Exciting Lecture, Trunk Show & Workshop event by Barb Vedder

When the Vice President of my guild Centreville Quilter's Unlimited, informed us she booked Barb Vedder as a Guest Speaker for our October meeting - I was beyond the Moon excited!
I'm an avid reader and huge fan of Barb's blog: FUN WITH BARB.

She provided a Lecture and Trunk Show presentation to my guild this past Thursday evening October 12th. What a treat to see some of her amazing quilts up close and in person.

The next day was Friday the 13th. How appropriate that Barb taught us an English Paper Piecing workshop/class titled "Hex Vex".

Here are a couple of close ups showing Barbs Halloween table runner and her amazing Hex Vex quilt:

For those unfamiliar with Barb Vedder - she is a nationally known lecturer, and award winning Applique' Quilter. Barb is also funny, fun, personable and very down to Earth.

Although we had never met in person before, I've considered her a blogging friend. And now that I had the priviledge of spending a few days with her, I am blessed to have walked away from this experience with a new and special friend!

If you are looking for a Guest Speaker for your Guild or Quilting event, I highly recommend that you consider Barb Vedder. Our quilt chapter really enjoyed her Program and Workshop and are still chatting excitedly about her visit. You can find information about her Lectures & Worskshops on her blog HERE.

every quilt tells a story.....

Introducing Eagles of Peace, a special group effort

I am a member of a volunteer group organized to donate our time and efforts to assisting the Virginia Quilt Museum. This Spring and into early Summer, our team was very busy working together to create the 2017 Opportunity Quilt for the museum. It is an applique quilt titled "Eagles of Peace".

The quilt measures 74" x 77". It is a reproduction of a quilt in the museum's private collection dating back to the mid 1800's titled "Hannah's Eagles".
Below is a close up of part of the original quilt.

Here are some pictures of our journey....

Our first day

the day we finished the quilt top

Hooray it is finally quilted

a close up of the quilting while hanging in the museum:

We refer to our group as the "Friends of the Virginia Quilt Museum". I am honored for the opportunity to work with these talented quilters and priviledged to also call them Friends.

The women that I worked with on this quilt are: Nanette Bell, Susie Corrao, Marcia King, Lisa Matlick, Jaclyn McEwen, Annie Mitchell, Gail Muller, Laurie Sanders, Harolyn Small, Patti Snyder and Pamela Wynfield.

The purpose of this quilt donation is to help raise funds for the museum. It will remain on display (or perhaps even travel to quilt shows) where the public can view it and purchase raffle tickets for an opportunity to win the quilt at the drawing event next Spring. If you wish to visit the museum's website to see the original quilt - Hannah's Eagles, or purchase tickets please click HERE (a full size pattern for this is also available at the museum and on their website)

every quilt tells a story......

Mystery Quilt Reveal

The past 2 years I have designed the "Scrap Happy Mystery Quilt" for the Centerville chapter of the Quilter's Unlimited Guild. This year the Haymarket chapter also joined in. Above is the reveal of my original quilt/design for this Mystery. It was very exciting to see pictures of our members' finished quilt tops.

Haymarket members hosted a Parade of Quilts:

I would like to Thank everyone that participated in the Mystery Quilt Sew Along!
This is such a Fun and Adventurous group of Quilters.

every quilt tells a story....

Back to blogging....

CROSSWORD

LOGO

These are my first 2 Dutch Treat blocks for the month of June.

I apologize for my little "break" from blogging the past few weeks.
I've had some significant events and deadlines that have kept me constantly busy.
The work is all done and I've taken with me some fun and fond memories.
Now I'm ready to play in my sewing room again.

This is my Red Touch Me Not Botanical Block for the month of June. See the blocks that other quilters are sharing on the SVBAQ blog HERE.

Last week I took a road trip with friends to La Bee da Loca in Culpeper,VA.

A reminder of how important Bees are for our environment:

I came home with some of Felicia's locally farmed Honey and a few other treats.
And earlier that morning my friend Peggy Baer presented me with this Queen Bee keepsake locket. I LOVE it and think it's BEE-utiful!

This sculpture in front of the Culpeper Visitor's Center describes what I thought of our fabulous day:

A special visit with Quilters from The Netherlands

On King's Day we visited the home of my Dutch blogging friend Yvonne van Rijn.
She lives in a beautiful historic home in Katwiijk and several months earlier she emailed to invite us to meet. I was so honored and excited for this opportunity!
We received a heartfelt Welcome!

Yvonne was a fabulous hostess, she served us a delicious Dutch meal and a special dessert to celebrate King's Day.

Yvonne also arranged for us to meet with her quilting Bee group.
We had a wonderful time getting to know each other!

Show & Tell was amazing - these talented women have been working on some very intricate quilts such as Dear Jane and a few other stunning quilt projects.

I can't thank Yvonne enough for opening her home and her heart to us! It was a magical evening of American and Dutch quilters sharing time together and quickly becoming friends! Truly the best evening of our trip!

Next week I will share about our final day in The Netherlands.
Another Fairytale of an adventure with the happiest of endings.

every quilt tells a story....