Fall and Early Winter

Yes, it's been a while since our last post. We continue to find our way over to Susie's cottage most Thursday mornings, where conversations range from grandchildren to books to local happenings to tv shows - and usually there are a few conversations going on at the same time. Some weeks the table is fully in use while at other times (rarely) only a few of us gather. But there's never any pressure and people wander in at all different times, pull up a chair, set out their projects and blend right into the conversation. Once in a while, there may be visits from grandchildren, usually there is some delicious baked confection made by Anne,  and always there is a contented feeling in the room.

Here are some photos of busy hands at work...

and here are some of our recent projects:

A fabric picture by Judy,

as well as some embroidery...

a quilt by Pat R.,

and her intricately knitted sweater,

another quilt block by Barbara,

Susie's quilt,

and her hand appliquéd quilt block,

Peggy's sweater she made for herself,

Dottie's wool appliqué Santa, in process,

Jane's "lovey", 

and her baby sweaters.

Anne's hat,

 her little girl's poncho pullover,

and a baby quilt.

hand appliqué by Pat K.,

fingerless owl gloves by Carol, and a purse by Susie,

a Christmas stocking, knit by Carol,

more gloves by Carol,

and a very fine knitted wrap,

as well as Carol's bear quilt.

Undoubtedly, there will be lots more stitching going on,

as we go through another New England winter,

and we'll be sharing our work as we gather

around the creative table.

Summer Projects

The biggest news of the summer was the completion of Susie's cottage studio, 

which we'll be using for our Thursday morning gatherings from now on!

It's the perfect size for our group, and a perfect haven for Susie,

with ironing, cutting, and sewing areas in a light-filled setting.

Another piece of news was the showing of Pat K's beautiful quilt

in an exhibit at The New England Quilt Museum!

It looked absolutely wonderful.

This is the upstairs gallery at the museum.

Our meetings were varied over the summer, as some people went on vacations, 

while others came to stitch. Always an ebb and flow of ladies working on various

stitching, knitting, quilting patterns, or other endeavors. 

Anne made this luxurious blanket with thick cables,

and later added a rich, woven knit border.

A beautiful wedding gift for someone special.

She also completed this sweet baby quilt, another lovely gift.

We had a cute little visitor one Thursday.

She fit in perfectly with the ladies, but chose to color rather than sew!

Susie showed us a quilt in progress,

and worked on some beautiful appliqué quilt blocks.

Peggy shared an antique quilt she had purchased,

and Pat R shared a quilt top she made,

and continued her hand quilting.

Carol worked on a knitted sock

which also works as a puppet! :)

Judy embroidered a little portrait,

and Susan worked on her colorful wool, hand appliquéd quilt squares.

As this post is published, we are already into Autumn,

and we'll continue to meet and stitch and chat in Susie's cottage

around the creative table.