One thing that I’ve done for 'Mother Culture' is join my city’s local Quilters’ Guild.  I didn’t know how to quilt when I joined, but I hoped to learn and make friends.  I’ve been part of the Guild for three years and have enjoyed getting to know the other ladies.  The Guild meets once a month.  One of the most exciting aspects of the monthly meetings is “Show and Tell” time – I love seeing everybody’s finished projects!

For a few years, the Quilters’ Guild had an annual "Tinners Challenge Swap" a.k.a "Tinners".  Everyone who wanted to take part brought an empty aluminum cookie or candy tin and ten dollars. The deadline for signing up was at the October meeting.  Every month, from October to May, participants took home a different tin.  Inside the tin was a fat quarter* of fabric and two papers.  A piece of the FQ* fabric had to be used in some manner in the block you created that month.  One of the papers provided the theme name and Tinner rules (size limits, etc).   The other paper was divided into nine months (September to May).  When each person completed a block, she wrote down her name, the name of her block and a description.  At the next guild meeting the tins were returned with the block you made, the FQ remnants and two papers. 

*A Fat Quarter or FQ is a quarter of a metre or yard of fabric.

Tinner blocks: LOG CABIN, paper-pieced OLD RED BARN, and possibly a DEPRESSION BLOCK variation?

The “Tinner” organisers removed the finished blocks from each tin, checked their list of names and swapped the name-tags onto different tins.  At the end of the meeting each of us picked up a different tin labelled with our name.  We didn’t open the tins at the meeting but waited until we were home; this kept the "Tinner" themes a surprise.  Also, we were careful not to tell anyone about the themes or blocks we had created.

In June, at the last meeting of the year, all of the created blocks were displayed on flannel boards.  Each person received an empty tin with her name and the "Tinner" theme name on it.  It was only then that she learned her tin's theme and would see her nine new quilt blocks.  Another FQ of fabric was given to each of us in our tin for use in additional blocks or to sash/finish the quilt.

I signed up for "Tinners" because it sounded like so much fun.  A big part of that fun was creating a block based on the theme and figuring out a way to use the fabric in the block.  Another thing was the wonderful surprise we had in June when we received our tins.  It was very interesting to see how others interpreted the theme and what blocks they’d made.

Tinner blocks: machine-embroidered RED BARN, CHURN DASH, 'Farming Seasons' created from four FOUR-PATCH blocks with sashing.

The year that I participated was the last year that the Guild had the “Tinners Challenge Swap”.  The last couple of years, we’ve had the “Brown Bag Challenge Swap” a.k.a. “Brown Bagger”.  A photograph of the wall-hanging that I made for the "Brown Bagger" was Victorian Bouquet.

The photographs with this blog post are of the nine blocks that I received; the Tinner theme was "Down at the Farm".  There were paper-foundation pieced (big red barn), machine embroidered (small red barn) and a variety of traditional pieced blocks.  One creative lady did “Snail Crossing” using the snail motifs from the theme fabric!

Tinner blocks: sashed 'Fencing', PINWHEEL, 'Snail Crossing' - made from a combination of RIBBON STAR and WATERWHEEL variation?

I hope to do Redwork blocks of farm animals, pets, an old pick-up truck, an old tractor, Sunbonnet Sues and Coverall Carl (to represent our family).  Also, I'm hoping to do paper-foundation pieced blocks of a house, evergreen trees, and canning jars.  The canning jars will be “filled” with fruit or vegetables using themed fabric; those blocks will be the outside border of the quilt. 

...That's the plan, anyway!

NOTE: Most of the block names link to Marcia Hohn's wonderful website "The Quilter's Cache".  I could spend hours there, looking at all the patterns and dreaming of future projects!

Naturally enough, on this St. Valentine’s Day I’ve been thinking about family and friends.  There are many people to which I’m grateful.  I’m thankful for the things they’ve taught me or influenced me to be brave enough to attempt on my own. 

It’s because of their example that I was inspired to try my hand at various creative enterprises.  For example, my parents have a variety of interests and hobbies.  I spent my childhood watching them when they spent time on their activities, and asking questions.  (Too many questions, I’m sure!)  Family members frequently gave crafting kits to me for Christmas or my birthday. 

Over the years I’ve learned to draw, watercolour paint, cook, bake, make bread, put up preserves, hand-sew, knit, darn, crochet, embroider, needlepoint, take photographs, machine-sew, make clothes, cross-stitch, and piece quilt blocks.  I’ve also tried glass etching, tole-painting, rubber-stamp cards, machine-quilting, paper-foundation piecing, and soap-making.  I've  made a mosaic tile, and taught myself to do calligraphy.  When I was younger I loved to write poetry, prose, and creative stories due to the example of family members and teachers.  Without others’ encouragement, I mayn’t have tried!

Initially when I began working, I didn’t spend time doing handicrafts.  Before I married, I began to take up former and new hobbies.  Then, we had a child.  Somehow I couldn’t find (or didn’t make) the time to do hobbies.  Yet, as mothers and wives, this is when our mental health most depends on our spending time in personal interests!  

It is important that we continue to develop skills and abilities in those things that we find appealing.  Yes, it’s true: our children will be inspired by our example to try something new.  However, if our desire is to grow and mature as the women God wants us and knows us to be, then we need to spend time every day learning - and practising what we’ve learned!

Be brave and try something new this week!  Have you always wanted to learn to do calligraphy, paper quilling, play the alto recorder, or --?  Borrow books from the public library, do the research and find the supplies you need.  If it's something you've always wanted to do, don't worry about how long it will take to learn. 

As a friend once told me many years ago: "How old are you going to be in # years, if you do this (activity)? ... How old will you be in # years, if you don't try it?"  No excuses now, just go for it!