Crosstown Quilters Guild - Mystery Quilts

Yesterday was the first meeting of the Crosstown Quilters Guild's 1999-2000 season, and a summer of sewing activity produced an impressive show and tell session. Twenty-eight members also brought their completed mystery quilts. This quilt was designed by Laurie G. who runs our BOM ("Block of the Month.") It was interesting to see the impact made by the various color schemes.

At times, it was a bit like viewing Wilson from the old "Home Improvement" series who would peek over the fence to impart a bit of wisdom to the main character played by Tim Allen. :-)

We also welcomed ten lovely ladies who have joined our merry band of quilters. :-)

On Saturday, the speaker at the first meeting of the Herring Run Quilt Guild was Beth Heftler of EvaPaige Quilt Designs. She taught an afternoon class on her Accordian Sewn HSTs. I had heard her speak previously on this subject at another guild meeting, but I didn't quite get it. I do now after attending the class. :-) She has a new book and a three part demonstration on Youtube. Just search for EvaPaige Designs if you interested in exploring this method of making scrappy half square triangles.

I've been reading quite a bit lately, but not much that I would recommend.  As I mentioned in an earlier post, I loved A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, so I was eager to read his first novel, Rules of Civility. Sorry,  though I finished it, it didn't hold my interest without a struggle.

Most of the works that I have been reading on my Kindle at bedtime have been in the cozy mystery genre, and therefore while pleasant enough to read not all that memorable.

I will recommend one novel, Marie Bostwick's From Here to Home. I am not usually a fan of quilt related novels as in general I find the writing lacking, but I did enjoy this novel that I picked up on the remainder table at Barnes and Noble. Mary Dell Templeton, host of fictional TV show Quintessential Quilting, is a feisty, fun, determined protagonist. The novel is filled with warmth and humor, and I am pretty sure you, too, would enjoy the folks living in Too Much, Texas. 

What have you been reading and recommending to your friends?

A Sunday Sampler

 

It's been a while since my last post; let's just say life has been a bit complicated lately.

This autumn scene was photographed at the Derby Street Stores in Hingham; their seasonal displays are always delightful.

The Herring Run Quilt Guild show last weekend was spectacular!!! Here are a few quilts that my friends had in the show. Below is Laurel's "Color Love" which is a pattern by Nancy Rink. It was quilted by Maureen Anderson of Anderson Quilts. 

Edith and Maribeth both took on the daunting online 365 Day Challenge which  was developed by Nancy Kerr of Australia. Absolutely amazing!!! You can find out more about this challenge and sign up for the 2019 "365 Day Challenge" by clicking on either of these two links.

Edith's quilt received an Honorable Mention. It was hanging along the side of the gym, and I wasn't able to back up far enough to get the whole quilt in the photo.

 

Here's Maribeth with her equally stunning version. I loved her color choices.

 

I know what you are thinking . . . if only one of these quilts received even an Honorable Mention, what were the winners like?  It was indeed quite a show!!!

Here's my "Sweet Dreams" quilt from Lori Holt's Let's Bake pattern.  I've shown bits and pieces of it as I was working on it, but I thought it would be easier to get a photo of the whole quilt when it was hanging in the show. It was fun to make with all of the hand stitching (cross stitching and embroidery).

If you are wishing that you had attended this quilt show, never fear as Crosstown Quilters Guild will be having its show on Saturday and Sunday, October 20 and 21 at the Abington Senior Center, Abington, MA. Mark your calendars!

Autumn colors are just starting to appear. After a visit to my otolaryngologist in Quincy,  I went across the street to the new Hancock Adams Common in front of City Hall. There is a lovely fountain bed and statues of John Hancock at one end and John Adams at the other end.

Isn't this statue of Adams, our second President, striking! You know, John Adams married a Weymouth girl, Abigail Smith (no relation to me :-).

 

 I hesitate to write this next part, but I'm going to. As I mentioned, I had an appointment with my ear doctor. For many, many years, I have had periodic problems with my hearing . . . sometimes it's seasonal, sometimes it just is. I have been having an issue for a while with one ear,  and tubes haven't resolved it.  It used to happen while I was teaching, so fortunately, I have developed the ability to lip read . . . it was a necessary survival skill dealing with eighth graders. ;-) :-) :-) 

Anyway, here is my pet peeve. When I sometimes say  that I am having a little problem with my hearing, why do some people cup their ears and say, "Huh, Whatcha say???" with smiles on their faces?  I'm sure my non-verbal, stone face conveys how I feel about these remarks/actions. Lovely people who would never, ever think of joking if you said you were having trouble seeing, some how think it is acceptable to joke about hearing problems. I don't get it!!! Let me just say, there is nothing funny about not being able to hear well. It's frustrating and many times quite uncomfortable. I can only imagine how isolating it must be for those who deal with permanent hearing loss.

In my case, we're working on resolving the problem, but in the meantime, I have had to cancel my plans to go with friends to the Houston International Quilt Festival in November. This would have been my fourth time attending, and I was really looking forward to it as I had actually gotten into all the classes that I had requested. Flying is out for me until my hearing issue is resolved. It would be too risky. Bummer!

So as to not end this post on a low note, here's my pride and joy, Miss Emma  after being groomed on Tuesday. :-).

Have a lovely week.