One of the very best things about quilting are the friends
you make along this creative journey. Just as there are always new techniques
and skills to learn, and new quilts to make, so, too are there new friends and
new adventures to enrich your quilting experience. With more free time in
retirement, I’ve gotten to spend more time with quilting friends both far and
wide – and I’ve picked up several quilting projects along the way!
During a guild retreat in January, friends Sonya O. and
Debbie L. were working on a fabulous quilt called Morningside designed by Chris
Schulte of Green Light Quilts in Nashville. The bird houses and flowers, and the colors are so amazing
and fun! Well I bought the pattern (but haven’t started it yet!). But, I took
it one step further by reaching out to Chris about speaking at a meeting of
Heritage Quilters of Huntsville (I’m the Program VP). So, now I have a pattern
to start working on very soon and a contract for Chris to speak at our October
guild meeting. I can’t wait to meet her in person and learn about her quilting
journey!
Also earlier this year, Judi H. inspired our Stitchers group
to do a flower pot swap. She shared her own flower pot swap quilt at one of our
Stitchers meetings and we all fell in love with the sweetness of her quilt. So,
Shane E., who has coordinated our popular Unfinished Object Project for a
couple years now, worked up flower pot block swap rules for us. We each have to
make 22 blocks and be ready to swap in November. I am way behind on this
project but will catch up soon!
In February, the sensationally wacky and fun, nationally recognized
quilt artist Trish Stuart came to speak to our guild and teach workshops. Of
course, I had to take both of the workshops and now I have two unfinished wonderful
pieces of quilt art – one of houses on a hill and the other of an angel –
waiting for their finishing touches and quilting.
Then, in March, during a trip to visit my wonderful bestie
Elida G. at her new home in South Carolina, we visited the Palmetto Quilt and
Fabric Company in Greenwood and found a She Who Sews quilt that we decided to
both make. Both of us have pieced our tops, and now it’s a matter of getting
them quilted! These twin quilts are a symbol of our friendship.
It’s always more fun to sew with friends! Besides my quilt
with Elida, another wonderful bestie (and adopted big sister) Joanie B. and I
found a fabulous quilt pattern that we are planning on making together. I’ve
already found my spool fabric and have a few blocks cut out.
I’m well on my way to taking on a couple more quilting projects
this year as I am taking national quilt artist Barbara Black’s Full Circle class
in September and am also looking forward to Chris Schulte’s workshops in
October! Phew!!
Besides starting quilts, I also got a few complete. I pieced and quilted nine baby quilts and gave them to the families of new babies in the first six
months of this year, and quilted the monstrous
postage stamp quilt that now adorns our king-size bed (a result of another block swap in Stitchers). There’s been a few small
quilty projects along that way, too! And, I’ve already figured out the quilts
that will be registered for our upcoming quilt show in March and will be finishing
those in the next couple of months.
Stay tuned for more fun news about making quilts!
Hugs and Hope-
Kari
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