Guild Night In Florida...

Brynwood Needleworks - Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild Annual Meeting Night

 

Goodness, did I have fun last night! I got to see all my dear quilting friends at our guild meeting in Port Charlotte, Florida. I was so warmly greeted when I walked in the door, and wish the night could have lasted at least twice as long!

The guest speaker for the evening was Sharon Ralph, a certified Judy Niemeyer instructor, who showed many examples of her own gorgeous quilts. I'm sharing just a few of my personal favorites in the collage above. Sharon will be teaching Niemeyer techniques to guild members in a two-day class this weekend.

I was able to chat with quite a few ladies, and was pleased to see that the guild has nearly doubled in size since the last time I was there. It was the annual meeting, so new officers were elected. There was also discussion about the next quilt show...scheduled for February 20, 2020...and I'm definitely planning to be there! Perhaps next year, we'll be here a little longer - our usual January, and add February to our stay.

I'm having lunch with my friends, Kathy and Nora (who used to own Sandy's Quilt Shop) before the weekend, so we can have a little extra girlfriend time. I miss the coffee group we used to have on Saturday mornings, and this way I can hear about what everyone has been doing to keep busy.

 

I'm sorry I won't be here for another meeting, so I'll have to settle for online updates to see what the ladies are accomplishing while I'm back in Wisconsin. That will have to do until I see them all again. Seeing all the beautiful quilts, I'm inspired to make my contributions to our charitable quilts for the preschool Headstart and Hospice programs as soon as I get home. I'll get them finished so I can send them south as soon as possible...and look forward to the next time I see my quilting friends again.

Retreat Weekend, Plus...

Brynwood Needleworks - DPQG 2016 Retreat Group

I didn't get to our guild retreat on Friday, when it began, but I arrived on Saturday for the fun. This photo was taken on Sunday before people left and headed for home. (L-R: Front Row: Joanne, Pat, Shirley, Arleen, Pat, Lynn, Peggy and Julie. Back Row: Jackie, Rozie, Jamie and me.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Saturday Night Dinner at Sarasota's Der Dutchman

I got to Sarasota in time to set up my projects, get started and then break for dinner at 5:30. We went a bit across town to Der Dutchman - an Amish restaurant that many of us have visited before. I personally love their homecooked vibe, and chose a small portion of liver & onions (a favorite) for my meal.

Dinner together is a great chance to catch up with friends and enjoy each others company, and we certainly had a great time together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Peggy and my roommate, Jamie

Jamie and I make for great roommates. She's a far superior quilter, and I'm learning a lot from her. She also has a wonderful sense of humor, so she's fun to be around. I definitely think I'm on the winning end of our friendship.

Peggy sat on our end of the table, so I was able to find out what she's been up to. She recently have a shoulder surgery and is healing well from it. It's certainly not keeping her from participating and creating wonderful things of her own. She was working on a project to give to a friend.

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn and Shirley - Shirley's Finished Quilt Top

Shirley is a dear friend. She (on the right) completed a quilt top over the weekend that I photographed to share with you. It's made from colorful batiks and will look even better when it's quilted. Lynn helped hold it up for this picture.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pat's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towels

Pat (on the right side of my first group photo) worked on the group project for this retreat. I didn't make any this time, but Pat created six different sets, including these...and flamingos. All of them are finished with yo yos. Aren't they fun?

Brynwood Needleworks - Lynn's Finished Kitchen Yo Yo Towel

Lynn also made a set. Hers have yo yos as the center for the flowers. I don't think my photo does justice to the project. Her colors were lovely and her workmanship impeccible.

Brynwood Needleworks - Jackie's Beautiful Blocks

There were other projects in progress. Many of the ladies were working on their own quilt tops and creating gorgeous blocks.

I wish I knew for sure who was working on these. I think that Lynn C. was working on them, but will amend my post as soon as someone tells me. They're "stack and whack" stars. Only quilters cut up beautiful fabrics to rotate them and join together in new ways. Such is the way with "stack and whack"...with stunning results here.

Brynwood Needleworks - Joanne's Blocks

 Joanne worked on these blocks all weekend. It's also the "stack and whack" method with a completely different result.

Brynwood Needleworks - Shirley's Block

Shirley had a whole set of colorful blocks that she was appliqueing, in addition to the batik quilt top she finished. These remind me a fresh fruit!

I actually had a busy weekend with my shop, and spent my retreat work time making up special orders that I'll ship out today and through this week. It was fun to have the gals to chat with while I stitched away.

Brynwood Needleworks- Deliciousness From Der Dutchman

It was revealed on Saturday night that the Amish have a plan for world domination...Amish Peanut Butter. What a sweet treat...especially swirled on their soft serve vanilla ice cream that was served after our dinner. The Apple Butter is also wicked tasty!

