Show & Tell February 22, 2014

 

Left to right: Lois Rose, Donna Pachy, 

Kathy Nichols, Lu Karatzas, Phyllis Rice

Five ladies took up the challenge to finish their shawl/scarf/wrap (honestly all three names apply).
Donna Pachy started the parade with her shawl/scarf/wrap (honestly all three names apply) and Donna use narrow ribbon in the yarn to give the flower more definition.  That is a great idea!!  Like, I wish I had thought of it!!!  Donna did tell how she ironed the yarn around the outside edge and that was very tedious to do.  But it sure looked pretty.

Lois Rose shared her own version of the wrap/shawl/scarf, adding some bling to her flowers 

Kathy Nichols her wrap/shawl/scarf version which I love, love, love because she used extra yarns to embellish hers and made a yarn fringe.  And, of course, the yarn she used is some of my favorite.  Pretty cool, Kathy!  I'm going to be a copy cat!

Lu Karatzas - adorned her beautiful shawl/wrap/scarf and showed how she did an additional sew line down middle yarn that created a faux piping effect and helped the two outside yarn edges fan out better.  Lu is all about efficiency in sewing and her additional step accomplishes exactly that. 

Phyllis Rice - and last week was her first week! - shared her own completed scarf/wrap/shawl - now we're impressed with this newbie!!  Great job, lady!  And way to jump right in to the fun this club is all about.


Then Donna shared her completed March wall hanging that she beautifully free motion quilted, too.  Donna is right on track with the year-long monthly calendar wall hangings.  And she's so sweet because she makes these to send to her parents along with a homemade batch of cookies or other baked item.  That's doubly sweet!  And last but not least, Donna shared her completed "Cotton Theory" placemat which she did in a class during the week.  Donna used pretty batiks for hers.








Kathy Nichols - shared an adorable fidget quilt she made and her wrap/shawl/scarf version (see page 1)









 Pat O'Connor - not to be confused with Pat Cooper - shared a couple bags she made this week.  One is a great floppy stylish off the shoulder bag made from pattern called Fat Quarter Bag that uses 6 fat quarter fabric cuts (fat quarter as you'll see in the pre-cut fabric information is a piece of fabric that is 18 inches by 22 inches = a half yard of fabric cut in half = thus equals a fat quarter).  I love this pattern and made it years ago, so I'll attach it to this email and try to dig out my bag.  These bags hold tons of stuff I might add. 
The other bag Pat shared was a cute small tote/purse made using Quiltsmart's "Smart Bag Fun Pack".   When my first grandson Anthony was in daycare/nursery school and went up from infants to toddlers room where he had two sweet and nice young ladies.  I had the Smart Bag Fun Pack that makes two bags at one time and one trip up to CT made the two bags up and gave to the young daycare workers to care their lunch to and from home.  They absolutely loved the little totes.  I really wish I would have made template of the pattern pieces because it really goes together so nicely.  Thanks, Pat, for sharing both those bags this week because yours are made beautifully - terrific fabric choices - and I was able to call up a couple of fun memories doing the same ones.

Eileen DiSanto (the little one) - shared her same bag as Pat's - Fat Quarter Bag - and yes, the bag was almost as big as Eileen!!  Ha ha just kidding!!! 

And Eileen shared 2 fidget quilts in the making.  I love seeing the creative styles each of you develop and use for your process to make Fidget Quilts.  I'm glad that we don't have any contests or judging because it would be impossible to choose one winner out of all your uniquely made pieces. 

Suzanne Brown - really had a productive week and shared that with us.  First she shared a great doggie bed she made using two of the decorator fabrics we have stored on big rolls in corner.  They made up a terrific doggie bed!  And Suzanne shared some of the potholders and microwave bowl covers she's making for the craft sale that will be in couple weeks (see info below).

Lois Rose - This lady really is blossoming with her sewing growth!  Lois shared Fidget Quilts she made up, and her own version of the wrap/shawl/ (page 1)  Then, Lois shared what I think is a very special, rare opportunity that some let pass by, but not our Rose.  Over Thanksgiving and visiting her sister, Lois found a quilt top that was started by her mother at some time.  Lois went over the top and got it ready to add batting and backing, and she made the backing just perfect.

Lois' mom's name was Daisy, so she used daisy fabric and embroidered alternating Roses and Daises along the edges.  Then, Lois labeled the quilt in a special way, too.  She made two labels, one for her Mother's starting portion and one for her finishing portion.  Very appropriate and definitely very wonderful daughter honoring her mother.

Kathy Norquist - shared the progress she made on Folk Art Quilt she is making - by hand! - with beautiful felted wool pieces using Sue Spargo's lovely quilting pattern.  She'll now be gone until next year this time, but Kathy promises to keep us up-to-date on progress and plans to show us the finished quilt when she returns.  Awesome!  We will patiently wait for that treat!!

Bonnie Meyer - continuing her Plarn work - shared her St. Patrick's Day styled plarn bag in green and white.  Now, I'm jealous!

Cheryl Minieri - styling in with a gorgeous pair of sandals she got at Merle Norman in Colony Plaza - congratulations Cheryl on getting your foot lots better, too!! - shared the four (4) Fidget Quilts she made this week.  Now, that's our gal Cheryl... she's back!!  I love Cheryl's focus on Fidget Quilts and how she puts such thought and care into each add on and makes sure the front and back totally complement one another.  And, special to Cheryl's Fidget Quilts, the backs have texture and pockets, or something that fidgeting hands will discover.  Thank you, Cheryl, for sharing your inspiration with us.

Last but not least - our special Helen Lawrie - back from cruising with her hubby - Helen shared the Fidget Quilt - she made while on cruise! (How's that for devotion to her sewing crafting fun) and another loving doggie bed with Helen's artistic hallmark heart shaped center spot for doggie's resting.  We know for certain Helen was working on Fidget Quilt while on cruise because she brought in a picture taken of her doing just that!!  Lady, we love you!!  And doggies all over Sumter County in no-kill Humane Society shelters love you as well!!  You are a driving force behind the
doggie bed effort!!  Ruff-ruff!!

Show & Tell February 15, 2014

 Linda Parr started this week in a Very Gracious way - capital V & G on purpose - in describing her Mom, Helen Foxx, on Caring Bridge website, Linda succinctly wrote "Mom is always so gracious".   All of us fortunate to share time with Helen wholeheartedly agree that to be a perfect description of Helen.  What's that saying... Like Mother, Like Daughter - yes, it is perfectly applicable now to say.  Linda brought in to share the beautifully made memory quilt so club members could see up close the love it radiates.  Memory quilts are very special and are just always guaranteed hits, and they should be.  This one is so significant to our club because 1) each picture is Helen's awesome (radiant) smile and from our show-n-tells, 2) Donna, Kathy and Carol who made the quilt so lovingly, and 3) Linda's happiness to have been given these memorable pictures beautifully set and stitched in quilt.  Linda, you came yesterday very bravely and very graciously.  No doubt, Helen is smiling down from heavenly skies and very pleased with you. 

 Carol Planck - Perseverance describes our official queen of "bling" making it to meeting yesterday.  Carol - glad to see you gaining strength!!  Ladies, please continue keeping Carol in your thoughts and prayers because she is "not out of the woods" yet, and we don't want any more relapses occurring.  But for sure, Carol was on her game yesterday! sharing a backpack she fashioned for herself to hold the oxygen bottle - it's pretty heavy and the carrier they provide are hung off one shoulder.  By making a backpack pattern, Carol is more comfortable by distributing the weight of the bottle better.  Of course, Carol made a full-bling-fashion backpack!  Carol aslo shared her Jump Start Sampler Quilt that is complete with label, too.  As teacher of the 12-block beginner quilt class, I really enjoyed (with lots of pride) seeing Carol's masterpiece.  (Thank you very much, Carol!!)  And, last but not least, Carol shared a gorgeous tote bag she made for Edie Cave as thank you for Edie's very thoughtful visits and help during Carol's homebound days.  Ladies, you two are so nice to know!!

 Lu Karatzas - Lu updated that her brother received and hung immediately the beautiful organza wall art she made.  Lu also shared some of the patriotic I-Pad holders she made and gave Edie Cave one to send to her daughter who is currently in Afghan region on mission for Air Force.  Lu shared FYI that one of her friends thinks the I-Pad size covers are perfect for holding needlework patterns at angle to easily stitch by.   Another good use!!

 Sharon Ross - very styling new hairdo! - shared a super fun Fidget Quilt in usual Sharon creating fashion, including fuzzy soft bunny and beautifully stitched Sun Bonnet Sue.  Big Wow!!  And Sharon shared the tote bag she made with Plarn and purse in progress.  Plarn is Plastic Yarn!  Sharon's bags are really great as she's patterned the bags to create Plarn fabric combo of gray and tan by using Walmart and Publix bags for the Plarn.  Is that not a Hoot!  I tell you... that's a total Hoot!!  Plarn bags are so soft, too.  They are sturdy (we all know how much those plastic bags hold because we can stuff then so full they are too heavy to carry) - they are waterproof because let's face it - rain isn't going to ruin or shrink the Plarn.  I'm seriously considering trying to make one of these things.  Couple summers ago, one of the gals who came to Hemingway Pool everyday sat in the lounge chair and crocheted her plarn bags.  She said that it wasn't like fabric that could get ruined with suntan lotion, etc.   I'm thinking that might be an idea for this year for Miss Micki who wants to do everything to give a try... For now, I'm going to just be very envious of Sharon's combo bags because they're a Hoot!   Just a side note... Linda Parr is who first shared with Sharon the fun of Plarn, so those two had fun talking over the projects.  Linda offered couple tips that plarn should be cut 3/4" wide that makes nice width for crocheting and if plastic sticks at all, just use a bit of powder and softens and takes any of that away.  Sharon's tip is that she used a K needle and had no problem with strain on wrists.  Thanks ladies!!    I'm attaching the Plarn demo document from 2-3-4 (?) years ago.  I really should date those things I print out. 

Pat Pipa - shared an adorable Fidget Quilt - quite different from Pat's usual creations but nevertheless very nicely styled to comfort fidgety hands.









Lois Rose - shared one of the two mushroom baskets she made from Linda Lynch's demo last Sat.  Lois added some extra adornments including a handle.  Lois attended the respite day for Alzheimer caregivers sponsored by Carol McCarthy's organization.  She said that 26 Fidget Quilts were taken by attendees.  Lois said that the themes most wanted are patriotic and animals, and manly-like Fidgets are very appreciated, so ones geared to men themes really are helpful. 

Note from Lois: this photo shows both baskets made this week, including the one that tried to escape from my bag en-route to FFA&C.  Must have been the butterflies I put on it.

Show & Tell February 8, 2014

Lu Karatzas - made a woven ribbon piece and showed how she's turned hers into an earring holder - pretty cool idea!!  Lu showed us her "heart pockets" made with red for heart and black for pockets - great combo.  Lu has several EReader covers/pillows left that are made in the cashmere fabric.  There are just $10, money goes 100% to her choral group to attend competition this year, and they are fantastic - both covers and voices !! 

Pat O'Connor - shared a doggie bed and a quilt made for sister - big and beautifully machined quilted by Pat herself!  Lucky sister!! 

Edie Cave - made and turned in a couple very nice Fidget Quilt creations and the cutest little doggie bed.  Edie loves devoting her talents for others and that's just because she's so nice!!

Eileen D (DiSanto) made a beautiful stack of microwave bowls to share!!  And she made a piano keys themed Fidget Quilt that you could look at an almost "hear" beautiful music playing. 

Pat Pipa - Pat is another lady who devotes her talents for helping others, 2 and 4 legged ones.  Pat made doggie beds this week.  Pat also brought in her beautiful heart wallhanging from 2012 - Seems just like yesterday we made those beauties, doesn't it?!  Thanks for bringing and sharing with newbies.

BJ Herter - I asked, and our sweet Sunshine Lady BJ obliged and she brought in her excellently fashioned and sewn Valentine 3-D Heart Bouquet wallhanging.  BJ made the one in magazine picture with the pattern look 2nd rate because her version turned out stunning.  Thank you for 2nd look!!

Eileen N (Navikas) - shared one of her beautifully crafted Fidget Quilts and this one's theme is "Tea Party" with cups and saucers and teapots - Wow Factor Today!!  And in typical Tall Eileen fashion, a rag quilt made with small squares that turned out terrific.  Rag quilts usually made with 6, 7, 10 - 12, even bigger blocks, so seeing Eileen's about 3 inch, finish 2 inch quilt is pretty unique - opening up some cool ideas, too.  How about a 9-10 inch block rag quilt, sashed with rectangles and small 3 inch cornerstones?  That would be quilty doable!!   Plus a doggie bed.

Suzanne Brown - shared her Zen Doodle Wall Hanging - it's great!  Check out picture in scrapbook.

Should have been 2nd - but due to my "distraction problem" - Donna Pachy shared an oval fabric wrapped rope bowl.  Gotta say that this was quite neat and yes, made by a perfectionist!  I've never known someone to hem the strips of fabric before wrapping the rope.  There's a first time for everything, and so yet again, Donna ingenuity and creativity enabled her to fashion one of these bowls she would like.  You see most of us use batik fabrics and if a little (or lot) fabric fray stringys show on outside, it's not a big deal for us.  Not so in Donna's world of neat and tidy!!  I'm teasing Donna, but I did get a chuckle from this one.  FYI, fabric used is still some of leftover from curtains and valences made in her 1st Villager house.  We've seen that fabric show up in projects over past several years - all terrific, too!!  Donna - Kudos for your over-achiever status to hem the fabric strips - What a hoot!

Lois - shared the customized Fidget Quilt made for a Lutheran minister and she included embroidered "Welcoming Christ", Lutheran insignia, and "fish" signs in a beautifully sewn and styled Fidget Quilt going to private request.

Donna Rissman finished up the show-n-tells this week sharing a Happy New Year Banner wallhanging made for Laurel Manor quilting chapter,   Then Donna shared the fun way she mailed her grandson's Valentine gift using a plastic one liter bottle.  Is that not a Hoot - capital H !!!  Yes, it is!!!  Donna explained how she heard about it at standing in line at Post Office, and then how she went about making her own mailable bottle and getting it mailed.  No kidding, I did not make this up.  It really happened.  So it made me curious, and whenever that happens I do a "google search" of course.  And yes, there are tutorials written on blogs on just this very thing - mailing things in a cleaned and dried plastic bottle.  So I did the copy and paste routine from two of the blog's - one is mailing a bottle of sprinkles (yes, those candy toppings) and one is mailing using a soda size bottle, doing the cleaning, drying, cutting, stuffing, labeling, stamping, process.  It's one of those times that you shake your head, or scratch the top of your head, or just stand with your mouth open wondering if you are really awake or it's a dream.  Just when you think you've seen it all, something like this comes along...

Oh one more show-n-tell by a new member Kathy Norquist who is working on a wool felt project that is stunning and by Contemporary Folk wool felt artist Sue Spargo.  If you ever have time, Sue Spargo has a very interesting website, lots of patterns, lots of beautifully hand dyed felted wool, too.  The pattern Kathy is working thru is panels that will be joined into larger creation and is not one for a beginner to folk art and hand needle work projects.  It is going to be a treasure when done for sure.