I used to be a blogger.  A long, long time ago.  Not sure what happened to me.  I keep trying to make a comeback.  I actually love blogging.  One of these days I’ll figure out why I’m so stuck.  In the meantime, I cannot be trusted when I say I’ll be blogging about something else next.  Next is a very relative term.  It could mean tomorrow.  It could mean next week.  It could even mean next year.  Maybe one day you’ll be able to trust me again.

But for now…. I promised pics of brown bag quilts and challenges.  It’s been 6,184 days since the Christmas party.  Or maybe it just feels like that to you who’ve been anxious for pics.  I’m sure I can’t be trusted to remember all the events correctly.  So I’ll just make up stuff to fill in the blanks.  And entertain you.

First up was Dede.  Sue had her brown bag fabric.

And here’s the quilt.  Made by Sue.  With Dede’s fabric in the brown bag.  You remember how this works, don’t you?  Oh, yeah.  I forgot it has been 6,184 days.

A refresher for those of you who used to read this blog back in the day when I was blogging….. In January we all brought a yard or two of fabric in a brown bag.  We mix up all the brown bags and everyone goes home with one.  Nobody knows who has whose fabric.  In fact nobody knows anything.  We just make quilts.  Or rather quilt tops.  And then exchange them at our annual JSS Christmas party.  When everything is revealed.  Comprende?

Judy was next.  Quilt made by Patti.  They had to discuss it a bit first.  Before opening.  They wanted to drag out the exchange and make it last all day.

Especially Judy.  See how slowly she unfolds the quilt?  As Patti looks on.  And everyone else says, Hurry up.  In their minds.

See what saying hurry up gets us?  The back of the quilt.  They are prolonging the gift giving.

Finally!  And isn’t it great?

I got to be next!  My quilt was made by Kay.  And I won’t make you suffer through pics of the back of the quilt.  Even though I did what Judy did.  Apparently we all like to prolong the gift giving.

I love my wild and crazy rooster!  Thanks, Kay!

Next was Peggy.  Quilt made by Judy.  Creative wrapping also by Judy.  Blurry picture by Barb.

Beautiful quilt top!

They were beside themselves with giddiness.  Especially Judy.  She loves the Christmas party.

Next was Kay.  With a masterpiece work of art by Jules.

See?  Unbelievable.

Even the label was a work of art!

Nancy was next.  Top made by yours truly.

It’s a Feathered Star!  A Christmas Peppermint Candy Star.  At least that’s what it looks like.  I had such fun making it that I’ve started a whole Feathered Star quilt.  Only this time I’m making it for myself.  And keeping it.

Sally was next.  Top made by Davene.

And it’s perfect.  Teacups for Sally!

Up next – Barbara, aka Cookie.  Made by Madelyn.

And now for your viewing pleasure….. picture within a picture!  Nice quilt top too.

Davene just liked her bow.  Made by Nancy.

And a great quilt too!

Next – Jules…. made by Sally.

Smiles all around.  And a fabulous quilt too!

Sue got a beautiful feathered star.  Made by Dede.  Love the bird in the center – so appropriate!

Sue got a nice log cabin quilt.  Made by….. Sue!  She got her own fabric when she chose her brown bag and didn’t tell a soul.  Just quietly made a quilt for herself.  Very smart, Sue!  And I bet you got exactly what you wanted, didn’t you?

Next up… Patti.  Quilt made by Peggy.

A fabulous quilt!

Madelyn was next.  Quilt by Barbara, aka Cookie.

What a great use of that animal print fabric!  Nice quilt.

This was the first year that two people had each other’s fabric.  And it happened twice.  Cookie had Madelyn’s and vice versa.  And Sue G had Dede’s and vice versa.  What are the odds?

Linda was next.  All the way from California.  We are a bi-coastal group.

Big story on this one.  Linda made this quilt top.  The fabric actually belonged to our dear friend Sue.  Who we lost from complications after a freak accident last year.  Sue had Linda’s fabric.  And we don’t know if she’d started a quilt with it or not.  So it was decided that the best thing to do was for Linda to keep the quilt that she made out of Sue’s fabric.  In memory of Sue.  We all miss you, Sue!  Guild and Bee just aren’t the same without Sue there.

After we finished the brown bag quilts, those who made quilts out of the challenge fabric showed those!  It’s the fabric you see on the borders of the blog.  At least for now.  If you’re reading this post in 2014, the borders will probably be different.  In fact, they might be different next week!

Suz made this one.  Or rather this partial one.  She’s pointing to the challenge fabric.  Got it?

Here’s Cookie’s.  She has this one quilted now and it’s fabulous!  I bet if you pop over to her blog, you can see a pic of it with the quilting……  Here’s the link:  Cookie’s Blog

OK, I lied.  But she does have a nice pic of the challenge fabric!  And great pics of the quilts that I’m about to show you here.  And if you go to her home page, her latest post is about our January Bee day and the new challenge for 2013!  She has some cute up close pics of her brown bag too.  So just surf around Cookie’s blog for awhile!  Tell her Barb sent ya….. and that she needs to post a pic of her quilt with the quilting.  It’s spectacular!

Davene made a cute pillowcase with her fabric.  Hey!  Nobody said it had to be a quilt!

And Dede made this nice scarf for Suz!  Only she doesn’t need it any more now, right Suz?  Yeah!

Here’s Judy’s.  A wonderful storm at sea quilt!  I love the way it looks all curvy even though there isn’t a curve in it.  Cool pattern.

And last, but absolutely, positively not least, this glorious quilt by Madelyn.  All quilted and everything!  Very, very nice.

And a fitting ending to this blog of brown bags and challenges!  I hope you enjoyed the quilt show.  These gals are fabulous quilters.  What variety and creativity!  I am blessed to be a part of this group.

Until next time….. whenever that might be!
Hugs,
Barb