Last month was a bit of a whirlwind, with a long drive up to Delaware in the midst of Autumn Jubilee to visit the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild. I got to meet in person my wonderful two moderators of our Friends of From My Carolina Home Facebook group. Normally, I do not go this far for guild speaking events, but the stars aligned on this one. First, because it was Pat and Mary’s home guild, I really wanted to do it. My Sweet Babboo wanted to go to Washington DC and spend some time at the museums and monuments, so it became a matter of just adding that side trip to our vacation plans. I set up the stage using member provided quilts from years past so I wouldn’t need to bring quite so much myself. There was a fabulous variety of table runners up to large quilts all using my patterns from my Scrap Dance series or Autumn Jubilee from years past. I brought my To The Nines quilt for the podium, and scrappy bags to illustrate points from my program along with a few table runners.
Thank you to Pat Semeraro on the left, and Mary Deeter on the right for your wonderful warm welcome, a fabulous dinner with your husbands, and a great class the next day!
It is a good thing that they had a wireless microphone for my lapel as I have a hard time staying behind a podium, LOL!! I have to tell you that after almost 2 years of not doing live speaker events, it was wonderful to be in front of a live audience. When I do these on Zoom, everyone is muted, so I don’t know if they are laughing at my jokes or nodding in agreement. That synergy of speaker and audience is a dynamic and living thing, and I really enjoy it.
The next morning, I taught a class for my To The Nines pattern. I challenged the group to finish their nine block table toppers by the end of October and send me a photo. Scott was the first to complete his and send his photo. His colors are wonderful, vibrant and bright.
Mary did hers in cool blues and purples.
Pam and Carol collaborated on this topper.
Linda did hers in a holiday theme.
Kathleen decided to do hers in the original pattern colorway and design, with all scraps in the larger nine patches. This uses up a lot more scraps and less background fabrics. Her patriotic theme could be used as a Quilt of Valor, which was the original idea of To The Nines.
My To The Nines pattern is available for purchase in my Etsy store, along with my Scrap Dance series. You can see it looks fabulous in every colorway you can imagine. The pattern contains charts for several sizes, and shows the chain version and the scrappy nine-patch alternate block version.
This week I am speaking at the Landrum Quilt Guild, and teaching my pin weaving class. I am so excited! It is just so great to be back to having those quilty interactions.
Are you attending more in-person events now?
From My Carolina Home 
Our community education program through the school offers a quilters night out (QNO) open sew night once a month. It has been great to get out and talk with others and see what projects they have done. Unfortunately there are only 11 spots available and I registered too late for it this month but I am al set for December.
Our guild started meeting in person again last month, which I missed, but getting ready to head that way this morning with my quilting buddy! It will be great to see everyone in person vs. zoom again!!
What a special time.
Very exciting and all the quilts are beautiful. There was light at the end of the tunnel and you certainly got out into it – wonderful!
It’s so great that you’re able to give your presentations and classes in person again! My book club and quilt group have started meeting in person again, and it does make such a difference. Covid cases are way up in Colorado again right now, though, so I wonder if we’ll be able to continue to meet this way. We are all vaccinated, fortunately, and the groups are small, so hopefully it will be okay.
Sounds like your Delaware trip was trip was spectacular, as was your class for your lovely To The Nines pattern. I love seeing all the different colorways your students selected for this design. They all are brilliant.
Thanks for showing all the color ways for the “To The Nines” quilts. Makes me want to make one. Maybe for Thanksgiving.
How I wish I could be at one of your speaking events and class. But, will be content with your Blog shares. Will definitely be getting your To the Nines pattern. Look forward to all your posts.
I am glad you had a great class. There were many colorways. I like the patriotic one. How was Washington?
How nice to have member quilts on hand so you didn’t have to pack as much! To The Nines is so versatile, I like the various mood each colorway projects. Scott is keeping summer alive with those sunshiny yellows amidst the sky & sea. My large guild continues to offer Zoom meetings in addition to convening again in person. My smaller group got together again last year as soon as it was allowed. Meetings were outdoors in the park as weather permitted then indoors in a larger venue, now we’re back at the library with some restrictions. Everyone is vaccinationed & maintaining distances as cases remain high.
Happy to see a picture of Carole, Pat, & Mary and delighted that they could meet in person. What fun for you all. thank you for what you do for the rest of us.
I have my Autumn Jubilee 2021 on my table, will pass it along to my sister but just wanted to enjoy remembering the fun of making it. I am slowly getting out of my comfort zone and using my scraps, hey it is fun.
Wow — they really rose to your challenge, didn’t they?! Great job! Looks like you had a nice crowd, too. How fun! 🙂
What fun to meet in person! My quilting group has been sewing in person for a while now. I went one time for half a day – but was tuckered out so left before lunch (which I was a tad uncomfortable about joining anyway). Now that I have the booster I hope to return to the monthly sessions.
Thank you for coming to Delaware. It was so much fun to meet you and your husband. Your presentation at the guild was excellent.
What a nice trip for you, and how wonderful to be back to in-person events.
How lovely to have a trip away and be able to participate in real events with real people!! All the quilts are just lovely xx
What a fabulous trip. I love seeing the gorgeous quilts — each one is a treasure. And how wonderful to have such a fun getaway! I bet you were a fabulous speaker!
Carole, how exciting for you to be back in your element! This is absolutely wonderful. And a side trip to DC also sounded great. We haven’t been there in several years, would love to go back (but hate that traffic!).