Like Steve Martin and the phone books...our new name tags are here!

At our annual Christmas party we got to see almost everyone in our group come together to visit, play games and of course see some quilts.  Our group has been together for 11 years now and we've grown to about 20 people.  From week to week around 15 come, which is fine, but, for the parties almost everyone is in attendance.

Over the years all of us have amassed a quantity of finished quilts, but, you know, we wouldn't be quilters if our eyes weren't bigger than our time available to finish all those projects we've started.  You know what I mean, UFO's, WISPS, or whatever other acronym that may be appropriate.

Anyway, I've come up with a possible way of reminding ourselves at least weekly, just what we've started. I made new name tags for the group and on the back it says "I will try to finish in 2011:  January 11th:  my Round Robin Quilt is 1/2 finished.  Then there is a space for the date of completion-quilted and all.  This goes for April and August as well.

Now, I've always wanted our group to be an easy group to be in.  Our main purpose in the beginning was to help with ideas and inspiration and assistance in finishing projects we've already started.  I've attended some groups that are pretty forceful with things, but, it works for them.  This group is not meant to stress anyone out.  So, the word "try" is there.  They even have 4 months to finish something.  I hope I'm not asking too much.  But, I understand life gets in the way of our quilting.

If the ladies can finish the 3 quilts starting in the months before our Christmas party in 2011, at the party I plan to have a prize of some sort for a reward...hmmm...  I hope this is going to be fun.

All those coming to the meeting Tuesday, January 11th should bring in their first UFO of the year that they will try to finish by the end of the year.

It's something new, quilters are pretty good at trying new things.  If you are looking for a group to join, here we are!  Bring a UFO, January 11th at 10:00 to Northeast Christian Church. We have a sit n sew or class from 10 to 1:00 then usually go out to eat lunch afterward.  The ladies are beginners to blue ribbon winners, so you will fit right in!  I will make a name tag for you to help you finish those unfinished projects you might have around.

Productivity is Us!

Our last few classes that were taught have yielded many future gifts for families.  The Snappy Tote, taught by Julie, was a huge success and Pat and Martha brought more in to show.

The group is at it's best when people are inspired by other's work.  I was inspired by Loyce's gift to her friend that had a water theme, so I made this Tennessee Waltz quilt for my friend that bought a lake house.

Loyce was inspired by Shirley who recently turned out a few cheater quilts.  A cheater quilt is a printed fabric that looks like a pieced quilt and she made this autumn themed quilt.

Ruth and Natasha made this quilt for a woman that had a request for our group.  Her mother had made clothes and things for them when they were young and wanted them put together for her mom for Christmas.

Besides the friendships and support you get in a guild, the inspiration goes a long way to continuing your interest in quilting.  Always be on the look out for it, either as a challenge to your skill or as a way of getting ideas to finish things.

 Ginger is working on a lovely applique piece.

This is our focus in our guild, finish what you've started!

Pat and Loyce show off their latest projects

Loyce demonstrated our next class how to make coasters out of 6, 5 inch squares.

Off to Lexington to see a couple of quilt shops and brunch

Our intrepid group was off on another trip to Lexington and a couple of quilt shops.

Snappy Tote Class was a huge success!

Our group's roster has about 20 people on it and from week to week there are 10 to 15 regulars for our sit n sews and classes.  We have a great schedule that makes opportunities for our members to learn new things.

The class we taught yesterday was how to make the Snappy Tote.  It's called the Snappy Tote because it uses the metal from a carpenter's tape measure to create the "snap" for closure.  It's a very easy class in which you learn how to machine quilt a small project, as well as a few other techniques for basic bag making.

Our group is filled with over achievers and Betty was certainly the outstanding over achiever Tuesday.  I am always emphasizing to the group that a pattern is just a guideline and jumping off of it is highly encouraged for creative development.  Betty jumped off in leaps and bounds and came up with a purse with grosgrain and key chain hooks, as well as a matching Kleenex holder.  Cool!

All the ladies that started the project in class finished it.  

Here is a view of our new church, Northeast Christian Church, being built right beside us.  

Table Topper Class was a huge hit!

These are just some of the Table Toppers that we made in the class and after the class.  Our group of over achievers are at it again, Dot made 5!!

Shirley is truly one of the greatest quilters in our group and she's done a blue thread, hand quilted whole cloth quilt.

She's also such a great quilter because she knows the value of labels for the legacy she is leaving her family.

Table Topper Class-lots of fun

So what does a successful class make? Is it a finished product? Probably 60 percent of the total is the finished product, whether it's at home later, or in the class. Or like our many over achievers in the room WE FINISH THE PROJECT BEFORE THE CLASS STARTS!. That's exactly what happened this time.

Loyce, one of our newer members gave such good information, before the actual class, that many had finished their table topper before the class began.

All our classes are choose to make a quilt or not. There is no arm twisting in the group. But, this was certainly a popular class and most all participated.

Besides the class, Pat and Ginger showed a fabric dying class they participated in over the weekend. They made beautiful tie dyed and suede like hand dyed fabric.

Another Day Trip for the Quilt Group

Once again we were on the road. This time with 11 in attendance. We went to Blackstone's Home Decor to see a Fleur di lis quilt show and shop. We ate at the Puerto Vallarta restaurant next door, then on to Happy Heart Quilt shop.

Women's Ministry Kick Off Event

We meet at a church that generously provides many things for our group. There is a large well lit room with many tables and chairs. We also have our own cabinet that stores sewing machines and irons and ironing boards. Basically, we have everything you need to make a quilt that is generally taken care of by the church where we meet.

Ten years ago I came to our new Women's Ministry Leader, Laura Wingfield and told her we needed a quilt group at the church. Her response was okay Julie you are it. And thus began our group that has grown to become a support group for women all centered around a time honored craft that we love and want to learn more about.

We have about 20 members, beginning quilters to blue ribbon winners. There are no dues or fees to be paid for classes and the ladies seem to understand that and are happy to pitch in wherever their talents are. Some like to organize trips and some like to teach classes. The Lord has blessed this group in so many ways that I can't begin to count them all.

We are always happy to have new people join us, so if you are looking for a place to learn about quilting and want to belong to a quilt group and get some good inspiration as well as information about quilting, come visit us and see if we fit your personality. You don't have to be a member of the church to join us.

The pictures above are of the Women's Ministry 3-G Event, where we learned about consignment shopping and had a style show and ate some pretty great crock pot lasagna. The Ministries were on display, which Northeast Quilting Friends are a part of. The new booklet was also out, highlighting our bible study classes that can help you really figure things out about the bible.

Thank you hard working girls at the church who so graciously and generously gave their time to organize, decorate and make this a wonderful event.

It goes without saying that we laughed and laughed and laughed...smile.