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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Quilt Of The Month!

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The International Quilt Study Center has created a unique opportunity for you to view some of the amazing quilts from our collection. Each month, you can return to the web site and be introduced to a new quilt. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe and the IQSC will send you an email reminding you that a new "Quilt of the Month" has been unveiled. IQSC is providing everyone with this unique opportunity as part of our commitment to increasing public access to the collection. This service is free of charge to you. Your email address will be protected and will be used only by the IQSC.

* CLICK HERE TO JOIN QUILT OF THE MONTH OR UPDATE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
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I thought this idea was so cool! I was directed to it in an email by a friend. Who of us wouldn't like a "Quilt of the month" to drool over sent directly to our inboxes from the International Quilt Study Center? :cD

Here it is Tuesday. I had guild meeting in Aiken last night, and it was a fun night of rotating demos. I did a little 15 minute demo (four times!) On the tri recs rulers and things you can do with them and how easy it is to do that long spikey star point using them. I think it went really well. I know a lot of us buy rulers with the intent to use them, but some how never get around to it. I couldn't believe the number of quilters who already have these rulers in their possessions but have never even taken them out of the package!

I'm gearing up for Thursday! Thursday is when I leave for the Quilters of South Carolina state guild Pieacable Retreat! Every year in the fall, QSC sponsors this retreat. It is held at the picturesque White Oak Conference Center outside of Winnsboro.

Pieceable Retreat is a wonderful weekend of quilting, fellowship, friendship and an escape from the everyday humdrum otherwise known as life.

Along with a full schedule of classes taught by the best teachers in the state, there are other opportunities available to retreat goers. Saturday night is the always lively meeting which includes a show and tell, a "parade" of the class projects from the day, an auction, and fashion show. Ongoing weekend events include a silent auction and vendors for shopping.

I will be offering massage appointments on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. Expected attendace is approximately 300 quilters! There is a vendors mall, etc and lots going on. If I don't fill up all my massage time slots, I'm bringing plenty to work on!

Yes, I'm still having to remake samples of quilts that were donated...so that I can teach them as a class. The other night when I was up at 3am I cut out 8.5" squares, matched them into light/dark pairs and slashed them on the diagonal in preparation for another Scrappy Mountain Majesties sample. I'll play with a different layout that I haven't used before so that I don't feel like I am completely remaking the same quilt over again!

If that isn't enough to keep me busy....I've decided on a project using up the collars, cuffs, pockets and plackets of the plaid shirt pile! :cD (Yes, I'm still trying to cut up a couple shirts a day!) This box holds the humblest of bits left from the cutting up. I decided I could make BIG (15") Rocky Road to Kansas blocks to use up these big chunky weird pieces. Weeee! I had started a smaller blocked version of this quilt a couple years ago, and I want to finish it too (10" blocks) but these shirt prints and plaids were just crying out for the same pattern in a big primitive utility style!

I'm headed to the kitchen to make more banana bread for tomorrow night's choir rehearsal. Yes, now that we are back into Wednesday night rehearsals there are always left over bananas from our break time. They've now renamed it as "Bonnie's Bodacious Banana Bread!" *LOL* I think this time I will also look up a recipe for a banana cake..maybe with a cream cheese icing and sprinkled with chopped walnuts. Is there such a beast out there?

Bonnie

18 comments:

  1. Oh, Bonnie, what a wonderful use of these odd pieces of plaids. This quilt will be spectacular.
    I have a great banana bread recipe I'll post later this week when I have time to bake. A friend makes a powdered sugar icing (just the powdered sugar, lime juice and zest, and pours it over mini chocolate chips on top of her banana bread. Pretty wonderful, and who knew lime and bananas went so well together?

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  2. Did you use a paper/muslin foundation under the strips or sew and then cut with a template? Love the block...looks good!

    I may have to start cutting up shirts too. I have a closet of DH's that needs cleaning!

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  3. LOVE that Rocky Road to Kansas -- Just wonderful, as you always manage! 8-) I am currently making the SAME thing, only with a box of 30-40s scraps given to me, with traditional white as background. My pattern is slightly different -- the 'light' piece is all one and set in -- a pain! Eleanor Burns sewed it in all one swoop which I can't figure out. I may redo the plan to use your pattern, with a seam in the light -- looks a lot less fussy and more precise!

    I also, have a bunch of plaid shirts - bought 15 for $7.50! Managed to keep 3 of them for DH to wear, and I am still trying to figure out which pattern to choose to use them up. The supply was endless, even in my little town, pop. 8500!

    Thanks for the great ideas!

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  4. I love how the plaids make there own pattern in your blocks. You are very creative!! Send some bread this way.....

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  5. Yes, we want the pattern for that Rocky Road. I agree with Elaine, don't like the set in seam. What a great prim!

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  6. I love your Rocky Road from the shirts! It is wonderful! And I"ve gotten those emails for a long, long time. I had no idea you didn't know about it!

    Have a WONDERFUL weekend!

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  7. Yes, I have such a recipe. If you cannot find one, just e-mail me.

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  8. Just love those Rocky Road to Kansas blocks - put it on the ever-growing list!

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  9. The first Cake Mix Doctor has a recipe for a banana cake with a cooked caramel frosting. It is heavenly. One of these days I'm going to tackle some of your scrap quilts. Do you ever sleep???

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  10. These humble shirts lived out their entire lives hoping that they'd one day live on in eternity as one of your quilts! The quilt of the month is a great idea. I think you'll have lots of massage clients this weekend, enjoy.

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  11. the retreat sounds amazing. your blocks look great. and the banana bread? mmmm. If I was up at 3:00am cutting fabric I'd end up with all sorts of weird sized blocks and probably a gash or two.

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  12. Your post makes me a tiney bit homesick! A quilt retreat sounds like heaven...

    I'll email you a great recipe for Hummingbird Cake (which is really a banana cake with cream cheese frosting!)

    While at the V&A I saw some neat handbags made from scraps of men's suits...wonder if you could do the same with shirting scraps?

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  13. One of my VERY favorites, ever since I found it in Southern Living many years ago: http://southernfood.about.com/od/bananacakerecipes/r/bl90321d.htm

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  14. Ohhh, what fun blocks and a great way to use up those bits of the shirts!

    Have a great time at your retreat!

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  15. Well, I'll have to leave the plaid shirt hunting to you. I went to the local DAV thrift store and the prices were nothing like what you get. The lowest price I saw was $2.96 per small shirt...and the XL sizes were $5.96 EACH! At $6 a shirt I can almost go to JoAnn's and get plaids in regular yardage...and those are usually less than $6 a yard! It was a good thought and I was willing to pay maybe $1.50 or even $2 a shirt but nowhere near $6 a shirt! Yikes!

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  16. Very cool Rocky Road. I may have to hit DI while I am here in AZ.

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  17. Love this plaid quilt, Bonnie! I have made a couple plaid quilts, and they just wash up so nice and soft...Love yours!

    from Juliekquilts

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  18. That lake scene is calling to me. Wish I could go to the retreat!

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