Well the weather outside was frightful, but by the fire with friends was Delightful!

Some of the ladies may have been singing "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow" as they arrived;

however, they had quilting to do!  So some of them braved the cold and came out to get it done. 

Our prayers go out to friends who have experienced deaths in the family, health emergencies, etc, etc. etc.  Be remembering everyone in prayer at this time of the year, for happiness and health.

Clay Center Piotique Quilters Guild needed a quilt for a family that had a fire and lost everything.  Carol had been donated a top, Susie quilted it, Carol got the binding ready and our ladies spent the morning sewing it down.  Great time to be with friends, doing something we like and for a very good cause.

Vevia had gone to the craft show at Wakefield museum last Saturday and picked up a new hot pad to share with Donnis.  This one is done in a hexie shape with 8 layers of cloth, plus the batting.  No binding, layer, sew, turn right side out.  Looking forward to seeing the combinations of fabrics that our ladies come up with.

Great time to talk and work by all.

Machelle showed some of her mother's Grandmother Flower Garden blocks and the ladies discussed how and where they could be used.

Lots of hands finish a project up real quick.  Beautiful quilt to brighten up that family's day.

Thank you ladies.

Didn't get what made Leila and Lorraine laugh so hard, but that was the day.  You know how the giggles get going and who knows why.

Susie had brought in her light box so that Machelle could trace off an embroidery pattern.

Transfer tools - wow is that a discussion all of it's own.

Carol was catching up on finishing some hot pads, which we can not show till AFTER Christmas. Leila was checking out the "Mary Jane" magazines

Machelle finally decided on the pencil to use and away she went.

We decided to have Show 'n Tell before lunch.  This is the top that we have seen Machelle working on.  A stack and whack and move some to the bottom and then sew together and then stack and then whack and then move some to the bottom and then sew...........................Think you got the idea.  Crazy technique that turns out a lovely block.

Carol has been creating away and made something for Vevia for Christmas.  Here she is putting on the finishing touches.

Isn't this the cutest Christmas Tree you ever saw.

(remember, click on the picture to have it enlarged for better viewing)

Carol, you are so clever and talented.  This is a wonderful gift - THANK YOU!!!

What a great time of year to receive gifts.  This crocheted mat was a gift to Vevia from her baby sister for "MOTHER'S DAY".  Okay, so Luella was a bit off on the delivery.  But it is gorgeous and in the right colors.

Vevia and her three sisters honor their mother every Mother's Day' by rotating who's turn it is to send a hand made gift to all the other girls.  They have been doing it since 1984.  Great way to remember Mom and each other.

Vevia is going to be a Great Aunt again in February - this is for the little boy that is coming into the family.  The quilt was done in strips, quilted, and then the strips are sewn together in the rag style.

She is also going to be a Great-Great Aunt in February - this is for the little girl that is due.

Both quilts have flannel fronts and fleece backs.  This one was done in the quilt as you go style.  Start in the middle and quilt the middle strip down, then add strips to the top and to the bottom one at a time and quilt.  Works up easier, less stress to the shoulders than quilting it all as one whole.

Labels on the back, each have an embroidered boy or girl and the info.

Lunch - so good!  Sorry I did not get a picture after Carol brought her 3 pasta casserole out of the oven and set it down bubbling hot.  Oooooohhhhhh was that good.  And Machelle's beer bread didn't get into the picture either.  She warmed it up and the butter melted into heaven.

Everything was grrrrrrreeeeeaaaaaatttt!!!!!!! Borrowing Tony the Tiger's famous yell.  Look at all these desserts.  Yeah!!!!!!!!!  Don't you just love the holidays?

We were smart though, we only took a small serving of everything, or almost everything.  hahaha

After lunch, Susie laid out her twilling BOM blocks that she is doing at the Piotique Quilters Guild.  They are so lovely. (hard to get a good picture of though)

It may have been snowing as we pulled in, but by the time we left - Machelle had swept the sidewalk clean and the roads were almost bare.  It was great to see Esther drop by before we all left also.

Thank you ladies for a great day.

Merry Christmas!

See you in the new year.

Good Friends Bring Out the Sunshine!!!!!

Susie arrived in the rain, next group got some heavy sprinkles, next group got some spits, and slowly the drops shrunk and the day got brighter..........inside as well as outside.

Count down day!!!!

