Inspired by saturated fall colors

      First a real fall riot of zinnia colors from the front of my house to set the scene.

     A while back, Sarah posted a quilt that I printed out and cut some strips of gray for and batik scrap strips, I had my mother sew the pairs together and finally was able to get them on my design wall. I clipped all the colunms and will sew this web style when I have some free time. 
    This quilt reminds me of all the fall color I see around me. It also forced me to use more saturated colors.

To finish about 60 x 72"

Fall to my north

     We walked around Stella Niagara park, just outside Lewiston, NY.  The land was bought from a Catholic order of nuns (they still own the buildings on the other side of the road where we have quilt retreats) by a Land Conservancy and goes from the road down to the Niagara River. It is one of the few spots level at the river. The British crossed here during the War of 1812. The meadow is no longer mowed and I fear  the view and walk will disappear to scrub trees.

The original chapel, just precious

Canada across the river

Canada across the river, jet boat to left

Able to walk right to river

      Just down from here, the river flows into Lake Ontario and there is an old fort, Fort Niagara, there. First built by the French, taken by the British, then the US, it is maintained as a historical site today. Gorgeous views from there.

The original French building, Lake Ontario behind to the north. Toronto is to the extreme right across the lake, but unable to be seen in this photo.

Looking across the Niagara River to Niagara on the Lake, Canada where we visit every year between Christmas and New Years. The Yacht Club and waterfront at Niagara on the Lake.The hotel we stay at is obscured in the trees to the right.

The Gazebo at the Park in Niagara on the Lake-couldn't cut the haze out. There is a beautiful park there. Some people have swum from the park, in the river, across Lake Ontario, to Toronto, which is insane. There is a plaque in the park with the names.

Looking south at the town of Youngstown, NY on the Niagara River, taken from the Fort.

Almost peak to my south

     Last weekend, my husband and I made sure to go north and south to see the leaves. They are not quite at peak yet, but some beautiful sights. 
     The first photos are Chestnut Ridge Park in Orchard Park, NY about 5 miles south of the Buffalo Bills Stadium It was clear, we could actually see Niagara Falls, Canada mist and buildings some 23 miles away.

City of Buffalo, NY center, Niagara Falls to far left.

The big white building in the center is the Bills workout building, stadium just to its right

What is under that Quilt or orphan blocks deluxe!

     At a quilt show a couple of weeks ago, this was in front of the venue. I did not have my camera, so I used my phone and forgot I took these until I was looking for something yesterday.
     Hope this brings a smile to you today!

The secret quilt revealed

     At the same time the quilt show work was being done, I was sewing the gift quilt for our president who served a three year term, on top of a previous 3 year term. We decided that since she loves novelty fabric, we would collect squares from members and make a polaroid style quilt. My co-chair, Elizabeth and I, designed, cut, pieced, and sewed the quilt. I quilted it. I could not show the process before because the president actually looks at my blog. So here it is. Enjoy it- she did after she got over the surprise.

One of the 2 1/2" squares- this is acutally pieced by Marian S.

Back pieced

Front pieced, quilted

Back, pieced, quilted

On display at show, next to folded quilt that was her present last term, not shown before.

More show photos

     The guild show, Oct. 4th and 5th, was the result of a lot of members doing a lot of things well. Here are some more photos of what went on.

Home Dec

Basket raffle

Fabric pool- a wading pool filled with scraps- ziploc bag full for $1.  Other fabrics bagged: fat quaters, yardage, orphan blocks, holiday fabric, etc. All donated by members and bought by show attendees. I bought some floral yardage.

Boutique

Tearoom with one member's legacy of quilts. Served tea, coffee, salad with chicken, beef barley or chicken chowder with bacon, just salad and plates of delicious tea breads and cookies. All served on real china plates, cups, cloth napkins and vintage cloth tablecloths. I did lots of dishes.

Quilt Challenge, art quilts

Voted best of show. La Passagalia;

My quilt on the left

Art quilts, floral colorwash and lower one mine

Small quilt wallhangings

Show is done. Yay.

     For the past months, the guild quilt show has taken up my time and energy big time. The last month was in high gear as I collected all the work, photographed it, printed it out, laid it out, labelled the locations and dragged it all to the venue. I had lots up help setting it up and taking it down. We had a fabric pool, a boutique, a basket raffle, a quilt raffle, and a fabulous tea room. It is a good thing it only happens every three years.
     I tried to take pictures of the whole show early before it opened the first day from the balcony. Everyone had their first choice of piece to be displayed which I was able to accomodate. Everything else went on quilt racks, ladders and old ironing boards. Looked terrific. Next post will have some closer photos.

Early crowd at the fabric pool.

Our president waves hi