The Day After

We had a terrific time yesterday with Billie Lauder. Wish you all could have been there! Since you weren't, I'll share some pics. Get your cup of coffee, tea, Coke, Pepsi, whatever floats your boat and enjoy. Pretend you're sharing one of these with your beverage of choice. I made three dozen for the workshop.

From 9 a.m. to nearly 4 p.m. we were entertained and educated by Billie's " Diamond's Can Be a Quilter's Best Friend" workshop. Billie has such a knack for making seemingly difficult piecing not only doable, but often easy. She's a wonderful teacher; patient and eager to help no matter what your skill or experience level.

Billie took us through working with diamond shapes a little at time, showing us how to piece several kinds of units that are composed of diamonds and the dreaded "Y" seams. We had 25 people signed up for the class and I think everyone felt they learned a great deal.

If your guild is looking to book a terrific teacher and program, you can't do much better than Billie. She's a sweetheart with a sly sense of humor and will teach you to open your mind and loose your fear of working with shapes that compose so many of the prettiest blocks.

Since it was a technique workshop I only have pieces of different blocks to show you as opposed to a whole project.

3 of my tumbling blocks

1/2 of a star

A different star block

Billie showed us many antique blocks and tops. I found this star block beautiful and so intriguing. I think she said it dated from the late 1800's.


In the evening we had a wonderful Show and Tell prior to Billie's trunk show. One of our members shared several amazing antique quilt tops that she is privileged to own. It was interesting that this particular top is composed of a diamond star block that Billie showed us during the workshop. It's definitely on my "to do" list. Wish I had been able to get a better picture, but the ladies were quickly moving the quilts around the room for all to see.

Another of Joyce's family tops.


And another.

The Parson's Quilt Guild is giving away this gorgeous Opportunity Quilt next weekend. Maybe Tom and I will be lucky and win it! I hope so.

Elma made this great little wall hanging based on a photo taken on a vacation. The photo was of their reflection in the water as they stood on a bridge. How creative!

Lea Anita showed this spectacular quilt that showcases about 20 doilies she crocheted. If that isn't amazing enough, consider the fact she said this is the 22nd quilt like this she has made. Yep..not a typo...22!

One of our newer guild members showed this beautiful quilt she made in the beginner's class earlier this year. I'd say she learned the beginning lessons quite well and is going to be a terrific quilter!


Cindy showed the little basket wall hanging I quilted for her a week ago.

I don't remember who showed this wonderful sampler but it's great!

And Stacia made us all envious with another fantastic thrift market find. The top is quite large..it's folded in half in this picture. It's in wonderful shape and she picked it up for $18! I need to go thrifting with her!

Then it was time for Billie's trunk show. She shared many of the quilts that are showcased in the 24 books she has published. So if you see a quilt you like, chances are you will find the pattern in one of her books. One of the things Billie does so well is demonstrate how you can take a simple block and with a few changes make it into an entirely different quilt (in her words taking things from a Four Yawns down to a One Yawn or No Yawns).

Billie also says that it is when she is left alone in motel rooms for too long that she comes up with her innovative designs and methods. Wish my mind worked like that. I'd probably just fall asleep!

These are just a few of my favorites:

This was the last workshop I have scheduled for my year as Program Chair. I have three more trunk shows and a birthday celebration and then my year is up. It's been fun, but I'm ready to just sit back and enjoy.

By the way...we had a new member join our guild last night...Tom!