathering.
We really did miss Dianne and Fran though.
So, many ideas for the challenges. I asked Maryanne and Gwen what had inspired them and they had picked projects they had wanted to work on for some time and this was the perfect opportunity. Sue really is done with hers as the vampire cloak she made was black, white and red.
Judy was constructing strata and learning first hand how the width of a cut strip can change the  fabrics value. We all had ideas for her and I think left her with some extra ideas.
I was able to drag quite a few divas into pinning the "Tina Quilt".Lori's Jedi mind trick worked on me and I took it home to quilt. We determined fancy quilting was not needed.
Ruth reported that she was stumped but I noticed on her personal blog and comments here she is well on her way.
So, Ruth wanted a deadline for this challenge and we seemed to agree that April 2013 seemed doable.
No gathering next month but many of us see each other again for or Friendship group.
It was good to see everyone and catch up.

challenge

I finally have an idea for our black and white challenge. Seeing what everyone else was doing got me thinking. Later, looking at a piece on my design wall, I found some inspiration. I still have a large piece of the black fabric and some of the other fabric that I bought to use with it. I will probably shop for something more as well.
I bought this book and ruler a long time ago. The date on the inside cover is 1986. I was all reved up when I bought it but I never even tried to make anything. I'm not sure why given my initial enthusiasm. After looking at the black and red piece on my design wall I knew what I had originally intended for the fabric would not do for the challenge. It was very much like the quilts in a series that I made with 9 patch blocks. I started thinking in another direction. This book was laying on my table because I had looked through it this past week as I was looking for ideas. I did not find any inspiration in it at the time and it was only still out because it had gotten covered up with something else on my table. That little hexagon is a practice piece I made to see if I really wanted to do this. I had some 3 inch wide strips laying on my table from a scrap bag I bought last week at the NEORQC meeting. I cut triangles using my 60 degree ruler and sewed them together. I can do this!
I do wish I had settled on this before our meeting because there were Divas there who could have actually helped me and given me some tips. This looks to me a lot like Stack and Whack construction and I was probably the only one there yesterday who had not done any Stack and Whack quilts. Two of the Divas there even taught the class. I wish I didn't always have to do everything the hard way or 10 years after everyone else but the good news is I know where to go if I get stuck.

I would really like to know how and why some of the others settled on their challenge designs.

Back in Basement

It was good to be back with the Divas again even though we were 2 short. Hmmmmm..... I should probably say that we were short 2 Divas; some people might take exception to me saying we were 2 (too) short. :) Just a little short people joke as there are a few of us in the group.

Yes, lunch was great as usual and here are Judy, Maryann, Laura and Gwen cleaning up afterward.

Everyone seemed to be doing something related to the challenge but the only photo I got was of what Judy was working on.  

We didn't actually have show and tell about our challenge pieces but everyone was talking about what they were going to do or working on cutting for them or doing something.
We never all got together at one time to show what we we going to make. That was good for me because so far I have no idea at all.
I think we decided that the finished piece is due in April, but maybe not.

We did have show and tell to see the Halloween pieces everyone had finished or was working on. This is Lori's October quilt hanging on one of those little tapbletop wire trifold frames. She has a little quilt for every month and I am going to try to remember to get a photo every month.

Here is Suzie modeling her Dracula cape. 

These are 2 Halloween pieces that Lynn is working on. The one on the right is all batik and really cute. The one below is wool and has several elements yet to add. 

Here's Lori is hiding behind holding up her cute little Halloween piece made with a nice bright panel and very nicely (of course) quilted by Lori. 

Last is the quilt that we layered and pinned. It was made from blocks that the Friendship block swappers made.

when we made the blocks 2 of us missed the first line that told us what colors to use. I don't know what colors Judy used but my blocks were brown. They would have stood out like a sore thumb in this quilt but I did them over in the right colors and I think I gave the brown ones to Kathy. This quilt is so pretty "in person"; the photo doesn't really capture that.
That little head in the forefront on the right is Brady admiring the quilt. It is always fun to see Brady it gives those of us who don't have any little ones at home our Kiddy Fix for the day.

Back from Hiatus

What a great day, as always.  We had a full house and I appreciate everyone taking the time to join in the fun.  Margie got the award for long distance traveler.  She’s always a fun, special guest Diva.  Of course, we missed Dianne and Fran but hope to see them soon. 

As far as productivity goes, we were pretty low key but inspired nonetheless.  The expression “hive of activity” came to mind.  There was challenge cutting going on, Susie was working on a vampire cape, lots of pattern viewing and ideas exchanged, and several joined in pin-basting the wedding quilt. Kathy also concocted a scheme for presenting the quilt once it is finished.  Best of all, Kathy took it home with her to quilt!  The iron and ironing board were both a hit and everyone was grateful for Judy and Susie.

We had many main dishes, one salad, two apple cakes, and even champagne (thanks to Lynn!).  It was all delicious.

We briefly discussed an April deadline for the black and white plus color challenge.  We will skip November based on the Maxwell weekend work schedule on 11/17.  We tossed about the idea of getting together in December for show and tell plus a party of some sort (cookies, margaritas, potluck, other?).  I think most were in favor but I’ll send out a survey closer to the date.  It would be our usual third Saturday of the month (12/15).

For the pin-basting, we used two 8 foot tables side by side.  Ruth mentioned that she sometimes has a need to baste and the tables were a good fit.  If anyone wants to have the tables up for our regular sewing, just let me know when I send out the monthly reminder, and we’ll have them in place so you can baste.  The tables are thin so you can use binder clips and they make it easier on your back than some of the floor options.