5 in 5 - January 2019 - A hug of quilters

Welcome to '5 in 5' where on the 5th of 

each month I post 5 photos that I have 
taken in 5 minutes.

Welcome to my first post of 2019 and a Happy New Year to you! When I first started this meme it was to stretch myself, to try challenges that would inspire me to try new things and learn more about how to get the best from my camera. I have got into a habit of taking photos without setting myself a challenge, so this year I plan to do more of this. I have two books that will help me, a guide for my camera, and Adventures in Seeing by Kim Manley Ort. I look forward to taking them off my shelf.

Meantime, the other thing that inspires me to take photos is a story. And that's this months theme, because just a few days ago we learnt that one of our craft friends has been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Over the past 10 years or so, we have met as a group several times a year for weekends of sewing, papercraft and friendship. So it was a shock to hear this news and Moira came up with the idea that we make a quilt. And so we rallied. 

Lynda has moved up north so was unable to join us but she posted a beautiful handmade card and a collection of Tim Holtz fabrics because this is our friend's favourite style. Barbara hosted and throughout the day a team of ladies worked together to plan the design, stitch, press seams, and appliqué. I had prior commitments so arrived at 5pm and then it was my turn to contribute. We added a thin layer of wadding and a fleece backing, carefully pinning these together. And then while Moira used free style embroidery to sew the layers together, Barbara cooked a meal and I started to make a bag for the quilt. Three other ladies arrived during the evening to offer their support and we worked well into the night, sometimes with 4 sewing machines in action, and a wonderful atmosphere of laughter and creativity.

I was really pleased with the bag I made. I rarely do patchwork or applique but it turned out just as I hoped. My special touch were pictures that I had digitally printed onto cotton. My printer resisted but I persevered and was so glad I did. I cut these out and layered them onto the back of the bag and onto a pocket that I sewed to the front.  The final hand stitching of the quilt was done next morning before it was hand delivered to our friend in hospital by Moira and Barbara. I got home after midnight with a good feeling about what we had achieved. There was so much energy as we worked, and I hope the quilt gives lasting comfort. Here are five photos that I took in five minutes and I thought you might like to see the finished result too. 

 And here is the bag and nearly finished quilt. 

Thank you for your continued support and I hope some of you will join me in yet another year of 5 in 5. You have until 25th to take your photos and post a link to your blog. Here's how it works:

1.  Choose a location.

2.  Have your camera ready.

3.  Set a mobile timer for 5 minutes.

4.  Take as many photos you can until the time is up.

5.  Choose 5 photos to download and share by using the link tool 

   

You have until the 25th of the month to add your photos and if you want to know more about 5in5 there are details here.

And one more thing - when you use the link tool, please click on your post title.  This will show the web address. Please right click, copy and paste this as your link.  This will take readers directly to your '5 in 5' blog page and be easier for them to find.