Let's Build a Snowman

Yesterday was a good morning,  quilting and socializing with 8 other quilters! :)

I joined the Heartland Quilters Guild a few months back, although I have not been able to make many of their bi-monthly meetings.  There are approximately 24 women in the Guild, but there seems to be a core of about 12 who are the 'heart' of the Heartland Quilters. They get together for quilting "Comfort quilts" once a week, which they give to local people who are in hospital facing medical difficulties and illnesses. They also donated quilts during the Slave Lake fire last summer where many people lost their homes.

They have a huge quilt show in June (used to be September) which is the big fund-raiser of the year.  (more about that later.)

Another big event in our area is the Festival of Lights celebrations which take place near the end of November. It is a week of events, culminating in a big dinner, dance, entertainment evening with live auctions. There are also many silent auctions during the week. The proceeds of these events go to the Stettler Hospital for whatever new equipment they might have a need for. The Heartland Quilters always make a quilt to raffle off and then we donate the proceedings to the Stettler hospital.

Yesterday's quilt bee was to start making the quilt top for that raffle quilt.

I was on the committee to choose a quilt pattern for that. We each brought a few ideas to a meeting in December and then narrowed it down to 3. Those 3 pattern ideas were brought to the next meeting and the Guild decided on one called "Let's Build A Snowman".

This pattern has a number of panels running the width of the quilt with lots of appliqued snowmen, snowflakes, mittens, evergreen trees and more. There were dozens of tiny pieces to trace onto the "Wonder Under" and press onto the myriad of fabrics; greens, purples, turquoises, whites.  The 9 of us worked on this  for about 5 hours with a lunch break in between.  I would never attempt to make this quilt myself... far too much applique for my liking. :) But it was fun to work on as a group.

I wish I would have thought to bring my camera! But the link below will take you to a sight showing the "Let's Build A Snowman" pattern. You'll see for yourself how colorful it is! 

Next step: blanket stitch around all the appliques... a big job!

Let's Build a Snowman 

http://greatamericanquilt.blogspot.com/2009/07/blogging-for-bliss-and-lets-build.html