So, if you've read this far today, I have a reward...a chance to win your very own bottle of Der Dutchman Peanut Butter Spread. (Note: This is not low-cal.) Sorry, but due to the cost of shipping, this will only be available to my readers in the U.S.

Also, I'm not going to put up a giveaway button or mention the giveaway to anyone not coming to this post to read about it. Just leave a comment below to be entered in the drawing, and I'll use the Random Number Generator on Friday, June 17th to choose the winner. Make sure I have a way to contact you if you don't have an email link to your comment. If I can't contact you, I'll immediately choose another name.

Good luck!

 

Preparing For Another Class...

Brynwood Needleworks - Atkinson Classmate Organizer Class

I'm preparing for another class with guild members on Saturday. This time I'll be teaching them how to assemble the Classmate Organizer by Atkinson Designs. (I suspect many of them could easily follow the pattern, but there's fun in doing a project together.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Classmate Organizer - French General Fabrics

I've chosen two different fabrics to use. This French General array will become another class model to show at the beginning of class.

Brynwood Needleworks - Classmate Organizer - Lilac Fabrics

 

These coordinates (featuring lovely lilacs) will be organized into my class materials, so I can show them step-by-step how to assemble theirs. I have eight students for this session, so they'll all get hands-on help, too.

I lost a day after the elections, thanks to a 24 hour bug of some sort, so it's going to be a busy day today while I catch up. I've made eight or nine of these already, so I'm not worried that I'll be ready. Plus, I'm feeling much better, thanks. I'm off to my happy place now.

Pineapples On Display...

Brynwood Needleworks - Birds In The Pineapples Quilt

 

For those of you who don't already know...I usually write my blog posts in the evening and the posts go live at midnight. It was a really looooong day, so this shall be a really short post.

This picture was taken on set-up day, after my pineapple quilt had been hung. Having been folded since Monday...and likely in the back of someone's car with a pile of other quilts waiting for Thursday - it's fairly wrinkled. I really wish we had a way to drag a steamer around the show floor to straighten out all the quilts prior to the show opening, but we don't.

This quilt received an Honorable Mention, and I was thrilled. I was very precise with the piecing and the quilting motifs turned out really nice. I'm going to list it to sell in my Etsy shop on Monday. I'll post on my Brynwood Needleworks FaceBook group page when it's up.

Day One of the show was a rousing success. The vendors were thrilled with their sales totals, and many said they'll definitely return in two years. Our attendees had gorgeous quilts to view, and quite a variety of vendors from which to choose.

As the Official Guild Photographer (OGP), I'll take two pictures of each quilt today...one of the whole quilt, and a second of the name tag (and any ribbons) to identify it. I'll be sure to take pictures of the vendor booths, too, if the shopkeeper will allow me. I'll share mosaics of all the quilts and vendors with you on Monday.

I hope you have a quiet, restful weekend, my friends. Handsome has a concert on Sunday, and I'm looking forward to sitting back and letting the music carry me away.

Bring It On...

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey

The "Gathering of Quilts" show opens today in Punta Gorda at the Convention Center. All the pieces have been judged; all the quilts have been hung and it's time to invite everyone in to see all the results of our hard work.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm

Posey will be on display with the rest of the "Home Accessories and Wearables" entries. When she competed in our guild challenge last November, she earned a Second Place Ribbon.

When she was judged this past week, she earned another ribbon. Posey is now a First Place ribbon winner in her show category!

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm Detail

While she was on break (between appearances), I added some more handwork to her head and back pieces. I added yards of hand ruched ribbon to her head piece, and I trimmed out her blue medallion with ruffles.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm

She's on her own pedestal at the show, and on her best behavior, too. Her ribbon will be pinned on her back piece before the show starts, and she'll stand quietly for all to see.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm Detail

If they look closely, our show visitors might even catch her batting an eyelash in their direction! She still makes me smile.

Brynwood Needleworks - Posey, The Patchwork Pachyderm and Me

 

Posey is for sale at the show. She'd like to find a new home where she can be on a pedestal every day. Smiles should be shared.

 

If she's still available after the show ends on Saturday, I'll be listing her in my Etsy shop. My one-of-a-kind, patchwork pachyderm. She was truly a labor of love. 

I'll have photos from our show to share with you on Monday. There are so many beautiful stunning pieces, and I'm inspired by the talented quilters I'm privileged to know. They're true artists.

 

Wash vs No Wash...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Repair

 

I spent Saturday tying up loose ends with my quilt show entries. Just when I thought I had everything under control...

