Annette's Choice 2005

A Brighter Day: 2005

The Garam Masala Quilters were an active lot, gathering weekly and always with many projects on the go.  Meetings were always fun, we shared lots of ideas and of course, loved to find shops to satisfy our fabric obsession.

A Brighter Day Quilt made by Annette

We all loved to share our textile finds

One of our group projects (Dec 2004) was a set of exchange blocks.  We had completed a couple of blocks for departing members prior to this but had not organised a serious project that covered something for all group members to share.  I think I set the bar a bit high with my request for a fantasy bag.  My general idea was for a purse, basket etc to be appliqued (or even applied eg a photograph) to the block.  The item was then to be decorated with items that represented that "fantasy".  For example, a snake charmer's basket (very India) with said dancing snake or an African safari suitcase with grazing giraffe. Out of the 8 participants, I only managed to be given 4 blocks back.  So my lesson was not to get too creative with exchanges!   

One of my blocks made by Corinne

Sadly, those that were made, and the details of others' requests (yes, I managed to get my 7 challenges completed!) still languish in my UFO box waiting for inspiration.  However, I think I may have found a solution following my visit to the Caroline Bay Quilters Exhibition in Gosford last year...  But I have wait to see if a pattern by Linda Butcher is still available.  Meanwhile the design stage, if I'm ever to get this quilt out of the box, requires a little massaging.

This exchange sadly marked my departure from the group and India in 2005.  I was sad to leave as I was just getting to know India.  It’s a big country with such incredible diversity that even our trips around Delhi and into other states did not cover everything we wanted to see and do.  And of course, the more you look the more there is to find.

(GM exchange blocks & exchange blocks #2  UFOs both Home Collection # 046 & 047)