It's been two weeks since I posted. I know. That's very unlike me. But it's also a statement about how on-the-go I've been. First it was QuiltCon; then there were houseguests; then it was giving a program and workshop to South Florida MQG in Boca Raton; followed by a quick visit to Orlando to see our Kansas City daughter who was attending a conference. Whew. The time has flown by, albeit in an extremely happy way!
Where to begin?
I'll start with last weekend's (February 27-28) trip to Boca Raton. I spent Friday night in a hotel, and then all day Saturday with members of South Florida MQG.
The South Florida chapter of the MQG offers hybrid programs and workshops - on Zoom and in-person. No doubt that's one of several reasons they have 88 members. Another is that they're simply a great group of people, many of whom are already friends that I came to know when I was a 2020 virtual member of their chapter.
Saturday's meeting was at the Boca Raton Community Center. Members were in-person and on Zoom.
At their request, I created a presentation for them about me and my quilts.
Honestly, when I began putting this together I hadn't realized that this year marks 50 years of quiltmaking for me. The process of going through pictures of old quilts, many that I no longer possess, and documenting my journey including earning a journalism degree, writing for quilting magazines, learning to teach through my Stitchin' Mission ministry, and writing the First Time Quiltmaking book, followed by embracing modern, was enlightening. I've told hubs that when I die, all he need do as a memorial is play this slideshow!
I added a few funnies and quilting tips to the program, so it wasn't totally boring. This is a 2000 magazine ad promoting Fiskar scissors with a not-to-be-overlooked hunky guy. Effective advertising, I'd say!
I followed the presentation with a trunk show of Snowflake Medallion quilt (an award-winner) that concluded my traditional journey and 21 other, more modern quilts that have been my efforts to make quilts that would be accepted into QuiltCon - thus far, 19 acceptances in 9 shows. No winners.
After a nice pizza lunch...
... and cake... (Wasn't that nice of them?)
...I led quilters in a Kawandi-making workshop.
I still adore making Kawandi myself, and for teaching purposes have begun two of them.
More (pink) icing on the cake 😀 was receiving this certificate... complimentary membership in South Florida Modern Quilt Guild, for one year!
I'm delighted! I will happily attend their twice-monthly Zoom Sip 'n Sew evenings where conversation is mostly about quilting or books read, and attend as many virtual meetings as possible. This is such a genius gift idea. A free guild membership could certainly incentivize a chapter's members to give a program or workshop.
By the way, Cindy Grisdella's new book was recently released - Freehand Curve Quilts. I recently received my complimentary copy and am delighted to share my Party Time! quilt on page 85.
It's on the page after Candi Lennox's quilt on page 83.
Candi (a member of the Jacksonville MQG) is excellent at improv having four quilts accepted into QuiltCon, and participating in the making of two group quilts at QuiltCon! Here's Candi with the group quilts.
The first is We Come in Piece and earned my vote for People's Choice (it didn't win).
My next post will be a brief overview of QuiltCon followed by a couple posts with more pictures of QC quilts. Linda
