Fall in SW Virginia is always beautiful, and what better time to be introduced to a few new ideas about how to use some of you quilted projects around the house. But first, a business meeting which began a few minutes late. There must have been a dust up on the interstate somewhere nearby because “inland” traffic was backed up and some members were late arriving. One of the items on the agenda was to announce that there will be a meeting for a planning committee for National Quilting Day Celebration which the Blue Ridge Quilters have been hosting for the past several years. The NQD Celebration is held on alternate years of the Star Quilters Quilt Show, which is held in odd number years (2021, 2023, etc). Interested volunteers are asked to let Cathy H know.
Room #1 – there is Kelly Y panning for the camera 
Room #2. Far left, Kathy Wi showing a block that members are asked to duplicate with provided kits. 
Room #3. Everyone paying attention except one . . . Hi Janice ! 
And here is Room #5 – again, everyone paying attention but for some gooneybird grinning at the camera. Yep, that’s me. Thank you, Gisela O for all the good pics. 
This pic shows Marietta and Tiara enjoying the meeting.
So, after the business meeting, it was time to enjoy the program presented by Marietta Price and her daughter,Tiara, both of Bargain Barn Fabrics located in Montvale, VA; check out their webpage, http://www.bargainbarnfabrics.com. I was surprised at the subject of their talk – using quilted projects on window valances, and those held up with velcro rather than a curtain rod! Of course, you can choose to use the curtain rod if your shoulders are free of anything achy like arthritis or advancing years. You will see from the pictures that their ideas are really practical, beautiful, pretty easy to do and adaptable to every room in the house! The ideas were clever and ranged from formal to casual.
Marietta Price and her daughter, Tiara, introduce themselves and the topic of their talk. 
This is a quilt upon which the next application is based. 
Coordination between the valance and the quilt. 
Another valance idea 
This illustration is the bed quilt and pillow sham and pillow. 
And hanging individual coordinating blocks completes the look. 
I love this example; the colors, the block design, so soothing. 
And a bed quilt and pillow to coordinate. Marietta is taking a question from the audience. 
Marietta made this foot stool and rather than doing it round, she adapted a rectangular one to fit her available space. 
She explained how to achieve the covered button center top as well as trimming the legs to fit her project. 
Marietta said she had created and shipped a quilt to be used in a magazine, and the quilt somehow disappeared. This is a miniature of her beautiful quilt. Oh, she is also a talented designer and painter. 
Marietta loves Hollyhocks and made this mini quilt of one, using some thread art to do the quilting – see the back in the next photo 
This is the back of the Hollyhock mini quilt showing all the stitching. Quilting does not have to be stiff and staid, but can be free and expressive as this illustrates.
Then it was time for Show & Tell. There were only three participants, but the show was beautiful and spectacular as always.
#1 Debby S with her new Bernina 880 Stitch Sampler book 
#2 Debby S 
#3 Debby S 
#4 Debby S Stitch Sampler 
#5 Debby S Stitch Sampler 
#6 Debby S demonstrating how to accomplish some of the stitches 
Janice T – Peacock quilt. She had just finished sewing the binding on shortly before the meeting. Beautiful quilt using a panel. 
Laura P showing a beautiful quilt using a panel. It is for a woman who taught French in school for 30 years. Quite appropriate!
Looking forward to the November 14 meeting when the intended program will be with the Roanoke Modern Quilt Guild, but check the November newsletter for further information. Until then, happy quilting.
Blue Ridge Quilters 