December 2015 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

The holidays are here! The decorations are up, the 24 X 7 holiday tunes are on the radio, and the black Friday specials have begun. We have our Christmas quilts on display. It is that time of year!

The next meeting is our annual December party. Check the hospitality list to see if it is your turn to bring a treat. The party will be low key this year. Just sit and sew and eat, or just sit and eat. Take time to socialize. Don't forget the block exchange. You may exchange as many blocks as you wish. The more you exchange, the sooner you will have enough to make a quilt. 

I hope everyone has a great holiday. Remember, if you are feeling stressed all you have to do is sew for a while. It has been proven that sewing lowers stress. Of course, we all knew that before "the study" was done. Enjoy friends and family and the fun the season brings. 

Don't forget to check email and facebook if the weather is threatening since we don't have the phone chain this year. Odd to think about that today when it is sunny and 60 degrees, but winter will eventually show up. 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to All,

Leslie


PROGRAMS
We will be celebrating the holidays this month with a party and "mini bee".  Bring your ufo's or choose one of Leslie's kits.  Don't forget your favorite seat cushion!  If you would like to participate in the holiday block exchange, bring one or more holiday blocks, 12-1/2" unfinished and individually wrapped and exchange for the same number of blocks as you bring.  Sign your work, please!  There should be no shortage of tasty treats and great conversation.

MEMBERSHIP
We had 40 members and 3 guests at the November meeting. 
We will be sending out an updated directory shortly as well.

December Birthdays
9 Denise Werkheiser
13 Kelly Meanix
30 Marianne Caporale

HOSPITALITY
Snack list for the December holiday meeting is: E. Lance, M. Lewis, R.lodi, J. Loncaric, S.Longenecker, E. Mayer, E. McMillen*, R. McMillen, K.Meanix, E. Mincarelli, B. Moses*, R. Newlander, L. O'Brien, D. O'Connor, M. Paczok, M. Paluba, L.Paylor, N. Rubinelli, P.Sherman*, S. Simmons.  A star after your name means you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack. If your name is on this list, mark it on your calendar so you don't forget and please ask a friend to switch with you if you can't attend the party and let me know @ 610-350-7688. 

Block Swap
The red 4 patches are due at the December meeting, please remember to let me know if you will not be at the meeting. Remember we are swapping 12 blocks, please put your name inside the bag.
The color for January is blue, any combinations you want to sew!
Kelly Meanix       kellymx@aol.com 610-873-7211


2016 Getaway
The final room reservation payment for the Getaway is due at the December guild meeting. Ellen will send you an email letting you know your balance due about one week before our meeting. The fee for the sewing room and Saturday evening dinner is not due until January. The cost will likely be around $19-20 per person, specific amount to follow. Thank you.
Ellen McMillen and Pat Sherman

Member Profile--Marian Stevenson

When did you first start quilting?

I started my first quilt when I was 16.  Our next door neighbor was making one and she encouraged me.  My Mother sewed very well, I sewed, not well.  The quilt was of squares and the plain squares were cut from a new peach colored cotton sheet.  This quilt did not get finished until I was expecting my third child and I got it done for him.  It was tied and I learned how hard it was to tie through sheet fabric.  I believe he still has it and I did mend it once.

What is your favorite part of quilting?

My next start on quilting was in 1980 when I took a class with Sonja Schaeffer (sp?) and have been doing it since.  I think my favorite part is deciding what I want to make and gathering up the fabrics (shopping).  Next is cutting out.  The hardest part is settling down and finishing.

What is your favorite color?

My favorite color is blue, followed by red, and actually bright colors.  

How many quilts have you made?

I have not kept count of the quilts I have made.  I know I made 5 for the family and one for a Mother-in-Law and after that many tied quilts for the Spanish Mission in Kennett Square, through our church group "Magic Needles".

What is your next project?

My next project is to finish up some started projects:  2 Halloween wall hangings, a fidget quilt and two wall hangings to go out to be quilted.

