Springville

A trip to the Springville Museum of Art quilt show yesterday was very inspiring. When I go to quilt shows I try to focus on one aspect of quilt-making and see what I can learn from the exhibits. This year I chose to focus on borders. What a great variety I found, and took many photos for inspiration. When considered as the frame to the central design, I found great diversity in how the artists used color and fabric for this purpose.

Another subject of study is the way quilting design is used. You will just have to see Judy Dixon's quilt (winner of the Steel Days Best of Show and People's Choice awards) for which she won a ribbon for her hand quilting. Machine quilting has taken over the quilt world, for better or worse, but a beautiful example is illustrated in the photo of the beautiful bird quilt-sorry, I didn't take note of the artist-that shows how machine quilting can be used to showcase the applique' rather than take on a life of its own.

New Friends day group will see the show on our annual field trip August 5th, and night group will go the next week on Wednesday evening. Be sure to take in the show as it is well worth the trip.

Also two beautiful quilts were entered by JoAnne Abel (President of the Night Group) which showcase the creativity and skills in her quiltworks. My pictures of them were not very good, so didn't want to post them as they don't do the quilts justice. Don't miss them when you view the show.

Tuesday Meeting

Today was "Do your own thing" day, and we had quite a few ladies there. Peggy received help with packing up of the quilt show supplies and taking inventory. Several exhibitors came for their quilts today. A few more to go, and the quilt show is really over?

Marilyn shared a cut puppy quilt she has made for a great-grandchild. And Nancy arrived so we could sing "happy birthday" to her on her special day.

Carmen recived a phone call from Elaine Beer this morning, and she has donated her whole collection of whole-clath quilt designs for our library . She also brought books and drawings of quilting designes that will be a great resource for all of us. Elaine is well, but age is slowing her down and she doesn't do as much quilting as she did in the past. We enjoyed a short visit with her and her daughter, Necia, from Arizona who is helping Elaine clean out the stash. Elaine also donated some fabric and batting for our community service projects which is greatly appreciated.

Next week's meeting is our Community Service week. Peggy hopes that everyone who has not completed their "fabric challenge" quilt will bring them so they can receive help in finishing them. Last month we started cutting for a "London Stairs" quilt, so Carmen plans ongetting us started on stitching it up, too. Peggy will e-mail information on the challenge quilts.

Quilt Show Ocer

The people's choice award and the best of show award went to the same quilt artist this year, the first time this has occurred in the 18 years of the Steel Days quilt show. Judy Dixon is the proud owner of the two prize-winning quilts. Thank you, Judy, for sharing your artistry with us and congratulations to you.

All the cummunity service quilts for Project Linus were picked up by Judy Cox, project coordinator. The baby quilts are packed and ready for delivery as soon as Necia and Claudia get together for the trip to Provo.

We received a surprise visit to the doll and quilt show by Caleb Warnock, writer for the Daily Herald. He asked for a tour of the quilt show, and Sunday morning the article appeared in section three of the paper. It was especially surprising for the Martinez Family, as a report of Coleman and his birthday quilt appeared in print. He happily slept is first night under the quilt, and immediately spread it out to find again his "favorite" square!

Grandma's do have privilege, don't they? Thanks goes to caleb for his informative article.

July 2008

It is so exciting to see the large display of quilts at the annual Steel Days quilt show. After tomorrow all these quilts will be donated to the NEO-NATAL unit at UVRMC and to PROJECT LINUS. Although not shown (as they were all hung,) the Challenge quilts for this year are wonderful and will be a special gift to the receiving agencies.

Much thanks is due to Peggy N. for her chairmanship of our annual show, and appreciation to all who contributed as exhibitors, helping with the setup, hostess duties, and the take down. It has been very popular with the public this year. Sales of our tickets on the beautiful fund-raising quilt which was set by Christina and quilted by Wren have been brisk, and should be great sucess this year.

We finished 11 rag-edge flannel quilts which were all on display. July 29th will be our next community service day, and we will be working on some new projects. Be there at 10 AM for a drawing from the "Goodie Box."

July 22 is the 80th birthday of member Nancy D. Congratulations to you, Nancy! She recently commented that a year ago she did not believe she could ever make a nice quilt by herself. Her two beautiful exhibits at the quilt show showcase her talents. Great work, Nancy!

In August we'll have another applique' and piecing technique day, and we'll also be taking a trip to the Springville Art Museum show. We'll see you all soon!