Penn Oaks Newsletter-January 1, 2024

 January 1, 2024 Penn Oaks Newsletter

President's Note

Happy New Year, Quilters!

Fresh year, new ideas, new projects, or maybe new dedication to finishing old projects.

I have never been much for New Years resolutions. I prefer TTBB - try to be better.

We will meet in January via zoom. Sorry, I forget what it will be exactly, but I'm sure it will be great. There are some fun things popping up for next year to be discussed at the meeting.

I'm looking forward to  seeing you all!

Carolyn

Programs

Note: The January, February and March meetings will also be zoom meetings.  

Intro to Dumpster Diving and Free Piecing

 

Julie Sefton is known online as Quiltdivajulie where she blogs at Me and My Quilts – Exploring the Possibilities.  Four key words encompass her style – liberated, scrappy, eclectic, and colorful. 

 

Julie made her first quilt in 2004 and fell in love with the process, from gestation and planning through free motion quilting and finishing.  In 2007 she created her blog (https://quiltdivajulie.blogspot.com) where she shares her growth as a quilt maker and other glimpses into her life including a recent foray into the world of journal making.

 

In this two-part presentation, Julie will first share her series of eleven completed Dumpster Diving quilts as well as her work in process for the twelfth DD quilt.  She will also briefly share the story of her book BUILD A BARN featuring the free pieced technique along with several examples of her barn quilts, including the book’s cover quilt See Rock City.  There will be a short Q&A opportunity following the presentation.

 

Autographed copies of Julie’s book will be available to POQG members at the discounted group rate of $10 per book via sign-up sheet at the meeting with payment to the Guild. 

 

Breaking News: Julep, a minty green, is the Kona Cotton color of the year. Doesn't help me much as 

I am red-green color blind!

More Breaking News: Pom Pom Magazine's final issue, Check Mate, is hitting newsstands now.

Challenge - Kathy Timko - Rikki Newlander

The Challenge: Lets hear it for Barbie!

If you would like to participate, unleash you inner Barbie with at least a baby sized quilt to keep or donate. Go with a riot of pinks or pick your (or your daughters or nieces) favorite Barbie outfit to use as inspiration. We’re looking forward to seeing what you can come up with!

Rikki and Kathy

Snacks

This is a zoom meeting so you can sit in your pajamas and eat chocolate, if you are so inclined

2024 Getaway

There will be several tables available on Thursday (2/22), Friday (2/23) and Saturday (2/24) for those members who wish to bring their machines, ect. and join us for the day.  The fee per day is $25.00, payable in cash. These monies will be used to reimburse those who have paid the room fee. If you've not been to the Amish View Inn this is a nice opportunity to see what the Inn has to offer. Available on a first come, first serve basis. The deadline to make your reservation is February 12. The Amish View has requested a list at least one week prior to our Getaway. This is not a firm commitment. If you're unable to attend, just contact Ellen. Please let us know if you are interested.

Ellen McMillen (ejmcmillen@verizon.net) and Cindy Vognetz (cvognetz@hotmail.com) 

  Ways & Means

  Membership - Denise Blake and Elaine Egan

  Penn Oaks Sunshine

If you know of a guilt member who could use some well wishes or encouragement because of a sickness or life event, please contact me at ejmcmillen@verizon.net  I will make sure to send our collective good thoughts to our fellow member.

Ellen McMillen

2023  Board

President - Carolyn Davis 

Program Chair - Deb Houck

Assistant to Programs - Elaine Mayer

Treasurer - Rita Marie Smith

Recording Secretary - Kelly Meanix

Corresponding Secretary - Ellen McMillen

Membership - Denise Blake-Elaine Egan

Ways & Means - Jen Burke

Scraps and Pieces From The Textile World

1. “A Dark, A Light, A Bright: The Designs of Dorothy Liebes” at Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York City, through February 4th, 2024 

2. “Judy Chicago: Herstory” at The New Museum, New York City, through March 3rd, 2024. 

3. “Eyewinkers, Tumbleturds, and Candlebugs: The Art of Elizabeth Talford Scott” at the Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore through April 28, 2024.

 4. “Joyce J. Scott: Walk a Mile in My Dreams” at the Baltimore Museum of Art. March 24th, 2024 through July 14th, 2024.

5. Places to Donate Your Handmade Goods

       As the new year begins, you might find yourself looking around your studio or storage space wondering what to do with all the stuff. Samples, prototypes, and stale inventory not only take up physical space, they also occupy mental space that would be better used making new work.

Before you pull out the big black trash bags, consider donating your handmade goods. Even goods you consider “seconds” can be useful to people in need. Consult with your tax advisor to find out what portion of your donation (if any) can be used as a tax deduction and be sure to ask the recipient organization for a receipt for your records.

National Organizations

Our objective is to identify organizations that can use what we already have, not to make new items for donation nor to burden charities with stuff they can’t use. Most national organizations are very specific about the donations they accept. They may have standards for size, materials, washability, or messaging. Be sure to check their websites and only send items that comply with their guidelines.

    1. Knit the Rainbow collects hand knit and crocheted winter garments and distributes them via partner organizations to homeless LGBTQI+ youth in New York City, New Jersey, Chicago and Detroit. Scarves, beanies, gloves, socks, ear warmers, and sweaters/cardigans are all welcome.

    2. Since 1995, Project Linus has been collecting and distributing handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. The organization operates through a network of local chapters, so donations are distributed within the community in which they were given. Quilts, knitted or crochted blankets, and hand-finished fleece blankets are all

  3. For more than 30 years, Warm Up America! has provided knitted and crocheted blankets, hats, gloves, scarves and other accessories for people in need. Only items made with yarn are accepted, and all items must be machine washable. Check their current needs page for up-to-date information on requested donations.

  4. Paper crafters can donate greeting cards to Send A Smile Today. This organization mails monthly greeting cards to cancer patients in the United States to let them know they are not alone. They are happy to accept envelopes without cards, and cards without envelopes.

  5. The Smiles for Children division of Project Smile provides stuffed animals to police and fire departments across the country. These soft toys are given to children in crisis by emergency responders.

 6. Local Charities

If the items you wish to donate don’t match up with the needs of a national organization, many local charities welcome a variety of handmade goods. Here are some to consider:

  7. Domestic Violence Shelters

Those who’ve experienced domestic violence often flee with not much more than the clothes on their backs. Shelters must be prepared to provide everything for parents and children—clothing, toiletries, bedding, toys, and a safe and comforting environment. Find a shelter near you by contacting your local Department of Social Services. Some shelters maintain wish lists through a national registry at domesticshelters.org.

  8. Refugee Resettlement Agencies

The United States continues to welcome refugees from around the world. A network of local refugee resettlement agencies around the country works to with refugees during their first 90 days to assist them in finding housing and employment as well as applying for social benefit programs to move them toward self-sufficiency. Many such agencies accept donations of household goods to furnish the homes of new refugees. Furniture, kitchenware, and household linens are often provided. A search for “Refugee Resettlement Agency near me” should lead you to local organizations that would welcome your donations.

6. Brett Bara s the founder of Hello Bargello, a brand dedicated to reviving the vintage craft of bargello for modern makers. Her entrepreneurial spirit has inspired her to start businesses that connect the young, urban folks in her community with the deep tradition of handcrafts. In 2013 Brett founded Brooklyn Craft Company, a modern crafting store and workshop space in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. In Brett’s current role as owner of Hello Bargello, she strives to connect the dots between preserving traditional crafts and building a thriving, contemporary e-commerce business.