17 ladies attended today and 1 man--Homer, who helped us hang the quilts. This year we had a problem we've never had before--too many big quilts! Marie's were so big we didn't have a wall big enough to display them! At the Tucson quilt show they have what they call a bed-turning show of antique quilts. I thought that's what we could do with our overflow of large quilts. Next week I'll set up 3 tables and drape the quilts over them. Every 1/2 hour or so we'll show them. Unfortunately, they will only be there for our open house but at least people will have a chance to see them. I hope it works out okay. Tomorrow we'll fill the display case. But for now the community room is full and so is the hallway. In the community room we've got lots of quilts on one wall but on the other wall only a few large quilts. I'll start taking pictures to put on the blog tomorrow. I will also begin adding labels. This is always a big job when it goes up but it looks so nice!

21 ladies attended today and what a surprise for me--they presented me with an absolutely gorgeous quilt!! Made from wild colors and patterns just like I like!! Daryl even called the Altamont Enterprise to come take pictures! Apparently they've been plotting behind my back, meeting in the bathroom to hand out fabric. What a sneaky bunch of women! And I never caught on! Some detective I'd make! Needless to say, I am overwhelmed. Tuesday afternoon is my fun time at work, getting to play with fabrics, etc. and getting to talk to and get to know so many wonderful women. It's been a real joy for me. Plus, I've learned a lot about needlework and life from all of them. This group holds a special place in my heart, and I expect in many of their hearts as well. We have definitely become a close knit group which is surprising since our numbers seem to grow over time. New people are welcomed and just seem to fit right in almost immediately. What a group! You couldn't ask for a better one and I am pleased and proud that it is my group. Thank you so much all of you for the beautiful quilt and most of all for your friendship!

21 ladies attended on Tuesday. I brought in the table runner top I made in a simple pineapple workshop with Bob Silverman of the Joyful Quilter. It was a fun workshop and an easy block. I'll plan on demonstrating it to the group after our show--in March. Jo-Ann came in with a pretty pink moebius scarf she had made. I also brought in an old quilt book that had a picture of a moebius quilt in it. I challenged Sandy and Kathy O. to make a moebius quilt. We'll see if either of them do it. Sandy took the book home but didn't sound too hopeful about finding time for yet another project. Elaine L. who used to be a regular member but had to stop coming when she went back to work after having a baby came in today. She was between semesters (at Skidmore where she teaches) so thought she'd spend some time knitting. It was nice to see her again. Today a bunch of us went to Daryl's for lunch. For those of you who couldn't attend you missed a very nice lunch. Daryl's husband made some really good lasagna, Daryl a salad and 2 yummy desserts! A fine time was had by all. Thank you Daryl for your kindness and your hospitality.

17 ladies attended today. There was a lot of knitting and needlework going on today. Cathy Y and Cathy M were both starting new knit scarves. Rosemary had a new needlepoint to work on. Marie got some more pattern reading help from Sandy on her new knitting project. From the more fabric oriented of us, Fran was cutting out fabric for placemats. Deb was attempting to cover her headband with scraps of fleece. Marguerite was still quilting her mile-a-minute little girl quilt. Kathy O. had 1 strip from a Christmas quilt she is working on. The only show and tell was a Santa stuck in the chimney from Jean K.; Marguerite's finished lone star quilt beautifully hand quilted; and my thread trimming ball (made from little bits of thread and fabric). I announced our upcoming library programs: Kris Driessen on 1/29/12 from 2-4 talking about Civil War era textiles; our quilt & craft show plus open house in February; and 2/26/12 Kris Driessen's workshop on making a civil war quilt block (sign-up is necessary for this program). Also, Daryl has kindly invited us all to lunch on 1/19/12 at 12:00.

Today 15 ladies attended. It was a day of finishing projects: Rosemary finished the needlepoint she has been working on for awhile and Elaine finished putting the binding on her quilt. What a great way to end the year! Now they're ready to start a new project in the new year. I should go home and finish some of my projects of which I have many. We'll see. Sandy was wearing one of her knitted scarves--very ruffly and beautiful. She also brought in the moebius scarf she made with eyelash yarn. Marie had found a pattern for a long moebius scarf she wanted to make so Sandy helped her get started. Ethel was still working on her table runners. She didn't quite get them done in time for Christmas. Joan had made one of the 10-minute table runners. It was a very nice Christmas one. Winnie was cutting out patterns for the easy scarf Agnes had made. Fran was making catnip mice and also brought in her latest black and white and red creation. Cathy M. was doing redwork. Marguerite was quilting but also brought in the finished quilt top she had put together from pink scraps that we had in our stash. I think I have a piece of fabric at home we could use for the backing. Our group was a little smaller today but that's to be expected since we're still in holiday mode.

Today was our Christmas lunch and this year we had it catered instead of going out to a restaurant. The food was provided by Chef's Take-Out on Carmen Rd. Daryl graciously picked it up for me since she lives nearby. It was Italian food, chicken parm, vegee lasagna, salad and garlic bread, and was very good. Some of the ladies brought desserts. Cathy M. brought her famous chocolate cake with coconut frosting which was beautiful as well as delicious. Daryl brought a cranberry/apple pie which had a crust that was as good as mom used to make. We all got very full and many went home with food for their supper or hubby. There were 30 of us in all. This included some of the library staff that I invited to participate. My assistant Mary Jane did the room decorating. I have no talent for that so appreciate having someone else to do that job. After lunch Sue R. showed us how to make a 10-minute table runner. I'm wondering if I can find some fabric at home to whip up a couple. Some of the ladies participated in a storytelling grant hosted by the library and they had their books with the stories in them. I glanced at one and it looked really nice. I can't wait to read the stories. The library will be getting 3 copies eventually which can circulate. We will be meeting again next week and the week after. Holidays don't stop us from getting together. Happy holidays to everyone!

20 ladies attended last Tuesday. Our group seems to be growing and as it grows it becomes more noisy! Lots of talk and laughing! The moebius scarf has really taken off in the group. There are at least 4 maybe 5 ladies making them and they are having such a good time with it! They are starting to get experimental with the pattern just to see what they can do. I'm impressed. I tried to get them to pose for me with their scarves on but they just were too excited talking and teaching each other new tricks. I hope some of these scarves end up in our show in February. Marguerite took home some already cut squares that were in our stash last week and put them together. She has the start for a very nice quilt. Marie is still wearing some of the home-made clothes she has found since she moved and Winnie wore one of her festive painted shirts so I had to take a picture of them. Jo-Ann finished the scarf she has been knitting for some time. The pattern was very tricky--you knit the whole thing then go back and drop stitches throughout. She was uncertain about the dropping stitches part so Cathy M. gave her moral support while she dropped stitches but she finally finished and it is indeed a unique and attractive scarf. In the meantime, at home, Cathy M. has been making chef's aprons for her sons who are both apparently good cooks (they must have learned from her because she is certainly an excellent cook). We made her try on the apron for the picture. I missed getting a picture of Pat OR's christmas tree which she has been embellishing for a couple of weeks. Maybe she'll bring it back next week. Next week is our catered lunch. June B. can't make it but she sends her wishes for a Merry Christmas to all. And Agnes is visiting her children so we will miss her. But I think we will have a pretty full house so it should be fun.