The Snow Child

Every year our county library selects a novel for the largest community read/discussion program in the state of Oregon.   More than 6,000 Deschutes County residents read, discuss and explore one book together.   There are events all over town, including photography and art exhibits, craft projects for the younger set, cooking demonstrations, etc.  The author will also be in Bend on May 3 for conversations regarding her literature.

This year the novel chosen by the library is The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey.  The story takes place in the 1920's in the stark Alaskan landscape.    It is a wonderful book full of imagery with a magical story.  I highly recommend it.  It will continue in your thoughts long after you've finished it.

Quiltworks, in Bend, puts out a challenge to quilters to design a quilt based on their interpretation of the novel.   This year the response was overwhelming with more than 50 quilters bringing their ideas to fabric.  If you live in the area, be sure and visit Quiltworks to see for yourself.   The quilts will be on display the entire month of April.

I'm going to have to spread this over 2 days, otherwise, you will experience picture "overload".   If you haven't read the book yet, I'll put a "label" on this post and you can come back later and see the pictures again.

Here we go.....

Come back tomorrow for the rest of the show.

Hugs, Anne

Handwork

I've been negligent about posting pictures from our Stitchery Group which meets twice a month at Sew Many Quilts in Bend, OR.   So.......this post might get a bit picture heavy.  

Most of the ladies are working on Kathy Schmitz's Sweet Stitches Block of the Month.   It has been a huge hit for the shop.    They meet once a month to get their new block and to get any help they might need. Then, they come to the Stitchery Group to work on them.

 Works in progress...

Karleen recently had shoulder surgery but it sure hasn't slowed her down.   She has been a busy bee working on her wool projects.  

Here's Pat peeking over her Sunbonnet Sue quilt.

Linda is working on the background for the Buttermilk Basin Wool & Needle project.

A Crabapple Hill design.

Cute pattern by Bird Brain Designs.

I'm not sure what the name of this sweet little mat is, but the shop, Sew Many Quilts, will have kits available for purchase.

Even the back is cute.

Sue is working on the cute embellishments on her Tiny Town block.

A little wool project

Some "blackwork" on this flower basket that Margaret is stitching up.  

And Karleen has moved on from Easter to Christmas.   :)

Even a little cross stitch was being done.  

Oops, I didn't get a picture of what I'm working on so I'll just save it for a future post.  

It's a wonderful group of gals who all share in the love of handwork.  It's great food for the soul!

Hugs, Anne

Framed

Hmmm, that title could mean a few things, couldn't it?  LOL     

Today it means that I got my Alphabet Sampler finished and framed.   The sampler is a kit that I got from Primitive Gatherings.  I also ordered the frame from them too and then framed it myself. 

I don't have much wall space and the only place it looked okay was in the dining room.

And I also figured that it was time to change the wood box display to something a bit more "spring-like".   Right now it looks quite Easter-y, so I'll add a bit more color next month.  

We finally got a rug,  so I think it's a room that is almost finished.  

That's it from my neck of the woods.  Hope you are all doing well and anticipating the beginning of spring tomorrow.   

  

Another monthly project

Have you seen the Wool & Needle Handwork BOM from Buttermilk Basin?    They are a series of 12 small monthly mats that attach to a crazy quilt background.  

A few of the Woolies are doing them as a challenge.   Our deadline is the last Tuesday of each month and then it's "show and tell" time.

This is JoAnn's background mat.

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do for a background UNTIL.....Sandy (no blog), brought her project in to share.  Once we all saw it, we begged her to make us one too.  It's a 12 x 12 board that she painted black and distressed.  Then she Mod Podge'd burlap onto it.  There are two small old looking nails in the upper corners of the burlap on which to hang the mat.   

This is the January mat.   

February

Here are all the ones done by the Woolies for our February reveal.   

This one is March.   My background on this one is too similar in color to the burlap, so I'm going to have to be careful when I'm picking them.

Marla decided to make hers into a pillow.    She will then rotate the mats and have a cute seasonal little pillow to set out.

I better get started on the April mat!

Hugs, Anne

Good Fortune

I think that is a great name for a quilt.  

I had the "Good Fortune" of having Karen attend a quilt show last year and find this kit.   She loved it, so knew I would too.  She texted me a picture of the quilt hanging in a vendor's booth and asked me if I wanted a kit.  Since we have such similar taste in projects, I trusted her and knew I would love it too.

I usually have so many hand projects going on that I wanted to make a pieced quilt with no applique on it.   Rarely am I drawn to pieced quilts without applique.   But, I love the colors of this quilt and the fact that it is scrappy just added to the appeal.  

The backing is flannel.  I wanted a cozy quilt to cuddle up in.  

Right after I got the binding finished, I tried cuddling up in it but it was really stiff.  (I don't prewash my fabric).   So, I threw it in the washing machine, and voila, a soft and cuddly quilt it was!  I always love the "old" look that washing gives a quilt.

It's home will be my nest where I can stay warm and stitch away on all those hand projects I have to do.   :)

I don't remember the shop that offered this quilt, but maybe Karen will comment and let you know.  

Hugs, Anne