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Repair

 

I'm always been of the "Do Not Prewash Fabric" school, until now. This hasn't happened to me before, but I'm sure not going to put myself in the position for it to happen again.

 

See those two sections in the photo? The red batik bled when I took my steam iron to it. It bled onto my white fabric, and try as I might, I couldn't get it out. Peroxide, Oxyclean, Dawn soap, alcohol - not all at once - but still, nothing budged it.

 

At 7 pm Saturday night, I decided to put on my big girl panties, suck it up and replace those two pieces. I carefully cut them out, and then measured new pieces to replace them.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Repair

In this picture, I've already placed the new pieces back into the quilt. Next it was time to break out my silk thread, applique' needles and my made applique' stitching skills. This was going to require my most accurate, teeny, tiny stitches to make it disappear into the block. I didn't want the repair to be visible at all...especially to the quilt judge who will give it the eagle eye today!

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Repair Accomplished

It's all finished here, and I think the only reason I can see the repair (other than I placed it front and center in this image) is because it's more pressed than the rest of the quilt. I ironed the whole quilt again, but this time I used a dry iron!

Brynwood Needleworks -Birds In The Pineapples Quilt Label

 

I made the label (with a border of the same backing fabric) and sewed that onto the back of the quilt. Of course, I immediately had to cover it with muslin because all show entries are judged anonymously.

I'm sure that, by now, you're no longer confused by my post title. Fact of the matter is, that from now on, I'm going to prewash those gorgeous reds (and blacks)...especially if they're batiks. I've learned my lesson on this project. I managed to save it, but I don't want to be in the position to have this issue ever again!!

Whenever I'm not sure about the colorfastness of a fabric again, I'm gonna wash that sucker fabric until the extra dye is gone...gone...gone!!! Oh, and I'm going to start working on show projects (for the next show in 2018) this year. I'm not going to be sewing on anything at 11 pm the night before turn-in day ever again. (I hope.)

Quilt Show Week has officially begun! Today is judging day for our guild's quilt entries. Judge Mary Zeisiger is returning to critique our pieces. I'll be working as a scribe, taking down everything she says onto the judging forms. There are usually two scribes taking notes for each piece. I signed up to scribe all day, and we usually get the judging finished in eight hours.

Tag will drop by with his witty repartee tomorrow. Like me, he's always got something on his mind, and he's also happy to share. I'll just have to check his work before he posts. He's always prone to TMI. lol

Road Trippin'...

World Quilt Show Banner

  Handsome will be spending the day with Tag and Bella. I'll be on a big bus with my guild girlfriends, heading to Orlando.   It's time for this year's World Quilt Show! I'll tell you all about it next week. Gotta run!

A Short Time Out...

Brynwood Needleworks - Venice Concert Band

The holidays have officially begun. 

I took time out from my studio work to play!

Handsome's first Christmas concert was Monday evening in Venice, FL. He's waaaayyy in back, standing almost under the band banner.

It was a lovely performance, with a fun assortment of music. Why, even Santa and Mrs. Clause made an appearance at the end. In addition to a carol sing-along, the entire audience competed to be the best section when we divided up to sing The Twelve Days of Christmas. It was a hoot!

Brynwood Needleworks - Cabbage Rose Project Tote

I've been getting closer to caught up in the studio, too. Packages were shipped off yesterday, and I worked on the machine embroideries needed prior to assembling the next orders in the queue. I'll finish those projects today.

Brynwood Needleworks - Friends

After spending the day in the studio, I got dressed up and joined other guild members for our annual Christmas party. I always sit with girlfriends, Kathy and Nora (who used to own Sandy's Quilt Shop), and Karen. It was an enjoyable evening.

Brynwood Needleworks - DPQG Board (l-r: Pauline, Karen, Percy, Arleen and me. Absent-Lorraine.)

Before leaving, the current Executive Board posed for our annual photograph. Missing from the picture was our treasurer, Lorraine. The two tall gals in the back - Karen and I - are outgoing. Our positions (She's the current president. I'm the recording secretary) end in January. (Happy dance!)

I've "termed out", having served two consecutive two-year terms. In January, I'll hand over my notebook of minutes to another member at our January meeting, so the party was our opportunity to snap a picture of most of our current board. I'm looking forward to simply attending meetings for a change.

I just saw that yesterday's post represented my 2400th conversation with you!

I'm thinking this calls for a celebration. Don't you agree?

Well, seeing as Thursday is MY BIRTHDAY, I'll announce a giveaway then.

Please be sure to come back to learn more about it.

Brynwood Class Pineapple Show & Tell...

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Class Projects

There's nothing quite as gratifying as teaching a technique and then watching your students run with it. Such was the case for me last night.

