August General Meeting -- Orphan Blocks

Well we had a fine time in August, enjoying a trunk show from Ellen Calloway, who has quite a knack for giving new life to her treasure of found and inherited  blocks. Many times it was hard to pick out which were the old blocks and which were the new. Here are just a sampling of the many quilts that she shared with us.

Here are some of the orphan blocks that members have donated for comfort quilts. Maybe that will be the next challenge for someone in the guild.

July General Meeting

We had great fun during our Christmas in July program.  Five members were gracious enough to give demos on making handmade Christmas ornaments.

Linda whipstitched pieces together for this elegant beauty while Lynne shared some of her paper pieced  creations.

Joan used folded fabric and trim for these wonderful ornaments and Sandra had a new take on Santa.

Our tireless Anita shared this woven hearts ornament/basket that could be used not just for Christmas but for Valentines Day or any number of things.

After the meeting Anita led our bravest members in a new Christmas challenge. The idea was to exchange names and fabrics, and by Christmas time have a beautiful Christmas item for the name that you chose. Can't wait to see what our members come up with.

May General Meeting

In May we had a very exciting meeting with three accomplished art doll makers. Each of them set up a wonderful display of their works and told the stories behind their dolls.

The first to speak was Teresa Pietras from Columbia who has had her work published in contemporary doll magazines. Teresa is a wonderful artist who has recently added dolls to her repertoire.

Gracie Coleman is from the Charlotte area and has been doll making for many years. She also brought some of the dolls that she has lovingly collected over the years, including the bottom two photos.

Panze Roberts is also from Charlotte and a long time doll maker. She uses a wonderful technique of beading on her doll faces which is quite beautiful and unique.

April General Meeting -- Susan Lenz

In April we had the privilege of hosting local fiber artist Susan Lenz who presented a program on her "Last Words" project. Susan's work has been juried into numerous national and international exhibits, featured in solo shows all over the United States, and shown on television and in print. She has been awarded four full scholarship art residencies and several "Best of Show" ribbons.

Generally using needle and thread for self-expression, Susan works to articulate the accumulated memory inherent in discarded things. She seeks a partnership with her materials, their purposes, values, and familiar associations. Memory, universal mortality, and personal legacy are central themes. Vintage and recycled materials are combined with meticulous handwork. Susan is drawn to textiles for their tactile qualities and often makes work that is meant to touch and be touched.

Visit www.Susanlenz.com for a look at this talented artist.

March General Meeting - Kimberly Einmo

What a wonderful program we had in March. Kimberly Einmo was our guest speaker, and what a cheerful, energetic guest she was. Kimberly is an author, award-winning quilter, designer, international instructor and quilt judge. She has written five books published by the American Quilter’s Society including her newest, Modern Quilts & More, plus Jelly Roll Quilts & More, Jelly Roll Quilt Magic, Precuts Bonanza and Quilt A Travel Souvenir.

She is the host to four popular online classes on Craftsy.com. She has also appeared on television and radio programs and has written many articles, and designs original patterns which have appeared in numerous publications. Kimberly also has a signature line of innovative quilting tools.

Here are a few pictures from Kimberly's presentation to the guild. The last picture is the quilt from the workshop that she gave the next day.

February Program - Susan Edmonson

The very talented Susan Edmonson came to Columbia this month to share with us her work with wool and stitchery. She is an award winning quilt artist who designs quilt patterns and kits for two national stores as well as her own pattern line. Her specialties have included folk art, crazy quilted purses and wall quilts, and all of her work is lavished with beading and embroidery.

First Susan gave a presentation and then we got to see her work up close and personal.

Here are some closer examples of her collage pieces as well as her crazy quilting. There were many types of things to ooh and ahh over.

January General Meeting - Aby Dolinger

In January the guild hosted Aby Dolinger. She was a familiar face to some members since she used to live in the area. As a matter of fact Aby has lived in 5 states as well as Germany, since her husband is a US Army Chaplain. Aby's quilts have been in McCalls Quilting, McCalls Quick Quilts and Quiltmakers 100 Blocks. She shared her personal history with quiltmaking, as well as some tips on submitting quilt designs to quilt magazines.

Aby started her presentation with some antique quilts from her collection and then her contemporary versions that were inspired by these quilts.

Aby shared so many quilts with the group that I can't possibly show them all, so I'm going to show my absolute favorites. This first hexagon quilt I remember seeing in McCalls Quilting magazine back in 2013. I liked it so much I tore the pages out and saved them.

I can't remember if the one on the left is vintage or it has reproduction fabrics, but I love the use of these fabrics and the added appliqué block in the center. The one on the right is a Jen Kingwell pattern and is a great way to use all those blocks you make in workshops or demos that have no other home. Not all the same size? Who cares?