Debbie had made many of the blocks from the book which she displayed for us. She started by showing us a sheet of paper with a sample of each of the fabrics used in her blocks. Debbie also has a candy box of cut fabrics which are then made into squares and then re-cut by using freezer paper as a template to make various squares or mosaics (half square triangles, etc.) that go into making a block. The various mini squares or mosaics are placed on a thin fusible interfacing (sticky side up) which is placed and pinned over a paper grid. Once placed the squares are pressed down with a mini iron to secure their position. Prior to stitching the rows together, excess interfacing is cut away and then the whole square is pressed under a pressing sheet (or parchment paper) to protect the iron. All the seams are stitched in the one direction (vertically)  and then the seam will need to be cut open or at least the interfacing needs to be cut open and then pressed. Then the seams in the other direction (horizontally) will need to be stitched, cut open and pressed. Viola a mini mosaic block is done.

Our Guild library has the book. 

Dorothy showed us an array of small Christmas gifts to make and how to make them step by step:

• Wine bottle bags and a bag for a jar of jam bag with a square bottom. Dorothy calls this method of making square bottoms, “tipping the corner” because she is squaring the tip off.
• Coin / change purse with a Velcro closure – it’s sure to keep the coins in the pouch and not in the bottom of your purse.
• Zippered pouches in various sizes with squared corners or should I say: “tipping the corner.”
• Miniature Christmas stockings to use to put in gift cards, as tree decorations, for holding a few treats, etc. 

Thank you to both Debbie and Dorothy. 

Our guest speaker was are own Ann Marie Patrick who took us through her quilting journey and who inspired her. When Ann Marie was in her early thirty's her mother thought she should learn to quilt to relax her. When her family took over the cottage from the previous generation, they discovered quilts under each of the mattresses to protect the mattresses from the springs. The quilts were saved and given to various family members. 

Ann Marie has been quilting for the last 18 years and started her long arm business 10 years ago. 

One of the quotes she lives by is: "The minute I know the outcome I'm lost." She did mention that when creating some of her art quilts she starts from the centre out. 

Ann Marie Patrick provided a list of quilters, artists and quilt designs that have influenced her during her quilting journey which are:

Kaffe Fassett, Strips and Curves: Louisa Smith, American Beauty, Orange Peel, Karen Stone, Ricky Tims, Curves in Motion: Judy B. Dales, Ruth McDowell, Katie Pasquini Massupust, Gloria Loughman, Rosalie Dace, Susan Carlson, Sue Benner, Marilyn Farquhar, Jane Sassaman, Hollis Chatelain

Ann Marie also spoke to workshops through Hudson River Valley Inn and Quilting by the Lake. Ann Marie also has affiliation with Paducah, Machine Quilters Association and Studio Art Quilters Association.

 Here are some of her creations:

After the business meeting we had show and share. and here are the photos: