June 2016 Newsletter

President's Letter

Dear Guild Members,

We all celebrate New Year's Day in the middle of the winter when not much else is going on just because the calendar changed. There are many other times of year that are more worthy of celebrating change. Spring is one of them. My Facebook and Instagram are full of graduation photos, out of school school children with summer plans and adventures, newly planted gardens, and I could go on. 

Our Guild changes in the Spring too. We break for Summer and hold our bee in August. We honor the volunteer of the year. Please come to the June meeting for the big reveal and to congratulate this year's winner.

The Board transitions to a new team. I thank everyone on the current Board, the Committee Chairs, and the rest of the Guild for making the last two years as President delightful and uneventful. I know uneventful sounds like an odd comment. Sometimes "events" can mean trouble and there was none! Thank you for being such a great group of quilters and friends. 

As we usher out our old year and look forward to the new year, we should make our summer resolutions. Keep quilting. Try a new technique. When you travel keep a lookout  for new quilt shops and opportunities. You may stumble on a local show or speaker. You may purposefully set out to attend a show or attend a lecture. Set priorities. Sew don't clean. Have fun and see you at the August Bee.

I now pass the ringing bell thing along to Stephanie. Please behave for her and quiet down when she asks you to!

Keep quilting!

With love,

Leslie

Programs - Betsy Moses

Barbara Garrett will present her lecture, “With a Mother’s Love:  An Historical Overview of Quiltmaking”

Barbara will trace the history of quiltmaking from circa 1780 to 1940, using approximately 90 of her own doll quilts for demonstration.  She will provide facts, stories and myths about quilting and give information about the types of quilts, patterns and fabrics that were popular during the various time periods.

Barbara is passionate about keeping the history of quilt making alive.  She is actively involved with Quilt Documentation projects in southeastern Pennsylvania and has attended many symposiums and conferences on the subject.

Barbara uses both antique and reproduction fabrics to recreate the older looks – 1800 to 1930 – making both full size and doll quilts, with over 140 in her doll quilt collection.  She has designed and published some of the patterns in her collection and will offer them for sale after the lecture. 

SILENT AUCTION

Don’t miss the silent auction at the June meeting.  Great stuff has been coming in since January. For sale will be fabric, equipment, thread, patterns and of course books and magazines.  I think will we fill about 3 large tables.

Membership

We had 34 members and 3 guests at our May meeting! Please be sure bring your membership forms for next year to the meeting. I will ask Kelly to resend the membership form just in case it was missed last month. 

June Birthdays
6 Leslie O'Brien
7 Marie Kline
7 Ellen McMillen
11 Linda Lakitsky
23 Jan Brown
24 Cindy Vognetz
26 Bob DeCarli
29 Maryann Lewis

 Programs September 2016 through June 2017  Robin McMillen

I am very excited to have the Programs finalized for next year.  Below is a list of the speakers and activities.  It looks like a great year.  We have some awesome speakers, both in house and from the larger quilter community.  

I hope you are as excited as I am.  

12-Sep	Carol Singer	World of Color
10-Oct	Erin Underwood	From Then to Now, A Trunk Show of my Quilting Life
14-Nov	Barb Vedder	www.funwithbarb.com
12-Dec	Christmas Party / Patches of Love
9-Jan	Kelly Meanix	Trunk Show
13-Feb	Challenge
13-Mar	Round Robin Demonstrations	Carolyn Davis (Binding), Suzanne Stiverson (Beading) Kathy DeCarli (Appliquick Applique) Betsy Moses (Paper Piecing) Jean Fox (Embroidery)
10-Apr	Jody Beck	Jody's Jems Journey Trunk Show and Demo
8-May	Quilt Show Party
12-Jun	Lonni Rossi	Double Happiness: The Marriage of Graphic Design & Textiles

Newsletter

Over the summer we will still publish the newsletter. Even though we don't meet in July and August there is the summer bee in August to come and catch up with each other. You can be sure to find out the date and what time here in the newsletter. I will also send out an email blast once the details are decided.

