Thimbleberries Club Meeting...

Happy Weekend!  

   I've been wearing many hats this week.  I am sorry to say that I haven't yet had a chance to visit every link up for Farmgirl Friday, but I will before too much longer.  I had a little accident in my beloved veggie garden and broke two toes.  I have been slow, hobbling along like a hobbit ever since, but here's a peek at what I was doing...  I'll be posting about it for the Country Garden Showcase on Monday.  Think OMRI.

 

   On a happy note, today was the monthly meeting for my  Thimbleberries Club which is held at one of my favorite quilt stores, Debbie's Fabrics.  


   I burned the midnight oil last night.  I procrastinated right up to the end on my January assignment, but I somehow managed to get it done and fall into bed at 5:30am.  Shame on me.   I will pinch myself if this happens again.  I got bit by the sunshine bug and I've been outside when I should be quilting.


  In spite of myself, I DID make it to the meeting and  on time at 10am with my project done and my eyelids wide open.  Can you say coffee?  I'm sure glad I persevered.  It was a great meeting and we had lots of fun.  Here's a bit of what we did...

   FLYING GEESE CHALLENGE

We are each being asked to make 15- 3 1/2 x 6 1/2 inch flying geese blocks for every meeting, put them into a sandwich bag, write our name on the bag and deliver them to club for a special surprise in September...  A mystery quilt that we will then make in September.  I am really excited about this challenge.  I love mystery quilts.  They're so much fun.  

Another fun challenge that we are doing every month is the Tea Towel Challenge.  

   
   For this challenge we simply decorate a pretty tea towel with an applique image selected by Lynette Jensen, the creator of Thimbleberries. 


These were Debbie's samples. 

   

   

   January's applique design was a snowflake.  February's design is a heart.

   This pretty winter green plaid tea towel was made by Gail. 

   I bought a few more tea towels to play with.  I am thinking about making a durable tea towel half apron.  


   I am apron addicted lately.  They're so much fun to make I have really appreciated how they protect my clothes from baking and cooking trauma.  


   Maybe I will make something similar to this image above that I found online.  That's just too cute!

   Debbie gave us a great little demonstration of a helpful flying geese making tool made by Eleanor Burns of Quilt in a Day.  


   I like her tools, books, and time saving projects.  Considering that I will be making more than 200 flying geese to complete this year's club projects and challenges, I got one of those little tools.  
I'll be sure to share a review of this product once I've gotten the hang of using it.  

   Each meeting, Debbie makes us yummy treats like these homemade chocolate cherry cupcakes and the sweetheart punch.  Both recipes are in the TB club book so we can make them too.  Yippee!


   If you look close on the back wall, you may see the completed 1st quarter project.  Today, we were supposed to have completed Part 1 of 3...  that's what my little quilt should look like when I am done.  I really like it.  It's hearts and flowers.  

   It's a mad house when club ends.  At that point, it's a race through the shop to find the goodies you want because Debbie discounts all Thimbleberries products by 20% for us and she always offers some deep sale of the day.  


   It's a fight to the register.  I get nervous in crowds so I usually stand back and take in all the new quilts Debbie has featured along the walls.  Here are a sampling of the things that stood out to me today...  my favorite kind of eye candy, fabric.

 Isn't this little sampler above unusual?  It looks like a quilt made from orphan blocks.  I don't know what it is about it, but I really like it...

 I LOVE fat quarters...  

 I added the above quilt for Michelle, she loves fall colors and leaves...

 This is a colorful quilt in the pattern "Fatty, Fatty, 2 by 4" by Lynette Jensen and Thimbleberries...

Here are a few of the MANY bolts of fabric in the shop.  I love this shop.  She really crams alot of neat fabric and tools in there... Well, that's what I did at club this morning.  Right now, I am going to go elevate my chubby little toes for a bit.  

Have a GREAT weekend everybody.