Thursday, May 18, 2017

Counting Down to Summer Solstice


After another weekend of sleeping, I finally am feeling like myself again and that means, prepping for the Strawberry Festival and tackling the Summer Solstice quilt again.  When I picked this project back up, I was behind quite a few blocks so I needed to regroup.  I had sections B and C completed and decided to tackle section A.  I still needed to make three blocks, so I picked my fabrics, cut all the block pieces and the black and gray/white fabrics I'm using for the checker board fillers.

For me this is the quickest way to work on the blocks.  Chain piecing  everything as I go and using the checker board pieces as leader/enders...score!  The On The Go and Precious Fabric blocks went together super quick.  The Board Game block took a bit more time...it's not pictured below.


It was after completing these blocks, my body decided to crash again and I went into hibernation, but I woke up a new woman, ready to go again.  It was at this point I realized that I had made enough checker board pieces to complete section E and only needed to complete three more blocks to complete section F...it's almost like I have a whole quilt!

So on to piecing Hugs & Kisses, Honey Bee and Tile Time blocks.


I ended up completing two out of the three blocks as of tonight.  Unfortunately it is time for it to got back to sleep for a few days.  The rest of my week will be consumed by all of the small town festival events.

But I couldn't really stop just there...I HAD to see what this quilt is looking like.  So out came the portable design wall and up went the blocks.


This thing is HUGE!  I kind of wonder if I should have planned my fabric choices a little better, but you know, all those prints make me smile.  One of the points of this quilt is to finally give a home to all of the fabrics in my stash that I have dearly loved, but been to afraid to chop up.  All fabrics deserve a good home.


So the fabrics for the next two Solstice blocks are waiting for me, along with the fabrics for Mister Domestic, Mathew Boudreaux's, block Faux Weave.  Until I can get these pretties all cut up, I will leave you with festival pictures.


I snapped this picture on Tuesday before we began prepping the quilts for judging....the quilt show before the quilts.

I also volunteered to create three different boards with pictures taken through out last year, that will hopefully explain to those that attend the show what a quilt guild is and some of the things that we do.


The first board shows three different charity projects that the guild has taken on.


The second board shows group projects that we have participated in; including two classes and Cheryl Brickey's, Meadow Mist Designs, Meadow Mystery Quilt.


The last board talks about what a guild is, what we do, and how to join.  Our hope is that by seeing what we are about, maybe we can see an increase in our membership.  I've ran into several people that have expressed and interest in joining but where afraid they didn't have enough experience or didn't exactly know what the guild does.  Hopefully, by seeing all the fun we have together others will find encouragement to join us in all our fun.

Does your guild have any special things that they do in order to try to encourage membership growth?  I would love to hear about it if they do.  Until next time, I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.  May good weather find you and lots of free sewing time.  I will be getting fat on funnel cake and of course strawberry short cake.


Today I'm linking up with Let's Bee Social, Wednesday Weight Loss, and Midweek Makers.

11 comments:

Afton Warrick said...

It helps if a guild has postcards at local quilt shops explaining membership costs, benefits, meeting times etc.

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

Enjoy the weekend and funnel cake!!!

Nancy J said...

That is a huge quilt,lovely variety of blocks, and I think next week will be catch up on some rest!!!

Susan said...

As a former membership chair, we ran half price memberships at our biennial quilt show, garnering 50-75 new members. Twice we've had over 500 members.
It looks like you're headed toward hulk mode again! Thanks for sharing at Midweek Makers

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Your blocks look great. I am so far behind in my QAL, but I'll eventually catch up.

Janice Holton said...

Oh man, I wish I could be there to help you and to see what goes on behind the scenes at a quilt show! Best wishes for a great show and lots of new members!

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

You have been busy. Your blocks are coming along great and looking good. I was going to say I love strawberries then later on I got the feeling it's a quilt show? Have a great time, and if there are no strawberries eat cake! Yum yum

Bobbi @ Snowy Days Quilting said...

Such a cool quilt! It's great to see all of your blocks in one place. It looks like you're getting close to finishing.

The best thing my guild does is an annual retreat. We go during the off season, so we get a good deal. I don't think it encourages new members as much as it allows for deeper friendships among the members we have. It's how a lot of us started to really feel connected to the guild.

I hope the quilt festival goes well for you! It's amazing how much work goes on behind the scenes to pull off a quilt show.

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

I don't fancy our local guild at all , if only I could go to yours ! Good luck with the show

Stitchin At Home said...

A good idea to let people know what goes on behind the doors of a guild. And yes all your favourites deserve to be made into a quilt, it is going to be huge but lovely.

Jennifer Fulton Inquiring Quilter said...

I love that this quilt is going to be filled with fabrics that have meant a lot to you. How wonderful is that? Thanks for sharing it, and your preparations for a wonderful quilt show and strawberry festival! Have tons of fun! Thanks for linking up to Wednesday Wait Loss!

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