Avraham Mordechai Birthday Quilt

Today is Purim.  Three years ago today our little Avi was born.  When each of my grandchildren reach 3 years of age they get a birthday quilt for a regular size bed.

I made the rail fence and of course I ran out of one of the fabrics, so you'll notice a different design on the top and bottom.  It's amazing to me that my grandchildren all under the age of 11 notice the patterns, fabric, and the way they are quilted.  Everyone has a comment and most are positive.  The boys get their first hair cut on their 3rd birthday also, so off goes the long hair.  No more pony tails.

Shabbos Challah (Sabbath Bread)

Bryna, not only is a very talented quilter but she also enjoys baking.  Every erev Shabbos (Friday) I receive home made Challah rolls for Shabbos.  She knows that I think hers is the best in Betar Illit and this is my way of saying thank you for enhancing our Shabbos.

Sampler Quilts

Last year Sara, Bryna and I started our sampler quilts.  Most of the designs came from Georgia Bonesteel's Lap Quilting book. Each week we picked a new pattern to do and we all used completely different fabrics.  Each quilt looks totally different.  This was a great learning experience for us.  They are all hand quilted and finished, finally.

This is Sara's

This is Bryna's

and this is mine!

Purim Meeting

Our meeting this week falls a week before our holiday of Purim.  We dress up in costumes (especially the kids) and we give gifts of food on this wonderful day. We always give gifts to the poor that are less fortunate than us.

This week we started with our weekly shiur (lecture) given by Rochel G, on the Torah. Not everyone made it into the picture, but here are most of us.  All smiles and ready to work.

Rina worked on her log cabin

Shifra brought along her Purim baskets that she is making. They will be filled with goodies. Aren't they cute?  Notice the quilted fish on the side! We hope Susan and Shifra will give us a class on making these soon.

Susan brought several gifts for a raffle but I was unable to get a picture.  Thank you so much for this lovely surprise for the ladies.

Sara worked on her log cabin which is almost finished.

Susan worked on her new quilt.  Next step will be the borders.

I just enjoy seeing what everyone is doing each week.

When the ladies were leaving they each received a little thread catcher full of goodies for Purim.  Some sewing items were included which are always appreciated. 

Recycled Jeans/Denim Quilts

Over the past year or two, many of the Zahava Quilters have made denim quilts.  We've gotten most of the fabric for thrift shops, also called gemachs.  I'm amazed at how different each one is. Take a look!

Sara made these.

Shoshana made this.

Renee S made these.

Bryna made these.

Now here are mine -- Etty.

Naomi's Denim Toy Box

Last week when Naomi left she took some recycled jeans fabric, a pocket and some blue stripped fabric.  I had no idea what she had in mind to make with this.  Naomi seems to be full of surprises.  This week she brought back her finished project.  A toy box for her son to carry his toys in.  She even put in a zipper and a handle on the top. I have no idea where she got this idea but she seems to have a great imagination.  A picture is worth a thousand words.

Marti Michell templetes and Rulers

I just received the new Marti Michell Sashing Stars Set and the Universal Ruler.  I can't wait to start using them.  I'm happy with all their products that I have purchased.  The Ruler is metric and also uses inches.  This is very helpful when living in Israel.

Rena has just started her first log cabin and is using the special Marti Michell log cabin ruler.  So far, she is finding it easy to use.

They have catalogs available and if you want to contact them you may do so. Just scroll down on the left side and you will see their link. 

Great Find At The Trift Shop

You never know what you will find at your local thrift shop or gemach as we call it in Israel. I found this lovely double bed size medallion quilt. It probably was made in China but I don't care. I just can't believe someone was willing to give this up. I wasn't about to leave this quilt behind.  It has to be in the hands of someone that will appreciate it. I'll keep it or find a new home with someone that needs a quilt. Of course the price was outstanding!

Quilters Newsletter Magazine

Israeli quilters are a small group compared to many other countries but we are growing and making a mark in the quilting world.  We are featured in the latest issue of the Quilters Newsletter.  If you have an opportunity to read about our outstanding quilters here in Israel, please take the time.  It's well worth getting to know some of us. 

 

Pot Holder

Naomi finished her pot holder and is on to the next.  I'll be anxious to see what she comes up with.  She left with jean fabric and a pocket from old jeans and some blue and white striped fabric.  We collect old jeans for recycling and we always have a supply ready for use. Naomi is very creative and can work independently.  It's a pleasure to have her in our group

Get-together and Class Trip

We had a busy morning and afternoon.  It was a rainy day, which we rarely have, but this didn't stop us from going to Jerusalem to shop for fabric.  First I'll mention the lovely show and tell quilt tops that were shown this past Monday.

Naomi is working on pot holders.  She saw a pattern for a tea cup and saucer that she liked so she came up with her own pattern.

Esther made another small applique.  She's not sure what she is doing with it yet, but it's very cute.

Susan brought 2 quilt tops that she will finish soon.  We all love her work and it gives us a great deal of inspiration and motivation to keep going. The first quilt top shown was redone. You can read about it on her blog. 

http://susanquilts.blogspot.com/

Shifra saw this fabulous quilt in a Fons and Porter magazine. 

She said I want this, so she went home and made these 6 blocks.  Much of the fabric used was special because it came from her family's clothing.  There will be many memories in this quilt.

After all this hard work we decided to take a class trip and go to Budrutz which I recently mentioned on this blog.  Here is a picture of Budrutz and some fabric that was purchased.

Mah Jongg

Several of our quilters like to take a break from sewing and play a game called Mah Jongg once a week.  You ladies from the New York area may be very familiar with this Chinese tile game.  What a nice distraction from everyday trials and stress.  Even quilting can get stressful at times. I have seen Mah Jongg fabric which is a real treat to those that play this game.

Weekly Get-together

Wow-what a busy day we had.  It started by sandwiching 3 new quilts.  The ladies can now start quilting and finishing them. We've been using the dinning room table instead of the floor and that has been working out well for us. Not everyone has done this before so it was a great learning experience.  Everyone helped to get them pinned so the quilts were done in record time.

Susan showed the progress of her Scottie Dog quilt.  It's so adorable.  You can also see it own her blog "High on the Hill"

http://susanquilts.blogspot.com/

Shifra finished her mother's handkerchief quilt.  We were all so pleased that this quilt came out so beautiful.  When she started we all wondered if this project of love would really turn out they way we hoped and it certainly did.  This quilt is nothing to sneeze at!

Renee S. brought in one of the many pillows she is making for her grandchildren.  Note the little pocket on the back that will hold the doll clothes.  She is also making making some for the girls.

Renee also finished the first of her two Dresden Plate quilts. This is the first time she has tried this pattern and it came out lovely.  When you have two twin beds in the same room you sort of have to make matching quilts.  Many of don't like to do the same quilt twice, in this case it will be worth it.