Post-Guild Meeting and a Tip!

Well I am happy to report that the Guild Meeting went off all right.

(my stuff in the car on way to meeting)

I spoke about blogging in general, a bit about the nuts and bolts, and a bit of the philosophical part.  It was a good experience because:
1. I had to think about what I am doing, and why
2. I had to speak in public, which is necessary now and then to not become too timid
3. I got to see lots of nice people, whom I like to be around
4. I got to see nice projects at the show and tell (this is Shirley H's quilt, which she is making as a charity quilt, hopefully it will be in the auction to raise money for Secret Santa donations, isn't it beautiful?  she is one of the most meticulous piecers I have ever seen)

5. Brenda figured out how to leave a comment!  and! she found the quilting tip useful- and is turningsome leftover pinwheel blocks into a kid's quilt!

Because I didn't think that everyone would be 100% interested in blogs, I did take a little quick tip visual along.  It was an idea I picked up somewhere in Houston, can't remember from who, maybe Fig Tree quilts?
Basically it is this:
To make a really cute lollipop looking block, 

 Instead of cutting out pie shaped pieces and sewing them together,
        simply sew 4 half-square triangle units into a pinwheel block:

 Cut the circle from the center of the pinwheel, and machine applique onto a solid square of background fabric.  -- That's all there is to it!

 After the meeting I stopped by the store.  I took my camera in to take some photos of the Saturday Surprise blocks, because I finally figured out a way to get them online,
and while I was browsing (and clutching my package of a new product I saw in Houston called Soft and Stable), and chatting, either Jenn or Jackie surreptitiously took a couple of photos of their own!! A- Ha!

nine-patch puzzle

Well, it seems to have happened again.  I started to make nine-patches without a definite project in mind, but not really intending to make it much bigger than a lap-size.  So, I cut some strips, and then a few more to match up some colors, and started sewing.  Now I realize that I will have enough nine-patches for a king-size quilt at least.  (Okay, I realize that those words have probably been voiced all over north america already) 

Nonetheless, it is my problem today.  So, I am trying to discover what is special about nine-patches, something that they do that four-patches can't do.
 I remember that at the quilt guild meeting someone asked me where I found inspiration for new quilts.  This is an example of inspiration-mystification, which might lead to inspiration-desperation.

I will use up these blocks,-- just not quite sure yet how that will happen (or how many new projects have been started).
Any ideas? Let me know!

Quilt Guild Meeting

Tonight I will attend the Quilt Guild meeting for the first time in several years.
I was a faithful attendee for many years until my husband had to teach a night class on Mondays one year and I had younger children I couldn't leave home alone.  Then, living out of town and getting busy with other things, I just got out of the habit.  However, a large number of my friends were met through the guild.  But tonight! I am nervous because they asked me to come and be their "featured quilter" for this meeting.  I have spent all morning biting my nails and trying to organize my thoughts.  It is quite difficult to decide what to say and what to take for show and tell.
I thought I'd sew for a little to calm my nerves, but unfortunately I have a problem with my machine that requires me to take it in to be fixed.  I was machine quilting yesterday at full tilt, and hit a safety pin --- Ouch!! It seemed to do something very bad to the tension.  I pulled out my backup machine, but no go with it either.  So, both are sitting quietly by the front door. (along with the stuff I pulled together for tonight)

One of the things I'm taking is this project I started yesterday before the big hit.  It is some odds and ends from other projects, and some cut-out pieces from a little beat-up set of embroidered doilies.  I'm planning to turn the pieces into a long table runner.  It is good sometimes to just sew together stuff that can't possibly be turned into a pattern.

 And... remember about the little round-top case? Well I tinkered around a bit and sewed a couple from felted wool sweaters, and they are just crying out for embellishment now!  I took lots of photos during the process, so I hope to turn that into a "How-to" posting. 

 Also, as I was exploring some ways to customize the blog, I added some links to other blogs, including Judy's around the world travel adventure!
Wish me luck for tonight!  thanks! michelle