We began our quarterly meeting by welcoming a new member - Kathy MacKenzie - who recently joined CQG and then took the plunge into our Mod Squad. Welcome, Kathy!
We then jumped into the fun time - our Initial Challenge. Everyone agreed that it was challenging, that it made us do a little research into color names, quilt blocks, and quilting motifs, and that we needed to think about how to put all three together. Our creativity flowed as we each recounted the story of how our quilted item came to be. Some used this challenge as an opportunity to stretch their quilting skills and try new techniques, while others obsessed and overthought each detail until the last week and got it done. In all, despite the angst of needing to make decisions within the parameters of our parent-given / marriage-enhanced initials, we met the challenge and got it done.
Our second round of 'what's everyone working on' included Becky's Hearts (totally awesome, with cool binding), Joy's sashiko bag with Japanese fabric lining (so chic), and Michelle's chatelaine (so handy) FYI, the definition of a chatelaine is 'a set of short chains attached to a woman's belt, used for carrying keys or other items,' or, in our case, all our sewing supplies that somehow get hidden as we are working.
And, we cannot forget, Mary's contributions to the Leicester Fair boutique - gift card holders, soup bowl cozies, and lovely mother-and- daughter aprons for making holiday cookies. Lots of ideas as we enjoy the best days of summer. Thanks, Everyone.
And, now it's on to October with our Scrap Soup Challenge. Those who wished to participate brought in a gallon sized zip lock baggie filled with scraps. These bags were exchanged and the recipient will make a quilted item for the original owner to be delivered at our October meeting. The only requirement is that some of the scraps be used, not necessarily all of them. You may add to the Scrap Soup from your own collection. There is no size restriction. Each item should be wrapped and include a gift tag with the original owner's name. We will have a pre-Holiday party where all will be revealed and we can marvel at how an ordinary bag of scraps can be transformed into an extraordinary quilted item.
Our next meeting will be at the end of October - date, time and place to be determined. I'll send an email as soon as all the arrangements have been made.