Sunday, February 28, 2010

A Grand Day at Our Monthly Sew-in

This month I was able to go to our monthly sew-in at Anacortes. I missed last month because of the monster cold I had, so this month was more fun. And my friend Linda, from Fiber Fabrications came to the sew-in with me and that made it even more special. You should stop over and visit Linda at Fiber Fabrications - she makes the greatest crafts and spins her own yarns - and she raises Alpacas (that's where she gets the fiber to spin her yarn). Her other blog is Lost River Alpacas - and an amazing blog all about her alpacas.

And since she has so much spare time, she is doing a third blog about the upcoming local event -
Lynden Craft and Antique Show. She showcases the local artists that will be at the show - you get to see samples of what the show will be featuring. The ride down to Anacortes and back home was delightful with Linda - great company!!

And now to our sew-in - one of the best we've ever had. The theme for our potluck was a tea party and so there were fancy little sandwiches, tiny cookies, cupcakes, cheesecakes and all manner of delicious food. Many of the ladies wore hats, gloves and pearls and some wore silly hats - it was great fun.

We have show and tell during the sew-in, and this time there were so many projects finished or nearly finished during the day that the cameras were busy all day.

Linda in her clever shirt that she made - it is made of shop hop fabric and we spent the day reading the cute sayings on it - like "When I learned to sew I forgot how to cook" - it is a darling shirt.

Linda made this entire quilt top during the sew-in. It is a kit from the Downy Quilt for Kids project. Downy Fabric softener is joining with volunteers all over the country to make quilts for kids who have life threatening illnesses or children of abuse. You receive a free kit of precut fabrics, instructions and backing. All you have to supply is batting. Once the quilt is finished you sign your first name and the name you have given the quilt and send it back to be distributed to a deserving child. What a grand project.

Linda's kit had darling fairy fabrics . . . some little girl is going to be thrilled and comforted with this quilt . . .


Now for some quilts from Susannah. Double Wedding Ring in striking colors. . .


Close up of the wonderful fabrics . . .


Lone Star - hand quilted - and done . . .

Susannah does wonderful hand quilting. . .

Another close up of the hand quilting . . .

Susannah started this Broken Star only a few months ago . . . we helped her choose the fabrics at a sew-in. We did good, don't you think? And Susannah did a marvelous job on this quilt.


Close up of the center of the Broken Star - this is machine quilted. . . and wonderful . . .


And another Lone Star that Susannah is working on . . . She calls this her Elly May Lone Star. Don't you just love that blueberry fabric?


Tomie dePaola (da POW la) is a children's author of fabulous books. This is the block that Susannah made is from Stroga Nona - the books are wonderful and you should read them to your kids or grandkids if at possible.


Sue Bee's colorful star quilt . . .That blue really makes the quilt glow . . .

Close up of those wonderful stars . . .


Mary is making a wall hanging of these striking paper pieced stars. . . with sunflowers in the middle . . .



This is Fergie's Bargello quilt that she was working on at the sew-in . . .


Bargello with leaf borders . . .



Daisy made this darling cat quilt - even though she has three dogs - I guess they gave their approval . . .


Close up of some of the kitties - that night sky fabric is just purrfect. . .


Susannah was in a group challenge that ended this month. This is her entry. A wonderful Farmer quilt - with scenes from the farm. The scenes are done in needle-turn applique.



Next post I will show you the photos of our christmas carol challenge quilts - they are coming along nicely - we are on step four now.

Thanks for coming to the sew-in with us - we are happy to have visitors any time. . .

10 comments:

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Fabulous! Fabulous! Fabulous!

I always love to see what you all do. The colors, the designs, the needlework are wonderful.

I loved them ALL, and I couldn't get over the detail of the hand quilting on that lone star quilt.

Thanks for sharing...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Browndirtcottage said...

OUCH....OUCH.....these quilts were all so wonderfully good they were hurting me just to look at them...Oh wow...the broken star...I would love to make one of those sometime....and of course the star ones....yes...you know that I am all about stars don't you Joann...HA!!

I earmarked the tea wallet for the tutorial....thanks bunches!!

luv2quilt2 said...

What a wonderful way to spend the day! Beautiful work.

ooglebloops said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous quilts!! How long was this quilt in - that you got all this accomplished! Nice to see Linda outside of her own little blog world, in someone else's!!:>)

Pat said...

GOSH......what GREAT talent in that group!!! I wish Linda would make those shirts and sell them...I'd love to have one!!!

Lili said...

So many extraordinary quilts, and I can't get over that Linda finished the quilt top on that one during the sew-in. What a great cause. ~Lili

LINDA BYLSMA said...

Good coverage, Jo. You took some great pictures.

Jocelyn said...

Wow! These are beautiful!

Barb said...

What wonderful quilts, thanks for showing them. It was fun to see Linda too, great that you two got to dosomething together....

Crispy said...

Wow beautiful quilts!! I love the lone stars...always a favorite pattern. Everytime I see one of Sue Bee's quilts they make me smile, she does love stars LOL.

Crispy