Author: lortwi

BRQ Meeting April 9, 2024

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The Vice President was out of town on business and the President was under the weather, so the Program Chair, Kathy Wi, presided over the meeting.The business part was taken care of, i.e. Secretary and Treasurer reports, etc.

At this point, Recognition was given to one of our long-time members, Carolyn Z, who joined Blue Ridge Quilters just after the group was formed back in 2001 and has been an integral part of the group for many years. She is moving her residence to New York state to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law.

Carolyn and her daughter had stopped by the BRQ meeting to say a final “goodbye” before they went to dinner and then home again to continue packing up. She assured us that just because she was moving out of Virginia did not mean she would never see us again – there is FaceTime, Zoom and many ways to stay in touch (my own sisters in Arizona and I FaceTime regularly to keep in touch) and she assured us it was not “goodbye” but just farewell.

Carolyn got involved with a large quilting group in North Carolina and became part of a Quilts of Valor committee. The desire to be a part of Quilts of Valor stuck with her and in November 2021, she formed Roanoke Quilts of Valor Stitchers group with a few Blue Ridge Quilters where we get together once a month and sew blocks to make quilts to be awarded to veterans who had been touched by war. A couple in the group do the longarm quilting and/or binding and another member makes beautiful embroidered labels for the quilts. The group is open to all, started out small and has been growing every since. Carolyn will not be forgotten.

Then, it was Old Business/New Business/Other Business and Committee reports.

The program consisted of three presenters, Kathy Wi, Kathy Wo and Vera B who all presented quilts for the household, room by room (with exception of the bedroom). Items they each had made included quilted items for the Sewing Studio.

  • Scrap and thread catcher with pin cushion
  • sewing machine cover
  • portable sewing accessory pouch with vinyl windows and zipper pockets
  • mat with pockets on which to place your sewing machine, both at home and at class
  • an arm chair sewing necessity holder for stitching while not in the sewing studio (opened up)
  • an arm chair sewing necessity holder for stitching while not in the sewing studio (ready to place over the arm of chair or sofa)
  • Magazines for the sewing studio a wonderful source of inspiration

On to the kitchen which included hot pads, hot mats to set hot dishes on, aprons, etc.

  • Fancy apron with pockets
  • Decorated apron with smaller pockets
  • Hot pan pad, for placing hot dishes on
  • Coasters using Charm Squares
  • A mat for your tea and cookies!
  • A fun fabric hot mat for placing hot dishes on

In the dining room, there were several different types of table runners, place mats, etc. Let the numerous pictures lend you ideas.

  • One of 6 placemats, all the same design with the same fabrics in differing placements
  • placemat 2
  • placemat 3
  • placemat 4
  • placemat 5
  • placemat 6
  • Two versions of the 10 Minute Table Runner
  • This beautiful piece could either be a table topper or a wall hanging, depending on the owner
  • a dramatic star table topper
  • a gentle, beautifully pieced table runner
  • a different kind of star table topper
  • a colorful spring pieced table topper (pieced squares with solid background)
  • squares in an octagon table topper
  • formal beautifully pieced and embroidered winter table runner
  • A different star which could either be a wall hanging or a table topper
  • two simply pieced table runners
  • a colorful 10 minute table runner
  • the back of an oval placemat
  • a beautifully pieced table topper using somber colors (pieced squares with solid background)
  • a fall toned pieced table topper (this one has solid squares and striped background)
  • A sassy, clever placemat with spaces for napkin and flatware
  • a beautiful wall hanging to grace any dining room
  • an octagon table topper in patriotic fabrics
  • Kathy and Kathy show two mats, the same but done differently
  • Vera with a lovely table runner suitable for spring to fall. Love the pattern
  • an easy scrappy pieced placemat
  • Kathy Wi looks pleased with her pieced table runner, simple but striking

——-Oh, and heads up, kiddos . . . if you contribute to the newsletter you might even be awarded a special goody – tonight’s goodies were fat quarters for the two folks who had contributed to the newsletter. The newsletter editor, Vera B, says cartoons, short stories, quilting articles, etc. are all welcome to help “beef up” the monthly newsletter. Vera has been doing a great job and wants you to share in the newsletter, too. You don’t have to be a poet, an author, or any such thing . . . just a quilter with an idea or a chuckle to share.——-

Hey, hey, hey, then it was time for Show and Tell, always a favorite with quilters.

  • Claire H – decorative Pillow
  • Debbie S – Perfect Placement Project front
  • Kathy Wi – Cheater Cloth quilt (gotta love cheater cloth!)
  • Kathy Wi – Quilt for a youngster
  • Ky Y – Christmas Quilt #1 front
  • Ky Y – Christmas Quilt #2, back
  • Ky Y – Christmas Quilt #1 back
  • Ky Y – Christmas Quilt #2 front
  • Laura O – Crocheted quilt
  • Laura P – Adult Bib
  • Loni B – Cross stitched pieces looking for a good home
  • Loni B – Quilt for her sister (who works with autistic children)
  • Sharon M – sweet Toddler quilt
  • Debbie S – Perfect Placement Project back

And so, it is time to say farewell for another month. Until next time, stay safe, be kind and happy quilting!

BRQ National Quilt Day Celebration 2024

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The long awaited day was approaching . . . record numbers of quilters had pre-registered to attend and more were admitted at the door. And WeatherBug said it would be raining from Friday evening through Saturday all day. Oh, great, just what we needed – rain. B-U-T God is good and all went exceedingly well for a gloomy, rainy day. The rain was softly coming down for the most part and when it came pouring down on the rooftop of the agenda, we all looked up and said our Thank You’s that we were inside enjoying looking at all the quilts lining the walls and the fellowship of fellow quilters! Good thing we started the set-up earlier than usual Friday afternoon and got ahead of the Friday night rain. Sometimes things work out right !!

  • Admissions Desk busy checking folks in
  • Blue Ridge Quilters President, Cynthia L welcomes guests
  • BRQ Program Chair, Kathy Wi
  • Dawn and Laura are having fun at Admissions peeking through the posies

The guest speaker was Maria Degroot who has a pretty fascinating personal story to tell about how she came to meet the Nancy Zeiman crew (Sewing with Nancy) and subsequently leading to working for Checker Distributors and coordinator for Creative Grids (creativegridsusa.com) where she gets to create, demonstrate and educate both for Creative Grids and the Gypsy Quilter (gypsyquilter.com). Ms Degroot is a very friendly, warm and informative lady who loves to quilt and share quilting experiences with others.

  • Mary Houseman, Singer Featherweight machines and toy bears. becknerbears@aol.com 540.890.2703
  • Quilts of Valor table
  • Chatting it up by the Quilts of Valor table
  • Ryan’s Cases for Smiles table
  • Ryan’s Cases for Smiles table
  • Room 1
  • room 2
  • room 3
  • room 4
  • room 5
  • room 6
  • room 7
  • room 8
  • room 9
  • room 10
  • room 11
  • room 12
  • Panorama of entire room. The wall looks a bit crooked but it is not
  • Small Projects display area
  • Small projects display area
  • Small projects display area
  • Small projects display area

One thing I learned from Ms. Degroot is that the Creative Grids rulers carry a QR Code and when you take a picture of the code, it will lead you to their website and that particular ruler (you may have to search it by name, ie 120 degree triangle ruler). The website offers you a photo of the ruler, complete with magnifier for clear viewing, as well as an instructional video AND complete downloadable Instructions which give a visual demonstration of possible usages for the ruler. I thought that was really cool. And, yes, I did download the instruction sheet and watch the short video for ideas and instruction. I have been shuffling that ruler around for quite a while, now it looks as though I may actually use it again! She also said if you are looking for instructions for a ruler which has been discontinued, Creative Grids’ Customer Service can provide the instructions for you from the archives! On many of the rulers at the website, there will also be one or more items under Companion Books, Patterns & Notions for that ruler.

  • Speaker’s Table with sample products and quilts
  • Speaker’s table with sample products and quilts
  • Screen display of CreativeGridsusa.com website
  • screen display 2
  • screen display 3 showing their weighted rotary cutter
  • screen display 4
  • Screen display 5
  • screen display 6 showing left handed icon
  • Speaker Maria Degroot
  • speaker sample quilt 1 from pattern suggested by Creative Grids
  • speaker sample 2 – pineapple quilt made with Creative Grids ruler, with table runner from leftover blocks
  • spreaker sample 3 – what to do with leftover or practice blocks – add to a tote!
  • speaker sample 4 – Charm Pack Scramble quilt done with sashing and corner stones for a very different look
  • speaker sample 5 – Log Cabin quilt that might be a bit wonky
  • speaker sample 6 – log cabin quilt done with a different setup
  • speaker sample 7
  • speaker sample 8 – Charm Pack Scramble done with color background rather than white
  • speaker sample 9 – Charm Pack Scramble
  • speaker sample 10 – with Block Carry Case
  • speaker sample 10 – Charm Pack Scramble variation
  • speaker sample 11 – Charm Pack Scramble showing the fun backing fabric
  • speaker sample 12 – Charm Pack Scramble set on point with sashing and corner stones

There were lots of quilters at the event today as you can see by the myriad pictures included. I did not get a shot of each of the quilts hung in the room, but I bet if you check out Face Book, Blue Ridge Quilters in a week or so you will see them there, probably along with more pictures of the event

  • Door Prize table
  • Door Prize ticket prep table with Sally and Victoria
  • door prizes being called – check your ticket !
  • Door prize numbers being called
  • runners to deliver door prizes

The winner of this year’s Opportunity Quilt was Rose Marie N. The quilt was Charm Pack Scramble, the pattern designed by Marie Degroot. During her talk, Ms Degroot showed us several versions of the Charm Pack Scramble quilt; some same-ol, some on point, some with sashing, some on point with sashing. Each looked entirely different. Lots of possibilities from one pattern. Shown below is Rose Marie N with the speaker, Maria Degroot. Congratulations.

Of course, a quilting event would not be without Show & Tell.

  • This dear lady on the left said she does everything, everything by hand, drawing the applique figures to stitching them down. She comes from a non-sewing family and inherited many quilt tops from family members to complete.
  • The back of her applique quilt showing the quilting stitches.
  • Kathy Wo quilt with a panel and added pieced blocks
  • Kathy Wo – good use of color
  • Kathy Wo – I really like this one. She found the border print after she had the rest of the top pieced. Good find!
  • Marietta F showing her hand drawn and painted quilt of a family member service man and all the medals that he had earned. Excellent portrayal

Then it was time to say farewell to quilting friends until it is time for another National Quilting Day celebration in 2026. Hope to see you there !! In the meantime, God bless you and happy quilting.

BRQ Meeting Feb 13, 2024

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There was a dual purpose to the BRQ February meeting – one was to honor member Jo Bell, who passed away in July, 2023, for bringing Ragged Edge Quilting to the BRQ back in the early 2000’s after a trip to Texas to visit a cousin. There were poster boards with pictures of Ragged Edge Quilts as well as many pictures of Jo Bell and some of the many quilts she made, as well as some pictures of Jo relaxing with some of her pals. Carol Z spoke of Jo and how she was ready for anything and her home was always open to friends and quilters. Jo was always very productive with her quilting which she freely gave to her many family members, grands and great grands. In addition to regular quilts, she made what she called Prayer Shawls which she gave to her friends at church, and anyone she thought could use one as a comfort. We all miss Jo as a longtime BRQ member and participant in all projects like Block of the Month, Row Quilt, Barn Quilt, Mystery Quilts, Road Trips and other guild and social events. Oh, she really loved the color Purple, which explains why there was quite a few members dressed in some shade of Purple.