What is something you want the group to know about you?

I am the person who comes with a cart for balance and a cane.  I have benign familial tremor which I inherited from my Father.  (The man who lives across the hall from us has it and inherited it from his Mother.)   We have now lived at Maris Grove five years coming up this January.  I do like to bake cookies and you all have my recipe for Swedish Oatmeal Cookies.

Upcoming Events

New Quilts by Kaffe Fassett

Michener Art Museum
November 14, 2015 - February 21, 2016
Doylestown, PA  18901
www.michenermuseum.org

2016 Nature's Prism: A Quilt Display
January 8, 2016 - February 7, 2016
Devon, PA
Jenkins Arboretum
www.jenkinsarboretum.org

American Quilter's Society
March 16-19, 2016
Lancaster Convention Center
Lancaster, PA
www.americanquilter.com

Celebration of Quilts 2016

York Quilter's Guild
May 20-21, 2016
Grumbacher Sport & Fitness Center
York, PA
www.celebrationofquilts.com

November 2015 Newsletter

President's Letter

Autumn is in full swing and we have a lot happening.

Do you ever wish you knew how to make the New York Beauty blocks or just needed that nudge to start a project? If yes, then join the workshop the day of the November meeting. Catch up with Betsy Moses if you want to join us. 

We have many active charitable activities. One of them is bound to fit your style of giving.  If you don't see something you want to do, then create something and we'll do it! In the meantime, keep bringing wrapped snacks for the Ronald McDonald House. Thank you to all of those who contributed last month to the Ronald McDonald House and to those who made cat creations for the Cat Angels' auction. 

Did someone say "Christmas and holiday party?" Have you started your Holiday Block Exchange block yet? It isn't too early to create a 10 1/2 block to swap with other members. You don't have to make just one. You can swap as many as you like. Plan to buy the Guild fundraiser tickets for the sewing cabinet. The drawing will be held at the holiday party. It would make a great gift for you or someone in your sewing family. 

I can't believe I am saying this already...Happy Thanksgiving!

Leslie

Programs

Our own Bob DeCarli will be sharing his enthusiasm for the Electric Quilt 7 software with us this November in his unique and humorous style.  EQ7 is a quilt design software for quilt designers of all skill levels and promises to be the most user-friendly yet.  Check out all the different possibilities for this software at www.electricquilt.com .

This should tie in nicely with our New York Beauty workshop that day.  I pinned a great example of what you could create by using this paper piecing  technique and design software.  You can see this stunning quilt at https://www.pinterest.com/betsymoses/ on my "Quilts Board".  It is black and white with a touch of pink.

Let me know ASAP if you decide to join us at the workshop.  There's plenty of room and still time to order the necessary supplies.
We will have a party in December, including a holiday block swap - 12-1/2" unfinished; a mini bee - bring your almost finished holiday project or a make-and-take, courtesy of Leslie; and, of course, plenty of great snacks!

Hospitality
Snack list for November is: FA Grider, C. Harkins, A. Henderson, D.Hill, H.Hofbauer, D. Holzwarth, M.Hopkins*, M. Kline, L. Lakitsky*.  A star after  your name means you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack. Please remember to switch your responsibility with a friend if you can't attend and let me know. April

Membership

We had 34 members at the October meeting and 1 guest with intentions to
join!

Here are the November Birthdays!
8    Allie Barchi
13  Dena Corry
28 Jamie Loncaric

Block Swap
The yellow 4 patches are due at the November meeting, please remember to let me know if you will not be at the meeting. Remember we are swapping 12 blocks, please put your name inside the bag.
The color for December is red, any combinations you want to sew!
Kelly Meanix       kellymx@aol.com 610-873-7211

New York Beauty Workshop Update

Deadline to order book, template/stencil set and paperpiecing paper from the Quilt Block is tomorrow!  They are offering us a great deal, so even if you can't attend the workshop, you may want to order for your own library.  New York Beauty Diversified is $18.50 ("Simplified" book is $19.50),  Template/Stencil Set is $22.00 and a 100 page package of Carol Doak's paper is $11.65.  You can use other brands of paper if you have them.  I tried tear away paper on a roll, but found it a little hard to remove completely.

