It is the best way to begin the new year--with friends and good eats! At the ex-patchers gathering this week, we had some delicious (although non calorie free) treats. Of course, meetings of any kind should begin with a layout like this one.
Jane was proudly showing off her new apron, purchased over the holidays. Jane is not the hostess for the day, but she loved the apron when she saw it.
At these gatherings, it is always great fun to be nosey and seek out treasures! Look around your surroundings and see what wonderful handmades are in sight. Here on Annette's chairs were two 'trip around the world' pillows--opposites.
Sandy was showing off her 'Birch Tree' hanging that she is having fun with. She found the pattern in Sept/Oct issue of
Quilter's World. The nice thing about some magazines is the fact, with your paid subscriptions, you can view them on line. And the archives is right at your finger tips. No thumbing through piles and piles of magazines--that was always a side track from what was being sought!
In the front area of Annette's house we found this delightful pillow tucked behind the kitty's bag of toys. This was from a quilter gift exchange several years ago.
And to accompany the upcoming February holiday, Annette had draped a wonderful heart quilt over the rocking chair--all cozy and inviting.
Now, we move onto "sort of" finished UFO's. Here is the quilting view of the last top that Sandy did--feathers design--great balls of fire! how super is this design!
She placed it on this wall hanging--now, to just bind and it will be ready for the spring season.
Here is another Halloween bear from
Fat Cat which will be added to the other two bears. If you haven't checked out the new 2011 BOM from Sindy--better hop over there immediately--it is awesome!! and Sindy offers each block free of charge for one month.
We are off and running with the Layer Cake happening. This is the fifth block in the group. So far, we are keeping up with this.
Okay, folks, back to the grindstone--dashing off those UFO's. Next time, we'll discuss knitted wear.
Two weaver friends were on hand to take in the sights as well. Charlene (left) wearing one of her lovely woven scarves and D'Anne, wearing the art work from the hands of Laura Viada.
We chatted with Sarah, who uses peyote stitch to create a freeform necklace.
Outside the main doors of the gallery, a garden awaits the visitor as they exit the building.
Onto our second artist studio--Cara Barer. Her studio is on the outskirts of her home. Cara is an international recognized artists whose work of paper are outstanding! She calls herself a photographer though.
Here we met Etta, who is wearing a freeform crochet jacket that uses small scraps of leftover yarns.
Onto our third artists studio, which is also located in her home. Dixie Friend Gay does large commercial installations. You might see her work at major airports. She has two studios--one 'clean' for her paintings and a 'messy' studio where she does her glass/mosaic work. Several gather outside the main gates as we await our leader's arrival.
As you walk down the pathway into the home, you notice large chunks of colored glass surrounding the trees and other flowerbeds--yes, this is definitely a glass worker!
The final destination was the home of Victoria and Marshal, where we toured her three story metal house and enjoyed a box lunch. This was a rare occasion to take in the artwork and studios of international artists, who make a living through the creative use of their hands.