  • Room 1
  • Hey, don’t take that picture!
  • Room 3
  • Room 4 – who is that mugging for the camera? Oh, that’s me !!
  • Room 5
  • Wonder what Cathy is saying that has Laura holding her head??? Hmmm
  • Room 7
  • Cynthia L Presiding

The other purpose of the meeting was Valentine’s Day !! Yea !! The Hospitality Committee (Dawn W and Debbie H) had a beautiful display of cookies, candies, cheese and crackers, cupcakes (hey, all of these begin with “C”) as well as M&M Peanut candies and large seedless green grapes and yummy strawberries, all of which were happily consumed by a large group of quilters after a business meeting. Quilters love yummies and sweet stuff. And sitting around chatting while consuming.

  • Oh, see what I mean?
  • Oh, yeah

To help a little with the National Quilt Day celebration table decorations, Kathy Wi passed out a LOT of donated fat quarters and showed us how to neatly fold them into triangles. By the end of the meeting, her pick up bag was full to overflowing !!

Visit our FaceBook page and download the March 9th National Quilt Day Pre-Registration form, fill it out, include your entry fee and mail to Janice T at the address shown on form before the Feb 28 deadline. Walk-ins are welcome but does not include lunch.

And there were several Show & Tell participants who shared their latest with us.

  • Bonnie R after showing her ragged edge quilt
  • Bonnie R’s ragged edge quilt
  • David and Cynthia Y with beautiful Paradox Wave quilt
  • Gisela O with the front of a Foster Kids quilt she made
  • and here is the back of that Foster Kids quilt
  • Gisela O with Hooked on Hankies made from a kit
  • Gisela O showing the back of a Round Robin quilt
  • Gisela O and the front of the Round Robin quilt. Her original block is in the center and 3 other quilters added border, border and border!
  • Kathy Wi with hand embroidered Fall Harvest wall hanging
  • Kathy Wi with ragged edge quilt
  • Kathy Wi with the back of that ragged edge quilt
  • Kathy Wo back of large ragged edge quilt
  • Kathy Wo readying large ragged edge quilt
  • KathyWo – large ragged edge quilt
  • Stephanie W showing very pretty Sparkle.

And I mustn’t forget these !!

  • Carolyn Z and Carolyn L showing the back of a donated QOV quitl
  • Carolyn Z and Carolyn L with the front of that donated QOV quilt; the pattern is Brightly
  • And another donated QOV quilt
  • Kathy Wi showing the back of a different way to do ragged edge quilts
  • and here is the front of that different way ragged edge quilt
  • And the back of an Australian way to do ragged edge quilting
  • The front of that Australian way of ragged edge quilting.

And that kinda sums up the February meeting of the Blue Ridge Quilters. Hope to see you all again in March for some pics of the NQD celebration as well as our regular meeting on March 12th. In the meantime, happy life and happy quilting.

BRQ Mtg Jan 9, 2024

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And a very happy new year to you all ! Welcome to 2024 . . . our brand new volunteer Editor has accepted employment out of our area, so you are stuck with me for just a while longer it looks like. I don’t mind if you don’t. Just one thing . . . I was unable to attend the January meeting, so this may be a brief encounter, but, on with the show!

A general welcome was given by our newly elected President, Cynthia L who was instrumental in founding the Blue Ridge Quilters back in January, 2001.

Kathy W brought old books, and challenged volunteers to take one home, and bring in a project inspired by “old” instructions made with a modern approach, using our present time tools and notions.

Here are some shots of the room:

  • Kathy W is explaining something to do with the program for the evening
  • General room shot
  • General room shot

At/around the Community Service table, I see a completed youth quilt with all kinds of city vehicles and interesting things pictured – I am sure some young person will enjoy receiving this! On the table it looks like completed NICU blankets and pillow cases being turned in. Good job, ladies.

OK, now it is time for Show and Tell, always a delight to see the beautiful items being done by members. Enjoy!

  • The back of Barbara F’s king size Chandelier quilt
  • Barbara F – king size Chandelier quilt. Beautiful, Barbara!
  • The back of Cathy H’s John Deere Tractor quilt (notice she quilted it with a tractor design).
  • Cathy H – This quilt will be a loving gift to a John Deere fan. The Two’s Company pattern was perfect to showcase the vintage tractors. I believe the fabric was purchased at Miss Audrey’s Quilt Shop in Narrows, VA.
  • Cathy H. shows a quilt, Leaders and Enders, one made together with another project. One sewing time, two quilts as a result!
  • Cathy H and Kathy W show the finished opportunity quilt for National Quilt Day 2024, Charm Pack Scramble! National Quilt Day celebration will be held on Saturday, March 9, at Colonial Baptist Church in Blue Ridge, VA. Be sure to download, complete and submit your Pre-Registration form which you can download either at our home page or at the FaceBook page for Blue Ridge Quilters. We hope to see you there!
  • This is Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash
  • Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash
  • Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash
  • Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash
  • Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash
  • Debbie S showing dish towels and napkins made from her stash

Well folks, that seems to be the highlights of the Blue Ridge Quilters January, 2024 meeting. I am so glad you were able to visit and hopefully appreciate the fine quilts shown, along with the community service projects done by any/all members. Until next time, stay warm and happy quilting!

BRQ Meeting Dec 12, 2023

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This last meeting of 2023 start time was 6pm rather than the usual 6:30pm so there would be time to arrive, display your food offering, find a seat and socialize. Of course, there were some late-comers, but they had food in hand so all was forgiven. Following are some random pictures of the room

  • Beautifully decorated tree with lots of multicolored lights
  • Waiting for 6pm for the fun to start.
  • Smile and say hi !
  • The tables are filling up
  • Conversations ensue
  • This conversation looks interesting
  • And more folks have arrived
  • This looks about like a full room to me
  • Hey, is it time to eat yet?

A short business meeting was in order and Cathy H, outgoing President, introduced the newly elected officers and committee volunteers.

Outgoing president, Cathy H, introducing the officers and committee heads for the next 2 years

There was an Ugly Sweater contest and the winner was Sarah S with her very clever and very unique up and down the sequins sweater. You rub the sequins in the UP direction and get one picture, and rub the sequins in the DOWN direction and get another picture altogether. Very clever indeed. She was concentrating on the sequins and did not give us her pretty smile!

And then came time to line up to fill our plates with the food offerings. There was everything from cheese and crackers to cheesecake, oh my. Not one attendee left hungry, including me ! Table assignments were made to keep the line orderly.

  • The Appetizers table. The crock pot on the counter contains spiced cider. Oh, my, it was so good!
  • This table is loaded with entrees, main dishes, desserts and drinks.
  • Table assignments were made for an orderly siege of the food and drinks

It would not be a quilters meeting without Show & Tell. There were only 3 participants but each was special and beautiful in its own way

  • Snowman quilt by Cathy H. The tree is done with felt, the red berries on the wreath are buttons. Snowman’s mouth and eyes are buttons and his hair is hand embroidery. She custom quilted it on a longarm
  • Janice T has been using her embroidery machine again to make this beautiful table runner
  • And, Janice also did these beautiful tea towels
  • Lee M showed her Forest Dwellers table runner with gnomes and trees. You can tell she really likes it and so do we.

This is a preview of the Opportunity Quilt still under construction. It is called Charm Pack Scramble designed by upcoming NQD speaker, Maria DeGroot. See the BlueRidgeQuilters.com website or the Blue Ridge Quilters FaceBook page to download the NQD preregistration form for this March 9, 2024 event. You will be glad you did.

  • Our Fashion-ista modeling her really cool Santa and Snowman leggins. When she looks at them they are right side up! Too sweet, Carolyn L
  • Laura P placing incoming projects on the Community Projects table
  • Kathy Wi told us we could not leave without taking at least one bundle of scraps! Now, just what will those bags of scraps become ? ? ?

This will most likely be my last post on this website; I am turning it over to Blue Ridge Quilters member Kelly Y and taking a break after nine years of having all the fun myself. It sure doesn’t seem like it has been that long. Be good to Kelly and treat him with all the respect and kindness you have shown me. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Life and mostly, Happy Quilting !!

BRQ National Quilting Day Celebration

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On March 9, 2024 the Blue Ridge Quilters will present a National Quilting Day celebration to be held at Colonial Baptist Church, 221 Hillcrest Drive, Blue Ridge, VA. Entry fee is $25.00 per person, $15 age 16 and under. This includes one chance on the Opportunity Quilt, door prize and lunch. (NOTE: tickets purchased at the door do NOT include lunch.) The featured speaker is Maria DeGroot, designer, quilter, crafter co-author, product tester; she appeared with Nancy and What’s New from Creative Grids. Her topics will be Creative Grids, Charm Pack Scramble Quilt and Trunk Show.
In the social hall there will be a lot of members’ quilts hung on the walls, and many smaller quilted items displayed, door prizes galore and lots of friendly quilters. Mark your calendar – it is not too early to prepare. The deadline to register is February 21, 2024; pre-registration forms can be found as a pdf file at the Blue Ridge Quilters FaceBook page, posted on November 24, 2023. – just click on the “BLUE RIDGE QUILTERS GUILD 2024.pdf” to download and print, OR, click below to download and print the pdf file.

blue-ridge-quilters-guild-2024-1Download

We hope to see you there!

Roanoke QOV Stitchers

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This just in from Carolyn Zaleski, head of the Roanoke Quilts of Valor Stitchers:

Here are a few pictures from yesterday’s award ceremony and final award of the year unless we have an emergency come up. Gary S served in the Marines and is a Vietnam Veteran. A beautiful family and many friends came to celebrate and thank Gary for his service. This was our 93rd award and I wanted to be sure, even if you don’t have Facebook, that you can see what our group is all about.

  • Marine veteran Gary S, having been awarded a Quilt of Valor which represents warmth and comfort to veterans who served this nation during a time of conflict
  • Gary S with members of Roanoke QOV Stitchers who made the award, displaying the quilt
  • And, of course, Gary S collected a lot of hugs other than the warm, comforting hug from his Quilt of Valor
  • A hug is another warm way to thank a veteran for his service
  • Family and friends who came to share the QOV award
  • More family and friends
  • Oh, and here is another warm thank you for your service hug
  • A good picture of family and friends here to celebrate with Gary S
  • Mr. and Mrs. Gary S

Be sure to check out our Facebook page, Roanoke QOV Stitchers, as well as the page for Blue Ridge Quilters to keep abreast of the awards made by Roanoke QOV Stitchers. Thank you.

BRQ Mtg Nov 14, 2023

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There was, of course, a business meeting, going over Treasurer’s report, committee reports, etc etc etc (to quote a very old Yul Brynner movie, The King & I). It was announced that Kelly Y would continue to do the BRQ monthly newsletter – good job, Kelly! All business and NQD meeting business and Opportunity Quilt get-together business taken care of, it was time for the program, “Are You Ready for Christmas?” with Kathy Wi showing quite a few quick and easy gift ideas involving sewing or quilting which included playing card holders made with two CD discs having covers sewn half way down in order to hold playing cards, mug rugs, hot pads, a quick and easy carry-all made with a hot pad to carry all the “small stuff” you deem important and necessary. And these were only a few of the tricks Kathy pulled out her bag – quite literally!!

  • Kathy W showing playing card holders made of 2 CD discs covered in fabric with the top half open to hold the cards.
  • Kathy W with dish towel scarf, useful as hand wiper and handling hot items.
  • Kathy W showing Dollar Store hot pad with top half of zip closing bags sewn in the center to hold purse items or sewing/quilting items together in an orderly manner. To close, fold in half and button it up with a button and loop!
  • Another quick item, make a hot pad using fabric and double layer of batting. Don’t forget the hanging loop when you sew on the binding!
  • And Kathy’s favorite, mug rugs. She likes to sew the fabric and batting “envelope style,” cut a turning hole in the fabric and applique something beautiful over the hole! No fuss, no muss and no binding . . .

As always, Show and Tell was beautiful, intriguing and exciting. See the pics below. Some of the not-so-excited facial expressions were just caught at the wrong time, I am sure. Ahem.

  • Cathy H – Blessing Barns
  • Cathy H – Night Time Whispers.
  • Cathy H – Night Time Whispers, back showing spider web quilting.
  • Cathy H – Round Robin quilted
  • Dawn W – Beautiful Christmas time table runner
  • Debbie S – Her first embroidered quilt, a Claudia Creations pattern. Even the quilting is embroidered, all done on her home sewing/embroidery machine.
  • Gisela O was gifted a bunch of blocks, took it all apart and started over to finish with quite a beautiful quilt.
  • Janice T – back of 2.5″ blocks Christmas tree wall hanging.
  • Janice T – and here is the front of 2.5″ blocks Christmas tree wall hanging. She is more excited about it than shown when the camera caught her. Really!
  • Kelly Y showing Vortex, ever increasing hexagons in shades of blue. The quilting really does it justice.
  • Vickie H showed this Santa’s Night Out table runner, with Santa’s sleigh and 9 named reindeer.

So, that is it for the November 14, 2023 meeting of the Blue Ridge Quilters. Next month is our annual Christmas party – including an Ugly Sweater Contest we are told – that should make for some pictures for sure! Be sure to tune in next month, my last month at doing the website and effective January 2024, Kelly Y will be taking over this fun spot. Give him the excellent support you have shown me.

Till next time . . . gotta go now and make pumpkin pies . . . fingers crossed. Have a truly thankful Thanksgiving Thursday and every day.

BRQ Meeting October 10, 2023

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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.

BRQ meeting Sept 12, 2023

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It was a perfect evening for a quilt gathering. After a short business meeting the program began.

Have you ever tried your hand at paper piecing? Most of us just say noooooo, no thank you but I will stick with regular piecing. The program was an introduction to paper piecing by trying a simple 5-piece pattern which forever has been the symbol of our Blue Ridge Quilters. There were other samples but the demonstration by Cynthia L was outstanding, showing each step in detail. The eight (8) brave souls who brought their sewing machines could hardly wait to get started.

  • Cynthia L demonstrating the paper piecing project
  • The completed project
  • Listen up and watch closely to the demonstration
  • listen up and watch closely #2
  • Watching and waiting to give paper piecing a try
  • Cathy H’s made tag made with tonight’s paper piecing pattern plus wide top and bottom borders
  • Loretta T’s name tag made years ago

Then there was Show & Tell with one paper pieced quilt shown along with the other beauties. Here they are:

  • Dawn W – Hunters Star paper pieced quilt. Beautiful.
  • Kathy Wo – pumpkin table runner she will teach at her bee meeting
  • Laura P – 4-patch scrap quilt with white separators
  • Laura P – Pastel scrap quilt. As she explained it, just sew the scraps together and then trim it down to the width you want. Cool
  • Marcia N – Black and White Challenge Block quilt she put together using members’ blocks.
  • Mary H – Lighthouse panel “Seas the Day.” Very nice, well done.
  • Mary H – back of Seas the Day

The meeting was then adjourned and those attending were invited to take a kit from the kit table to make and bring back a NICU quilt, fidget quilt, adult bib, etc. There is also a Ways & Means table where fabric and magazines are available for very reasonable prices.

Until October, happy quilting. Oh, and give paper piecing a try !