My Visit to Star of the Sea Quilters

Several months ago I was invited to the Star of the Sea Quilters at Cleveland down in our beautiful Bay area to do a trunk show. Now I had never done anything like this before so to say I stepped out of my comfort zone was a gross understatement. You could say I leapt and learnt to fly on the way down. However as it turns out sometimes when you do this you have the most wonderful experience. WARNING: Loads of photos!!! My invitation was offered by the then President Karen Unsworth pictured here with myself. Karen is such a beautiful lady and is a great supporter of my designs.

It is really nice to know when you do some thing like this to know that there are friends there to support you.

My lovely friend Monica was there to greet me with encouragement and hugs...poor Monica has been listening to my nervous utterings for weeks.

as was friend and fellow blogger the wonderful  Joy from Joypatch. Joy was a such a great help and holder uperer of my quilts and provider of coffee and cake too.

The ladies were very kind and enthusiastic about an old quilt (my first but you all know that story)

and the newer ones...

The first time I have ever used a microphone...look at Joy's pretty fingertips there. There were a few horrible shrieks from it but not too bad. lol!

I really enjoyed talking to all these lovely quilters. A serious discussion about threads - what kind, how many strands...to hoop or not to hoop. I loved it.

There was also lots of discussions about my various quilts and I loved sharing the stories of how they came to be.

What could be better than a chat about stitching and a lovely piece of chocolate cake.

Here are some of the ladies having a look at some more of my work from my my Magazine commissions and taking a pic or two.

They were very generous and went home with a pattern or three. I can't tell you how nice it is that people actually like your work enough to want to make it.

I met a very nice lady called Beverley who bought along her gorgeous version of my "Cupcake Kisses" design to show me. She had replaced some of the stitchery with applique and it was so pretty. I love it when people put their own spin on a design. Beverley had made it for her Sister who loves to bake...sweet!

Karen also bought along the stitchery done by her daughter Kelly (love enthusiastic young stitchers..we need them all) Kelly has been stitching my redwork design "Skates for Hire" and has done beautiful work. Well done Kelly! I loved seeing your work.

Can you see in the background of this photo the ladies hanging quilts. These are all the charity quilts the SSQ have made which were being presented to a local Special Education School that afternoon..well done ladies!

The ladies were also very pleased with the little Needlebook and Scissor keeper pattern I designed especially for them.

So a huge big thank you to the very generous ladies of Star of the Sea Quilters. Thank you to new President Chrys, Sharon for your lovely friendly face when I arrived, the ladies who helped carry all my gear, your very talented photographer Teresa who very kindly sent me all these mementoes of the day,  my yummy coffee and cake, Karen for your belief and support, Joy and Monica for all your help and for just being your lovely selves.You  all made me feel so welcome and once again reminded me of what I always knew. Stitcher's are the nicest people.

Blessings Michelle xxx