 I will be teaching a workshop at the Frazer Mennonite Church on November 9th on one of Linda Hahn's New York Beauty Diversified patterns, "Bensonhurst Blooms". A sneak peak inside this book is available at https://shop.americanquilter.com/media/peekinside/files/264/1251.pdf.  This will be a full day workshop from 10:00 to 4:00. Cost is $15 plus materials.  I can wait until day of workshop to collect fee.  You will need a copy of either of Linda's New York Beauty books and a set of acrylic templates and stencils.  I used New York Beauty Diversified, but the technique can also be found in New York Beauty Simplified.  Feel free to contact me for additional information.  I will have a complete supply list ready for attendees by next week.  It's pretty basic, so don't worry.  I may not have time to quilt my sample, but I think it will be a better teaching tool if you can see the back.

Hope you can join us.  This is not a difficult technique and I know we can all master it and have great samples for Show and Tell that evening!

See you there,

Betsy Moses

Member Profile ---Ellen McMillen
When did you start quilting? 
When reading Leslie's response in the September newsletter I remembered that I made a very simple hand-tied baby quilt for a friend's first born and he is now 44 years old. However I did not really begin quilting until about eleven years ago when Kathy introduced me to hand applique. 

What is your favorite part of quilting? 
Oddly enough my favorite part of quilting is also a difficult one for me. I enjoy selecting fabrics and colors for a project but frequently second guess myself. I need to develop more confidence in this area.

What is your favorite color? 
Blues - from lights to cobalt, blue-greens, aqua, teal. Rose too and I'm getting into more greens. I can't limit it to one color.

How many quilts have you made? 
Very few. As many of you know I'm terrible at finishing projects and have a large number of UFOs and planned projects in my head.

What is your next project?
I'm attempting to design a quilt for the Challenge. I also have a piece to do for my granddaughter's high school graduation. And the millefiori quilts popping up on Facebook are calling to me and I'm trying hard not to succumb!

What is something you want the group to know about you? 
I love animals. My cat is family too. I look forward every year to the arrival of fawns and deer in our yard, although it especially annoys my husband when they nibble on his asparagus patch or venture into the garden.

If you would like to be our next Member Profile, just email me and I would be happy to highlight you! kellymx@aol.com

Penn Oaks Getaway - February 17th-21st, 2016
We have four open slots for our Getaway which will be held at the Amish View Inn and Suites in Bird-in-Hand, www.AmishViewInn.com. If you are interested in filling one of these slots or would like more information please contact Ellen (610-363-5956) or Pat (717- 517- 8018). We will have reservation forms at the November meeting; $100.00 will reserve your room. Final room payments are due at the December 14th guild meeting. Ellen will notify you of your remaining balances. Thank you.
Ellen McMillen and Pat Sherman

Antique Sewing Machine Raffle
Denise Werkheiser will be selling tickets, 1 for $2.00 and 12 for $5.00 for the antique sewing machine she is donating to our group. All proceeds go to the Penn Oaks Quilters. Denise is even offering delivery to the lucky person. We will pull the ticket at the December meeting.

Upcoming Events 

New Quilts by Kaffe Fassett
Michener Art Museum
November 14, 2015 - February 21, 2016
Doylestown, PA  18901
www.michenermuseum.org

Vintage Memories
November 6-7, 2015
Martha Washington Quilters Guild
Washington, PA  15301
http://www.marthawashingtonquiltersguild.com

Every Quilt Has a Story
November 21, 2015
Mainline Quilters Guild
Mainline Unitarian Church
Devon, PA
www.mainlinequilters.org

American Quilters Society
March 16-19, 2016
Lancaster Convention Center
Lancaster, PA
www.americanquilter.com