Memory Pillows, Pillowcases, and Headband

I have so many pots on the stove that I don't know which one to stir!  I've been super busy.  I did finish quilting  my blocks on my practice quilt that I plan to make a book with, however, I haven't uploaded those photos.  I have also been working on two challenge quilts that I can't share until May and June.  I also started working on a Mizzou tigers quilt and planning for retreat projects.  This in addition to teaching, lecturing, running the scrap quilting club (of which I need to upload March photos), being VP of the quilt guild, and  teaching urban line dancing classes!  I haven't mention meeting and classes that I attend or the slew of family events and cooking/cleaning around the home.  I thought retirement meant I had more time; now, I'm trying to figure out how I allocated 50 hours per week to work!

I stopped working on my major projects to make a few memory items.  I used t-shirts to make most of the items.

20" pillow

 Two-sided 20" pillow (side 1)

Two-sided 20" pillow (side 2)

14" pillow

The pillow cases were made for standard size pillows but I folded them to crop.  The other side is a continuation of the main fabrics on the back.  I used french seams so no raw edges on the main sewing lines.  However, using t-shirts in pillowcases caused for me to piece them into the panel as centered as possible.  These seams are raw edge as I didn't have enough fabric required to do french seaming.

Then, while I was making pillowcases, I decided to make four more representing our local baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.  I know someone who is going to love getting a couple of these.

As I was working on the above projects, my YouTube subscription list showed video instructions on how to make a headband.  I just had to try it with the scraps.  Unfortunately, it's a child size so it can't go to whom I intended.  However, some lucky child will be sporting our team.  Click here to view the video.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Missouri State Quilters Guild Annual Meeting and Retreat

Quilters in the Midwest, consider becoming a member of the Missouri State Quilters Guild.  I've been a member for about five years or so.  I haven't been very active with this group but have attended  the annual Fall retreat twice and the annual Spring retreat this past weekend.

The guild's Fall retreat is held in Jefferson City.  It's time to acquaint yourselves with quilters from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Illinois.  There maybe more participating states.  The first time I attended, I only knew a hand full of quilters, mainly the ones that work in the metropolitan St. Louis area.  I felt welcomed and left with many friends.  The retreat committee has meals provided by the hotel and has a community sewing room.  There is so much on the agenda, but basically classes are offered, challenges, friendship swaps, fat quarter drawings, vendors, main speaker, etc.  I have way too much fun and hate to leave when it is time.

The Spring retreat I attended this past weekend was a smaller event that was held in St. Charles.  This meeting moves around the state.  This gives members the opportunity to learn about Missouri cities, local quilt shops in the area, specialty restaurants, attractions, etc.  We still had classes scheduled but much more time was spent exploring the area and having the annual board meeting.  We had Ann Hazelwood as a guest speaker.  Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of the quilts she depicted.

If you ever wondered about this guild, I'd love to provide you with more information.

Here are a few of the show-n-tell pictures I took on my cell phone from way back in the room.  A lot of the photos are blurry and couldn't be uploaded.

I also took the English Paper Piecing class.  This was my results!  The most I've gotten made once, a long time ago, is one flower.  I'm sure I added it to some forgotten project.  Now, I have 4+ and plan to make something with it this time.  I have a service appointment for my car on Tuesday so maybe I'll get even more completed.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Lecture and Workshop in Normal, IL

I have been working on challenge projects, but cannot share those until May and June.  However, I was the guest lecturer and teacher for the Hands All Around Quilt Guilld in Normal, Illinois last week.  I visited three quilt shops in the area and even drove to Washington, IL to visit another.

The hospitatility extended by this guild to their guests is so refreshing.  It's a very large guild, but still fells friendly will efficiently getting all the tasks completed.  The program committee did a fantastic job.  Thanks so much for having me and I hope to see you again.

This post is a combination of photos from the show-n-tell of the guild members and works in progress from the two workshops I taught.

Show-n-tell:

Sweatshirt Jacket Workshop: All of them are different but gorgeous!

Finally, photos from the exploding star class:

-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com