Sometimes in addition to our regular business meeting and program, we have a presentation from one of our charity partners. This past meeting we had a display and talk about our work with the local woodworkers. They make the most wonderful toys and our guild helps with making what we call ‘cradle quilts’ although they go in more than just cradles. I’m not sure who makes the bears.
They also do wagons entirely made of wood.
Rocking chairs just big enough for a small child, and an all wood stroller also have quilts and bears.
I was surprised to find out that the woodworkers make over 2000 of these toys a year, and need that many quilts to go with them. The little quilts are only 18 inches square, and I have plenty of fabric. So I have made a personal goal to make 5-6 of these quilts to add to the stack by the deadline of our November meeting. I didn’t make these quilts, other members of our guild did.
Our program committee is doing a great job this year with fun and interesting classes for us to learn new techniques and stretch ourselves out of our normal ruts. This past meeting we got the basics in making fabric postcards. These can actually be mailed, or used at framed art. The instructor started us with a stiff backing, and we put background fabric on that. I decided to use two tone on tone prints. You can tell from the threads and ribbons I brought that I am already thinking of fall projects.
I added a curvy brown accent to cover the seam.
Then I fussy cut some leaves from a print, and put them on top.
Next was to do some hand stitching. I chose a blanket stitch for the brown accent.
Note to self, next time do the stitching of the brown piece before fusing down the leaves. Oh well, it is a learning piece.
We were told to bring stamps and pigma pens to write on the front, so I used those too. Then I added some string on the left, similar to what I do with cards. Overall, not great, I don’t like the writing, it isn’t big enough to fill the space, and the stamps were not the best choice either. But it was a great learning piece, and you may see something similar later in the year.
My table mates all did more spring / summer designs. I can see how this will have great potential for art projects and seasonal fun.
After the meeting, I worked the ticket sale table for our guild’s Opportunity Quilt during shop hop, and was asked to take the quilt home to photograph for publicity. I was happy to do this. It was made by several members of the guild. The pattern is Trip Around the Sun adapted with permission from designer Lisa Norton of Material Girlfriends to make it a queen size. Here it is on my queen size guest bed.
Over the weekend, I set up my stand, hung the quilt and took it outside with the help of My Sweet Babboo in the early morning light to get a good picture for members to use to sell their tickets. It is called Blue Ridge Reverie.
They call it an Opportunity Quilt because you have the ‘opportunity’ to win it. The fabrics are batiks.
Techniques include both piecing and applique.
It is longarm quilted with an edge to edge pantograph of swirls. No, I did not quilt it, another member did.
Tickets for the drawing are $1 each or 6 for $5. Proceeds benefit the guild’s charitable work and educational programming, along with our scholarship program for college level students. If you are a local friend, just let me know if you would like one or more. I’ll also coordinate getting tickets for you if you are not local, just leave a comment or email me. The drawing will be on May 18, 2024 at our quilt show.
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From My Carolina Home 
What a terrific guild meeting project! I’ve seen fabric postcards on other blogs, but these are terrific. Who was the presenter? Absolutely love your guild’s OPPORTUNITY quilt. Our guild used the same name for our quilt raffle.
I love the idea of those small quilts. My daughter used to make doll quilts to sell at a local farmer’s market. They were mostly 18×24.
What a fun guild visit & great synergy with the woodworkers. The opportunity quilt is just beautiful.
I had the “opportunity” to see the guild’s Opportunity Quilt at Beginnings Quilt Shop during Shop Hop. It is beautiful! I bought some tickets – keeping my fingers crossed I win it.
The wood pieces are beautiful and wonderful with the animals and quilts. The Opportunity quilt is so pretty. That would be a wonderful win. Cute fabric postcards too.
That is beautiful quilt. Someone will be a very lucky winner. I like the idea of making the 18 inch square quilts. I also have plenty of fabric, including a lot of kid and animal themes that would be appropriate, I think. Since I can’t make big things anymore, I think I would enjoy making these. Could you share an address where to send them?
