Happy New Year 2024!

Leanne kicked off our first show and tell of 2024 with her red hot tablerunners. Carol Doak paper piecing pattern. 

 

Donna W. said this quilt has been years in the making. It is for a family member and is meant to be all in fun.  The panel of chickens is called Henfolks and Friendfolks  by Tricia Cribbs. 

Donna and I both worked on this pattern from Kathy Schmitz. Donna got hers done and I did not. Maybe later in January? 

Susan made this beautiful Flutterby quilt by Jen Kingwell. 

Does Donna M. have the oldest UFO ever? At 20 plus years, it probably is not the oldest by far! Donna made this top at a quilt shop in Richmond and decided it was time to finish it in 2024. 

Ann T. showed us some pretty pillows Donna M.  made using old blocks, including a Coconut Chips block. 

Meliss found just the right pattern for this fish and loon panel. The layout is from a Three Yard Wonder pattern. Her grandson lay claim to this quilt as soon as he saw it. Good choice!

Cece and her husband are fortunate to go to Prince Edward Island where they rent a cottage from a woman who owned a quilt shop once upon a time. She gave the kit for this quilt to Cece. Lucky! What a beautiful quilt! Kathy Boudreau quilted this for her. 

Judy R. displayed several of the "tree" napkins that she makes. She cuts a semi-circle from two fabrics and the rest is magic. 

Wow! Kathy takes the prize for most quilts at show and tell! Do you have a favorite? I think the last one, a wonky whirligig pattern, is my favorite. The story that goes with it wins a prize, too. Apparently, Kathy's grandson wanted a quilt big enough to wrap him up like a burrito. Grandson, your order is up!

My friend Andrea gave me this square of fabric that she ice dyed at a retreat in North Carolina. My friend Donna M. gave me some fish rubber stamps and a box of fabric ink pads. I went to town with fishes leaping all over the fabric. So much fun! Thank you Andrea and Donna!

Sandi went to a craft fair in Bowdoinham before Christmas. She bought these purple quilt blocks for a pittance. When she got home she wondered why she had not bought all the blocks the seller had for sale. She said she would try to track her down and get the rest of these crazy quilt blocks. Any luck, Sandi?

Lots of laughter, food, and presents at our Christmas party! We had to postpone our party in December due to weather, but January was better late than never! 

 

We rocked around the Christmas Tree!

Good Bye 2023!

Hello 2024!

It's beginning to look a lot like...Coconut Chips!

 

Barb embellished a rope bowl with machine embroidery.

She also showed us a small basket that Kathy gave her. The basket is made by clipping the corners of a fabric coaster or mug rug. Now you have yourself a little dish that can hold all sorts of little bits and pieces beside your sewing machine. That Barb, always first with the gadgets!

I've had this red doggie fabric for ages, years probably. So cute but I needed a project to finish up the last bits. I hope some child will enjoy this charity quilt for a long time. 

Diane wants to learn more about the birds of Maine so she made this great quilt. Can you identify any of them? I see a bluejay, a chickadee, and a cardinal. Nice job!

Betsy made this bright and lively quilt-just like her!

Donna stitched up this wintry applique design from Bunny Hill called Snow Birds. Do we have a bird theme today? 

Betsy bought this panel quilt when she was on vacation in Arizona. She was asking for quilting advice. Any suggestions?

"Coconut Chips" from Madison Cottage Designs strikes again! Donna M introduced us to this pattern and it has been a hit! We've seen many variations including this one from Leanne. Love the splashes of red.

Leanne loves paper piecing. She made these 3 inch designs from Carol Doak using EQ8. She made the cardinal as a card and others as ornaments. 

Brenda worked with a friend's blocks to make this donation quilt. Looks like yummy raspberries and blackberries to me!

Did you recognize this pattern? Jean made her own version of Bonnie Hunter's "Rhododendron Trail". Fantastic, Jean!

uh oh, there it is again...Coconut Chips! Donna is sending this bright and beautiful quilt to England. 

Donna is also sending these adorable bibs to England. The patter is "Bandana Bibs" by Yesterday Charm. 

Okay, birds are not the theme for the day, Coconut Chips are! Here is Kat's bright and bold version in purple and orange. 

After a friend passed away, Kat was able to make this quilt  from the friend's materials. She used some strip sets and other bits and pieces as the inspiration and came up with this quilt in memory of her. 

Who doesn't love some pretty little ornaments? Kat made these paper pieced ones. So sweet!

That's it for Show and Tell in 2023! Our Christmas party is next and then we turn the page for the New Year 2024! 

Keep on stitching and smiling!

Gathering and Sharing

Kathy is a longtime collector of selvedges. She has put them to good use with these items. Hot pad, vinyl zip pouch and a zip pouch without vinyl. Kathy is always willing to share and to teach. 

Ann made this pretty dragonfly quilt using fabric from dresses  in memory of a loved one. 

At our last meeting Elly showed us how to stitch partial seams. Here is the quilt she made using that technique. It is an ingenious technique and one that always make me think it can be done without partial seams, but no, you can't. Learn from Elly!

