My quilting lately has been a bit Scattered

This Autumn has started off quite unusual. Although the leaves are pretty, the weather has been warm and inconsistent of normal temperatures. My quilting activities over the past month or so have mirrored this same inconsistency.
Like scattered leaves - it's been all over the place.

Blocks 19 & 20 of the Stonefields quilts, the block is called "the Oscillator".
I have my own affectinate names for the themes I've chosen:

COWBOY ROUNDUP

ALICE & the LOOKING GLASS:

My most recent Dutch Treat blocks:

DOLPHINS

SPADES

KING ARTHUR

I've joined a few of my friends in beginning a new EPP BOM program by Sue Daley called Round We Go. Only I have decided to machine piece my blocks rather English Paper Piece them. I already have WAY too much hand stitching in my current project pile. Here are my 1st set of blocks:

For the next 6 weeks however, it will be time to reel in my sewing activities.
I am focusing full time on the task of hand quilting all of my SVBAQ blocks.

My quilted blocks are starting to pile up but I still have a ways to go before I'm finished. I want my quilt ready in time for the submission date of entries for the Botanical Exhibit the Virginia Quilt Museum will be hosting this upcoming Spring. You can learn more about the exhibit HERE.

Are you currently focusing on a special project?
I'd love hear what you're working on!

every quilt tells a story.....

QU Fall Event featuring David Taylor

David Taylor is an award winning Quilt artist specializing in portrait quilts. Quilters Unlimited of Northern VA was honored to have David as our Fall Event 2017 Lecture Presentor on Thursday October 19th. Seeing his work up close was awe inspiring. His talent - like his personality, is truly captivating!

David Taylor's Lecture was very engaging. I heard quite a bit of related laughter from the audience as David spoke of his fabric obsession. There were also many "gasps of Awe" as he shared magnificent pictures of his work.

His workshop on Friday, October 20th was very educational. He shared his creative process with our members as well as many of his tips and techniques. He left our students inspired and eager to apply his methods to their own work.

See more of David's stunning work on his website here: David Taylor's Website.
David will also be teaching at QUILT FESTIVAL in Houston, November 2-5.

Our Centreville chapter had the honor of hosting this amazing event! I'd like to thank all of my CQU chapter sisters for their volunteer efforts that helped to make this Fall Event a huge success!

every quilt tells a story...

Exciting Lecture, Trunk Show & Workshop event by Barb Vedder

When the Vice President of my guild Centreville Quilter's Unlimited, informed us she booked Barb Vedder as a Guest Speaker for our October meeting - I was beyond the Moon excited!
I'm an avid reader and huge fan of Barb's blog: FUN WITH BARB.

She provided a Lecture and Trunk Show presentation to my guild this past Thursday evening October 12th. What a treat to see some of her amazing quilts up close and in person.

The next day was Friday the 13th. How appropriate that Barb taught us an English Paper Piecing workshop/class titled "Hex Vex".

Here are a couple of close ups showing Barbs Halloween table runner and her amazing Hex Vex quilt:

For those unfamiliar with Barb Vedder - she is a nationally known lecturer, and award winning Applique' Quilter. Barb is also funny, fun, personable and very down to Earth.

Although we had never met in person before, I've considered her a blogging friend. And now that I had the priviledge of spending a few days with her, I am blessed to have walked away from this experience with a new and special friend!

If you are looking for a Guest Speaker for your Guild or Quilting event, I highly recommend that you consider Barb Vedder. Our quilt chapter really enjoyed her Program and Workshop and are still chatting excitedly about her visit. You can find information about her Lectures & Worskshops on her blog HERE.

every quilt tells a story.....

Introducing Eagles of Peace, a special group effort

I am a member of a volunteer group organized to donate our time and efforts to assisting the Virginia Quilt Museum. This Spring and into early Summer, our team was very busy working together to create the 2017 Opportunity Quilt for the museum. It is an applique quilt titled "Eagles of Peace".

The quilt measures 74" x 77". It is a reproduction of a quilt in the museum's private collection dating back to the mid 1800's titled "Hannah's Eagles".
Below is a close up of part of the original quilt.

Here are some pictures of our journey....

Our first day

the day we finished the quilt top

Hooray it is finally quilted

a close up of the quilting while hanging in the museum:

We refer to our group as the "Friends of the Virginia Quilt Museum". I am honored for the opportunity to work with these talented quilters and priviledged to also call them Friends.

The women that I worked with on this quilt are: Nanette Bell, Susie Corrao, Marcia King, Lisa Matlick, Jaclyn McEwen, Annie Mitchell, Gail Muller, Laurie Sanders, Harolyn Small, Patti Snyder and Pamela Wynfield.

The purpose of this quilt donation is to help raise funds for the museum. It will remain on display (or perhaps even travel to quilt shows) where the public can view it and purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win the quilt at the drawing event next Spring. If you wish to visit the museum's website to see the original quilt - Hannah's Eagles, or purchase tickets please click HERE (a full size pattern for this is also available at the museum and on their website)

every quilt tells a story......

Mystery Quilt Reveal

The past 2 years I have designed the "Scrap Happy Mystery Quilt" for the Centerville chapter of the Quilter's Unlimited Guild. This year the Haymarket chapter also joined in. Above is the reveal of my original quilt/design for this Mystery. It was very exciting to see pictures of our members' finished quilt tops.

Haymarket members hosted a Parade of Quilts:

I would like to Thank everyone that participated in the Mystery Quilt Sew Along!
This is such a Fun and Adventurous group of Quilters.

every quilt tells a story....

Back to blogging....

CROSSWORD

LOGO

These are my first 2 Dutch Treat blocks for the month of June.

I apologize for my little "break" from blogging the past few weeks.
I've had some significant events and deadlines that have kept me constantly busy.
The work is all done and I've taken with me some fun and fond memories.
Now I'm ready to play in my sewing room again.

This is my Red Touch Me Not Botanical Block for the month of June. See the blocks that other quilters are sharing on the SVBAQ blog HERE.

Last week I took a road trip with friends to La Bee da Loca in Culpeper,VA.

A reminder of how important Bees are for our environment:

I came home with some of Felicia's locally farmed Honey and a few other treats.
And earlier that morning my friend Peggy Baer presented me with this Queen Bee keepsake locket. I LOVE it and think it's BEE-utiful!

This sculpture in front of the Culpeper Visitor's Center describes what I thought of our fabulous day: