Progress!

This week's work session finds us getting closer to the end of the project. Eleanor Warner finished connecting the strips at home so the center pieced section is complete. We spent most of our time today removing the papers - not that much fun, but at least it goes quickly with lots of hands. Janet Turini now has the distinctly difficult task of attaching the teeny-tiny piping around the outside of the center - the two straight edges should be okay, but man, those jagged edges - good luck, Janet!

Several of us will be putting the finishing touches (embroidery and other details) on the borders, and then they'll be all set to attach to the center. We're not exactly sure how we're going to do that yet, but somebody's bound to come up with a plan by the time it's ready to go!

Donation Quilt Growing

Slowly, but surely, the donation quilt for next year's quilt show is growing. We have a small, but dedicated, group of ladies who faithfully show up each week ready to work, and it's such a treat to see our progress. This coming week we should have the center pieced blocks all together and ready for the borders to be added (which are spectacular!). This week, Janet Turini gave us a lesson in making and adding piping between the pieced inner section and the border - it's amazing what that little tiny pop of color and texture can add to an already beautiful quilt.

Hard at work

We've begun working on the next quilt show donation quilt - what fun! The center part is paper pieced, and is going together beautifully (and fairly quickly.) The borders are appliqued (designed by Nellie, of course!) and are going to be absolutely incredible. Anyone from KAQG is invited (encouraged!) to join us on our work days - the applique will definitely take up a huge chunk of time and many hands to get it completed.

Out and About!

Yesterday, seven of us converged on Painted Pony 'n Quilts in LaPorte to choose fabrics for the Kingwood Area Quilt Guild's next donation quilt. Having decided on our quilt design the previous week, we felt it was our "duty" to get out there amongst 'em and buy some fabric!

The weather was a little iffy, but the rain couldn't begin to dampen our spirits - not while we were surrounded by a sea of incredible batiks! We were worried that we'd have trouble agreeing on fabrics since we each always have our own ideas about what should or should not go in any given quilt, but there were so many wonderful options, it was more a case of deciding which ones NOT to put in the quilt. Several hours after arriving at the shop, we departed with our bags full of a veritable flower garden of colors. Thanks, Sherrie, for your hospitality - your shop is always a treat! (You can visit them online at www.ppnq.com)

After a terrific lunch at Antonio's Italian Grill (which we highly recommend if you go down there), we headed home a little tired and droopy, but itching to get started working on our exciting quilt!

All That Jazz

Jackie had so much fun creating this knock-out quilt for her granddaughter Meg.

Glory Bound

This is Nellie's wonderful rendering of a Bonnie Blue reproduction quilt pattern.

Sampler Quilt

Many of us remember taking classes from the wonderful Catherine Anthony. This sampler quilt was one such project made by Josie.

Jinny Beyer Logo Quilt

Josie has some wonderful examples of quilts she made several years ago. This one was created from a Jinny Beyer kit and is just beautiful.

Wisteria

Okay, so it's not a quilt, but Arlene's wisteria was so incredibly beautiful this year that she just had to share it - maybe it will inspire a quilt!

Rilee's Quilt

Arlene's niece, Bethany, is expecting her first baby (a girl to be named Peyton Rilee) in May. Her nursery is decorated in pink with lots of ladybugs - the Robert Kaufman hot pink ladybug fabric was a perfect start for this adorable baby quilt.

Birds of a Feather

Over the years, we've tried to make quilts for each other on "significant" birthdays - this was made for Lynn for her mumble-mumble birthday.

Ties that Bind

Lynn created this quilt from ties worn by an old friend, Al Evans, throughout his life. The log cabin pattern is a favorite of his wife, Marilyn.

Batik Diamonds

The challenge of using most of her batik fabrics was Lynn's goal in this beautiful quilt - she thought it was loads of fun!

I Spy

Lynn created this I Spy quilt for a future grandchild from her son Robert (she's nothing if not optimistic!) Each of the hexagons has something relevant to her family or family history.

Self-Portrait

Lynn made this quilt for Kelly Smith, a member of another bee. It depicts her love of birds while the writing around the face shows many of the issues that concern her.

Field Trip!

Our bee loves to go on outings - this was taken on a visit to Painted Pony in LaPorte.

Maple Leaves

Jackie Runyan's home is filled with beautiful quilts - this one graces the wall behind the sofa so we get to see it whenever she's our hostess.

Happiness Runs in a Circular Motion

Arlene made this quilt for her daughter Leigh's wedding a year ago. Leigh loves bright colors so this was truly a labor of love from start to finish.

Log Cabin Blues

Log cabin quilts will always be Arlene's favorites. This one was made several years ago and is much loved.

Batik Baskets

This quilt was purchased as a kit by Arlene Lafosse from Painted Pony in LaPorte, Texas. It's the only kit she's ever made, and it was a joy from beginning to end.

Rose's Art Quilts

Rose Fairlie is our resident art quilter. She can take any piece of fabric and turn it into something special. She's also a prolific dollmaker - a visit to her house is full of wonderful and unexpected treasures around every corner!

Berry Pie

One of our most prolific quiltmakers is Eleanor Warner. Eleanor is one of those rare quilters who buys fabric for one quilt at a time and sees it through from start to finish before moving on to something else. This was purchased as a kit and is made of reproduction fabrics - just a beautiful quilt!

Libby's Flower Garden

Betty Murphy is an incredibly accomplished quiltmaker. She made this gorgeous quilt for her beloved daughter who has passed away. Visitors to the Kingwood Area Quilt Show recognized how special it was and voted it "Peoples' Choice."

Tulips

Monty Schutte created this beauty - not only is it a wonderful quilt, it's also the first quilt she ever made! It's actually not so surprising when you know Monty - she's amazingly easy-going and not easily "rattled."

Batik Maple Leaves

Our bee created this wonderful quilt as a gift for Nellie on a "major" birthday.

Romantic Nostalgia

Nellie fell in love with these patterns (Victorian Calling Cards) at Quilt Festival several years ago. Her finished version is absolutely stunning!

I Spy

Several members of our bee got hooked on making "I Spy" quilts. This one was made by Nellie for her great-grandson, Quentin, who's 2-1/2 years old.

Abundance

Nellie often teaches at our local quilt shop (It's a Stitch in Humble, Texas.) If you ever have a chance to take a class from her, go for it - she's a master at applique (and pretty much anything else she does!) This quilt was made as a class sample (don't you wish you'd taken this one???)

Chains

Nellie bought a package of 2-1/2" strips and turned them into this beauty.

Window with a View

Applique block-of-the-month quilt made by Nellie Switzer (actually Nellie says it was more like "block-every-six-months")