Elly made this gorgeous Christmas tree with gold lame star using a pattern and ruler from Mini Wonderful Curves. 

Leanne (with mask) made not one, but two glorious round quilts! She used a pattern from Philips Fiber Art called "Beginner's Bargello". Awesome!

Leanne also made two Christmas folded star ornaments. She used a free tutorial from Sandy Star Designs available on the internet. 

Sue K was also in a Christmas mood. She made these darling wool ornaments/gift holders. She suggested putting candy, gift cards or a small gift  inside. Who wouldn't want to receive on of these? Lovely! Pattern is from the book "Holly-Jolly Crafts Under $10". 

Diane has been busy again with another beautiful quilt. She started this one at our fall retreat. It is "Sew Scrappy Spools" by Lori Holt and is our chapter challenge for Maine Quilts 2024. Time to get busy, ladies! 

Ramona showed the front and back of this beautiful quilt. The back is a very sweet fabric and the front uses the Delectable Mountain block. She got the pattern from Bonnie Hunter's website. An easy pattern, Ramona said, and she made this quilt for a friend. Sweet dreams for someone!

Before our Thanksgiving feast at the hall, many members made zippered pouches with vinyl fronts. Meliss taught how she makes these handy accessories. Who wouldn't want one of these for craft supplies! Thank you, Meliss! 

After our meal, Donna M. demonstrated how to make fabric baskets, pattern by Sweet Jane. She had three sizes and we made the smallest size that makes a perfect gift with a jar of jam and a little quilt pattern or whatever suits your fancy. Just a little somethin' somethin'. I made the small size and Donna was very patient and generous with her instructions. Fun to make! Thank you Donna M!

We had a delicious meal with many people donating yummy dishes, everything from a turkey roasted by Andrea to mashed potatoes, cranberry relish, vegetable side dishes, biscuits, rolls, cornbread and more. What am I forgetting? Of course, dessert! Pies and candy galore. 

Of particular note was this recipe from Trudi with her side note...Enjoy!

Sweet Potato Souffle’

4 c. Mashed sweet potato. (3 large sweet potatoes, microwaved about 7 minutes until soft)
1 c. White sugar
2 eggs
1/2 c. Milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 stick butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
Mix well
—I scoop the microwaved hot sweet potato out of the skin and pop it into my mixing bowl. Then beat them until creamy.  Then put in the rest of the ingredients and mix well.

Crumble topping:
1 c. Brown sugar
1/2 c. Flour
1/3 c. Butter, melted
Mix together
Add. 1 c. Chopped pecans

Pour mixture into a buttered casserole dish.
Cover with crumble topping, arranging so the entire top is covered.

Bake 350’ for 35-40 minutes uncovered.
Enjoy

Side note….
For you northerners
The pronunciation of pecan is pee-cawn.  Not Pee-cAn.  We put the second pronunciation under the bed!
Tru

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

November Sharing

Judy L. showed us the Halloween "redwork" embroidery piece that she has completed. Instead of the usual red thread, Judy chose a bright orange floss. She is also holding the booklet that she got the design from. The title is Happiness and Cheer: Redwork through the Year. 

 

Carol made this lap quilt in modern gray and white neutrals. From Amy Smart, Diary of a Quilter. 

Diane was thinking about the Mariner's Compass quilt block that is our theme challenge for Maine Quilts 2024-Mariner's Compass: All Points Lead to Maine. She thought she would want to make the compass using paper piecing, so she had better learn how. This lovely bird quilt, called Back Yard Birds by Jodie Davis, is her dive into paper piecing. I don't thing she will have any trouble, do you? Fantastic, Diane!

Coconut Chips quilt pattern from Madison Cottage Design, introduced to Tacoma by Donna M. has been quite a success with our quilters. Jean made this one for charity. 

Meliss has been stitching up these darling mini-quilts. Traditional blocks, all half square triangles. 

Taking a break from the minis, Meliss made this quilt of her own design. Is it an explosion of colors or an implosion? Beautiful, no matter what you call it. 

Sue K made her quilt using jelly roll fabrics and a free pattern from The Fabric Garden. (RST)2 is the pattern. 

Sandy H. is quite pleased with her "Gem Bag" by Bethany Miller. Looks like that bag can hold a lot of quilting supplies. 

Another Coconut Chips quilt! Isn't it wonderful how different this pattern looks in different colors? A beautiful November quilt to snuggle under. 

The prolific Leanne created this stunning quilt. The pattern is San Julian from Villa Rosa Designs. Simple pattern but the fabrics gives it that "wow factor."

I made this mini quilt from a solid blue and a white fabric. Just simple nine patch, it was fun to make. It is ready to hang on the door of my quilting room. 

Sherry is in the Christmas spirit with these little ornaments. So sweet!

Sandy looks very enthusiastic about these little baskets that Donna M. is going to teach us how to make at our December meeting. I want to make one, too!

See that block that Elly is stitching? Looks simple, doesn't it? Experienced sewers like Elly, know that no, it is not so simple, but yes, once you know how, it really is easy. Partial seams, anyone? 

We are grateful to all our members who show their quilts and share their talents with us.