Sand Stitchers Quilt Guild Opportunity Quilt

I wanted to share the quilt that the Sand Stitchers Quilt guild has completed for their May 19, 2012 Biennial Quilt Show.  The theme of the show is "Gulf of Mexico - Our Home, Our Heritage."  Tickets are being sold and will continue until the day of the show.  Everyone did an outstanding job on this quilt.  Jere designed the quilt and Cynthia quilted it for us.  Below are a couple of close-up shots of individual blocks.

See the Mississippi Squirrel above.

The applique was so perfect.  It looks like a real blue crab.

In addition to themed quilts, there will also be a President's choice - Modern Quilts.  The show will also feature a Boutique of handicrafts made by the members.  If you are in the area, plan to attend.

Sandra

My First Purse

Today I meet with a group from the local guild, Just Needles, to learn to make a purse.  I have wanted to make one for a long time, but just could not seem to understand the directions.

Well, today, thanks to Janet, I made my first purse, with pockets!  It will not be my last.  I love it and want to make more in other colors.  I also plan to make purses for my Daughter-in laws.  One is a Clemson fan and the other is a Carolina fan.  I already have fabric, just have to find the time. 

I am also working on other projects that I hope to share in the near future.

Sandra

Weekend Update

A great deal was accomplished this weekend.  I completed all of the Bento Blocks from the strip exchange.  Since there are 22 blocks I plan to make an additional three blocks and place them in a 5 X 5 grid, then adding sashings. 

The 23 blocks.

These blocks were completed this weekend.

I also finished up the center of a Christmas Quilt that I had started last October.  All I lack is putting borders on it and it is ready to be quilted.

Center of Christmas Quilt


Have a great week.
Sandra

Weekend Workings

At the Texas Retreat I started working on the strips exchanged at the Cobble Court Quilt Retreat II in October of 2011.  Debbie of Oklahoma, picked the Bento Block pattern for use to use.  Each of us brought 2.5 inch strips of a fabric that represented us.  We all went home with a strip from each person that attended.
This is where I am on my blocks.  I hope to find time to complete all the strip blocks and have a top for show-n-tell this fall.

Its a dreary overcast day today, just perfect for sewing. 

My dear, darling grandaughter, Danyell, sent me a picture of herself from her iphone.  Just had to share.  She wanted me to send her one of me but Nana does not know how!!

 

Until later...............

Sandra

Sandstitchers Quild Show 2012 Opportunity Quilt

The completed Opportunity Quilt for our 2012 Quilt Show was displayed at our March Sandstitchers Guild meeting on Thursday night.  The theme of the show is "Gulf of Mexico, Our Heritage, Our Home."  The quilt is very pretty.  We hope to sell a lot of tickets to fund our guild projects for the coming years.  The quilt show is scheduled for May 19, 2012.

Some of the details are shown in the pictures below:

Tickets are 6 for $5.00 or $1.00 each.

Sandra

A Mini Lofton Family Reunion February 25, 2012

I left the MQA meeting and went out to the "old home place" where my Larry brother lives.  My brother, Joe, flew into the small airport in Brookhaven, and my other brother JP and sister-in-law Robin, came in from Monticello.  We enjoyed reflecting back on our childhood (yes, we have reached that age) and laughing at many of the episodes in our lives. 

Left to Right (Sandra, Joe, JP, Larry (sitting) I was having a bad hair day!

The Nandina Berry Bush had beautiful berries:

 

The last plants planted by my Mother (Jonquils) were blooming.  She loved all types of flowers.  Looking at them made me miss her even more.

The sky was a beautiful blue with snowy white clouds.  I enjoyed spending time with my brothers and sister-in-laws.

Sometimes you can go home and leave refreshed.....

Sandra

February Continued

In addition to attending the Texas Retreat I also attended my first Mississippi Quilting Association Gathering.  The Spring Gathering was in Brookhaven MS - my hometown.  In addition to attending the meeting I also got to have a family reunion with all of my brothers.  More about that later.

The MQA's Spring Gathering was held on the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Campus.  Just the location was reminiscent for me.  I attended my first two years of college there and also returned for 10 or so years as a science instructor -- lots of good memories.

The Brookhaven Piecemakers sponsored this gathering - what an outstanding job.  There were many door prizes, beautiful quilts on display, show-n-tell, demonstrations on various quilting techniques and a lecture on the famous "Dear Jane" Quilt.  Several of the ladies displayed their progress on this quilt.

Dear Jane in progress

 Needle Turned Applique Rooster Quilt

 Raw Edge Applique - I heard that this lady spent over 5 years on this quilt.

Grandmother's Flower Garden - 1 inch hexagons, circa late 1800s.

The tables had various themes.  I though this was beautiful.  They gave all of decorations away at the end of the meeting.

Three Sandstitchers Quilt Guild Members were in attendance.

A good time was had by all.

- Sandra

Update for February - I

Well, it is about time for me to try to catch up on things I have been doing for the past few weeks.  My last post mentioned that I attended a retreat in Brownwood TX.  I would like to share some of the photos that I took at the retreat.  There were about 28 people that attended.  The retreat was organized by Judy Laquidara of patchworktimes.com.  If you are not familiar with this blog I urge to click on the link and visit.  She have free patterns, great recipes and all is all is a very fun site.  Now for the pictures.

 Pam is holding one of Judy's creations.

 

 This rooster was awesome!  Lots of thread painting, just beautiful.

One of the Bonnie Hunter "Orca Bay" that was shown.  There were several ladies working on these.

 Pam finished up this top which celebrates Texas - Quilt Across Texas 2011

 Pam was also working on this pattern.  Absolutely gorgeous!  I will let her share her picture of this quilt.

This is a quilt from Judy's newest book - "60 Pieced Quilt Borders".  We got to see all of the quilts that were made for this publication.

Needless to say,  we had a wonderful time and can't wait for next year's retreat.  Thank you Judy for a wonderful weekend.