4-Patch Exchange deadline - and everyone made it.  Yeah!  Give us all three cheers!!!!

The last of the 4-patches were exchanged and Lorraine took the opportunity to get started on how she might put hers together.  

Donnis helped out with some hints and tips and Lorraine tried several layouts.  Will be exciting to see what she and the other 14 ladies come up with.

Bev R. had stopped by to drop off a quilt and was able to stay for a bit and see what everyone was up to.  Course there is a lot of exchanges of information, ideas and such before we all get down to work.

Jan was sewing on the binding to a "Quilts of the Heart" for the Manhattan Konza Prairie Guild.

Leila enjoyed books and magazines that different ones brought in.........

that is until she was able to find a needle and a thimble so she could help Carol with the binding on her quilt.  Think Leila will always bring her own tools from now on - whether she has a project in mind or not. Hear tell that quite a few may be bringing in quilts that have been done for ages - but the binding is not sewed down.  Watch out Leila, you might get too busy to do anything else.

Course Carol got a laugh that she tagged Leila first.

Lisa came over from the restaurant to see what all we were up to - guess we were extra quiet and had her scared.  Janet also took the day to put on binding.  It was that kind of day out.

Lisa wants to finish the blocks she has been working on for a bit - so she can put this lovely work all together and see how it looks.

Frances was putting together blocks for a project that she is working on - nope, not sure what exactly it will be yet - but she'll think of something to put the blocks in.

Susie was also sewing on binding.

Machelle started a quilt about a month ago, got everything labeled and going along and - oops!  Something is not going together right.  Everyone had a chance to tell her what they would do - Donnis encouraged Machelle to do what she thought was right - it will come out okay.

So pretty - and we all know that Machelle always does a great job.

*********

After lunch was Show 'n Tell.

This is the pattern that Machelle is working on.  This first one has 9 blocks in it and she liked it so much that she decided to make a bigger one - the one she is working on above.  We agree Machelle - it is a fun looking quilt.

Jan is hiding back there a she shows us what she has been sewing the binding on to.....almost like a puss in the corner block.

Okay, Donnis is way ahead of the rest of us in the 4-patch exchange.  She did not want to make a large project, so when she had enough to make this table runner for herself - away she went.

What an inspiration she is - rats, now we have to get to work.

And don't worry, Donnis has ideas for the balance of her blocks too.

Lisa came up with the idea for every one in the exchange that is interested, put $5 into the pot, design and finish a project with your 4 - patches by a certain date and then..........................please get with Lisa to get all the details and to sign up.  Sounds like fun and someone is going to really come out a winner........$$$$$$$$$

Donnis put some of her 4-patches on the back also.

Please note the label.  You go Donnis!!!!!

Donnis is getting a lot closer to finishing her Christmas project of pot holders.  Some of her girls like them smaller too, so she has a couple of sizes.

Okay, was this in 2012 or 2014 or........

Each month, one of us showed the others how to do a block and then we put them into a wall hanging.  Deb used fabric from her mom's stash and has finished the top and now sending it off to Susie to quilt.  That red really made it zing.  Looking forward to seeing it completed Deb.

We need to bring them all together one day - who's ready?

Deb told us about this quilt and showed this picture from her phone.  She sent it to me and I put it here for you all to see.  May not be the best picture, Deb says, but it is a lovely quilt.  Remember, click on pictures to see them enlarged.

Susie found another vintage table cloth and has given it a longer life in a quilt.  This one had cross stitch embroidery on it AND Broderie Perse flowers.  Click on the style to read more about the technique.

Look at all that embroidery.  The purple and pink flowers are the BP applique, the red rose and such are done in cross stitch.  Look at the quilting.

Great job Susie.

This is the quilt that Leila was helping Carol bind.  Sunbonnet Sue's are done.  When we asked Carol which of the girls was getting this quilt - hmmmmm, maybe no one for awhile.  Good choice Carol, keep it and enjoy.  Later hand it down.  Susie had done the quilting.

This is the quilt that Janet was putting her binding on.  Such a great way to use fabric that has larger designs on it.  Cut them up small and you lose them.  Love the white - it really makes those blocks stand out.

This is the pattern that Janet used.  Oh my!  What a change fabric choices can make.

And here are the Wonky Houses.  This is Carol's version.

And this is Janet's.  Janet's sister had brought the pattern up for her visit and the ladies had a great time putting them together.  Now comes the fun part for the quilter -  how to quilt them?

