This one is more special. Last Christmas each Sew and Sow member made a 12 1/2" block for every member who participated (nine of us), using fabrics that fit the theme the recipient had chosen. I chose 30's fabrics. Each of these blocks was pieced by a member of the group, then they were all given to me at our Christmas luncheon, while I gave away nine blocks that were all completely different to fit the other quilters' choices. I took my nine blocks and came up with a design to piece them together and this is what it turned out like. It still needs the sandwich, the quilting, and the binding and it's going to be thrown over a white rocker on a sunporch looking over a lake. That's the plan anyway. Once a year our group has a summer cookout, and this year Joyce put up clotheslines so we could all hang our quilt tops, during the 'big reveal', showing each other what they'd turned out like. Nine beautiful quilts. Husbands were appropriately interested, with a good amount of oohing and aahing. We hadn't fed them yet, and they likely knew they had to sing for their supper!

Our next big plans involve a two night stay at Chataqua on the Lake, in upper New York State the end of September. There's a quilting conference featuring Eleanor Burns, where 5000 quilters are expected to attend. We'll load up two or three cars with our machines, fabric, good snacks, and pjs and make the three hour drive for what's sure to be an unforgettable weekened. This year's Christmas exchange is a grab bag event. Each of us is making one 16"x20" block, in 'neutral colors' and each member will draw out one block at the Christmas luncheon. It should be just right for framing.

The quilts - icing on the cake. Time with friends on a consistent basis - priceless.

Labels: Creative License