EZ Quilters - May

Last Monday's meeting at my dear friend Donna Huffman's house.  Our group has grown so and there were about 15 present with still several people people missing.  Its always lots of fun and very loud.  I'm sure Donna's husband Lee would agree.

I think Lisa gets a prize for getting the most done.  This leaf quilt was a group project the first year I joined the group.  I want to say 2005 maybe.  I had too much going so I just watched.  Anyway, each member made 2 blocks and some 4 patches for each member.  It took them several months to get all the blocks.  But we have seen these quilts pop up as done over the course of the last 6 years or so.   All of the quilts from this exchange were just gorgeous and so very different from each other.  (Mom your turquoise blocks pop so nicely!)  Good Job Lisa on getting it together.

Here is another Lisa achievement this month.  Got to see this in the works at our retreat last year.   I had to show a blow up so you can see her wonderful machine quilting.  Aren't the colors just wonderful together?  Can you believe she made this for her dog?  Lucky Dog!

Micki Berg is like a quilting gymnast.  Check this out!  She blew up the pattern from 12" to 18" but wow it is stunning. Good Job Micki!~

Mardell does the most lovely handwork.  Here is a  hawaiin applique piece that she completed for the auction at our Flying Geese Quilt Show in October, 2011.

Debbie Shapiro finished this one.  Her color selection is fantastic.  She changed the pattern up a little to fit the fabric better and it came out great.  Her husband called dibs for this quilt as I guess he has a right. 

So Donna and Pat are our Guild's philanthropy chair people this year.  I am so proud of them for taking this so seriously and really getting out there to find where we as a guild can make a difference.  They have been working very diligently on sewing, kit making and collecting placements, pillow cases and quilts for many different organizations for here and over seas.  One of their friends and long arm quilter just donated 3 gorgeous quilts to philanthropy.

My show and tell you've all seen, since I post it over the previous month.  I'm sure I missed a couple but these are all the pictures I got, since I think I pulled my camera out late.

Every month I get so much inspiration and encouragement from this group.  It keeps the creativity flowing.

Hope you get to quilt this weekend!
Love,
Aunti Nicole

EZ Quilters in March

Monday I got to visit with my EZQ group.  I love the inspiration I get from these meetings.  Mardell gets the prize this week for inspiring a new way to look at things.  This small wall hanging has a simple background and the quilting just adds to it.  Hand quilted by the way, Mardell does such exquisite work!












She reminded us that you have to put a binding on every quilt.   "In the simplest terms, "birthing" a quilt refers to a quilt that is "bound" pillowcase style." 

It works best with smaller quilts.  You lay the back on the quilt top right sides together.  Lay on top of the batting.  Then sew 3 sides and all but about a foot of 4th side.  Trim the edges so you have a 1/4 seam and turn inside out.  Finish by applique or whipstitch closed.


Here is the finished double pineapple quilt that was made last year by my group.  We put our names in a hat and had an innocent bystander draw for it.  Sherrillee won the drawing and of course had to have it quilted and put the binding on it.  It is just gorgeous!







Been doing a lot of quilting and knitting, nothing to share just yet, but its coming soon!

Thanks for stopping by.
Love Aunti Nicole

Tic Tac...Oh! Asian Fusion

Let me start by saying that if you stopped by last week and tried to download the tutorial....well my bad.  The link turned up an error.  I had since fixed it and I invite you to revisit last weeks post...again.  

http://auntinicolescorner.blogspot.com/2011/01/double-piped-binding-tutorial.html

My good friend Liz Isom made of my pattern in her stash of asian fabrics.  I can't tell you how little justice these pictures do but I had to share them with you.

 

She had it machine quilted by a friend and I love how she quilted in different scales inside the design.

and ....scraps for the border.

Here is the original in Basic Grey.

http://auntinicolescorner.bigcartel.com/product/tic-tac-oh

I went to visit her on Saturday to take a look at the quilt.  She invite me along to an open house for a new quilt shop in Laguna Hills, California, Sewing Party.  http://www.sewingparty.com/  

Went to dinner at Casa Sanchez in LA, for my dear friend Dione's birthday celebration.  Great food and live music at a 5 start Mexican restaurant.  Definitely a treat!   http://losangeles.citysearch.com/profile/45876281/los_angeles_ca/casa_sanchez.html

Had a great time with old and new friends and still found time to sew today.  Nothing to show yet, but I'm working on it ;]

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Love Aunti Nicole

The Joy's of a Friendship Group

Every month for the last 5 years I have visited with the EZ Quilters.  We are a friendship group in Orange Country, about 18 strong now.  The women in this group are all wonderful quilters and so creative and talented. 

One very special EZ quilter is Joan Rossen.  This woman never complains, is always encouraging and does some of the most beautiful work I've ever seen.  She has allowed me to show her most recent work of art here.  This double wedding ring is for her daughter and while it took her a while and many great hurdles to climb during this time, she has completed it and done a fantastic job.  Her hand stitching is exquisite and colors beautiful and vibrant.  I wish you all could see it in person.  Maybe we will get her to put it in our Bi-Annual guild quilt show.  

Love you Joannie, I know your daughter is going to absolutely love this quilt.

If you are a lone quilter, join a local group or get into an on-line group, guild or start one yourself.  Even if you may not feel you have the time.  Take it.  You will be inspired, encouraged and constantly challenged to step up your skills.  

I am so honored to be involved in 4 such groups EZ Quilters, Wool Gatherers, Flying Geese Quilt Guild and Bee Splended online bee.

Have a great week!

Love Aunti