Today's Quilting Bee

Things haven't changed through the years. Women have always been diligent caretakers. Not only caretakers of their families but they stretch their arms out to help others as well.

One way that quilters help others is by sharing their talents and create wonderful cuddly covers full of love to give to those in need. Each quilt wraps the recipient with hugs and warm wishes.

I am so happy that I am part of a group of women who meet regularly to put together some of these quilts.

Karen, Cathy and Mary are busy at work tying quilts, never idle, 

as they share the latest gossip.

Linda is always entertaining us with the silliest stories as she sews.

Today, Barb and Ruth are finishing up the quilts and adding labels.

"Stitched with love

by Undercover Quilters"

We are so thankful for the many who provide us 

with some of their extra fabrics and notions, 

and

our prayers are with those who couldn't get to the meeting 

because of health and family concerns.

With our hearts filled with happiness 

and our tummies filled with oh, so, delicious food from our pot-luck lunch, 

we will meet again next month.  

Stitched with Love

First, they were nothing but squares of fabric cut from various remnants of excess fabric.

Then these blocks came together into repeated patterns or

scrappy quilt tops stitched with love by warm-hearted quilters.

The pile of partially assembled quilts grew and grew ready to be tied with strings of warm wishes.

 I love the days I spend with my dedicated group of Undercover Quilters, who generously use  a bit of their time and talent to share with others.

Our group works mainly undercover, as the name implies, but I caught a couple of them as they tied their way across a quilt top. It's truly a miracle how the fabric donations multiple and new quilt tops keep appearing.

These quilts have helped both people in the community and have been sent off to other countries. They have found their way to tornado victims, pregnancy shelters, nursing homes, hospitals, women's shelters, Habitat for Humanity homes and other locations.

Quilters are, indeed, generous and loving people. How do you share your time and talents?

Linked to Off the Wall Fridays

Reflecting on 2011

Climbing Roses combines several techniques including string piecing, serged three dimensional flowers, and a flounced edge. 

I was thinking back on 2011 and the quilts I have worked on this past year. While I can think of several of them, others slip from my memory. Do you keep a listing of all of your projects? Or, perhaps you have been working on one that consumed all of your quilting time for the entire year.

Lizard Tails drew the most attention.

A few years ago, I decided to keep a notebook of my projects. The purpose was to document when I started, what fabrics, techniques, etc. that I used. This was a trial for me because I am much more of a doer than a documenter. With some projects, I made excellent notes and others just happened and were out the door before I even thought about noting them. This year, I will again resolve to do a better job of keeping notes.

My serged pillows put a smile on my face every time I look at them.  I love the bright colors and combination of fabrics.

What were the quilts that I most enjoyed making this past year? Which one did I learn the most from? Was it a technique that I learned or perfected (well, hardly perfected, maybe got a little better at)? Was it the creativity that hooked me in? Which project was the most fun making? Was there one that I enjoy using daily? Were there quilts that gave me great joy in giving away?

I'm happiest about all of the quilts our Undercover Quilters group made and donated this year.

Where did your quilting life take you this past year? What joy did it bring into your life?