May meeting

This month we were delighted to welcome the very talented Gwenfai Rees Griffiths.  Despite assuring us that she was just a farmer's wife and mother of three, we easily sussed her out!  Her award-winning quilts rather gave her away! 

Her inovative designs and use of bright colours quite took our breath away.  We can hold our own though, and showed our skills during show and tell.

Betty is modestly showing her chenille bag.  A beautiful design.

Here is my Barbara Brackman Civil War quilt.  It was a 'block a week' series last year and kept me pretty busy.  I'm amazed I kept up with it, although I called a halt at 48 different blocks!

This is a Linus quilt I had great fun making from a design on the website www.15minutesplay.com  I used leftover blocks and components for the border.

The recent challenge for the members of Flutterwheels has been the Rebecca Collins Lucky Dip quilt.  Everyone started with shared fabrics, and then made blocks with one large half square triangle and five small ones. From left to right you can see Liz's, Stephanie's and Bunty's.  Amazing that they are made from the same components!

And here is mine.  Interesting too that Liz and I chose the same grey-green fabric to use as a border!

Bunty thoughtfully brought her Country Sampler to show.  This was designed by Gwenfai and serialised in Patchwork and Quilting magazine a few years ago.  It's stunning!

This applique quilt is fabulous!  The colours are unusual and complement the design perfectly.

This quilt is a fund-raiser for a prostate cancer charity and made from men's ties!  The designs run from frogs to snowmen and golfers to computers.  Apparently the fabric with purple condoms on it was not included - I can't imagine why, as I would have thought it was perfect!

Jan made this snowball and nine-patch quilt for her grandson.  It's very striking.

Liz made this charming Linus quilt from an old duvet cover!  She only added the dark blue border, using the duvet fabric for backing and binding too!  Very clever.

Ruth had bought some farmyard fabric and made some Linus quilts

and some incubator quilts.  So generous.

She had also visited 15minutesplay and made some star blocks like mine!  Her colour choices are a bit more subtle though!  Thanks to all who brought show and tell, and see you next time!

April meeting

Oh dear.  It's nearly time for the next meeting and I haven't even posted about the last one!  And it's not as if it was a forgettable meeting either, which would have given me a (possible) excuse!  We were lucky enough to have Helen Spence as our speaker and she kept us all enthralled by her Tricks with Triangles!  We all learned something new, whether beginners or experienced quilters, and it was a very enjoyable evening.

Something which added to the enjoyment was our trader.  Lots of eye candy, and few people were able to resist a fat quarter or charm pack to add to their stash. 

 Show and tell was kicked off by myself.  I have taken a challenge to finish a quilt a month, and this one is March's finish.  It's a Mile a Minute, and since it's bordered in pink and quilted with a floral motif in pink thread, I've called it '100 pink flowers'.  It's destined for my cousin's grandaughter when she's 18, later on this year. 

 This quilt should have a close up photo with it.  It's a crazy quilt, and has beautiful embroidery and embellishment on it.  It was a group effort, and absolutely stunning.

 Ann was given some striped fabric, and she decided to cut triangles out of it and make these hexagons with them.  The quilt is all hand pieced and hand quilted.  I can't believe she's donated such a beauty to Project Linus - but delighted she has!

 Another hexagon quilt, with a palette of smokey blues and browny yellows.  Lovely.

A cute quilt with appliqued rabbits.  A gift for a lucky child.

 Another child's quilt with a nautical theme. I bet that was fun to make.

 Last month Jane showed how to do a technique which is half piecing and half applique, called Piece-lique, which is ideal for curved shapes.  She inspired one of her group to make this beautiful quilt, with all these perfect circles. 

 Gaynor used a collection of feature fabrics she brought from a trip Down Under to make this quilt.  It's a very clever arrangement, and showcases the fabrics superbly.

 Doreen made a little top from squares, but doesn't like quilting.  Liz kindly took it away and quilted it for her, and then Doreen gave it to Linus!  Thanks you two!

  Here is another Linus quilt.  It's a string quilt with blocks made by members of Chesterfield Townswomen's Guild and members of Lutterworth Knit and Stitch.  Paula put them all together in this barn-raising design.  It's a wonderful result from a bag of bits! 

Well done all those who brought show and tell, and I'll try and be a bit quicker at posting after the next meeting!