AFinish and a Party!

Thursday is my sew-in day at Prairie Stitches Quilt Shoppe.  My project for the day was to finish stitching down the binding on this string quilt.

Quilts of Valor string quilt

I finished this top for Quilts of Valor back in August.  This is the first time I've gotten one of my quilts back, after it was quilted, to bind.  Our group is so large, and, we make about 400 quilts a year, that, it just is too hard to keep up with everything.  (PS:  We just had a request for another 130 quilts to be presented, on top of the 400+ we get requests for each year, we'll try, but not sure we can get all the quilts done).

backing and label on string Quilts of Valor quilt

One of the ladies at the sew-in had a present for me.

my birthday Bear from Jo

Jo knitted the sweater and hat herself.  Isn't he cute!  Thanks Jo!

Last night was the 30 Anniversary Celebration for my larger quilt guild, Pride of the Prairie.  Several sets of members 'hosted' tables.  The centerpieces were all 'won' by someone that sat at that table.  Marilyn and I hosted a table.  Marilyn made a teapot table runner (our centerpiece) and also made teapot coasters that everyone at our table got to take home.  This is our table.

Marilyn's and my table

Here are the other 8 tables.  Such cute decorations at each table.

This meeting was also the 'wrap-up' meeting from our quilt show, back in early March.  Some of the winning quilts came back to be seen again.

This is the 'Best in Show' quilt, pieced and quilted by Julie Karlak.  Julie also quilted my son's quilt and my nieces quilt last year.  Both of those quilts are on beds in other states, so, they were not in the show.

Julie Karlak with her 'Best of Show' quilt

The viewers choice was won by Christine Williams.  There are 366 little houses in this quilt, one for each day of the year (it was leap year when she made it).

Christine Williams with her 'Viewers Choice' quilt

This guild also has a raffle quilt for each quilt show.  We always draw the winner at this meeting.

Pride of the Prairie raffle quilt

The quilt was won by a lady in the Chicago suburbs, but, when we called her, we only got voice mail.  I'm sure she will be calling back.

Over all, it was a fun day and evening.  I'm headed out to the Newark Community Garage Sales, then on to another quilt store (I always forget something).  I wonder if I'll find any great treasures today.  We'll see!