I must begin with an apology! I cannot believe it's been a month since I wrote! In that time, I have had arthroscopic knee surgery (which went quite well! ), got the newsletter out, celebrated my 38th wedding anniversary and have been sewing on the projects which will go in our new book! Open House was a big success. It's always good for us to have a deadline for us to have OUR projects done! Did you miss it? There are still lots of classes which have room in them. We have filled up 2 of our Beginning Quilting classes.Saturday is still open and we are taking names for at least one more class we are opening up. Call us or email us if you are interested. It would start some time in October. Don't delay!

The newsletter is on its way!

Yippee! The fall schedule is planned, the newsletter is written and should be in your mailbox within this next week. We have tried to offer a wide variety of classes for beginners and up. Amy is offering a whole new set of stripping classes, Kathy has a few new purses to teach as well as some new classes and Lois is starting a new block of the month. That is only a bit of what is going on at Sonflower Quilts.

Summer of fun

We have had a fun filled summer. Last week we hosted 8 young women for a quilt camp. The colors and concentration were amazing! We could have hosted another week because we had so much interest. Next year we will surely try 2 weeks of camp. This is the first year we have had such a turnout.

I am enjoying a week at my daughter's up in Petoskey,Michigan. The newsletter is almost done and my graph paper is full of new Bits'n Pieces ideas. My granddaughter, Isabelle, and I made her a crown with Fast 2 fuse. It's awesome! What a great Halloween idea. She also helped me with the Scrap Mania blocks. 2 1/2 year olds can count to 3 and pick out different colored squares. I'm working on a quilter! Tomorrow we are going to try to make an Indygo Junction pattern dress. Pictures will be on display.

See you soon....Cathy

Did you get to the Kaleidoscope of Quilt Show last weekend? It was wonderful to see all the quilts. It gets me inspired to FINISH things!!

Kathy and I started working on the Fall newsletter this week. It's like a gigantic puzzle, trying to fit classes in, wonder what you'd like to work on or learn, and what new things to teach ourselves! Look for your newsletter around the middle of August.

We've had inquiries about another daytime beginning quilting class.....It will start on Friday, August 7th at 11am. It meets also Aug 14, 28 and Sept 11. We need at least 2 students to run the class.It's exciting to have so many new quilters in our midst.

Next week is our kid's camp....it's full of excited campers ready to sew Yellow Brick Road!

Youth Project Camp

If you stop by Sonflower this week, you will see a roomful of young people creating some beautiful journal covers, honey bun bags, pillows and framed fusible art. They are hard-working and great at following directions. It can get very quiet as they concentrate on their creations. We certainly enjoy watching them learn new skills and meet new friends.

Stained Glass Creations

My work is evolving. It's been a long time since I've had this much time to work on my creations. I have learned so much about constructing the windows I am assembling. Color choices and values are so important. One window just wouldn't come out right until I found a different shade of purple. This should really help me pick your colors even better! I have included a picture of my first 2 pieces.

Creating at QSDS

I'm in Columbus, Ohio this whole week at the Quilt Surface Design Symposium. The class I am taking is "Master Class". It is designed to help you further develop the subject or style of work that interests you. I am working with a liturgical focus. I have brought my pictures from Israel and Jordan and am using the stained glass windows from Nazareth to design wall quilts. Today I finished my first top and started the 2nd!! I am so happy to be soaked in the creativity around me. There are many people in my class that have and have had quilted pieces in famous national exhibitions.I feel so fortunate to be trading ideas with such experienced artists.

Kathy is coming Friday evening and taking a class on construction. We know that both of these classes are going to add pizzazz to our class offerings and boy, do I have ideas for ART Quilt Society!!

What beautiful weather we are having! Lots of sunshine and warmth....finally!

Looking for quilt shows to attend? My daughter, Heather, sent me email about a show in Petoskey, Michigan this weekend. It is being held in the Knights of Columbus Hall on Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20. If you are heading up North, you might give it a try.

Don't forget Kaleidoscope of Quilts. It is being held on Friday,July 17 and Saturday, July 18. Registration for quilts has been extended until June 30. Check out their website for info:
www.gcqc.org/

We've just been organizing our panels. Lots of instant gratification projects...baby quilts...holiday decor...just for fun! Hopefully you'll be able to see the panels and find them easier. My knee is hurting so I've been sitting and creating a baby quilt panel with the adorable barn and animals. The instructions will be in the panel so you can create it too.

Andie had a tonsillectomy last Wednesday and is recuperating well. She'll be out of action at the shop until around the 22nd of June. Guess who is helping out with the kids????

New Honey buns and turnovers arrived on Thursday and I'm designing a pattern for placemats and matching tablerunner using those 1 1/2" strips.