Saturday, May 27, 2017

Happy Days Are Here Again.......

I guess I should say, HAPPIER days are coming around again....

Thanks again to all of you for your outpouring of love during my time of sorrow.

I will forever miss my Gracie Lu, but, I know life has to go on.

I haven't felt like I have lived the past few months, much less been able to do "quilty" things.

May 25th was our final reveal for our 2017 Spring Scrap Club project,
and I would like to share with you all the WONDERFUL time we all had.
My old photography buddy, Mike, agreed to help take photos of the event.  And, my other friend Mike helped hold the quilts up for show and share.

Before I share the photos, allow me to tell you all how absolutely honored I am to share a forum such as Scrap Club with the many talented quilt artists that come to the meetings.  I am humbled by their love and friendship.  We have all grown in our quilt making together.  These quilters are some of the best friends a guy like me could ever have and I appreciate each and every single one of them!  And, you all KNOW how proud I am of each one of them!  And I have to say....it felt so good to laugh and have fun again!

Our Spring project for Scrap Club hosted by Kevin the Quilter was "Rail Fence."  The choice of project was voted upon by the participants.  Wait until you see what they all came up with.  This was one of the largest reveals we have had yet!  HOORAY!

WARNING

This is a HUMONGOUS post.  If you don't want to look at it, you don't have to, but, after everything I have been through the past few months, it did my heart good to make a great photo filled post like this.  And, I love chronicling my life through my blog.



2017
Rail Fence Spring Session
Scrap Club Hosted by Kevin the Quilter
Cornerstone United Methodist Church
O'Fallon, Missouri



 Our evening began with a Cookie social.
Thanks to all of the quilters that made special cookies to bring!

 We all had so much fun visiting!

Signing in....
 I am a historian, and I like to keep track of who all attended.

 Special thanks to Sue and Clifdel.
Because of their efforts, we had a beautiful and spacious
sanctuary to hold our final reveal and reception in.
I made them each a little rail fence potholder.

 The beginning of our meeting.
Over 50 quilters and visitors attended!

 In appreciation for hosting our reveal, all of the quilters
joined their talents together to make this stunning
rail fence quilt to donate to
Cornerstone United Methodist Church.
We used the church's sanctuary colors as our color pallet.
The church will use or donate the quilt as they see fit.
Standing with me from left to right are:
Sue (piecer), Pastor Diane (received quilt for church), Me, Linda (piecer, and made binding),
Carolyn (donated batting, quilted quilt, and attached binding) and
Linda (made quilt label and attached it.)
These quilters helped out so much and I truly appreciate them
along with all of the quilters who donated blocks for the quilt.
(I also made them Rail Fence potholders, but, didn't get a pic! RATS!) 

 We had a small project swap for this session.
Rail Fence pillows were made.
The pillows were made entirely of scraps,
including the filling for each pillow!
We put the pillows on parade, complete with marching music!
Oh!!!!! This was so much fun!
These quilters can work it.....marching style!
It's ALL about having fun!!!!!!!

 This gal marched all the way from Seattle, Washington to be with us!
Her sister, Terry, in the background, invited her to stay and attend.
Thanks so much for coming and playing along!

 The winner by popular vote of the Pillow Parade 
was Clifdel!
Watch out....this gal can make an entrance!


And, here come the 
Small Rail Fence Projects.

(We used a loose interpretation of the Rail Fence
so therefore, not all quilts will be a traditional 
Rail Fence.)

These are small quilts, table toppers, and
wall hangings.
If the participant completed (complete meaning
quilted,bound, and labeled) their project
and brought it to the reveal, their name was
entered into a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to 
a local quilt shop provided by me.  And, this session,
another special prize was awarded by Darlyn of "Quilt My Quilt!"
Darlyn generously offered a $50 gift certificate for quilting
 to both the small and large projects!
Thank you SOOOOOOOO much Darlyn!


 Janet

 Vi

 Linda
Linda was one of my leading ladies, and helped me throughout this session so much.
Thanks Linda for all you do to help make Scrap Club happen!
(She received a Rail Fence potholder too.....no photo though.)

 Ree
(My friend Mike helping to hold the projects.)

 Sue

 Jeanne

 Clifdel

 Sue

 Susan

 LaDonna

 Diana

 Barb

 Barb was so inspired, she had 2 entries
and already had given a 3rd one away!

 Susan

 Roxann

 Annalee

 Linda

 Carolyn

Dixie
(She was unable to attend, but, sent her project.)

 And the winner of the drawing for small projects was Clifdel.
She won a $50 gift certificate to a local quilt shop donated by me
and a $50 gift certificate to "Quilt My Quilt" courtesy of Darlyn.
She certainly was thrilled!  Congrats Clifdel!
Here, Darlyn and I present Clifdel with her gift certificates.



Next are the
Large Rail Fence Projects.

These are quilts that measured at least 50" x 60".
Again, they had to be completed (quilted, bound, and labeled)
in order to be eligible for the prize drawing.



 Amy
(BTW, this was Amy's very first quilt......EVER! WOWOWOWOW!)
Congrats Amy!

 Carol

 Chris

 Katy

 Glenna

 Dar
Dar is my other leading lady that has helped with Scrap Club so much.
I truly appreciate her friendship and willingness to help out where she is needed.
(She got a Rail Fence potholder too......DOH! NO PIC!)

 Sharon

 Dot

 Sue

 Vi

 Terry

 Terry

 Katie

 Sharon

 Lynne

 Lee Etta

 Sue

 Karen

 Pat

 And the winner of the Large Projects drawing for a
 $100 gift certificate to a local quilt shop donated by me
and a $50 gift certificate from Darlyn of "Quilt My Quilt"
was Chris!  Congrats Chris!
Here she is pictured with Darlyn and me.

"Gracie Lu's Rail Fence"
Obviously, I did not place myself in the drawings,
rather, tried to lead by example and finish my quilt.
Here is my Rail Fence Project.
I named it in honor of my beloved Gracie Lu.

We did our pillow swap
"7-Up" style!

 It was hilarious to see who snatched who's pillow.
The guessing part was equally funny!

At the end of the evening, we discussed our next Scrap Club project.
Any guesses as to what that might be?
Hmmmm......
I think I will keep you readers guessing until my next post!
You all will get to participate along with us in our 
next session of
Scrap Club hosted by Kevin the Quilter.

Thanks for sharing in our fun reveal here in the "Show-Me" state!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Thanks for reading to the end!
Happy Days Are Here Again!
Fondly,
Kevin the Quilter