Marach Madness

 Greetings Fellowship Quilters.  I am sure you are all very surprised to get this blog so promptly after the last one was so so late!  I am becoming more competent on my new computer and therefore wanted to get this out ASAP!
We had 31 members here for the meeting today on a still cold March day.  We are bracing for another storm over the next few days so all you ladies in warm weather areas stay put!
The blocks to the left are the block of the month blocks from Vi which we did over several months since we had such a low attendance due to weather in January.  Fun block to make!

 Pat has been making "little quilts" and had another one to show.  I am sorry I must of missed editing this picture.

 She also made a sewing machine cover out of recycled material for a family member who likes to recycle stuff...she even put lace on it!

 The project for today was making the wool dryer balls.  So here is the goofy pic of the day.. "Judy and Joy with their balls"  Ha Ha.  Fun project!

 Sue made these two blocks at the workshop last weekend.  Many of us went to the Trunk Show that was held the Friday before.  Beautiful Quilts and blocks made from scraps and recycled cloth.

 Claudia is sewing for Easter with the bunny basket and the spring bow basket.

 Jackie showed some of the finished wool Easter eggs she made...the project from last month.

 The pictures got out of order so here is Pat again with this adorable paper pieced project for the laundry room.  The pieces are so tiny!  Great work Pat!

Donna continues to make her calendar blocks.  The adorable Easter bunny is not quite done but is so cute.  She said she has a book with blocks but is also taking ideas from elsewhere.  We are such a creative group!
We had a long discussion about program ideas for next year.  A list has been started and members are asked to make some notes on cards or paper of ideas over the next few months.  We will have index card available next month to collect your great ideas.  Donna is on board for teaching  a salvage project...a pillow for example.  If you want to do this you need to be saving salvages cut with about
1 1/2 inches of material also included so you can see it on your project. 
We are also looking for a team of members to get the ideas, teachers and programs coordinated for next year.  Talk to your friends and put together a group!  It is not that hard to coordinate and only takes a few times getting together this summer.
April is diaper month for the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry and we had decided to take a $$ collection as Sally can buy diapers cheaper than we can in the local stores.  We started the collection because some members will be gone next month and already have over $100!!  So bring your cash to the April meeting.
The June 14th picnic will be held at the Yacht Club with help from Della.  It will be a potluck as before with members bringing their own table service.  There was discussion of making place mats that could then be donated to the Meals on Wheels program after we laundered them. So make a place mat if you desire.   Kathy

FINALLY February

 I have finally gotten this new computer to work like I need it to but it was a struggle.  Thanks to daughter in law Casey for helping me figure out a few things.
It seems like forever since we had our February meeting and I now need to see if my notes are good enough to comment on all the pictures and projects.  I ask for forgiveness ahead of time if I get things wrong.
Our program was so fun...making the felted wool eggs you see below.  Claudia did a wonderful job with the materials and the directions for this fun project.  I have almost finished my less than perfect first egg and now know what I will do different with the next one.   Thanks to Claudia and her helper teachers for their patience!
The pattern to the left and the cute duck below are patterns that they created for us.  Sooo cute.

 These are some of the more perfect eggs that Claudia brought to show us.

 Barb has a great little quilt that I think was from the work bee.  I did not take any  notes on this one!

 Chris brought this stunning blue quilt that is made from 10" strips and 6 inch blocks.  Pauline brought her log cabin quilt below that she made for herself and quilted in a crosshatch pattern.

 Connie continues to wow us with her wool quilts.

 Ruth has made several baby quilts for friends and this is an adorable blue one.

 Joan continues to make quilts with son Bobs block patterns.  What a talented son!

 I made this quilt with my daughter in law Casey to help her learn how to piece a block and make a quilt.  It is made from scraps from my stash, except the black, and really turned out wonderful!  The pattern is called Baby Bricks and came in several sizes.  This is the larger size block

 This is a block of the month that Della did last year...really eye catching!

 Della also did another bargello that we did last fall...great colors.

 Vi made this for her daughter in law and even used some of the blocks for the back, below.

 Barb has been busy with baby quilts and gifts and this is only one of many she showed.  She has been busy busy busy!

 Judy brought several purses she made and this one above is the Emmaline bag...a free pattern...but she did not put in the special snap piece and felt it worked just as well.  Great job Judy!

 Pat had several items to show.  The wolf is applique and she designed it herself.  The dancing cat is so adorable and the flower wall hanging  below is stunning. 

 Bev made this unique stitch and fold wreath..actually made several this season and  finished the snow man below...an UFO which is adorable.

 Pat did a great job on this bright table runner.  Below Pat continues on with her adorable small quilts.

Feburary Fun

Snowing and Blowing in January

 The snowing and blowing of January once again impacted our Fellowship Quilt meeting.  The weather was less than ideal with an overnight wet snow (for you absent Florida people).  So we had about 15 hearty souls at the meeting.  It was a small group but it gave us a chance to talk to each other and get acquainted with members we do not know well.  So there was a silver lining in all that snow.  We had the no machine program with Tracy and Kathy presenting rulers.  We had fun imagining what we could make.
My ruler was the Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star.  I am going to be making a quilt for Finnley and her mom wanted me to use this star.  I have never made it before and the points are very intimidating so I bought this ruler from the Missouri Quilt Store.  It has great instructions for a 3" TO 12" Star and a you tube video that was very helpful.   It showed the pressing and cutting instructions very clearly, especially for left and right handed sewers.  I have many more stars to go but have a good start.

