I'm Back!!!!

I'm back!  I didn't mean to take such a long break from blogging, but life happens...
I had all intentions of getting back to posting - in fact at the end of every month, I told myself, "at the beginning of next month, I'm going to begin blogging again," and finally it worked!

This year, the guilds that I belong to elected amazing activities people!  There are so many projects going on that it's hard to keep up (but I'm managing for the most part) - not to mention the interesting programs and fun instructional workshops being planned!  I thought that for my first post back, I'd give a few details on what I'm working on for guilds over the next few month:

Heartland Quilter's Guild:

• Veteran's Star Block collection (for a charity sew for Wounded Warriors) - these are great blocks to make a a group projects since the star points are far from the edge of the block, therefore, if some of the blocks collected are just "a little bit off," no points will be lost in the top assembly process!

Veteran's Star Block Wounded Warrior Quilt

• Hopscotch Block collection (for a charity sew for Soldier Babies/Children's/Preemie Quilts) - another fun and simple block that is great for a group project!

Hopscotch Block Baby Quilt

• Hobo Quilt blocks BOM - a few months ago, Debra Henninger, author of Hobo Quilts, gave a presentation to our guild about hobo history and the symbolism of the blocks in her quilts.  So many people purchased books that night that the projects chair decided to challenge us to actually use it (you know, instead of letting is collect dust on the shelf).  We are tasked to complete 5 blocks each month (and they are so addictive that I've already made blocks 1-16...sshhh.....).  I'm using old worn flannel shirt parts (super starched to reduce stretch) and background scraps/FQs that I would use in my civil war quilts - shopping the stash for this quilt!

Hobo Quilt (blocks 1-5)

• Chairman's Challenge: "In My Garden" - no idea where I'm going with this theme yet (not really sure if I'm going to participate in this one - time will tell, it's still a very long time off). 

Ties, Needles & Threads Crafter's Guild:

• Spin-The-Wheel challenge - this was a really fun idea!  Each guild member had the chance to spin a big wheel for an assigned project (zippered item, finished quilts block, mug rug, purse, placemat, pin cushion, etc.).  Once everyone had their challenge project, a twist was thrown in...each person had to draw the name of another guild member from a basket and make the project for that person!  Mine's all done - but I can't show you yet...it's not due until October and I want to surprise my buddy!  TOP SECRET!

• UFO challenge - another fun idea!  Pay $1/UFO (up to 5 UFOs) into the pot.  For each UFO finished, you get a chance to win the pot!  The UFOs are to be completely finished (to include quilting, binding and label) by January 2017.  Mine are all done as of last month!  Woohoo!  I'll show them to you over the next few weeks:
1. Buttermilk Basin BOM
2. 4-Patch Revisited
3. Bargello Americana
4. Granny Square Bonus Quilt
5. Elizabeth's Prairie Garden (PWSC)

• Look Kevin, I Can Do Scrappy! BOM - a mystery quilt originally designed by Ann McNew of Attic Threads.  We're doing it as a 6-month step-by-step block of the month program.  So far, I've chosen a jelly roll I'm going to begin with (that's not saying much - but this month is all cutting directions - I'll get there).

• President's Challenge: "I Like Stars" - I've got a couple ideas swimming around for this challenge.  Not sure which one I'll actually commit to, though (I've got time - it's not due until next spring).

Well, that about sums up my guild's projects, but we have so many fun programs and workshops coming up (and past) that I'd like to participate in, too, that it's going to be a very quilty year!  Who can resist jumping in on things like Pineapple Plaid w/Mickey Depre (this month!), Pineapple Nine Patch from Geometric Gems (a few months ago - not started yet), and Road to St. Louis (last year - not started yet)???

I'd love to hear what fun things your guild is doing or some of the most memorable things you've done in the past!  If you don't belong to a guild or sewing group, what projects are you feeling excited about working on?  Leave me a comment below and let me know!

For fun stuff happening today in the blog-o-sphere, check out the link-ups on my sidebar!