World Quilt Show-New England - Mancuso

This morning six of us headed off at 7:00am to attend the Mancuso Quilt show in Manchester, New Hampshire. Pictured are, L-R Koleen, Helen, Sherry, Barbara, our able driver, Lois and me. Our first stop was Dunkin Donuts of course and on our way down the highway. We arrived around 10:30am excited and did the vendors first.....looked at stunning quilts (posted in above blog) It was a fun trip for all of us.












When I went to Lancaster, Pa. earlier this year some of the gals got these beautiful hand done pieces at the show. I looked at them but just could not make up my mind as to what I wanted. They were vending here in NH and I was determined to come home with at least one. I ended up with two. They are hand done by this lady and it is done from the back. It is called Hmong Pandau needle design by Nhia Lo. I plan to frame them.




I love black and white and this was stunning to me. Simple and yet striking. They both are small and I will mat and frame them.




















Of course you cannot got to a quilt show without purchasing things you just think you need. Some of which included Christmas and pumpkin designs from Pickering Farm Quilt Shop to add to my stash and Kona Snow background material. and a great piece with jungle animals for a baby quilt. (his room will be decorated with them per his daddy). I also found this wonderful tape measure for my quilter called a centering tool from Quilters Rule. It is said of quilters, produce a new tool and they will purchase whatever the price. Sometimes that is true but I do try to be frugal. (smile).

To end our day after eating dinner in Portland we saw this beautiful moon as it showed itself on the horizon as we travelled the Maine turnpike. We tried to get pictures but there were so many cars. When I got home lo and behold it was still in the sky and this is what it looked like. As we were riding we could see a indentations that actually looked like a face in the moon. Guess that is why it is called 'the man in the moon' What a spectacular sight.

Hydrangea - Spectaular View

Yesterday as my husband and I came from having lunch we drove through Hallowell and the most beautiful site of flowering Hydrangea were in full bloom. They stand in front of the cemetary bordering the road. Every year we enjoy them so thought you might like to see a spectacular sight. This morning the sun was shining after yesterday's rain so I decided to take a jaunt in early this morning as the sun was coming up and before I started my usual Monday cleaning and laundry.This is a picture of the row and of course I could no way get all of them. I took time to count and was surprised that their were 80 bushes. A company out of Massachusetts cuts them each year. You are fined if you are caught taking any. Below is a close up view. They are shrubs of the saxifrage family, with opposite usually serrate leaves and large showy clusters of white, blue or pink flowers. The color depends on the soil. These bushes do very well here in Maine and display a colorful array each year for us to behold.

Star BOM #4

Block of the Month #4 done!! We lost our power today because of the wind from Ike. What to do was the question....with no electricity or water I decided to cut this block out that I had downloaded this morning. This was an easy one to get twisted up but I used my design board to lay it out and sew piece by piece being careful as to direction....making sure to get all my lines going the same way. I am really liking these blocks...thanks Judy for the time you put into them...greatly appreciated.

Star BOM #3

#3 Block of the Month with Judy Laquidara finished!! With vacations and this 'n that I am lagging behind. But I conquered it and I am pleased with it. It has been really fun doing this. It has been great seeing all the different color combinations. I have checked them all out even though I do not comment. Great job to all!

Tacoma Lake Group

Our first meeting was held this past Wednesday. This is the finished Sampler our group worked on this past year. L-R Beth, (our great out-going Pres. who challenged us with this project), Bev and Pauline. Mine is still sitting on my quilter to be finished and there are several others still in different stages. It is amazing how different they look and yet are the same blocks. Job well done galsS

Also on the agenda was a new president, elected was Barbara Duffy, who comes with much experience and many ideas that will help us to learn new things this year. Check out her blog.

Above is her quilt 'Split Personality' and below the 'Gingerbread Jingle', these were beta tested by Barb and designed by Koleen Painchaud. You can check out her website and see the many wonderful designs that she offers plus other services.