Guild Tea and Auction / Auction Items

Sorry...I could not figure out how to add text after the tablescape slide show...ugh...this blogging continues to be a mystery for me...thanks for your patience. ;-)  So...I gave up and decided to just add another post!

The committee that organizes and hosts this event puts in a lot of time and effort.  This is our primary fund raising event, so it is very important to the guild.  As I mentioned earlier, we sponsor two scholarships that are renewable for four years as well as the normal expenses an active guild has.  This year, guild member Sheryl  served as chairperson of this event.  This was the first time she chaired such an important event that comes with a TON of responsibility...she did a terrific job!  The event was successful in every way possible!  I don't know who her committee members were, so I'm unable to mention them individually.  But I want you all to know that I was impressed by your efforts and enjoyed every aspect of the event!  Hats off to Sheryl and her team!

Every year it is fun to see what fellow guild members make and donate to the auction.  Here is a slide show of most of the items that were sold Sunday...we have so many talented members...enjoy...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Guild's Annual Tea and Auction / Tablescapes

The Cordova Northwind Quilter's Guild holds an Annual Tea and Auction each year as their primary fundraiser.  Members donate handmade items that are then sold with a live auctioneer.  Attendance is always high and funds go toward the scholarships we sponsor each year.  A local resort, Orca Adventure Lodge, allows us to use their facility free of charge.  Guild members sign up to decorate tables with ten place settings.  It is fun to see how members choose to embellish their tables.  Here is a slide show highlighting some of the tables...enjoy...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Passages...

Elwood "Buddy" Teigland

February 14, 1930 - November 6, 2009

My father left this life quietly on the eve of the deer hunting season in northern Minnesota, his lifelong home.  Deer season was and continues to be a big part of the Teigland family culture.  Many family traditions, stories, rituals and memories are tied to the yearly hunt.  It was only fitting that Dad would choose deer season to make his exit from this world.  This is a picture of him taken with his "trophy buck"!

I don't know how to communicate the feelings of love and appreciation I have for the life my father provided me...every attempt feels extremely inadequate...a dear friend sent me words of comfort that sum up my feelings in a simple, yet powerful way..."Yesterday's influence, today's memories, tomorrow's reunion".  Thank you Dad...for everything...

This is a picture of the legacy Dad leaves behind...his eight grandchildren and one great grandchild...they are the future of this family...such blessings.  It was in this small country church that Dad was baptized, confirmed and will be buried.  It is where his four children were baptized and confirmed.  Both of his daughters were married in this church.  The Teigland family has a strong history of love and faith...these children represent the fulfillment of that love.

Christ's instructions were very clear..."Love one another."  In the end, all that really matters is love...  

Travels...Halloween...Her Majesty...

As many of you know, I have been out of town for almost two weeks.  My father is nearing the end of this life, and I returned to Minnesota to spend time with him.  It is a difficult process for everyone involved, but we treasured the good moments and weathered the tough ones.  Today I returned to work...I teach in a Jr./Sr. High School...it felt good to be surrounded by adolescents...their faces are filled with hope...promise...the future.  It is very healing to spend time with them...they keep me young!

After living in Cordova for 25 years, I've learned not to assume that fresh pumpkins will be available for Halloween.  I won't even discuss how much they cost...ugh...you in the midwest would just die!  I bought these in early October, planning to turn one into a jack-o-lantern and baking the other for fresh pumpkin pies!  I was traveling on Saturday...Mr. DillyDally didn't want to disappoint the "trick or treaters" and turned both pumpkins into lanterns!  Aren't they the cutest?  What makes them so cute is that he made them...without my assistance or directions!  Gotta love the man...he sure impressed his wife...I think I'll keep him!

 I woke up early this morning and was able to spend a couple of hours with "Her Majesty".  I'm working on a project that I want to hang by Thanksgiving.  Will share photos when it is finished.  It felt so good to spend sometime dillydallying today!  I wish you all good health and time to dillydally...

Alaskans Continue Travel Down Cobblestone Lane!

Fellow traveler, Valerie, hosted our Cobblestone adventure this week.  Three of the "Lucky Seven" were out of town, but the rest of us had a great time!  Valerie prepared a lovely brunch for us and put our finishing packets at each place setting.

If felt like Christmas...we were each so excited to see what our border and background was!  We ate...we caught up on each others lives...we talked quilts...we shared our blocks from last month...

Valerie shared some of the projects she has been working on. This quilt just returned from the machine quilter.  It is from a class that was offered during our guild's spring retreat in April.  It is called "Entwined".

She also shared with us her progress on a Patchwork Party quilt that she has been working on.  All of the blocks are done...she is now working on the hand applique' medallion center.

Each of those roses have ELEVEN teeny-tiny pieces in them!  YIKES!  She only has the leaves and multiple yo-yos left, then she can piece together the entire top!  It will be stunning...I will be sure to post a picture!  Valerie is a quilter of courage...she takes on those big projects...and inspires us all!

I can't think of a better way to spend a morning than dillydallying with quilt buddies...life is good!

Sunset from my deck...wonderful way to end a day!

Now...go dillydally!

Seasonal Projects!?!

I love seasonal decorating.  In fact, I have to work really hard at practicing restraint...because I can easily go so far as to make gaudy decorating appear conservative.  Halloween is especially fun!  This past week I pulled out my Halloween "tub"...it's like visiting old friends.  Each item has a story and memories attached to it.

I believe in excess when it comes to seasonal decorating...so this summer I bought a kit and pattern that was just "screaming" to be made a part of my Halloween collection!

I purchased the above kit from Rosebud's Cottage this summer during the Minnesota Shop Hop!  She had several samples displayed using multiple fabric themes.  Roseann designed this pattern herself...I love how easy it was to piece, yet it has a powerful impact.

I just love the Patch Abilities patterns that I have come across.  Not only are they a managable size, but they go together quickly and are a great way to use some fabrics from my stash.  Don't you love it when you can find everything you need for a project in your stash?

Here they are quilted and bound!  The tablerunner is one I showed in an earlier post, it is called "Twilight" by Sherri Falls.  The best thing about making seasonal quilt projects is that they come with a sort of timeline...no one wants to finish up a Halloween project during Christmas vacation! Hee-hee!  It works for me!

Oh!  I almost forgot!

I was so touched by the talent and effort given by the women who planned and implemented our first annual quilt show, I had a strong desire to make them something to show my gratitude!  I kept racking my brain, trying to think of  a project I could complete in a reasonable amount of time.  I'm not sure what hit me, but I had a charm pack of "Northern Solitude" by  Holly Taylor along with some yardage and came up with these cases for pocket sized facial tissues.  I am very pleased with how they turned out.  I guess they too qualify as a seasonal project...the season for colds...I know, my sense of humor is "sick"!  Just think...every time they sneeze...they'll think of me!  Love it!  Make time to dillydally...I'm convinced it builds up our immune system!  Later...Dr. DillyDally! ;)

NWQG 1st Annual Quilt Show - Slide Show

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Well dear ones...this is my first attempt at a slide show...I have been intimidated by the process all week...decided today to "bite the bullet" and give it a try...hope it works!  If it does...enjoy Cordova's quilts!