They share, they try different techniques, they enjoy refreshments, and they sometimes go on day trips.  These are something like the old time quilting bees when women gathered at one another’s homes for quilting and socializing.

Beth often discusses her group’s gatherings in her Meandering Threads blog: 

*Check out her December 3, 2007 entry which describes a workshop at Sue’s house where they tried out Shiva paint sticks.  Here is just one of the projects Beth did.

*Her Friday, December 14, 2007 post describes their Christmas party.

Tell us about your quilting group and the projects you undertake there.

(c)2007 Mary Emma Allen; photo by Beth A. Mastin

Post from: Blisstree

The Delight of a Quilting Group

I chose to relate the story of my mom, who influenced many people throughout her years as a country grocer, and hoped this would inspire Kay and others.  As I wrote about Mother, I realized (as I said in one of my comments at the post):

I think we all can find inspiring stories within our families. I hope, with this story, I encourage others to look at their lives and the people they know. Someone, somewhere has inspired them in a way they may not realize at first.

Mother also inspired my quiltmaking by encouraging me to make and sell these items in her store during the Bicentennial years of 1975-76. 

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Runner-up in this week’s contest was Biz Chicks Rule with the post, What Keeps Me Going When I Need Inspiration.  This is their second week in a row, either coming in first or as a runner-up!

What inspiring stories do you have among your family and friends that encourage you? Let us know about them!

Post from: Blisstree

My Mother, The Country Grocer…a Winner!

Warming Up consists of quilting with words!  Joyce Marden added a little house midst a collection of winter words in a piece she has referred to as Winter Words. 

I couldn’t keep on with such a cold quilt so I added a nice cosy house to get warm in, explained Joyce.  She also added a few more words to the winter collage type work. 

This blog entry, Winter Words, shows Joyce’s quilt before adding the little house.  I do like it better with the house. 

 Perhaps you’ll find some tips here if you want to add words to your quilting.

Another interesting fabric project of Joyce’s consists of Luggage Tags.  This is a great way to use up fabric scraps and have unique tags for your luggage when traveling.  It should be easy to spot Joyce’s bags on the carosel at the airport.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting with Words & Other Fun Projects

*Visit your grandparents.

*Invite your grandparents to your home.

*Take them out to eat.

*Send them a note, a card, a gift.

*Phone them if they live too far away.

*”Adopt” someone for a grandparent if yous live far away or are no longer living.

*Teach grandparent appreciation to your children.

         *Make a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt! 

*Write  “What grandparents mean to me”  story and post it on your blog.

*Tell your children and grandchildren about your grandparents so those stories aren’t forgotten        and lost to your family history.

*Recall quilting with your grandmother…or resolve to do some quiltmaking with Grandmother  (and Grandfather, too).

How are you remembering Grandparents’ Day?

Post from: Blisstree

Quilters, Take Time to Remember Grandparents’ Day!

At Hobobiker.com I discovered an interesting story and photo about a quilt in Guatemala, Patchwork quilt to honor the dead and disappeared of the civil war. 

It seems that quilters have a common bond no matter where they live.  In times of tragedy, they find comfort in their stitching and hope to honor and comfort others this way, too.

Post from: Blisstree

Wartime Quilts in Other Countries

Needlework also has comforted women during war time, as they made quilts and other items (nowadays even fabric postcards) for those far from home on the battlefront.

I recently discovered a site, Real Women Quilt, with a page, Quilting through Grief, where quilters relate how their needlework has helped them through tough times.  Also, quilting may be something they did with or for the loved one who passed away.  Even though the memories of these quilting times are bittersweet, they’re memories that sustain them.

Quilting and fabric art also can get us through stressful times.  My daughter’s intense interest in quiltmaking, evolving into art quilts, began when her husband was going through a bout with cancer.  She could take along small quilting projects to work on during those long hospital waits or during visiting time.  Quilt art has become her solace during stressful and non-stressful times.

What about you?

          This is the latest book my daughter has obtained to help her design and create art quilts.

Post from: Blisstree

Quilting Helps Us Through Grief Stricken Times