Monday, June 27, 2011

A New Round Robin

I'm trying to be brave.  I really am.  I have had some very interesting experiences with Round Robins and had to do some major re-working on some of them.  It goes with the territory.  When you sign up to be involved in any kind of block swap or round robin you are taking a risk because some of the people involved are inexperienced quilters, but it really is a lot of fun. 


I wanted to do something really different for this one and maybe a little abstract for my center block.  My first choice of fabrics did not work well at all. 


I didn't realize the print was so directional until I had it put together and took a photo of it.  Yuck!












My second attempt was much better.  














I used a plastic template to draw a pattern........












.......and cut some shapes to applique onto my center block.












Looking good, right??  Love the fabrics, love the shapes, love the colors!  However, once I got the pieces stitched down and took a picture of it I realized that they look kind of like chicken drumsticks.  Eeeek!












I will probably add some more applique and embroidery to it once the completed top comes back to me.  The big risk with this one is this -- some of the gals in this group have a real interesting sense of humor so no telling what it will look like after several rounds are added.  It may end up with chickens and barns and all kinds of strange things.  It doesn't matter, though.  I know that whatever they do to it, I will love, love, love it!!!

Monday, June 13, 2011

Ready for Retreat

It's that time again -- time for Retreat!  I am really excited about seeing some of my internet quilting friends this week at a retreat here in St. Louis.  Thirty of my closest friends are meeting at The Mercy Center in Frontenac for five days of sewing, quilting, laughing and catching up with each other.   I have known many of these ladies for more than 10 years.  We met online and communicate mostly online, but get together every June for our retreat.  A small group of us manages to get together more than once a year by having "meet-ups" in Paducah, KY for shopping and lunch, and for the AQS Quilt Show in April. 


I have my projects prepped and ready to pack:  five 22" quilts basted and ready to quilt for the Neo-Natal ICU at St. Johns Mercy Medical Center.... 










....two baby quilts cut out and ready to put together....





















....and pieces cut out for a scrappy Pineapple Blossom quilt.









If I get all that completed and run out of things to do, the retreat center is less than a mile from one of my favorite quilt shops - The Quilted Fox

Faye is usually my roommate, but her daughter forgot to check on the dates of our retreat before setting the date for her wedding (can you imagine!?!?)  It won't be the same without her, but I'll do my best to have a good time.