Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild Christmas Party

 Yesterday we met together as the

Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild

for our Christmas Party.

Everyone brought yummy food

we visited

did a fabric exchange

and even saved a little time for

(my favorite)

Show and Tell 

Alissa just finished her

Ron Swanson

from the Quilt Along hosted 

by Monica of Happy Zombie.

Monica tells a great story

HERE

 of  how she met actor

Nick Offerman of Parks and Recreation

and had him sign her Ron Swanson quilt.

 And isn't this moustache fabric

 just perfect for the backing?

 A Lasagna Quilt

 Living in Arizona we see a lot of

cultural expressions  

of Mexican Madonna's 

and Catholic Church art

in our communities.

 I loved this quilt

represented with images of religious Folk Art paintings

through out.

 Even though it's not quite Christmas

someone

is already thinking Valentines Day :)

 A  nice setting to showcase a favorite fabric.

Have you ever noticed during Show and Tell

that people often wear the same colors as the project they are sharing?

Matchy Matchy!

Check the pictures in this post and tell me if you see what I see.

 Danny hosts 

a wonderful on line Bee

Stash Bee Blog

which is up to 12 Hives now! wow!

She brought an example of  a project

she will be teaching this next year.

and yes she had on a navy blue sweatshirt to match

her navy blue fabric.

Alyssa (Pile O'Fabric)

wearing red to match 

made a total of 17 Christmas stockings

 for her family.  

More pictures from our Show and Tell will be coming soon.

Quilted Valance

 I have one last idea to share with you

from Denise's Home Tour.

In her Sewing Room

she has the most wonderful

Quilted Valance 

topping a large window.

A series of New York Beauty blocks

set Wonky style

 The valance is made similar to a long table runner

complete with binding.

A narrow pocket is sewn on the back

for the curtain rod.

 Great idea!

Really, any design would work.

I think I need a Quilted Triangle valance :)

Yo Yo Quilt

 I've always held a great appreciation

and loved the look of

Yo Yo Quilts

All of those little circles tacked together

really do not seem like a quilt at all.

There is no batting, backing

or 

"sandwich technique"

going on.

From a functional point of view

not much warmth is provided either.

But, for nearly 100 years

Yo Yo Quilts have maintained their popularity.

Women have always liked the concept

of an easy take along project

to keep their hands busy

combined with

a way to use up small pieces of scrap fabric.

 During Denise's home tour

she had a beautiful example of a 

Yo Yo Quilt

hanging in her guest bedroom.

A family heirloom

made years ago by her mother

with the help of her brother.

How wonderful to imagine a young boy

taking interest and spending time 

helping his mother with this project.

 A small quilt block pinned on top 

as part of 

Denise's contribution.

 Yo Yo quilts are so much easier to make in our day.

Clover offers

Quick templates

in several sizes

that makes the circles come together fast and easy.

And they have created several shapes like

flowers

butterflies

ovals 

shamrocks 

and hearts

that take 

Yo Yo Quilts to a whole new level.

Boy Crazy Quilt

 I rarely buy quilt patterns anymore.

It seems like there are so many designs in the line up

that it's unwise to add more to the pile.

But, every once in a while I just can't resist.

Boy Crazy

by Martha Walker of

Wagons West Designs

created one of those moments.

These little guys

insisted I come play with them.

Besides that, Martha lives in the Phoenix Metro

and I want to do my small part in

lending support for our local designers:)

Martha is known for her Vintage Style

and is the author of numerous books

patterns

and

block designs.

 Boy Crazy

58" X 62"

includes all of the foundation patterns 

needed to construct the hat units.

Templates are also included to piece

the units for traditional piecing methods , if desired.

Pattern may be purchased at

Wagons West Web Site

or at 3 Dudes Quilt Store

 The original quilt is currently hanging at

3 Dudes

I just love these little guy's appliqued buttons

and hats.

A great scrappy quilt!

3D Folded Quilt Blocks

 While stitching away

at 3 Dudes

Open Sew Day

I looked over to see 

Denise working on

making a few

3D Folded Quilt Blocks

Traditional block patterns

taken to a new level.

 Can you see the 3D effect?

 A start on a red pattern

 Gifts for Christmas

 Patterns taken from the

AQS Publication

3D Folded Blocks

by Geesje Baron and Esther Vermeer

 And Pat Grago 

brought her sample

from the class she teaches

"Scraps Are Us"

on the 3rd Wednesday of every month.

 Pat starts her class

teaching a pineapple block.

The students are then free to create 

their own placement.

This is kind of a 

"Build As You Go" concept

where you start with a center section of blocks

and then add more blocks around 

the edges as you go.

The reds really make this quilt pop.

And a great way to use up scraps!