Today was the first day of Junior Nimblefingers with the new sewing machines! 10 juniors and 20 seniors came. Joyce helped the first group of girls make a pin cushion and a sewing box. They will finish their sewing boxes next week. Marguerite showed the kids the tools of the trade. I gave them a tour of the sewing machine and got them started sewing on paper. Most of the kids will sew on paper again next week but a couple of kids may be ready to start their pillowcases. I have no idea what my ladies did as I was working with the kids but I did notice that Daryl brought in her Michigan quilt which she has starting quilting with the letter M. It looks great! I brought in a quilt top I made on the new sewing machines. Joyce was wearing a dress she made on one of the new sewing machines. The kids were very enthusiastic--in fact I got my first hug and kiss as a librarian today! I think this will be a fun summer.

The sewing machines have arrived! We had 1 available today for the ladies (18 of them) to try out. Joyce and I each took the other machines home to practice on. I've got to say, they're more complicated than I thought they would be. But we put our many heads together and figured most things out. It will take practice for us adults to use them so it may take even more practice for the kids. We'll find out next week though because the kids will be here! Today Marguerite brought in her blocks for the 4-patch posie quilt she is making. Daryl had her Michigan State quilt spread out to sandwich. Marie brought in a collection of beautiful collars she had tatted, crocheted, knitted and sewn, plus beaded belts and jewelry. She is a very talented woman. We're going to have her display her work in the display case in September. I brought in the fabric I bought at the Vermont Quilt Show, and Louise was back today. We've all been wondering when she would return. Agnes is the only one who finished the table runner Louise taught some of us and she is eager to show it to her. Next week should be an exciting week and probably a bit chaotic. But hopefully, we will start down the road to teaching these kids to sew!

Today we had a small group---only 12 ladies, but it was a special day because we were visited by Karine Abalyan from the Spotlight who is writing a feature article on the Nimblefingers! We're going to be famous! (at least locally). It's nice to be recognized as the friendly, creative group that we are so thank you Karine! Daryl and I each brought in a prayer quilt ready to be tied. However, the table was in use by Linda C. who had 4 quilts to sandwich and Daryl with 1 quilt to sandwich. There was lots of pinning going on today! Back at the table, Alberta and Nancy were working on their card embroidery, Marguerite, Agnes and Pat with their hand-piecing, Betty with her knitting, Ethel with her embroidery, and Marie decided to take a day off and just came to visit. Agnes brought in some strawberry bread that was delicious! And Lew Schedlbauer brought in some more scrap batting for future prayer quilts. Thanks again Lew--you're a good friend! I am trying to clean out our little closet so had put out several boxes of fabric and lots of magazines hoping it would find a home. This will have to be an ongoing project so look for more stuff at our next meeting!

We had a small group today--only 12 ladies. But it was a special day because Karine Abalyan from the Spotlight came to interview us for a feature column in the Spotlight! We're going to be famous! (at least locally). It's nice to be recognized as the friendly, creative group that we are. So, watch for the Spotlight! Today Daryl and I brought in the 2 prayer quilts we are making. They have been anchored down and are ready to tie. Linda Crannell came in with 4 quilts that needed to be sandwiched and Daryl had 1 to sandwich so there was lots of pinning going on. Back at the table Alberta and Nancy continued working on their card embroidery, Marguerite, Agnes and Pat with their hand-piecing, Ethel with her embroidery, Betty with her knitting and Marie decided to take a day off and just come for a visit. Agnes brought in some strawberry bread which was delicious. Lew Schedlbauer brought in some more scrap batting to be used for future prayer quilts. Thanks again Lew! And I pulled out all of the boxes of donated fabric and magazines hoping that people would take them away. Our little closet is getting too full!

18 ladies attended today. Two of our ladies I was very glad to see, Katherine Denegar came back for a visit and Anne Bave, who has been out with health problems also returned. It is so good to see them again. Katherine came loaded with gifts--lots of patterns, books and magazines. Thanks for the freebies Katherine! I brought in 2 prayer quilts to make into quilt sandwiches. I am taking one home to quilt and Darryl the other. It will be good to have 2 more prayer quilts ready to give away. Lew Schedlbauer came by with some more scrap batting. His scraps come in very handy for small projects. Jeanne Knouse came in today with her ugly fabric challenge quilt which she was just finishing. Unfortunately the challenge has come and gone so she couldn't win a prize but what she has done with her piece of the ugly fabric is gorgeous! She's made a simple rail fence block with bright colors and a fantastic fabric for the border and the backing. It's truly beautiful! Linda O'Connor also stopped by with her granddaughter who was learning to sew on plastic canvas. My guess is she'll end up being as talented a needleworker as her grandmother.

We had a small group today--13 ladies. Betty, Sue, Edith and Marie were all knitting. Marguerite made the last block needed for a quilt. Alberta resurrected her rainbow quilt and was quilting that. I pulled out the future raffle quilt to quilt with some help from Marguerite. Agnes was working on her Irish chain quilt. Marie brought in her finished 4-patch posie pillow. She used fish fabric and it ended up looking like an abstract design. It's a very cool pattern. Wanda Knapp dropped by with a reference question which Jean Kallop was able to answer. She needed to know how to make a fabric book cover. Jean's made several so was willing to give advice. Daryl was making a binding for her granddaughter's art quilt. And Linda was working on one of her interesting baskets. So a small group but a nice day anyway.

20 ladies attended today. Betty Smith came prepared to teach how to cast on yarn so she had a little group of future knitters around her. Daryl was still collecting sign-ups to go to the Quilt Bug on Thursday. A small group of us are going to spend some time shopping. They have even said they'll give us a little workshop. It should be fun. Marguerite brought in some rhubarb to give away and some rhubarb pudding to sample while Jean brought in cookies and the recipes for several kinds of cookies. Marguerite also brought in her finished mile-a-minute quilt top. Betty King brought in a baby blanket and another larger quilt for another grandson. So we had another nice show-and-share.