A SPECIAL PROJECT! I was asked by a friend that knew a friend, and so on....to design a block that others could make and eventually be turned into a quilt and/or quilts that could be auctioned off next year to raise money for breast and/or ovarian cancer. I wish I could take the credit for this, but Quilts for a Cause, Inc. is the group that have asked for this help. There is not one of us that have not been touched in one way or another by this horrible disease. Each person working on this project sent me personal letters when they returned their blocks telling me that their block was dedicated to a friend or a family member. I was so touched by everyone's letters and felt that no matter who ended up with the quilts we made they couldn't help but know each stitch came from the heart. I am so grateful to my pattern club members and some of their friends for their support. Names for the quilts were voted on and here are the names chosen: MANY HANDS, MUCH HOPE, FLOWERS OF HOPE AND MY SISTER'S FLOWER GARDEN A very special THANK YOU to everyone that participaed. On the following pages you will see the blocks everyone made, the quilt tops put together, and then the finished quilts. Our project is now complete and all three quilts have been sent to Tucson, Arizona to Quilts for a Cause, Inc. The auction is to be held in October. You can see the quilts that have been donated by visiting their website....www.quiltforacause.org On a more personal note, this entire project took on a much more personal note when we lost my sister, Sharron Mudore, to lung cancer this year. She was able to participate in this project and I know she's smiling now that it's been completed. Good job everyone! Hugs, Lynda
This is the block everyone worked on. The block is a flower block, 15 inches square. I do believe the recipient of this quilt(s) will have a lovely flower garden!
Here are the finished quilts -
FLOWERS OF HOPE
Row 1 (l/r)Cindy Dickenson, Ingrid Quitslund, Marie Beers, Cindy Dickenson, Cherie Reynolds; Row 2 (l/r) Alice Shaw,Pat Harrell, Tammy Maki, (?), Jeri Wolfe; Row 3 (l/r) Ingrid Quitslund, Cathy Hansen, Sindy Herd, Sue Higley, Cathleen Rainey; Row 4 (l/r) Kathy Clemons, Liz Stanis, Alice Shaw, Patti Levine, Jeannie Arnieri
This picture is of the breast cancer block quilt that Cheryl Mills machine quilted. It has been shipped off to Quilts for a Cause, Inc. I am so proud of everyone that participated on this project. Thank you so very much. I know everyone that sees this quilt will be impressed with all the hard work and devotion you have shown and whomever bids the most and receives this quilt will know that it was done with alot of love from you.
This is the second breast cancer quilt completed. It's called "Flowers of Hope". Dori Hawks returned this quilt just the other day all completed. Thanks Dori.
The third and final quilt to be returned to me was quilted by Amber Coffey. This quilt is called "Many Hands Much Hope". Thank you Amber for your contribution.
I received a telephone call from Jeannie Beahan from Quilts for a Cause, Inc. this week saying all three of the quilts arrived safely and to say "Thank You" to each of you for your participation. She was delighted with the quilts. She informed me that it would take a couple of weeks for our quilts to show up on their website, but they will be there for you to see.
Her parting remark was that she would keep us in mind for future endeavors.
Many of you have asked for me to share my new sewing room with you. It's a first for me, so you can imagine how excited I am. Before having this studio, I designed every quilt you see as a pattern on my dining room table. My table is 10 feet long and so I was able to keep the mess to one end and eat dinner at the other. Sometimes the mess crowded in on dinner, and of course when company came, I had to clean up the whole thing. I was just happy to be sewing that it didn't matter.........until I got to see sewing studio's that other people have. So, I'm happy to share with you the before pictures, the current pictures and also when it's totally completed.
Before it became a sewing room, it was a back porch. We never used it as such, so it was a perfect place to make into a room to house all the Primitive Pieces by Lynda quilts that were in the making.
The porch measured 40 feet long by 12 feet wide and had two sets of french doors that came off the dining room. If this was going to be the place, I didn't even have to go outside to start work in the morning.
Skeeter, one of our bloodhounds made sure everything went well during the construction process
The shelves have been primed and painted and ready to be loaded........very soon!
The floor was primed and painted with two coats of barn red paint. It seemed to take forever to dry....delaying the moving in process.
mini blinds have been ordered for the windows and a curtain will cover the door.
a design wall was made and from my kitchen window I can look out into the room and make sure what's hanging on that wall looks ok.
Baseboards and electrical outlet covers are drying and will be installed soon. That's about all that is left to do.
Moving day did arrive and it was a very exciting day. This is what you see when the french doors are opened. It's an area where one can sit and hand applique, hook, knit, etc.
Filling the shelves with fabric has been both a chore and a delight. I found that before I could even start on the downstairs shower (remember those 28 bags of fabric you've heard about?) I had to get what was sitting out and about on them first. So, it is a few pictures into the future where you'll see all the shelves full.
This old dresser will house office stuff once my computer cupboard gets in the room.
I found this wonderful tall skinny drawer unit in a favorite antique shop. It's perfect to store notions and sits behind where I'll be sewing.
a view of the sewing room
This cubby works really well for skeins of wool. Part of the fabric was rearranged so this could sit under the window.
This black wall cupboard was brought down from upstairs, hung on the wall and now holds yarn. Hopefully, I can find a wonderful cubby to sit on the floor under it...or perhaps a small table. Searching out pieces is always a fun time for me.
There will be an office end to the room. I'm still trying to find an old piece of furniture that will house my computer, etc.
Down in the sewing end, there is a bookshelf that wool and wool yarn is stored. Look for some fun projects coming your way!
