Martin County Quilters creates a quilt for the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island, Florida

The Martin County Quilters presented their quilt to the House of Refuge on Hutchinson Island. They researched the history of the building and expressed the story through the images on the quilt. They used traditional techniques as well as cutting edge technology throughout. Members of the guild were instrumental for planning, creating specific blocks, and incorporating them into the piecing that brought it all together. Pictured with the quilt are Michele Sanandajian (President) and Stefanie Foster (Vice President). The MCQ guild is creating another...yes, another quilt for a fundraising endeavor later this year (yes...that means in a few months!) Everyone there was in awe of what the MCQ guild members were able to create for the House of Refuge in conjunction with the Elliott Museum. Read another article about the MCQ and the quilts they produce to support charities here in Martin County.

Sandy Thurlow attends unveiling of the House of Refuge Quilt

Sandy Thurlow, Stuart author, attended the presentation of the quilt created specifically for the House of Refuge by the Martin County Quilters on Hutchinson Island. This was done in conjunction with the Elliott Museum. Sandy has written extensively about the history of Stuart. It is her passion and she does it well. I met Sandy decades ago at Indian River State College in a ceramics class...we haven't thrown a pot since. Instead, we are authors...we laughed about that!

2010 Hoffman Challenge

This is a pieced pocket on the front of my handbag. The beads start just above the pocket which seemed like a nice way to accent the area.

I used coins, charms, and beads from my stash. OMG...it made me realize how much junk...uh, I mean treasure that I own.

I got these fabrics at Magrieta's Quilt Shop in St. Augustine, Florida. If you're in that area ... check the mapquest on her site, plug in your GPS, and maybe call her to see if they're fixing the roads and if there are detours. No one tells the GPS about that. Bon Voyage!

Thrift Shop - Humane Society of the Treasure Coast

These are some of the hard working volunteers of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. They have a new location for their Thrift Store. There are always a few lovely animals there to adopt.

They just finished Christmas in July and sold some awesome Christmas stuff. There's always something you need there.

Downtown Stuart, Florida

This is a cute little house in downtown Stuart, Florida. It's behind the Riverwalk Cafe and on the waterfront. Look at the white picket fence with the smiling fish cutouts.

2010 Hoffman Challenge trim

I added bugle beads to the trim on the pockets. I really enjoyed the handwork because there was just a little bit of it. See the posts below for more views.

Another peek - 2010 Hoffman Challenge

This is a detail of one of the front pockets. I echo quilted some swirling lines with 30 weight rayon thread and beaded inside of a couple of channels with bugle beads.

2010 Hoffman Challenge

Well, I got my Hoffman Challenge submission out! Granted...I had to send it by FedEx overnight. What can I say? My creative juices are enhanced by a deadline. This year it was a beautiful turquoise print with a ton of coordinating fabrics! It was a breeze working with all that luscious fabric. Now Sulky is a co-sponsor (their prizes are $1,000; $500; and $250...I didn't really use a significant amount of thread...but I do L-O-V-E rayon thread) so there are even more chances to win stuff for your STASH. I tried to clean out my stash...but I LOVE everything I have. I started late this year (like the day before I mailed it) BUT I hope to start sooner next year. Thank goodness the Jam Patch had the fabric in stock...and Margie knew where it was. Of course, while I was there I was lured by more fabric.

Had some friends over for lunch...

They didn't mind the heat and had their lunch out on the grass. I had my lunch near the window in the air conditioning. I had a salad on my newly sewn placemats (which I'll show in a future post) and they had....bugs.

Creative Sewing Machine Center - Bamboo Goddess Hip Bag Classs Attendees

Aren't these bags great?! They all made the same bag...from three kit selections. They went all out on the embellishment and each bag reflected their personality...especially "Hot Dot". Some of those bags are so awesome that they could use matching hats. They embellished with organza roses, threads, buttons, feathers....and Karen went home and raided a sweater and CAT (it was so funny...but, you had to be there) for embellishment. Hey, where is Karens photo? We'll have to get one from her. Where is Maggie?! She provided a lot of laughs.

We had a great big classroom and 14 Babylock Ellisimos. Nothin' but the best for Peg's customers.

I wanted to buy peaches while I was in South Carolina but Peg said they wouldn't be ready till July 4th...so I settled for boiled peanuts and ribs with a mustard barbeque sauce.

Another reason to visit Peg....gas was $2.37 a gallon there in West Columbia, SC.

I don't know what is happening but blogspot won't let me upload the rest of the photos...have to work on that.