We had a fun January meeting at Marty's house and a delicious dessert. 

There was quite a bit of discussion about hooking and stripping (remember it WAS a fun meeting) and we had show and tell, including getting to see photos from the wedding of Deanna's son.

And, while eating that dessert, we managed to discuss and agree on our 2014 challenge.

Here are what my notes reflect as the Challenge rules:
1.  Each will make a 18" square quilt and have it finished by our Sept meeting.
2.  Sandy will purchase the challenge fabric and distribute to each Therapist at our Feb meeting a fat quarter (for which we will each reimburse her).
3.  The challenge fabric must be use in the quilt and the amount of the fabric used must be sufficient to easily discern that it is the challenge fabric.
4.  These quilts will be entered as a group for the 2014 Alameda County Arts Quilt show.

I've created a new page for our blog called "Links" (such inspired naming!)  Joan got this started by sending me a link for True Up.  I like the idea of collecting sites we find useful in one place, thus the new page.  Feel free to add your own suggestions to the page.  We can also add links for tutorials or techniques that we use and don't want to lose. B

Inspirations and Challenges

At July's meeting, I shared two inspirations from a January 2012 issue of Sunset magazine.

The first was a large scale painted pattern on the wall by a San Francisco artist, Tim Balon.



He started with a simple modular motif. The article showed in altermate arrangements and colors. This would make a great modern quilt block and offer further possibilities with seam placement. 

Print a copy of the article from here or here and the template here. Or maybe you'd be inspired to create your own block.

The other article highlighted a painting - a modular block repeated to make a cross-weave pattern - 

here


Arleen has taken on the challenge of interpreting this as a quilt top. Maybe we'll see her take on this at the next meeting. Anyone else game?

July Quilt Therapy 2013

We had a fun meeting last night   We had company for the beginning of the meeting as Joan's cat checked us out.

A little fashion show of shoes from Hotter (http://www.hotterusa.com/en-us/info/Women) by Ellen.

And delicious fresh fruit with cheese and crackers for refreshments.  Joan had every fresh fruit in season and perfectly ripened.

And quilts, of course, and other inspiration.  Here are a few photos from last night.  And here is the link for the pattern Joan used for using her jelly roll strips.

Plus ideas for a possible challenge or two.  One to benefit the SJ Quilt Museum with "food" as a theme--we decided last night to participate.  The quilts will be auctioned off to benefit the museum.  Here is the link to the info:   http://sjquiltmuseum.org/files/TastyTooFibershots_CallForEntries.pdf

It was suggested we do another challenge with the idea of submitting the quilts to the Alameda County show this fall as we have done the past 2 years.

So bring your ideas to the August meeting.  We had previously determined that August would be a lunch pot luck at Mindy's on August 17, Saturday at noon.

December Pot Luck

It's official.  We are all pretty good cooks.  We had a wonderful potluck meal again this year.  Post your recipe on the Recipes page and check that page out for good eats.

The gift exchange was fun and civilized.  A bit of trading and negotiating at the end, and everyone went home with something fun to use in quilting/sewing.

Check out the EBHQ site for photos of the quilt show at the Alameda County building on Oak Street in Oakland.  Our challenge quilts are on the 5th floor, on the right hand side.

Joan volunteered to host the January meeting, so we will be at Joan's house on January  16.

Red and green

What better for a holiday pot luck than red and green?

I thought Brussel sprouts and pomegranates would be a great combination. Both in season and appropriately colored. So I googled and found celebrity chef Bobbie Flay already has multiple variations for roasted Brussel Sprouts with pomegranates. I took this one and created my own rift.

Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Pomegranates

3 pounds Brussel sprouts, washed, trimmed and quartered
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (1/2 teaspoon each or to taste)

1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Arils from 2 large pomegranates (about 4 cups)
Zest from 1 lime, 1 lemon and 1 orange

Toss Brussel sprouts with oil, salt and pepper. Microwave until al dente. Spread on two large baking sheets and roast at 375 degrees F until half browned, about 20 minutes. Spread walnuts in a small pan and roast in oven concurrently.

Transfer Brussel sprouts to a large bowl. (To transport, cover bowl, combine pomegranate and zests in another container and keep nuts separate.)

Reheat Brussel sprouts, if desired. Then add pomegranates, zests and walnuts. Toss to serve.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.

Good hot, cold or in-between. Enjoy!