Last night was our monthly guild meeting for Disconnected Piecers Quilt Guild, and we always have a Show & Tell time. Prior to all the members with projects standing up to show their accomplishments, we asked all the gals who finished a project from the Pineapple Block class I taught to stand as a group.

(This photograph: l-r: Karen W., Linda S., Lauralye, Kathy W., Nora B., Marti C., and Barb C.)

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Class Projects

I was so pleasantly surprised! They showed table runners - long and short - and Jamie has a quilt assembled! How much fun is that? (I can tell you from my perspective, a LOT!) Karen forgot to bring hers, so she stood in front, holding up a picture of hers on her cell phone. So cute!

 

They all did lovely jobs and said they're addicted to making the blocks. I can certainly understand that. So am I.

 

(This photograph: l-r: Nora B., Marti C., Barb C., Percy A., Jamie S.)

I'm heading to my aunt's in St. Cloud today. I'm staying with her so I'm only about a half hour away to go to Orlando on Thursday morning. She welcomed me with open arms when I suggested coming up for a visit the night before. I haven't seen her since my grandmother's (her mom's) 97th Birthday...five years ago. (Grandma passed in March, 2011.) 

 

We're both looking forward to the visit. I'll share more on my trip tomorrow.

I've Been Sewing On The Edge...

Brynwood Needleworks - Selvages

Fabrics edges, that is. I have great friends who have been saving their fabric selvages just for me! I spent part of yesterday cutting and sorting through all the remainders of their projects, along with a few of mine.

Brynwood Needleworks - More Selvages

These will be added to my growing assortment to make more quilt blocks, as well as smaller blocks for pincushions and project bag. For me, playing around in fabric, buttons and patterns is nearly as much fun as actually creating finished pieces. 

I'll be stopping in to say "hi" to the ladies at our guild Saturday Sew-in, but only for a little bit. We have an open house tomorrow, which means today will be dedicated to yard work and de-furring the house. So far, everyone who has viewed our place can't believe we have dogs. Guess we're doing something right!

That means there won't be any sewing time this weekend, but I have been knitting. I'll show you what I'm working on when we visit again on Monday. Happy Weekend, my friends.

Class Wrap-Up...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dressed In Joy - Our Latest Dress

I arrived early on Saturday to set up for our Pineapple block class and was met by Jamie. She handed a gorgeous dress for our "Dressed In Joy" campaign to me, and she even created a little doll for the pocket!

We now have 176 dresses, and I know there are still more coming before I deliver the entire batch on September 17th. Thanks to Jamie for our latest dress. I just had to give her a big hug!

I got all my class models and my machine set up and was finishing up as my students began to come in for class.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Quilt Block Class

Being the good blogger that I am, I remembered to take photographs to share with you. I enjoyed showing my students each step they would need to accomplish to make their blocks, and waited (or helped) as they did that step.

Once everyone had a finished row, I'd share the next step and then go to each student to be sure they understood how to use the trim tool correctly for that portion of their block.

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Quilt Block Class

I had a total of sixteen students, and our class ran from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Because I wanted them to get into the habit of using spray starch (Faultless Professional Spray Starch is my favorite), they needed to get up and head to the iron a lot. They were joking that it felt like church with all the "sitting and standing".

I should have worn tennis shoes, with all the walking I was doing. It's so gratifying to be next to my students when you see that they understand what I've been teaching and are ready to fly solo. It didn't take these ladies long at all!

Brynwood Needleworks - Pineapple Quilt Block Class - Finished Blocks!

We decided that we'd stop for lunch as soon as the ladies had their first block finished. We ate lunch around 12:30. Not bad, right?

After we ate, the ladies went back to their machines to begin work on their second block. I let them do the second block on their own, only helping by double-checking their tool placement prior to cutting. They were pros by the time we all headed home.

I can't tell you how much I enjoyed teaching the class. I'm already looking forward to my next class in the spring. It was wonderful spending the day with my quilting friends, but even more so because I was able to share a new technique with each of them. 

This week, I have more commissions to complete. Tropical Storm Erika will drop more rain on us, but nothing like originally expected. Perfect weather for staying inside and sewing.

I hope you have something creative planned for this week. I'm praying for rain for my friends in California; good health for a few of my friends who have been ill; and great days for those who are experiencing a rough patch. One of my girlfriends' basements flooded over the weekend...and it's where she has all of her sewing projects, machines and furniture. I saw photos and it's not at all pretty. I'll be praying that her space dries up and she can get back to normal, too. For everyone else, I send out wishes for a happy and creative week.

Tomorrow is September 1st. 

Aaaaargh! Where is the time going?