Dixie Diva August Day Meeting

Yesterday we had our Dixie Diva August day meeting at my house. We love these meetings because we have most of the day to work on our projects, and of course talk and talk and talk...
One of my favorite parts is "Show and Tell". Everyone brings the current project, plus the things they have been working on for the last month. I am continually amazed at the talent in this group. I feel like "Lucky" must be my middle name because I get to rub shoulders with some of the best quilters Southern Utah. Not only are they extreamly skilled, but they are fun people to be with. We tease each other endlessly, and spend most of our day laughing. Great therapy.

This is the current in- progress quilt by Jan K. All of it has been paper pieced.

Some of the individual blocks

This last year we have been doing a block exchange. Each person has a different color wave. Yesterday we showed an update of how much we had accomplished so far.

Margaret brought a pile of things to share with us. This is the Mexican Star she is finishing up.

Margaret's sister in law Susie is in town, and was able to join our Diva meeting. Susie is the one I stayed with in Huntington Beach while attending IQF in Long Beach last month. It was so fun to see her again! She is such a delightful lady. We just wish she lived in St. George so she could be a Diva every month.

Susie brought a quilt she is making for her grand daughter. She asked her GD to list all the things she loves, and then bought fabric that represents those themes. For example, her grand daughter said she loves "soccer, fruit, ballet, surfing, etc."

Margaret bought this pattern "Spicy Spiral" when we were at Luella's in So. Cal last month. Of course she's already made two. She traveled to Logan right after our trip, and she still has made a stack of things this month. I'm wondering when she sleeps!

This is one is in red, white and blue.

This one in fall colors.

A specialty ruler is used for this project.

I know Margaret will be teaching this as a class here in town if anyone wants to learn.

When we were at Luella's they had this great fabric representing Southern California. Since Margaret spent most of her life there, this fabric really called to her. She's making aprons for family members.

Bev is one of our Diva's and she has been spending the summer at her condo in Logan. Margaret just got back from spending time with her. While there, they hit the local quilt shops. This pattern was from the latest shop hop at Red Rooster. The title was something to do with "hens". There are still eyes and beaks to be added.

When Ricci's friend Kate was in town they worked on this "Fun and Done" quilt. Ricci surprised Kate by buying all the fabric and even having all the batting cut in squares. All the supplies were stacked in a neat little bundle by the machine waiting for Kate when she arrived. Now that's service!

These "Fun and Done" quilts really are fun! Each block is identical. You quilt them together as you go, so you are "done" at the end. No need to send it off to the machine quilter ( saving money). They come in a variety of patterns, and I think between us Ricci and I bought every one.

I served dessert after lunch. I made this poke cake called "Strawberry Decadence".

STRAWBERRY DECADENCE

1 French vanilla or strawberry cake mix

2 bags (10 0z. each) frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and sweetened

1 small box cheese-cake flavored instant pudding

8 oz. whipped topping

Bake the cake in a greased 9X13-inch pan according to the directions on box. Cool. Poke holes in the cake (the handle of a wooden spoon works well).

Pour the strawberries and juice over the cake so the berries and juice seep into the holes. Spread the strawberries around untilthe cake is covered.

After prepareing the pudding accoriding to the directions on box, smooth it over the berries, sealing them. Ice the cake wih tthe whipped topping and enjoy! Keep refrigereated for best flavor.