September 2012

 September is traditionally our last Block Exchange meeting. It's when we show all the blocks, some over-achievers might even have their tops together, and, yes, we have another meal.

This year, however, we didn't meet in May because of Memorial Day ... so we've extended the fun until October ... so there's still an opportunity to be an over-achiever. And, get those last few blocks done.

Because some of us live close enough to be here in person, and because some of us don't, and because all of us are insanely busy ... these photos are meant to bring the experience to those who weren't able to make September's Block Exchange.

So, you get the idea ... we sit around and talk ... get some food and talk ... 

show our blocks, take pictures and talk.

 

This is Terry's quilt that she made for her in-law's 40th wedding anniversary, in 1994. 

Sadly both of them passed away this year, so the quilt is returned to her.

 

Here's our wonderful hostess, Louise, taking pictures ... just like Ruth asked!

Bonnie showed us what she's been doing in the past year. She retired and made 10 quilts

 (and she said she didn't even make any this summer). 

Bonnie's been doing some improv piecing. You'll see her work in Victoria Findlay Wolfe's upcoming book 

15 Minutes of Play.

 

Slice and dice (that's not the real name, just the one I made up).

 

This one is called sink holes in Spanish (I don't know what that word is), another improv quilt by Bonnie.

 

Then, Bonnie said she thought she better do some more traditional quilts ... so she did this one (above).

 

Quilted by Angela Walters

 

Whew! When can I retire and make 10 quilts in less than a year?

On to the Block Exchange pictures!

This one is Carol Schon's from a couple of years ago. Some of us ... myself included and probably leading the charge ... have quilts from past block exchanges that are curing. 

We are waiting for the right time to put them together. (That's our story and we're sticking to it.)

 

These are Terry's blocks. She chose Contrary Husband (not that any of us have any of those). Terry asked us to do her block in blues and whites (obviously). It makes a wonderful secondary pattern, that makes me forget what the original block looked like.

 This one is Jan's. We put the nine-patch blocks together for her and she did the applique.

Jan said this is how this quilt wanted to be put together ... 

advice from Jan: Listen to your quilts, you'll sleep better.

These are my swoon blocks, with the gray background. Since we have so many people in our exchange, 

I will get two quilts out of one year, not that they will be done, 

but the blocks will be done (see above comments about 'curing').

 

This is Carol Schon's block from this year ... We sewed the strips together, 

and Carol sliced them up, and put them back together.

We didn't have everyone there but as usual it was an evening full of food, fun and friendship.

I am lucky to be in the presence of such wonderful women. 

They are creative, wise, strong, brave, great cooks and sweet.

I will be forever grateful to Ruth, who started this exchange, 

for inviting me to play because I have received so much more than quilts 

(even if some are blocks in boxes) -- I have gained friends.

-- Eileen