Cove Quilters Challenge

January 30, 2012 Barbara Robson

Early in December, one of our bee members, Sandra, suggested we have a challenge. She had bought a copy of the Twelve x 12 Challenge book and was very inspired by what this group of art quilters had done. She suggested our bee should embark on a bit of a challenge with a finished size of 12" square, we should try out some new techniques and it had to be done by January 25. She suggested our first theme be "birds".

Top, left to right - Vicki, LindaH, Linda M, Barb, Heather, Donna, Sandy and Sandra

Eight of us took her up on the challenge and though we gather bi-weekly we didn't bring our challenge to bee or discuss them. We had the grand unveiling at Sandra's last week. We were delighted to have our long distance member Heather join us via Skype. This was the first time we tried it and it worked very well.

My challenge is called "The Empty Nest". I was inspired by a post on Jane Sassaman's blog for the bird's nests she made for her Christmas tree. It was fun to make and I will do some for next Christmas for our tree. The background of the block I cut and slashed and inserted the branches, if I was doing it again I would make the branches more irregular. The leaves are raw edge applique and I did a bit of machine quilting. a fun and quick project once I had the plan! Vicki is keeping a journal of each piece and what she did, techniques used along with notes of what worked or didn't. I must do that before I forget.

Sandra, Jane, Donna, Sandy, Vicki, Linda, Terry and Heather visiting via Skype!

Our next challenge is based on chocolate and candy! Linda gathered a selection of chocolate bars and candy and put them in a bag. We each drew one to use as our inspiration or theme. Some of us are going to be really challenged! Mine is a Mars bar!

We drew for Heather and she got the box of Starburst candies. Sandra outdid herself with "bird" themed treats - birds nest cookies and a little bag of bird seed tied with cardinal ribbon. It was a great afternoon with a great flock of quilters!

In keeping with the bird theme, Sandy brought along one of the penguins she has made from the pattern found at PurlBee. Several other bee members are making them too, Heather has 3 done and Sandra and I have several in various stages of completion. They are just so cute!

A Pink Quilt

January 16, 2012 Barbara Robson

Last Friday I delivered another pile of 34 quilts to the NICU at the IWK Children's Hospital. Quilters primarily from the Mayflower Quilters Guild and the Mahone Bay Quilters Guild have been supporting this project for almost 5 years. I haven't kept track of the numbers of quilts we have made and donated but it must be well over 400 now.

As soon as I came into the NICU, I was approached by a Dad who saw the bag of quilts that I had and he asked how much they cost, he wanted to buy one, a pink one for his baby daughter, he told me that she weighed 1lb 4 oz when she was born on New Year's Eve. I explained that they weren't for sale but were for the babies in the NICU to be used while they were there and that if they wanted one, a quilt could go home with them. He asked if I did commissions, he wanted a pink one, just a pink one for his tiny daughter. The nurses explained that they had to be labelled and washed and then he could have one, he was happy with that and thanked us for our support. He wanted a pink one, he reminded us. He told me several times his baby was the smallest one there. My heart ached for him and his tiny daughter.

I remember that when we spent over 2 months there with our twin grandsons how we always talked to other families, sharing news of our babies, their progress, their milestones big or small. We were important to each other, the support was huge and needed, no matter how small or brief.

I couldn't get this Dad out of my mind and his tiny baby. Our grandsons were 2lb and 2lb 10oz when they were born and it is hard to imagine a smaller baby. I kept thinking about this baby girl and the struggles that lay ahead. So Saturday morning I went to work, pulled out all the pink scraps leftover from Molly's quilt and made a small 32" square quilt for "the smallest baby" and her Dad. There are 9 - 9" squares plus a narrow border and a 2" border with a soft flannel back, perfect size for a tiny baby to grow into.

I pieced it and mostly quilted on Saturday, finished the quilting and binding on Sunday and today I am going to deliver it.

The quilt is machine pieced, simple off centre log cabin blocks and it is machine quilted.

I just hope and pray that they are still there.

An update - yes, baby is doing ok, holding her own. Her Dad wasn't there but I did give the quilt to the baby's primary care nurse so I know they will get it. I think I will make another one, I still have scraps left and I know there will be another little girl who will need a pink quilt.

Christmas Catch Up!

January 11, 2012 Barbara Robson

Christmas has come and gone and I am way behind! Not a good way to start the new year. However, here is a brief recap of a busy month.

Sandra and the 2 Lindas, some of my bee "The Cove Quilters"

The Cove Quilters gathered for our annual Christmas lunch at Linda's. Lots of great food as always and great friends.

Sandra, Donna and Sandy and our festive table!

Then it was time for the Piecemakers Bee Christmas party, I am guessing but I think we have been getting together for Christmas for well over 20 years. We exchange gifts, the same one for everyone and it is supposed to cost no more than $2! It is a year long search.

Ruth C. has a wonderful collection of these charming elves.

One of the best things about our annual Christmas party is we get to celebrate Eileen's birthday and have cake!

We are so blessed to have our two Grandsons, Ben and Evan living close by. When Ben learned that Evan was going to be wearing his Uncle Andrew's tartan tie he had to have one too. Evan's is the Robson tartan which is from the Gunn clan. Ben's tie is the Nova Scotia tartan, the only child's tartan tie available here. Guess we will have to go back to Scotland to get another Gunn tartan tie!

Another Piecemaker's Christmas tradition is to go to Ruth E's the first Friday after the New Year for our annual sherry party. Laureen was starting her birthday week decked out in a tiara. Ruth has some wonderful "collections" and many beautiful family Christmas ornaments. It is always a treat to go to her house and toast out the season.

Ruth's son made these exquisite felted Santas for her, they are about 3".

Ruth has a wonderful collection of "Frozen Charlottes"

This is a beautiful Frozen Charlotte Pin Cushion, though I can't imagine sticking a pin in it! Check out their lovely feet! The pink is silk as is the ribbon.