Another year of great quilts has come to an end. After 17 years of being members of the Sew Whats we all still love quilts and each other! This month was our gift exchange and like most exchanges, there were some rules to be followed...only handmade or store bought. That about covers it, no? We do try to give something quilt related and something that we would like - this isn't a white elephant exchange...and this year everyone went home with a fabulous gift! Here, take a look and see!
After everyone drew a number, it was time to get started...and yours truly had number one! I chose a big box on the floor - opened it up and let out a gasp...inside was this beautiful hand-appliqued quilt made by Helen!! I was almost too giddy to speak - but then I realized there would be NO way I'd make it out of there with this quilt - it would be stolen in a matter of seconds...and it was. Easy come, easy go!
Since my gift was stolen (shame on you Lori!) I got to pick again...so I went with another large box and inside it was this beautiful quilt made by Kareena!! Once again I was thrilled...and I pleaded my case to try to keep it...everyone just laughed...but guess what? It did come home with me! Even with all of the quilts in my house it's so fun to have one made by a friend - I love it!
Oops! I must have been still so excited over my quilt that my hands were shaking! This adorable framed hand-embroidered piece is really pretty and perfectly done - wish I'd taken a better shot! I'm pretty sure Denise made this but I don't remember who got to take it home - I forgot to write things down as we went!
This fun little piece was made by Stephanie and Denise got to take it home. We thought it was pretty genius to give something that wasn't Christmasy - way to go Stephanie!
Ardith made this reversible apron and it went home with someone who was thrilled to get it...again...forgot!
Lori made this iron tote and pad and then put a small iron to go with it inside her gift. So cute, so nicely done. I think Neva went home with this?
This little tin of goodies was the gift I brought...it contained 3 little packets of fabric called "crumbs," 5 spools of thread, a Christmas hankie, a gift card to Keepsake Cottage for $25 and a box of my hand-dipped chocolates...I started to make something this year but just ran out of time. Kareena went home with this - hope she likes it!
This Christmas runner was made by Neva (?) and I don't know who took it home - very cute - it would look so nice on my Christmas table right now!
Terry made this beautiful framed wool piece - just look at those tiny snowman faces! All done by hand! I think Stephanie went home with this prize.
We had a few girls who were unable to make it to our meeting and we really missed them! After all the gifts were handed out - we had one last item of business.
Our group has made quilts and raised money for American Hero Quilts for years now and we've been very fortunate over the years to not have been personally touched by either the war in Iraq or Afghanistan. But a few months ago Stephanie's son, who joined the Army after college, was sent to Afghanistan. We wanted to show our support for Stephanie and her son and so we all made scrappy blue star blocks which were sewed together into this red, white and blue quilt for Stephanie. It's not the prettiest of quilts, nor very big, but I can tell you it was definitely sewn with love. God bless the men and women who serve and the families who sacrifice!
Merry Christmas from the Sew Whats!
