April Rolls into May

April birthdays just roll along into the month of May. That's okay with the expatchers--any day to celebrate the happiness of being together is a very good day. And what would a gathering day for quilters be without some 'show and tell'. Oh, we have lots of 'Tells'! Karen just returned from two weeks in Ireland and Scotland. Her Tale was about her adventures in those countries. She brought along her newest quilting handwork.
This is the pattern she is using to create her lovely quilt top. Karen has a way with colors and prints.
We were happy to see Brenda, as she has been battling an unusual illness. She even has the doctors baffled. She finished her mystery quilt from 2008 Quilt Festival and what a pleasing sight it is to the eyes! Wonderful batiks. This will be backing.
And since this was a mystery pattern, there was discussion on how color placement could have made a difference in the nine patch block that comes out into the border. But, you never know where the pattern will take you.

Annette has faithfully been working by hand on this log cabin heart hanging that she is giving to her hubby on their 30th wedding anniversary. Shhhhhhh, don't tell him! I doubt he will be reading this blog so the secret should be well kept until the reveal next week. She plans to outline with gold thread.
Shop Hop quilt-- different quilters, one pattern. See how each tackled the setting and block placement. First, here is Judy M's setting. And here is Brenda's.
Interesting, huh? By adding an additional sashing around each block, Brenda made her quilt bigger which required more applique work around the border. One of our absent quilters (who is living in Mexico) made the exact same quilt but she didn't have applique work on the border. She just used the piecing continuation. Individual quilts for indiviual quilters!
We celebrate with gifts of fat quarters. Sandy requested 30's fabrics.
Karen requested reds! How diverse!
The remainder of the delicious birthday angel food cake.

More Tips of the Trade. This one coming from Linda, who shared her belt sling for quick scissor draw! There is no way you'll lose those scissors if they are attached to your belt! Good thinking Linda! The gals keep thinking of recycling to aid in our quilting endeavors.