Please feel free to email me with pictures, questions or general quilting information to share or ask other members in the next 2 months. I will also send out reminders if you wish to submit information for all of the membership.

Kelly - kellymx@aol.com

Hospitality
Snack list for the June guild meeting is: J. Brown, M.Campbell*, M. Caparole, B. Moses, R. Newlander*, L.O'Brien, D. O'Connor, M. Paczok, M.Paluba*, L.Paylor, N. Rubinelli, P.Sherman*, S. Simmons, P.Smith, R.M. Smith, D. Smyrl,M.Stevenson,  M. Stiverson*, C. Vognetz, P.White, S.Williams, J. Zubert, J. Zwizanski. A star after your name means bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  

Challenge 2017

Rikki Newlander and Marti Campbell 
We are giving you almost a year to do the challenge for 2017. Because of the flexibility, we should have 100% participation. It gives you a chance to make something you have been meaning to make or want to make but just haven't gotten around to it.
 
> Portray any thing you love to do other than sewing or quilting. Any format; pillow, purse, pillow cases, baby blanket, place mats etc.
 
> Ideas such as bird watching, cooking, sports events, wine tasting, traveling, volunteering, reading,drawing, shopping, etc

Any size, up to a baby quilt size. We have to watch out for space at thePO Quilt show, so an apron because you love to cook can go on a mannequin.
A tote for gardening, shopping, the farmers market will fit nicely.
If you love to volunteer at the senior center, something(s) that you make for them.
Pillowcases because you love to watch your grandchildren. 
Placemats with lobsters, wine, cheese because that's what you love to eat.
A sun hat
A blanket for your pet

Possibilities are endless.
 
> Categories for awards could be:
> Most original portrayal
> Most fun hobby
> Challenge that no one could guess whose it is

Quilt Happenings

Quilting by the Bay 2016
June 11-12, 2016
The Annapolis Quilt Guild
Annapolis Senior High School
Annapolis, MD
www.annapolisquiltguild.org

Trash to Treasure
June 11, 2016, 10 AM - 1 PM
Main Line Quilters
Tredyffrin Townsgip Library
www.mainlinequilters.org

Mid-Appalachian Quilters (MAQ)
July 15-17, 2016
Mount St Mary's University
Emmitsburg, MD
www.maqonline.org

Quilt Show
Island Quilters of Brigan䏰ഩne
Briganti䏰஥ Community Center
Brigan䏰஥, NJ 08203
http://www.bb-nj.com

Quilt Odyssey
July 23-26, 2016
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
Hershey, PA
www.quiltodyssey.com

May 2016 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

May. You know what that means. It is either a show year, or the year before a show, or the year after a show, depending on how you look at things. The next show is well underway with Carolyn Davis at the lead this year. Thanks again to Suzanne Stiverson for all she did to establish our show.  There are several things all of us need to do in anticipation of the show. First, keep quilting with next May as your goal. Next, think about what you would like to do to help with the show.

Do you like to cook? Do you like to eat? Help with the Dresden Plate snack bar. Do you like to decorate? Consider helping with setup. Do you want to get your hands on fabric and quilts? Help with intake, judging, and returning the quilts. Do you like to handle money? Who doesn't? Help at the entrance table. Salesman at heart? Sell raffle tickets. Retail is your thing? Work at the Acorn Shop. The show is a lot of fun, so work doesn't really feel like work. Even clean up is kind of, sort of, in a way, fun. We make money for guild activities and educate the public about what real quilting and sewing is all about. 

We still have two more meetings left this year with some great speakers. Don't forget the August bee. This year is wrapping up, but we are still busy and getting ready for next year. There is still time to donate another charity item or two and create a few more things for show and tell.

One more thing to do. Don't forget to find some time to head outside and enjoy the spring weather - when it stops raining!

Keep quilting!

Leslie

Programs

Quilt As Desired... don’t you just hate those words??  Using LOTS of quilts, Michele Scott will show us many ways to quilt our completed quilt tops.  With her trademark humor, extensive quilting knowledge, and eye for color and design, any of Michele’s lectures and workshops are well worth attending.  Feel free to bring tops along for a group consultation.

