Magic block class in Englewood

I had a fun and productive day in Englewood with the ladies from the Holiday Travel Park. We all worked our quilty tails off making the Magic Block quilt and trading stories. It never fails to amaze me how connected quilters are, even when meeting for the first time. Bernie had us up and doing exercises to loosen up after sewing for a while and thy worked! I sewed all day without the shoulder and back discomfort I usually get. Well done, Bernie! After a huge lunch of pizza and antipasti salad, we returned to our machines and everyone finished at least one block. Betsy had hers done and three borders on by the end of the day. I plan to get my top finished at Nifty Fifty tomorrow.
Thanks to the ladies for a wonderful day! Now, if I could just place the names with the ladies...I would be a happy camper.

Everyone hard at work

Shirley sewing strip sets

I'm having a senior moment and can't remember the gal on the left's name...Val? Oh dear, she was so happy, too.
Diane had the brightest fabrics of the group. Real eye poppers!

I want to say Joyce, but that probably isn't right.
Yikes! I am getting forgetful.

Bernie at the cutting board. The mural makes me feel like a day at the beach.

This line-up makes me happy!

Irma made her blocks with hand dyed fabrics. Cool!

Diane said she was 'out of her box' with these pretty fabrics

Betsy has her top almost done!

Sharlane made a pretty block to match her pretty smile.

Jan used modern colors in her blocks. Wow!

I hope her name is Joann or Judy, but whatever it is, I love her fabrics!

Bernie with two of her blocks.

Judy made one row! Good job!

I like how Shirley's orange frame compliments the block colors.

Chain piecing is alive and well!!

It is the only way to get the job done faster!

Maybe I blocked this nice lady's name because I accidentally
picked up her block as mine...and her ruler! I promise I am not
trying to rob you!!

Another wonderful color combination.

Bazinga! Those blocks demand attention.

Ooooh! What a lovely stack of purple happiness!

Day trip to the Venice show

I went up to Venice to see the quilts and say hello to my quilty friends there, and had a fun day with my girlfriends. Mr Wazoo had two quilts he quilted in the show, and one got an Honorable mention. There were all sorts of quilts, making it a diverse and wonderful show. Afterward, we tried a local restaurant for some Cuban sandwiches and fried green tomatoes. Mmmmm. Once home again, I fell asleep in my chair while reading emails. Oops!! I rarely nap, but this time I lost the battle to stay awake. I guess I really am getting old...
Here are the pictures of customer quilts, as well as the ones that tickled my fancy.
First, Mr Wazoo's customers:

I am bummed that I didn't get a full picture of this quilt. Too many people in front of it.

 These are the ones I did:

And these are the quilts in the show that I liked the best!

The points and intersections in this tiny quilt were perfect. Mind blowing accuracy.

L-O-V-E these baskets!!

All the birds had cute bead eyeballs.

The quilt is great...

but the quilting is awesome!!

More of the same quilt.

These ladies got my Viewer's choice ballot

More pretty baskets. I love basket quilts.

Wazoo's latest retreat

Evening Star Quilt Guild retreat at Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring, Florida. We all had a wonderful time sewing and chatting, and I got to know these fun ladies a bit better. Thank you, Evening Star, for allowing me to entertain you!

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Happiness is a Sebring Quilting Retreat!

We had loads of fun today! I finished my project quilt and made a small baby quilt top, too. Some of the girls went to the local quilt shops and came back with all sorts of treasures. After the evening cocktail party, we all settled in for another bout of sewing before turning in to get a welcome rest before starting over again tomorrow. The smaller room is just right for this group, and much closer to the desk and my room.(great perk!!) I'm looking forward to the morning and revving up to make a few small charity quilts for the guild. Now, its off to bed.

Stacia finished this bright ducky top

Happy birthday to Donna!!

Doris has her backing ready for 

May Ann phones home

Lauretta is preparing to get started

Sharon's quilt being pin basted for quilting

Ruth is busy at the machine

Penny is happily working on a black and white quilt

Sharon is looking good!

Sus ahs a wonderful smile to go with her pretty quilt

Diana is making some bright log cabin blocks

Stacia is on to her next project

Donna strip pieced her blocks

I'm glad Connie is happy. 

Show quilts

I didn't get photos of all the quilts in the show, in fact, I didn't get to see all the quilts in the show while they were hanging. I did see them all at the judging, but quilts always look different when they are showcased in a large room full of other quilts, don't you think? To make matters worse, I didn't get to the vendors, either!! The show went well, and I was there the whole time, but busy doing other things. I have the memory, but no loot!
You have seen all my quilts before, but here are all but one that hung in the show. The Gone With the Wind quilt was in the back of the room and I didn't get there to see it hanging with the ribbon on. Boo hoo. I'm sure someone else did, so I will ask around for a photo.
Now, it's back to work and trying to get the snowbird quilts done before they leave for 'Up North'. I am working on a stunning applique quilt right now and will have pictures to share next week when I'm done. Sunday I am hosting a retreat for one of my guilds in Sebring, so I probably won't get the quilt done before I have to go.
While I try to scour up show photos from friends, enjoy the Best of Show quilts (large and small) and my show quilts.

Gone With the Wind. I didn't get it hanging in the show with its Red ribbon on.

Snazzy Seminole

Jots and Dots

Ladder to Heaven. Oops, I cut off the blue ribbon!

Mr Wazoo's first ribbon!!

Black and White and Plaid Allover

Best of Show, bed quilts. Tiny details are not too visible in this photo. The quilt is fabulous!!

Our raffle quilt. I did the quilting, but didn't win the quilt...

Members selling tickets

Best of Show, wall quilt. Those pieces are tiny!!

One day and counting til the show!

The judging is finished and the winners announced at guild. The public will have to wait to know who the big winners are, but I can tell you every one of them deserve their prize for the beautiful quilts produced. I did well and so did my customers. In fact, Mr Wazoo won HIS first ribbon! One of his customers got a third place in a really big category, so I am doubly proud of him. I think he may be employee of the month for the second time!
I got the gel shot in my knee today, so I took it easy and did computer work, a bit of sewing for my demo, and some last minute shopping. We had a nice eggplant parmesan for dinner, and I purposely mad a big pan so I won't have to cook tomorrow night.The knee hurts, but the MD said it won't be considered fixed until a month after the fourth shot. That's okay with me, as long as it doesn't hurt any more when I'm done!
Tomorrow is the big load-in and set-up day, and the reception in the evening. There is a reporter from the paper coming to get the skinny on the show and take a few pictures. I hope she gets something into the paper the next day. It would be good publicity!
I will be taking my own pictures and hope to have some on the blog soon after the show. For now, it is another early night for this girl. I am tired!
Stay tuned.