THANKSgiving

At our meeting last week I was struck by how much of the meeting centered around giving...

-  to those we love in our recent swap
-  to women oceans away in India (Sari Bari)
-  tote bags to Red Cross volunteers
-  new book for the guild library (Thanks Diane M.)
-  a quick and easy stocking pattern/demo (Thanks Elizabeth B.; pattern link below)
-  and a surprise turnaround for some donated blocks

I've always known quilters have great hearts but this fact shone brightly last week.

http://fabricworm.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-stocking-tutorial.html

SWAP FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE

We had the reveals for the items we made for our swap partners.  Here is a recap of this fun swap!

Elizabeth B. made adorable elephants for Kelleigh's twin godchildren.
Free pattern and tutorial at Birch Fabrics

Kelleigh, our resident bag EXPERT with a capital "E", made a beautiful Aeroplane bag for Kim's mother.     Pattern for sale here - SewSweetness blog

Kim made the most "amazing amazing amazing" (my son's description) Yoda/Darth Vader pillowcase and a matching bedside book caddy for my son.  I wish I had recorded his reaction when I gave the items to him, priceless.  He has told me several times since then how much he LOVES his items!! Thank you Kim!
Free Star Wars blocks from QuietPlay blog & Craftsy store
Free bed book caddy pattern at Sew4Home site

Yoda

Or flip it over to the "dark side"

I (Karen) made a pink Buttercup Bag for Beth P's granddaughter.
Free pattern at Made-By-Rae blog

Beth made a beautiful wall hanging from Indian fabrics for Sue's sister that has been battling an illness.

RED CROSS BAGS

This program wrapped up this month with 4 more bags being turned in.  We will be donating 20 bags to the Red Cross for their volunteers.  Way to go CMQG!

A SURPRISE TURNAROUND

OK, I hope I get this story right because it is a GOOD one.

Back in September there was a stack of units on the counter with a note that said something like "Free- take if desired".  They were quite lovely and I wondered who brought them and why the person had donated them.  Well, at the end of the meeting the blocks were still on the counter back with the library books, so Elaine N. (our librarian) packed them up with the books and took them home.

This month Elaine brought the blocks back...   in the form of a FANTASTIC BABY QUILT for Elizabeth B.!  You see Elizabeth was the person that originally donated the blocks.  She said she had stared at the blocks for so long and did not know what in the world to do with them.  Now she can use the quilt to cuddle up with her baby.  How sweet!

Thanks Elizabeth, thanks Elaine... this made me SMILE!  

Have a great week,

Karen E.