This is going to be fun to see when finished.

Think Carol has a few more animals to put on hers.

Time to get packed up to go home - and everyone was oohing and aahing Susie's bag she carried her quilt in.  Got the Scottie in Des Moines - colored and embroidered it and the bag was a cinch (Susie's words to the ladies - ha ha) and presto, you have a useful beauty.

So many ideas floating around.

OKAY, what shall we work on now?

Next month is our Banquet for Christmas.

Jan is making jambalaya

Vevia is bringing an alternative dish

Deb - cornbread

Donnis, Lorraine and Leila are bringing dessert.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH!!!!!

Frances is bringing fruit.

Susie paper plates, napkins, bowls, cups.

 Machelle is bringing silverware and broccoli salad

Shirley dessert or side dish

still plenty of stuff needed for the spread - so drop a note to Machelle when you know what you might bring...........it's always too much - hahahaha - but oh so good!!!!!!!

Have a safe and thankful Thanksgiving!

See you in December.

October full of laughs and fun

Have you ever noticed that when fall hits and the cool weather starts to peak in - folks let loose and have a fun time?!  Seems like you feel lighter and more alive,  for a few days any way.

Was great to have Jan with us again.  Believe it or not, we did not pick on her as much.  Thinking maybe that's why she "can't" always come.  (ha ha)

Good turn out with a visit from the past postmistress of Clay Center.

Carol brought in one of her quilts to square up and figure out the next border

Janet was putting on binding to #1 of 4

Donnis also was finishing some binding

Here is the quilt that Carol is working on.  Real tricky to make sure you cut that one fabric in the correct direction - it's trees.

Had to get a shot of Jan's sewing case that a friend made many years ago.  So cute!

Lorraine was in well form and full of fun and laughter.  She's showing us another black and white quilt - she could possibly do - NOT!  hahahahaha  We had the privilege of  enjoying Lorraine's sense of humor when she is wound.  Thank you ever so much lady for the laughs and stories of real every day life.

Leila worked on a table runner - when she wasn't giggling at Lorraine.

Not sure how Machelle did it - but she stayed focused on doing up a quilt that Dee had showed them how to do in 2008.  Lots of prayers go forth for the lady this is for......cancer hits too many people.

Praying for you Machelle that you get it done for her in record time.

Lunch was followed by Show 'n Tell.

This quilt, Carol got at a radio auction.

She got several things on her bid, the quilt was what made it worth it.

We thought maybe a double.

Machine appliqued and hand quilted.

Donnis did finish the binding for this baby quilt for a new great grandson.

His bedroom is blue and yellow, which makes this quilt perfect.  Susie quilted it with yellow thread that really brought the final touch.

The quilt that Janet was binding - got finished.  Yeah!  She picked up the fabrics in Colorado and  she bought enough of to make four quilts.  Click on the picture to enlarge and note all of the fun fabrics she got.

Jan was putting the binding on this "Quilt from the Heart" for the Manhattan - Konza Prairie Guild.

Wonderful panel made into a darling quilt.

She also brought this table runner in to work on.

Leila almost had this table topper done - love what she comes up with from SCRAPS.

Vevia brought in this stay put kitchen towel and coasters that are going to be some of the projects that Piotique Quilters Guild members will have an opportunity to do this coming Saturday at their Sew Day.  Donnis makes oodles of the larger hot pads and by using 5" squares - you can make coasters and make them round and you have wine glass coasters that fit on the bottom of the stem.

After Show 'n Tell, Machelle showed us how to do cut #3.  Wonderful way to do a 'whacky 9-patch'.

And no fretting on matching anything.

Okay - here is the recipe that Vevia gave out ........

click to enlarge recipe, then right click to copy, paste it into a word document and print it out.  Remember - less mayo and add meat.

hahahahahahahahahahahahaha

Isn't that what recipes are for - changing?  hahahha Yep!

Thank you everyone for a wonderful day.  Hated for it to end.

See you next month and if by chance you are wondering what "Apliquick" is, click here to see a short demo with Lynette Anderson.  You can see all of the tools available here, from Jinny Beyer.

All About Quilts carries the tools and Sheila at Sew Country will order them for you.

It is a prepared needle turn method, tools were designed by a Lady in Spain.

And they are totally AWESOME!  Wait till you see what you can do with them!

Needle turn applique will no longer make you shudder.

See you then.