Pickin ' in the Ozarks

     I couldn't seem to find this picture when I was doing the earlier post, but wanted to include it.  We'll call this an addendum.  We stopped at a couple of flea markets on our way home from Quilt Camp in the Ozarks and I found two little sewing collectibles.  We also found a Singer 15-91 in pretty good condition for $35.00, but passed it up.  I have had non-buyer's remorse for days.  That is almost worse than buyer's remorse.  So, here is what I did buy, a sock darning kit in a wooden case and a needlepoint pincushion.

Here is the other side of the pincushion and a little better view of the darning kit.  The thread post fits into the wooden case. 

Its not a very long drive back to the flea market with the 15-91 and Gina is always ready for a road trip. 

Stay tuned for the next installment.

Keep on pickin'.  

Judy

Camp for Quilters

       Ok, picture this…mature (some of us, very mature) women in a car loaded to the roof with sewing machines (4), projects (?), snacks (chocolate), suitcases (3) and scarcely contained excitement, hitting the road for quilt camp in the Missouri Ozarks.  Three uninterrupted days of sewing, giggling, continuous snacking, and great meals (believe it or not).  The dinner meal requires tramping up the road to the dining hall (remember church camp?) and tramping back to the sewing room and sleeping lodge.  But, after a day sitting at the sewing machine, that tramp to the dining hall was a welcome diversion.  Our weather was beautiful, the first 80's temperatures we had seen this spring.  Following are some pictures of the facility and then I will move on the focus of the week…QUILTS!

The public rooms are beautiful!  The lodging rooms are pretty basic, bunk beds and bare bones bathrooms.  Thats when you realize you're at camp.

Here is the group from our guild that went on this adventure.

And here we are sewing and playing…

Beth in her baseball cap.

Gina, Mary and Patti

 Some of us took our vintage machines.  I took my Singer 301and there were also some featherweights.   They received plenty of attention from the other quilters.




                                         

The group at large.  I think there were 46 of us.

You'll notice the snacks readily available.

 

And sometimes, girls just want to have fun

Beth put this together while at camp.
The blocks had been pieced by friend, Marty, as a
trade for some long arm quilting.

It's hard to see the embroidery, but Beth II pieced
the sashings and put these
embroidered blocks together during camp.

Here's my finish, from the Metropolitan Fair
layer cake.

Patti did the mystery project.

Gina put this together as a gift for her husband.

Show and Tell was on Saturday night and there were some real beauties.

         

This was a favorite of mine, it was wonky stars with a
border of three rows of five inch squares.  Simple,
but very effective.

                      

Isn't this lovely?

This is Gina's Bonnie Hunter quilt.  I think the pattern
is Easy Street.  Gina, correct me if I'm wrong.

     

And the back!

And Michelle's beautiful Farmer's Wife!

Love this setting for her Sampler.  They are
courthouse steps blocks.  Of course,
I love her colors, too.

I apologize for the random placement of the photos.
I have had a terrible time writing this post as the photos
go where they decide, instead of where I want them.
As you can see, this is being entered as a caption instead of
narrative.  Just bear with me.  Maybe the next one will go better.
Judy

Spring Arrives

 


SPRING!  Spring has finally arrived in Mid-Missouri and it couldn't be more welcome.  It has been a long winter.





     I spent most of last week with machine quilting.  Here is a quick charm square project I will offer (I will offer her a choice of several) to my 13 year old granddaughter for a scheduled spinal surgery this summer.  I want her to have Nana's virtual arms around her while she recovers from this.

Here is a close-up of some of the quilting.  I am definitely still an amateur, but I feel I am improving with each project.

I have one more small one to quilt before I tackle a large quilt.  I thought my arms would fall off after my last day on this one.  I will take my time with the larger one.  

WooHoo!  This week is Quilt Camp at Windemere.  Several members of my guild, (myself included) have reserved a spot at Spring Quilt Camp, sponsored by Fabric and Friends Quilt Shop in Camdenton, MO.  It is in the Lake of the Ozarks area and I am looking forward to seeing hillsides of Redbud and Dogwood blooming during sewing breaks.  Three uninterrupted days of sewing with meals provided, no laundry, cleaning, cooking or errands.  Does it get any better for a quilter?  Here is the major project I am taking.  A layer cake by Barbara Brackman (probably my favorite fabric designer) and a selection of civil war fabrics from my shopping extravaganza at Hancocks of Paducah this past February.

The pattern is designed for a layer cake, so it should go together pretty easy.  I will also take some uneven nine patches and my leaders and enders, if I get the cutting done for them.  

I attended a symposium in Arrow Rock this week-end focused on the African-American experience in 19th century Saline County.  The stage was decorated with a collection of African American quilts.  This is one of them, not sure about the age of it, it looked newer than that era, but it was fabulous.  

Last, but not least, here is the progress on my Dear Jane.  I'm very slow, each block takes me quite a bit of time.  I'm very happy with them, though.

They finish at 4 1/2 inches, 5 inches unfinished.  Some are paper-pieced, not my forte', but I have been machine piecing some of them.  I am using the website "thatquilt" for guidance.  I actually spend more time petting them, rather than sewing on them.  They are very sweet.  

I'll try to post pictures from quilt camp next time.  Stay tuned.

Judy