December 2008 Newsletter

Christmas is such a festive time and we confirmed it at our December meeting. It was a blustery day and we all came in, shaking off the snow and bearing gifts, good food and warm hearts. The food was delicious; chili in bread bowls, veggie platter, enchiladas, rice and beans, cookies, flan, cannoli's, 7-layer dip....thinking about all that good food makes me feel satisfied. The Quilting Bees that joined in the festivities included Margie, Peggy, Tricia, Dawn, Randi, Ellie, Helen and Linda. We missed the members that were unable to join us and wished them a happy holiday.

Dawn came prepared for Show and Tell with a quilt created to bring a bit of nature into her workspace. Her office doesn't have a window so she created a space with a fountain, beta fish and plant and this amazingly quilted wall hanging, "Working...while you Play."

It features orcas, at play.

Then she showed us the children's quilts she is making to take to Mexico with her in 2009. One is a game quilt and the other features beetles. Such fun!

Helen showed us some of her completed UFOs and we were impressed. The tops were finished but now they are done; sandwiched, quilted and bound. She started a table topper and quilted each block separately, ending up with a full sized quilt! Through the Carson Valley Quilt Guild, she took 3rd Saturday classes and made placemats, a scrap quilt and a fun quilt she named "Teddy Bear Picnic." Helen and Ellie showed us squares for a calendar quilt and Christmas quilt made with another quilting circle. We appreciated the inspiration.

Next month, each member is encouraged to bring a quilt pattern that could be used by everyone to produce a quilt. The idea is that the finished quilt would be a secret to be shared next Christmas. So don't forget those patterns so we can vote. We are also asking each member to set personal quilting goals for 2009 and bring them along to share. And don't forget to bring quilting items you would like to pass on so Margie can take them to the Carson City 4-H Fabric and Rummage Sale.

Helen offered to work with Peggy to learn about her long-arm quilt machine. The only obstacle that keeps Peggy and Tricia out of the studio is window covering. Dawn suggested using fabric, Ellie said just use newspaper. I guess we'll find out what Peggy used at the next meeting.

Since our November meeting, Tricia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was scheduled to go in for an operation the day after our meeting and the very good news is that the cancer did not spread to her lymph nodes. She will have an implant to target the radiation to a specific area and will be traveling to Reno daily for radiation therapy. We are so thankful that prayers are being answered and that we can support Tricia in her journey back to health.

The Quilting Bees is about much more than quilting, isn't it? We are sisters, sharing and supporting each other through our joys and tribulations with a good measure of quilting added. My wish for each of you is that 2009 will be a good year filled with laughter, fun and completed UFO's.

Happy Quilting!

Linda