I almost forgot!

I FINALLY went to the local quilt guild meeting! I think I have been talking about that since the beginning of this blog. I put a reminder in my email and it popped up on Monday, giving me a full day to plan. I re-checked the website for date and time since I didn't want to show up at the AA meeting again. I was a couple of minutes late and boy howdy they start right on time! I sat in the back, trying to be invisible but oh no, the leader saw me and asks my name, introduces herself and then asks if I want to move up front. Uhhhh, no. She went through the business, called some different ladies up front for different things and then they had Share and Show. I wasn't sure if I could take photos so I didn't. It was a small group that night and not much for sharing but those that did...WOW! Way out of my league. Then it was break time - sweets and coffee. I just sat there and talked to a few women as they walked by. One gal sat down next to me and we talked during the break.

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Break is over and now the guest speaker is presented. Ann Kimble of English Paper Piecing fame. Okay, I know what paper piecing is but no idea what English Paper Piecing might be. Well Ann explained it all. She was quite a fun speaker, kept the ball rolling, was funny and very talented and not snooty at all. She said she liked the group too. She told a story about her quilts or table runners as she held them up.

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This was the first one she ever worked on (I don't remember if it is the first one she ever completed. BOY HOWDY that is a LOT of handwork -no thank you very much!

So at this point I am thinking how much can you do with hexagons, that has to get old. But as Ann showed us her work it didn't get old! Then she branched out into other shapes. Here is a sampler of flowers done with all the different shaped templates. Ann is in the white shirt, the quilt guild leader is in the orange, her name is Leslie (I think). You can also see another fun quilt on the table.

I know the pictures aren't great and it isn't the new camera's fault. Funky lighting, she was constantly moving and operator error. You can go to http://www.paperpieces.com/index1.html to see some of Ann's patterns and these very quilts. I really liked this one, it is called Inner City. Like Baby's Tumbling Blocks I like that optical illusion.

Ann had LOTS of quilts and runners with her and some of them she didn't share with us. They were a treat for those taking her class the next day. The gal sitting next to me could hardly wait until the next day to get started. She said she LOVES handwork. Yeah, whatever baby. ;)

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The guild has decided to have a show every other year now instead of every year. They say it is just too much work. Supposedly there is going to be a Red Hat Society gathering in town next spring and they are going to coincide their quilt show with that event. I don't know if I will join the guild or not but I will give it some thought.

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So I get home from the meeting and check my email and there is a newsletter from Connecting Threads and at the bottom is a little blurb about.............ENGLISH PAPER PIECING! Never before I had I seen that term and now twice in one night.

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On another note, college girl received the skirt today and says it fits great and she loves it! She was headed out to go shopping so she took it along to try to find a shirt/sweater to match.

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Praise - my son got the big ol' stump that he has been working away on, out! No major injuries were incurred during the process.

Prayers - the realtor seems desperate and has advised us to consider doing some big upgrades to the house. Uhhhhh, there have been very few showings and no offers. Hubby says NO! We will consider it as part of an offer. Continue to pray for showing and for God to bring the right buyer soon.