Every time I upload lots of pictures to update my blog I promise myself that next time I won’t wait so long before I write again… and here I am, and it’s nearly the end of September. No excuses allowed!
Back in the middle of August, on a really hot sunny Sunday afternoon, I visited Chicago Modern Quilt Guild with Yvette and Cheryl on behalf of the Fiber Divas to talk about our little group and do a trunk show…
The quilters there were younger than the average. It was a fun group.
Meanwhile I was busy with my African Folklore Embroideries. I finished this toucan embroidery that I started in England. I filled the wings and beak in with a lot of chain stitch… It needed a good press with steam to block my design back to somewhat square.
I also pressed and blocked the sunflower piece I did while watching the World Cup finals. This one was embellished with beads in the center over an appliqued piece of yellow batik.
Then I took my pink butterfly embroidery and added it to a simple bag I constructed from some felted wool fabric…
I added beads to this one too.
Most of my finished pieces are now on display at Pieceful Heart Fabrics. I’ll be teaching a class at the beginning of December.
The new class guide went out on line at the end of August. I have a couple of new class offerings along with some popular old faithfuls…
This one is City Bank from the book City Quilts by Cheri House (C&T)
Cheri’s quilts all use solid fabrics but I chose to use up some of my batik stash for my version.
I’m also offering a class based on Patsy Thompson’s new book Hyperquilting. Here’s my sample. There are lots of fun motifs to learn.
Sometimes my quilts actually come in useful. Benjamin and his parents came to visit for the weekend. Here are Julia and Benjamin sitting inside his new Play Zone complete with X-block quilt… Benjamin seemed quite happy to share his new toys.
Tuesday 14th I was minding my own business, actually running a few errands when I got a phone call from Riverwalk Quilters program chair … our invited speaker was ill and unable to get to the meeting… I was booked for December but could I do my program? 6 hours notice seemed plenty so I went home and spent the afternoon updating my talk and pulling my quilts. No problem! Steve and his parents (who just happened to be in town) came for the fun. Once again, I realised how much I enjoy the speaking part of my life.
After my program came show and tell. Here is one of our bees showing the quilts they have made for Heifer International to sell at their upcoming annual auction. Those are some of my quilts up front…
The next day we took a little road trip to Princeton, Illinois. We were actually headed to Hornbaker Gardens to buy hostas for my new backyard shade garden but as there are two quilt fabric stores in downtown Princeton we took a little detour.
Here are Steve’s parents outside Old Times-Quilters Heaven…
We also visited Quilters Garden but I forgot to take a picture there in the excitement of making purchases and the anticipation of the hostas!
I am also working on a Gee’s bend style quilt at the moment using a Wyndham Fabrics kit. I’m quilting it now so hopefully there will be pictures soon.
And then I have been doing a lot of knitting. I am making felted purses for Bridget’s new shop. I will take them with me on my next international trip at the end of October. I’ve been trying some new ideas included knitted ruffles and pleats. I’m also trying some fabric handles. Here are a few of the finished bags. More are awaiting magnetic closures and even Liberty print linings. I have finally started using the Tana Lawn I bought years ago.
So no excuses. I will try and do better next time!!