That would be fabulous, Brenda! Yes, you can send them to me, the deadline is November 9 to get them here. Anyone interested can send to my post office box – PO Box 524, Mountain Home, NC 28758.
The charity toy project is just so wonderful. I can imagine the joy and excitement of the child receiving it. I have a cradle that was made for my daughter by a men’s woodworking group in a nursing home. It is a treasure, now almost 50 years old. I participated in a postcard swap a few years ago that was so much fun. The opportunity quilt is stunning. Looks like your guild meeting was a super fun day.
that is a pretty quilt and I like all those tiny ones that you made too
Carole,
I live in New Mexico. We have an Albuquerque Woodworkers Association here that we also make small quilts for through my quilt group, Thimbleweed Quilters. Ours are 8 1/2”x 11” and ladies love making them. It’s fun to share our talents with the community and think of all those children who benefit.
Colleen
Thanks, Colleen, I tried to email you but it bounced back as undeliverable.
I love the idea of making those postcards. Looking forward to possibly seeing more of this later in the year! Wouldn’t they make fun Valentines Day cards??
Beautiful quilts, love the cradle quilts and the bears!
that quilt is gorgeous! I would like to buy 6 tickets. How do I do that?
Mary Ed
Our Quilt Show Guild has an Opportunity Quilt also. Something about verbiage used for Charity Organizations, in our state. I have won the quilt 2 times in past years. Your guild’s quilt is stunning!
Oops – forgot a question. Now that we have become the Las Vegas of the East, can guilds do more raffle quilts? Previously, we were told only one a year.
Mary Ed
Carole, I love the wooden toys made by the woodworker’s group. The addition of the tiny quilts are perfect!
Forgot to mention the Opportunity Quilt, it is gorgeous!
I always enjoy reading your blog. I was in a postcard swap earlier this Spring. The guilds Opportunity Quilt is stunning. I will let you know if I get a few little quilts made for your guilds charity project. I am slowly getting my sewing mojo back and certainly have more fabric than I will ever need!!!
I love the idea of the tiny quilts to go with the wooden toys! Those would be fun to make. I haven’t tried making fabric postcards, but have see some and it looks like you can play with all kinds of techniques. Your guild’s opportunity quilt is gorgeous! That will be some lucky winner!
Lots of interesting things in this post. The furniture is quite lovely and the fabric goodies with them them makes them even more special. Love the opportunity quilt….and your fabric postcards. Our guild does them, but I have yet to do them – on my list of things to do.
Small quilts – great idea! I usally make one block of a new pattern for a visual and “how hard can it be”. For those blocks who don’t make the cut, I make placemats/or 4 thickness batting for hot pads for the table. We have a local charity that has “baby showers”. Mom’s get a pretty wooden box filled with bottles, diapers, etc. I think a quilt would be nice. Thanks for the idea.
Those wooden toys are just so lovely. As are the little quilts and toys. There are so many clever crafters around.
You also had a fun time making fabric cards. That’s something to play with on a rainy day!!
OMGoodness, that is a beautiful quilt, you should be able to sell lots of tickets!
That quilt is a dazzler! I wish I was a local! And your project sounds fun and so worthwhile. Love the toys and quilts. The postcards look fun too and love what you shared. I can see why that wa so fun for you!
Opportunity quilt pictures look great! Thank you!
Like the postcards. I like your fall design. Do you need help in making doll quilts? I could help.
If you’d like to make a few, we would welcome the help. The quilts need to be 18-inches square, any pattern. Deadline for arrival at my PO box is November 9. My mailing address is on my contact page. Thank you!!
Carole
FromMyCarolinaHome.com http://FromMyCarolinaHome.com
That sounds like a great guild meeting!
The toy project sounds great, they’re beautifully made and the quilts compliment them so well. Love the quilt too, it’s stunning.
Trip Around the Sun is so gorgeous! You did a great job with the photos.
I didn’t realize you can really mail those post cards.
What a gorgeous raffle quilt!