 Tracy had several rulers from her Mom, a 4 patch and 9 patch ruler, that she demoed.  She also showed the blocks she is creating for some new quilters to learn quilt techniques at her church.  The blocks have religious themes to them and will make a great quilt in the end. We enjoyed her stories about each block.  She had to adapt some to make them work for her quilt.  Impressive!

 We particularly liked the block below which is called Children of Israel.  She had to change it to a 9 inch block to make it work in the quilt.  We thought this would be a great block to have in next years program so Della took it home along with the directions to make a program!! Sounds fun!!

 What an attentive group!!

 Pat brought her little/big bag that she will be teaching in in May.  Just a reminder that if you want to do this project you need 5 yards of belting and two pieces of 23x30 heavy fabric.

 Vi had the block of the month and what a fun one it is, the Z block,...unfortunately we were such a small group that she has many left over. So we moved the schedule and will do this block next month again to be able to make enough for a quilt.   I know  you all want to make it so that works out great.

 Pat made this beautiful sweat shirt jacket...a really different look with the sweat shirt showing thru.

 Shaun made these blocks from a program a few years ago.  She has lost the pattern and wonders if someone has the pattern or remembers the name and who did the program.  Great block!  It you have info let her know.

 Della made this for a soon to be born great nephew.  It is really adorable and she did a great job with the quilting and applique.  The colors are outstanding.  What you can't see from the picture is that the animal materials have patterns that give it texture.  Great job Della!

 Vi showed us several quilts...this bright one really shows off the center blocks.

 Vi said this is her favorite quilt.  It has pictures from her trip with her family.   It is a beautiful tribute to a family gathering that all will treasure.   i love the colors.

 Lynn brought her quilt of valor we did in October and she did it a bit different with cutting the strips into blocks and adding sashing and getting two quilts!  Great job!!  I know they will make someone happy.

 Barb made these beautiful place mats with pictures of flowers from her garden..stunning!!

 Barb also made the quilt below for a granddaughter..an adorable penguin applique in the center.

 I hope that all of you have been to the Dennos Musuem to see Ann Lovelace's breathtaking ...I guess it is a quilt but perhaps fiber art is a better term...and winner of Art Prize.  I went today with Della and granddaughter Frankie who loved all the colors.  It is a must see for anyone who is a quilter.  The rest of the fiber art is pretty amazing also.

We will hope to have better weather next month and see more of you at the meeting.  A quick note...we need another hostesses for the March and April meetings.  Also we need party planners for the June picnic..to do set up , provide drinks, table cloths and center pieces.  Joan let us know that we will not have the use of her community building for the June picnic.  Other options were discussed, but if available we will probably come to the church.
Safe travels to those away and those traveling thru northern Michigans winter!!  Kathy

Christmas 2015

 Happy Holiday's to all the festive Fellowship Quilters!!
We had a great holiday gathering a few weeks ago to celebrate the joy and wonder of the season.  I think we all felt the  fellowship that our group incorporates in our name.
It is wonderful to be part of a loving and supportive group that has such talent and creativity!
We are a group that is so giving of our talent and the diverse projects we produce.   Most of the beautiful projects in the pictures below are gifts...that says tons!
I forgot to let all of you know we gave a quilt to Deb who works in the office of the church as she is starting chemotherapy for cancer.  Keep her and her family in your prayers this holiday season.
We also signed Christmas cards to send to members under the weather and who are no longer living in our area.  We miss all of them very much.  I also forgot to read a thank you note from the director of the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry...I will do it in January.
Chris made this jacket with the fantastic applique!
The show and tell this month was inspirational as usual.

 Sue made this bag and adorable stacked tree.

 Look at this stack and wack...each one is so different and make a stunning quilt!

 Judy had two great holiday projects.  The tree below has tiny lights inside and is really unique!

 Connie does wonders with wool and the quilt above is further proof.  She says she has to decide how to quilt it...hand or by machine.  Either will be stunning.

 Yours truly had two projects to show...the quilt above for new granddaughter.  Made in the strip pattern we did several months ago.  A second similar quilt is in the works for the second new granddaughter.  The Santa below is a wall hanging for a dear friend.

 Ruth made this cute duck quilt from some material she got from Marcia...adorable and Marcia is surely smiling in heaven .   We miss you Marcia!!   Great job Ruth!!

 Barb made this table runner and it is just beautiful.

 Joy made a cute table topper for Christmas.

 Betty finished her round robin wall hanging.  She did the square in the middle and others added the borders.  Such a great job by all of them.

 Judy made these emmeline bags that have a snap opening along with a zipper.  They are very cute and make wonderful gifts.  Hers are all going to very lucky people.  Check out the free pattern at
emmalinebags.com

 I took pictures of all the festively dressed members but will not put  in all the names.  There were lots of red sweaters and smiles!  We aren't even drinking wine!!

 We had a delicious lunch prepared by the students of TBA.  They came in at the end and sang us a verse of We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  Great end to a great luncheon.

 Judy did a spectacular job of planning our  party with Pat and her other elves to help.  We had a drawing for a bunch of presents and Pat S. was the first to get a gift.  Our smiles say it all...we are a group who take the fellowship of our name seriously and share the love with each other.
I hope everyone has a great holiday season and enjoy their family and friends.  See you in January.
Kathy