Quilt Show - Day One

I belong to Quilters Squared Quilt Guild here in Midland.   We have an extraordinary number of very talented ladies who love to quilt and who do make absolutely beautiful pieces.  This weekend is our annual show and I thought I would give you a mini quilt show today, tomorrow and Sunday to share some of the pieces we have on display.  I know who make some of them and not others, and I hope no one feels slighted if I don't mention their name.  They must not forget that I am an old lady and not as quick as I once was (how's that for an excuse?)  This is a lovely embroidered and quilted hanging that Marcia made.  Quite a few of us have been doing some embroidery along with quilting.  There will be others to show in the next two days.

This beauty was made by Karen.  All done in oriental fabrics with gold highlights.  I love the colors in this piece.

Here is a beautiful, old fashioned quilt done in lovely colors and I am sorry I can't remember who made it.  It's a wonderful piece. 

Here are four wall hangings that are marvelous!  I know for sure the makers of two of them and think all of them were made by a quartet of gals who have challenged each other and make pieces to interpret a subject they decide on.  Janna, Nancy, Kathy and Stephanie go by JNKS and give talks and show their work around the state.  I know Janna did the gorgeous bird.  The colors are wonderful - it is a beauty.  The freehand quilted multicolored circles is Kathy's work.  She has grown to be a master in the art of freehand machine quilting.  This piece as as beautiful on the back as on the front.  I think armadillo was done by Nancy.  If not, I will add a correction.  It, too, is a lovely piece with great color.  Not sure who the other pretty circle wallhanging was made by, but it's a winner also. 

This is one I did some time ago and had quilted by another Carol who does the most beautiful job on the long arm.  Tomorrow I will do another post for you.  I need to take pictures of more of the quilts and retake some of the ones I took today.  Hope you enjoy the show.  (Click to enlarge)

Some Quick Quilt Labels

Our quilt show is this weekend and I have four pieces to enter and each one of them had no label.  I am getting very lax on that part of the quilting process, I am sorry to say.  I have done all sorts of labels and do enjoy making them on the computer.  Some times I use muslin backed by the sticky backing of full sheet labels - that can be used several times and it does go through the printer very well.  With freezer paper, I have had problems with it bunching up as it starts through the printing process.  However, it does help a lot if you fold a long piece of scotch tape across the leading edge of the paper - gives it something to grip easily.  I have some really good printer's sheets of cloth on the sticky paper that is soft and easy to needle when you sew through it.  I also had the package of sheets I show in the picture above that does a nice job but is terrible to try and hand sew.  So, I decided to do some quick designing and some quick printing and then add strips around each label.  For the edge, I just did a decorative stitch around the raw edge and it worked out fine.  Now I will be able to whip those little babies to the backs of my quilts in no time at all.  You could really get creative and use a different colored strip on each side, or paper piece a diamond in a square with the center containing the information.  But if you just want to get one done and in a hurry, this works well.  (Click to enlarge)

My Tag for April

Here is the little tag I made for April to trade with Julie at the guild meeting Tuesday night.  I saw this pretty lady in the big, big feathered hat and thought "Easter Bonnet".  She looks so pleased with herself and rightfully so.   Julie is putting together an exhibit of our tags for the quilt show which is next week.  Some of the gals and their husbands will be getting the room ready Wednesday night and quilt take in and set up will be Thursday. 

We have a bazaar along with our show.  There is not enough room for vendors, but the members bring in handmade items, quilt books and magazines, unwanted notions and bags of fabric that we no longer want.  I packaged some yesterday.  I will also have a lot of old magazines to bring along.  Nothing homemade this year, but I have made a lot of things in the past.  We have a lot of new members and I am sure they will pick up the slack.  It is amazing how much we bring in with that little venture.  (Click to enlarge)

Final Folk Art Blocks Ready to Applique

Just finished cleaning up the mess in the bedroom where I have my good sewing machine.  Normally,  I do all my cutting, fusing and block preparation in the basement where there is lots of room for fabric and paper to fly.  Pretty close quarters in the bedroom and it was an absolute mess.  Didn't want to clean it up until they were all done and I finished them today. 

Now I can do my applique.  I think there are three done and six to go and all of the patterns are easy ones to work on. 

The color in the pictures isn't the best but you can get the idea.  Sashing and border will be the white of the black dotted print that I used in the large quilt top I just put together.  I just bought about five yards of it for backing so will have plenty for this little wallhanging which will only measure about 36" square.  Promise no more posts on it until together and quilted!  (Click to enlarge)

Baby Things - Old and New

A little pattern I bought about sixty years ago when I was pregnant for our daughter,

another one.  This second one I actually did make two little jackets from using flannel.  I may even have those in the basement stored away.  I sewed many things for Sherry as she was growing up - even one time made mother and daughter outfits.  I don't think I have a photo of those - wish I did.

However, the actual reason for this post is I am thinking baby.  My granddaughter, Norah, just learned that she is having a little boy!   And his due date is still my birthday - happy, happy!  (Click to enlarge)

A Late April Fool

I went to the basement about an hour or so ago and when I came up look what was going on!  Big flakes, too.  And the last snow was just about all melted.  Oh, well, it's nice and fresh again.

Favorite Illustrators

As you can probably guess, I spend some (more than I should) time surfing the net.  Doesn't that sound high tech?  I have many, many files on my computer full of things I like - pictures of quilts, vintage pictures, old advertising - most of it is vintage.  During the searching I have discovered art by illustrators that capitivates me.  Thought I would feature some of them from time to time.

The first is Nell Brinkley - 1886-1944 - who was referred to as the "Queen of Comics".  Her drawings are just beautiful.

I have always wished I could draw - but alas it never happened.  If you would like to read more about Nell, I have a link http://cartoons.osu.edu/NellBrinkley/index.php that should be a good place to start.  You can also google her and look through images.  There will be hundreds of wonderful illustrations to see.  (Click to enlarge)