A computer cupboard now sits in the office end of the room. My husband built me this cupboard. I painted it and distressed it and just love the way it looks. The office end is slowly becoming just that. I have a black filing cabinet that's modern so have hidden it between the french doors. Can't see it when they are open. Hopefully this end will be finished soon.
I hope you will be able to join in the fun one day. Hugs, Lynda
Jennifer Keltner, Editor of American Patchwork and Quilting was the guest speaker for opening night at PMW. She is a delightfully funny speaker who had lots of wonderful ideas to share. Her quilt show presentation included old quilts and new quilts...something for everyone to enjoy.
I taught three classes at the retreat. This is the first project....a sewing box everyone painted, distressed, and waxed. They made a quilt block for the top, along with a two decker pin cushion.
Here is a picture of the class. front row from L to R - Nancy, owner of The Hen House Quilt shop, Patty, me, Donna and Sharon. Back row L to R - Kathi, Barb, Nancy and Lorna
I don't know how many camera's were sitting on ready for a picture of all of us..but at one point I decided perhaps just to make it a little different we should all turn around...lol I don't think Sharon got word down at her end! There were two give aways in the color class. I can't remember if anyone took pictures of the winners....but Donna won a bag to hold thread and Lorna won a pin keep. They were made to match the block on the top of their boxes.
The color class was held at the shop. We had all day to play with tons of bolts of fabrics. Of course, everyone went home with some to add to their stash.....duh! This table runner was given away in this class. Jeri from Plano, Texas went home with it. Everyone signed it as a memento.
A picture of the color class. L to R - Julie Wardell, Liz Stanis, me, Jeri Wolfe, seated - Lin Evans and Kerry Green
This table rug or small wall hanging was the third project. It started out being a partridge in a pear tree.......but somewhere along the line the partridge flew away and another bird arrived...the piece is called TWO PAIRS. I'll let you figure that out.
Cathy Hansen and Cheryl Knapp had my full attention in this class. Cathy and I first met 4 years ago when Rita started PMW...This was Cheryl's first time to PMW......but she's coming back!
You can see it's not all work and no play for anyone there. By the fourth day, everyone gets just a little silly and everything becomes funny. We managed to hold it together until the class was over.
Cheryl told me she saved the best class for last..........just kidding everyone! She did tell me that she had a blast and hoped to return next year. A friend was to come with her, but couldn't make it and she was determined to come have fun anyway........good choice Cheryl!
Barb sitting at the sewing machine got her block quilted for the top of her box. Of course, we all stood around giving encouragement.
Edie and I think this show should be called the Edie show or the Lynda show as we both were seen taking one picture after another of each other. Somtimes at the same time. If I remember correctly, Edie told me that pictures of this event will be posted on Pickledish.com I hope you'll check it out.
After opening ceremonies, a lot of us go out to eat together. Here is Edie taking my picture. Sitting next to her is Cherie Ralston, Lynn Hagmier, Renee Plains and Maggie Bonanomi with her back to us.
After the last classes are put to bed Saturday afternoon, everyone gathers at the quilt shop for one last chance to see each other, enjoy pizza, purchase any last minute things you forgot and say the good-bye! Here's a picture of Sue Spargo at the party. The good-bye's are always the hardest, but we hold on to the memories we have and make promises to return next year.
Lyn and I had a chance to chat just before the opening ceremonies began. It was a delightful evening of seeing old friends and meeting new people.
It's very hard to say this with a straight face, but we do "teach" at primitives! lol
One of the hardest things about the last day is always saying good bye. Rita and her gals always make these 4 days very special for all of us that attend. A gracious host, and a good friend, Rita is one of the best!
What was fun for me was seeing each of them put the block together using their own favorite fabrics and colorways. Below are the pictures from my time spent with them.
A very SPECIAL THANK YOU to the Cypress Creek Quilter's Guild for inviting me into their circle.
I was so impressed with the attendance by this guild! 126 members strong, 74+ in attendance this past Wednesday evening. It was so much fun speaking to a group that size! Well done Cypress Creek!
I was also impressed with the different number of committee's they had. Becky Dohr, the president called upon each committee chairmain to report. It was so impressive to hear about all the wonderful things they were involved with. Getting involved with your guild is so very important to it's success.
Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam was the quilt the class decided to make. Here's my version of the quilt. You will see how some of the students made it their way and how fun they turned out.
Becky Dohr, the president of the guild took my class and this is her block of Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam. It was so much fun to finally meet Becky. She's been in my pattern club for a long time!
Cathleene Tokish, the program chairmain of the league, was the one who contacted me about coming to play with these girls. I stayed with Cathleene in her home and had the best time.
Diane Keeports stitching on her Aunt Ree's Raspberry jam block. Diane chose to make a block a lot different from mine. I love it when someone takes a design and makes it their own. You'll see her block in the group picture.
Margie West hand stitching the center onto her Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam block. (Note) Margie had the best light hanging around her neck at this class. She gave me the information on how to order one and I purchased one today. Yeah! It's on it's way and if it works out ok, I will be selling these from my website soon!) I can't wait to get mine! Thanks Margie!
Margie West's Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam Block
Sue English's Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam block
Tina Rosenberg's Aunt Ree's Raspberry jam block....Tina actually made 4 of these blocks during class. I had to laugh because they deemed Tina the teacher's pet........aka Over Achiever! lol it was great to see Tina having such a good time.
Stephanie Parade's Aunt Ree's Raspberry Jam block
Class picture - from left to right - Diane Keeports, Elaine Cousineau, Diane Juranko, Cathleene Tokish, Becky Dohr, Tina Rosenberger, Margie West, stephanie Parades, Sue English....and me.
Much better lightning with this second group picture - and my special Thank you to all the gals that took the class. It was a day I'll remember always!
