Getting kind of emotional with today being my reception at work. Also, realizing I am feeling a little older than usual. I said goodbye to my fellow quilters; some who have been together with me for over 12 years as the Scholarly Stitchers Quilt Group. Many have expressed a desire to continue to meet at our lunch time meetings on Tuesdays. That feels like an accomplishment to leave. Here are some of the comments we exchanged by email today.
Gay, you have been an inspiration to us and we will miss you at our weekly meetings, which I hope will continue.
I'm going to try out the stockings as I always give my grandkids new tree decorations each year, so someday when they move out they will have their own set. Mary
I'm going to try out the stockings as I always give my grandkids new tree decorations each year, so someday when they move out they will have their own set. Mary
Gay--
Before this group, I did hand piecing and made many blocks for family reunion quilts. I had made table runners and wall hangings. And all of this was self-taught.
After I joined the group I saw my handpiecing, appliquing, etc. improve greatly. I even broke down and started using my sewing machine because the group quilts were done by sewing machine and not by hand.
The tips, tricks, and new patterns you brought to this group has broaden my quilting field.
One of the things you brought to this group was paper piecing and now I thoroughly enjoy doing paper piecing because you showed me tricks and told me it was Okay to open the seams when pressing.
I have to tell you. I did the family reunion quilts this year. They wanted 2 wall hangings. I incorporated everything you taught us, even twilling. Even though I was not at the reunion, I was told that it was a mad house when the wall hangings came up for bid. These two wall hangings raised more money for our next year's family reunion than any one quilt and our family has been doing this for 23 years. So my family thanks you for teaching me and encouraging me to do more things that challenged my mind.
I do know one thing. If I had not joined this group, I would probably have stopped dabbling in quilting a long time ago.
Thank you for getting and keeping us together.
I know you are just across the bridge from me and don't be surprised if I send an email to "The Shire" to see if you will be home so that I can pop over to see all the projects you are working on.
And who knows, I might even see you at "The Range" some weekend.
Best Wishes and have many wonderful and happy sewing days.
Cindy
There is little I can say that would better express the wonderful sentiments that the others have said. You have given such a gift to each of us, and we can honestly say that none of us would be where we are with our quilting passion (it's no longer a "hobby") if it weren't for you. Not only have you helped us individually, but the ripple effect has been so appreciated by those who get our quilts or other projects as gifts. Those folks may not know you, but a little of you is present in every project.
It is indeed hard to fathom that we have been doing this for 12 years. We so appreciate your expertise, enthusiasm, and devotion to quilting and to our group.
I like the QFF name. Maybe we can figure out a way to keep this group going that will be convenient for you to be a part of. I think those of us left here will forever keep our Tuesday group meeting as a way to really keep in touch even though we work in different areas the rest of the week.
Alice
Gay—
Learning to quilt was a longtime desire and learning to quilt with you has been such a joy and a pleasure. Your enthusiasm is contagious—others might consider this a bad thing since my sewing corner is now a sewing room and I’m considering another stash reorganization… ;-)
Thanks so much and I hope we can together.
R
Ahhh! You are making me cry. I am such a baby and Daryl is so patient. I can think of crying and I start. Most of you are old enough to remember Love Story. I had heard the reviews on it and went to the movie determined not to make a fool of myself--and, I held it in until the very end and then I let it out with temendous gusto and sobbed my heart out, loudly! Gay
There are no words adequate to thank you for ALL you have done, donated, shared, taught, and inspired. I think none of us would be accomplishing what we are or at the level we are at without having had your patient and kind teaching. We are *forever* in your debt. And I refuse to say 'goodbye'!!!!!
Barbara
It has been a pleasure working with all of you through the years--some for about 12 years. We accomplished so much and many of you have become quite talented on your own. We talked about meeting here in town at various places to get together once a month on Fridays. I suggest something like the 1st Friday of the month, so it gets fixed in the mind. That probably leaves January out with the holiday, but we could begin in February if any of you are interested. As this is kind of a new group and we might think about starting an Etsy site--at least I have been thinking this, we should have a new name. Some names that crossed my name were PFFs or maybe QFFs--Piecing Friend's Forever or Quilting Friend's Forever. Any ideas? I know most of you will be working on Friday afternoons, but you could stop by after work for awhile and catch up with what we are working on. If the weather is bad, I probably will stay home and not tempt the weather, but I could come over late afternoon and stay until around 7 when it is decent. Any thoughts?
Here is a cute project that is quick and so cute.
Hope you all keep meeting. Keep in touch. It appears I can keep my gyou@ksu.eduemail, so I am just a message away and will check to see what you all are talking about. I also am on FB and most of you are Friends, so I will post my quilt pictures. I also have a blog that I hope to keep current--Quilter's Haven http://bluebirdoftheshire.blogspot.com/.
Gay
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