We held our Christmas Show and Tell & Gift exchange. It's always exciting to see what everyone brings- and this year was no exception. After the show and tell, we draw numbers for the gift exchange game. Number one goes first, opens the gift of their choosing, and then the game can get messy! Number 2 can open a new gift or steal- so all sorts of pleading and hiding and plotting occur.
But even with all that, this is what I got! A quilt top by Helen. She said she knew she'd never finish it, and with the pile-o-tops I have, I might not either! But I'm excited to think about it. I may make a border change, and then I can call it a little bit mine too.
I didn't get pics of everything- my memory card was full too soon!
This is a close-up of the red work wall hanging by Terry- it was a very sought-after gift in the exchange. I'm sure you can see why!
This adorable felted bag was brought by Lori. She found it at a cute little shop, so I may have to see if they have more!!
Janet made this special quilt for a horse loving family member. Look at all those tiny 1-inch pieces!
Ardith brought her finished red white and blue beauty...
...and this whole cloth quilt too.
Terry amazed us with this beautiful and symbolic quilt, a gift for one of her daughters...
The kimonos contain symbols as family crests. Terry's work is perfection!
Denise brought her finished sock quilt from our Sew Day... so cozy!
And no meeting of our group would be complete without some circles! I LOVE these that Helen used to make an adorable bag!!! I'm going to have to borrow it and get some more photos for you- it's so cute inside and out! LOVE all that color and pattern!
And here is Nan's WIP using cottages and circles together. The houses are from a swap over at Freda's Hive, and the circle tree idea was floating around flickr, but Nan can't find the owner to thank for the cute idea... It makes me think of a town square with the tree in the middle for everyone to enjoy!
Edit: Thanks to Sue for the tree pattern info: "Christmas Baubles" by Audrey and Maude from Australia. Sue, also an Aussie, said she made three for Christmas gifts this year.
The first through sixth graders started with photographs of Australian animals, paper sacks, and a sharpie.
We talked about the dream time paintings of the First Peoples of Australia, and how they adapted their traditional symbols from body, bark, sand, and rock wall paintings, to using them in acrylic paintings in the 1970's.
After drawing with Sharpie, we wadded them up a few times to soften the paper, and then ironed them flat. We used a limited palette of warm earth tones along with black and white, but with all the color mixing, the kids came up with some WONDERFUL colors!
I'll have to share more with you in at least a couple more posts, I just LOVE them. (Oh, I think I already said that... ) :D
Ryan was very excited about his quilt...
