Out of the Box Challenge

Our final meeting and Potluck are behind us now, and the summer stretches ahead. I hope you find lots of summer days for sewing and quilting! I won't say I hope there are lots of rainy days to sew, as goodness knows we've had enough of those lately!! I don't know about you, but I'm really ready for some sunshine!!!
Wasn't the Potluck great? We sure have lots of great cooks in our midst! I will soon be posting  recipes for several of the dishes we enjoyed. If there was a particular dish you liked, leave a comment here and perhaps the "chef" will be forthcoming with the recipe for us all to enjoy...
Our Out of the Box Challenge was a huge hit! My only complaint was that we only saw each piece for a minute at the most. Not enough time to really have a good look at them! Perhaps we can call them back in the fall for a display? What do you think?
We had 22 Challenge pieces come in - a great response, I thought. I think most participants liked the "open-ness" of the Challenge - the fact that we could do whatever we wanted to challenge ourselves. We didn't have to use given fabrics or certain colors which some find very limiting. It was great to have the freedom to choose what you wanted to do to reach out of your comfort zone and try something new. There was great variety in the pieces we saw- some challenged themselves with a new-to-them technique (machine quilting, hand applique, etc.) while others chose to work with fabrics or colors that were unusual for them. Thanks to all who participated. I have added half of the photos of the pieces here and I'll post the rest in a few days.

Raw edge work and Machine quilting by Marijke Hurkens

Many points, use of Fusibles and Hand Quilting by Marijke Hurkens

Use of  Perspective by Lee McLean

Use of Unusual Colors/Fabrics by Jean Burtt

Beading by Barb Sloan

Use of Pastels by Jane Gunn

Dogs instead of Cats! by Barb Perry

Unusual Color Combo by Barb Frame

Use of Kaffe Fasset fabrics by Sue Robertson

Use of least favourite color (Orange) and Hand Applique by Linda Hubbard

Miniature by Valerie Moreland

Machine Quilting by Barb Foster

 Stay tuned for the rest in a few days.

REMINDER: There's only a few more days to register for an edVentures class this summer and receive the Early Bird Discount. May 31st is the deadline for the discount.

Potluck tonight!!

A last minute reminder...tonight is our annual end-of-our-year Potluck! Hope you will be there!! Things will get rolling at 6:30pm. Bring your dish "ready to serve"- hot things hot and cold things cold as we do not have time or space to heat or refrigerate... Also don't forget your own plate, cutlery and mug to facilitate an easy speedy clean-up. Please wear your nametag to help our newer members get to know us all...
I can't wait to see all the Out of the Box Challenge pieces!! I know there'll be some interesting work to view!! Don't forget a brief write-up with your piece explaining how/why it was a challenge for you.
See you tonight!!

Sussex Vale - Our Sister Guild

A short while ago we got together with our sister guild in Sussex. This idea of pairing up guilds in the province grew out of the last Gathering of the Guilds in the spring of 2012. They hosted us this April and we will reciprocate in October. Over 25 of our members travelled down to Sussex for a very pleasant social day with a good number of their members. All present thoroughly enjoyed seeing Show and Tell from both groups - what a feast for the eyes it was. I have added a number of photos here of the Sussex gals' quilts, and apologize that I do not have everyone's names to give each one credit... but I hope you will enjoy seeing what we saw. There is certainly no shortage of talent in their group! WOW! Thanks ladies, for sharing your beautiful work with us!

 by Ann Snyder

by Vera Turner

by Gail Fearon

by Judy Steeves

by Helen Steeves

After a wonderful lunch, and the winning of some door prizes, we divided into three groups and played "Strip Poker".. no not the usual type with cards, but with dice and 2.5" strips of fabric. The lucky winners went home with a great collection of strips to add to their stash. A simple game, it didn't require too much brain power and it was lots of fun! All in all, a great day. We can't wait to have them visit us in the fall...

On a sad note, those of you who know quilting teacher Libby Lehman of Texas may not have heard of her recent illness. Last Friday, she suffered a brain aneurism and then during surgery a stroke. She is in critical condition and could use your prayers and positive thoughts. Her recovery is expected to be lengthy. Ricky Tims is giving updates on her condition and progress when he can, on his website The Quilt Show. Any of you who have attended the Ricky Tims Seminar would know Libby as she has teamed with Ricky and Alex Anderson for quite a while now. I have taken several classes with Libby in Maine, and can say she is one of the best quilting teachers I have ever encountered. Her humour and her willingness to share her vast knowledge make her unforgettable as a teacher. Please keep Libby and her family in your thoughts and prayers. If you would like to send a card to Libby, send it to: Libby Lehman, 617 Caroline, Houston TX 77002