Roberta: Rebels African Challenge--in progress

She is using cast off jewelry from her sister for the multiple embellishments.

Dianne: Portrait of Husband

Dianne started this quilt after a workshop with Lynn Czaban.

Buffy: Japanese Fabric Sampler Quilt, 41"x52"

Fabrics were a gift from my friend and mentor, Lorene.  She collected them in the early 90s, when the Japanese fabrics were first available.  Hand quilted, including ESS--every stinkin' seam.  That quilting doesn't show, because seams had been pressed open.

Buffy: Welsh Quilt

From pattern in Making Welsh Quilts by Mary Jenkins and Clare Claridge.  Quilt features fabrics from Den Han & Wagenmaker, Kaye England, Lorene Sinema, and Brackman and Thompson.   The large simple shapes piece quickly.  Looks like the Welsh style quilting will take much longer.

Patty: A Jelly Roll pattern cut from her batik stash

Restful and meditative quilt. Landscape feeling

Patty: In the Spirit of Play

Asian themed fabrics with peacock.

Sue: Fall Zig Zag Strippy Quilt

Pattern from Hand Quilted with Love by Sarah Felke

Sue: Twister Jack

Pattern by Need l'Love.  Sue used 5" squares instead of 3 1/2 squares in pattern.  She also had advantage of a good sale on fall/Halloween fabrics.

Patty: Craig's List Find

Ten dollars, no information

“Creativity is usually seen as an individual attribute but it depends on opportunity for expression and a receptive audience.” Margaret Cruikshank

I've called this quilt "Realignment" because I rearranged various elements of a "convergence quilt". I was disappointed that my favorite fabric had disappeared in the process. But I reintroduced it by featuring those bold sunflowers in the asymmetrical border. Inspiration strikes again!

Sharing a day with friends and acquaintances while playing with fabric is my idea of heaven! On Saturday February 15, we set up our machines, ironing stations and cutting boards as we gathered to learn from another guild member. The Rogers Public Library was the setting and Sheila Bayles was our teacher. Taking four different fabrics we used a technique developed by Ricky Tims which he called “Harmonic Convergence” to sew and slice and converge fabric pieces–like magic–into a new whole.

My quilt is pictured after I reworked it some at home and added two borders and a touch of a fifth fabric. The process takes concentration to follow each step. Here is where I started: I wanted to use a black cotton sateen skirt with white embroidery I found recently at a thrift shop. Then I chose the other three fabrics to complement and contrast. The touch of green was added later including a flange by the binding.

To read about the process and to see more pictures of the other quilters' tops, see my new quilting blog www.paulamariedaughter.com. On this blog I'm posting my quilts and writing about creativity as a lifelong journey. Please visit!

Sue: Grand daughter apron

And one for Dollie too.

Stephanie: Mom's Life Quilt

A several years collection of novelty fabrics finally found a quilt theme.

Nifty: Zig Zag with Vintage Bark Cloth Border

Amazing what Nifty can create from her stash!  Lots of thrift market fabrics here.

Mary: Batik Star

Nifty: Hour Glass Quilt

This is quilt that gave me the idea for the scrap strips in Braided Scraps above.  Nifty got her idea from book by Roderick Kiracofe.  Now to think up more patterns for using these scrappy strips.

Buffy: Braided Scraps

Scraps sorted by value:  light & dark.  A few mediums spice the mix.  Note:  coping borders. The strips hung too long on the design wall and stretched on their bias edges.

Cindy: Another African Challenge Quilt

Accents fused or appliqued.

Cindy: Rebels African Challenge

Made from African fabric scraps and left overs.

Cindy: Camp Erin Quilt

Fun pattern for charity quilt.  All fabrics from her stash.

Patty: Scrappy String Blocks

Patty: Rebels African Challenge

Patty put this together with left-overs.

Sue: A Boxer Named Shelby

Inspiration Is Where You Find It!

Inspiration is where you find it! Lisa inspired me big time! 

When I saw her pieced tote bag of recycled plastic I had to try my hand at this alchemy. Lisa's pieced version is spectacular. Once I found this giant sunflower graphic, I was reluctant to slice it up. It took two hours to transform the 50 lb. seed bag into a usable tote. I added an outside pocket on the back side of the bag for grocery lists, etc.

My trusty Singer Featherweight sewed through all the layers without too much difficulty. For hard use I would probably use sturdier handles like Lisa used, but I was anxious to finish it and take it to guild where I was doing a program on "repurposed " items from thrift stores. Most everything else I showed was quilt-related, but this tote was a big hit. Thanks, Lisa!

Here are a few "how to" ideas: Thanks for your positive responses. Yes, I have used it as a quilt tote. I easily put two large wallhangings in the bag without crushing them. No tutorial, but some basic instructions. To start, decide which part of the graphic you want to feature. Use your paper-dedicated rotary cutter to avoid dulling your best blade. Because I prefer bags that stand alone I started on the bottom of the bag. By tucking in the sides (like wrapping the end of a package), I made a flat bottom. I did have to sew these two spots by hand using heavy carpet thread. The rest was done by machine. I tucked the bag down to get the height I wanted, trimmed and sewed a double seam around the top. Handles: use your judgment. For light use, the trimmings from the bag worked on this tote. For heavier use, the purchased (or recycled) strapping like Lisa used makes sense. Please post any pictures of your bags. I'd enjoy seeing the chicken feed totes when completed.

Pam: Rebels African Challenge

Still a work in progress.

Sue: Portrait of Bear, a Lab Mix

Yes, Sue is a fan and student of Ruth B. McDowell

Patty: A quick and dirty hanging sleeve

You might say this is a sleeve of sleeves (and safety pins.)

Nifty: Pots of Geraniums Collage

Nifty is learning collage by studying and copying work of Edrica Huws.  The pieces are applied with paste, then free-motion quilted.

Dianne: Log Cabin Improv

Mary: Collage of Flowers and Vase

Sue: Irregular Zig Zags with Kaffe fabrics

Pam: Lollipop Trees, 4 block wall hanging

Raw-edge fusible appliqué

Stephanie: Kaffe background collage with heart

Patty: Pieced Sky for Lone Star Background

Lots and lots of work!!

Lisa: Rebels Challenge from last year--Toucan Fabric

Lisa had to create the center toucan with appliqué and paint

Stephanie: Beach House Collage

Anonymous: Kaffe Fabrics Tablecloth

Em: Fun & Funky Trees with House

Note:  Corduroy sashing

Patty: Batik Scraps

Inspiration and pattern from Mabeth Oxenrider

Nifty: Collage Fun

Inspired by work of Edrica Huws, Freddy Moran.  Hand and machine quilting.

Lisa: South of the Border

Hand-dyed fabrics, center is painted.  Note extensive bobbin work, mostly with Ricky Tims Razzle-Dazzle thread.

Stephanie: Playing with collage

Inspired by Freddy Moran Workshop