Michele’s quilt designs, articles and blogs can be found in a variety of publications, including AQS’s American Quilter, McCall’s Quilting and Quick Quilts and Fons and Porter, to name a few.  But by far, her greatest passion is designing fabric for Northcott Silk.  Her book, Bobbin’, Quiltin’ and Fusin’ Fun was debuted by AQS.  Search  ”Michele Scott” in YouTube to get an idea of the fun you’ll have learning from Michele!  Her website is www.piecefulquilter.com 

Betsy

Programs 2016 through 2017 - Robin McMillen

I am very excited to have the Programs finalized for next year.  Below is a list of the speakers and activities.  It looks like a great year.  We have some awesome speakers, both in house and from the larger quilter community.  

I hope you are as excited as I am.  

12-Sep	Carol Singer	World of Color
10-Oct	Erin Underwood	From Then to Now, A Trunk Show of my Quilting Life
14-Nov	Barb Vedder	www.funwithbarb.com
12-Dec	Christmas Party / Patches of Love
9-Jan	Kelly Meanix	Trunk Show
13-Feb	Challenge
13-Mar	Round Robin Demonstrations	Carolyn Davis (Binding), Suzanne Stiverson (Beading) Kathy DeCarli (Appliquick Applique) Betsy Moses (Paper Piecing) Jean Fox (Embroidery)
10-Apr	Jody Beck	Jody's Jems Journey Trunk Show and Demo
8-May	Quilt Show Party
12-Jun	Lonni Rossi	Double Happiness: The Marriage of Graphic Design & Textiles

Membership
We had 36 members and 6 guests at our April meeting! Please remember membership renewals are due in June. You can print out the membership form here
 http://pennoaksquiltersnewsletter.blogspot.com/search/label/Membership%20Form

May Birthdays
3 Rita Marie Smith
14 Elaine Mayer
20 Carolyn Davis
21 Stephanie Braskey
28 Debbie Hill


Nominations for the 2016-2017 Executive Board

President - Stephanie Braskey
Membership - Carolyn Davis and Jamie Loncaric
Programs - Robin McMillen and Rita Marie Smith
Treasurer - Ellen McMillen
Recording Secretary - Leslie O'Brien
Corresponding Secretary - Rob Lodi

All standing committees will remain the same except for the Challenge, which will be co-chaired by Marti Campbell and Rikki Newlander


Hospitality

Snack list for the May guild meeting is: S. Borr*, S. Braskey, E. lance, K. leadbetter, M. Lewis, R. Lodi, J. Loncaric*, S. Longenecker, E. Mayer, E. McMillen, R. McMillen*, K. Meanix, E. Mincarelli. A star after your name means you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  Remember to switch your obligation with a friend if you can't attend the meeting and let me know.

4 PATCH SWAP

*********Please note you need to bring 2 sets of blocks this month!!!!!!!!*****************

The MultiColored 4 patches are due at the May meeting. Please also bring your Purple blocks for June to the May meeting.  Let me know if you will not be at the meeting. Remember we are swapping 12 blocks, please put your name inside the bag. This will be our last swap for the year.

Kelly Meanix       kellymx@aol.com 610-873-7211

Challenge 2017

Rikki Newlander and Marti Campbell 
We are giving you almost a year to do the challenge for 2017. Because of the flexibility, we should have 100% participation. It gives you a chance to make something you have been meaning to make or want to make but just haven't gotten around to it.
 
> Portray any thing you love to do other than sewing or quilting. Any format; pillow, purse, pillow cases, baby blanket, place mats etc.
 
> Ideas such as bird watching, cooking, sports events, wine tasting, traveling, volunteering, reading,drawing, shopping, etc

Any size, up to a baby quilt size. We have to watch out for space at thePO Quilt show, so an apron because you love to cook can go on a mannequin.
A tote for gardening, shopping, the farmers market will fit nicely.
If you love to volunteer at the senior center, something(s) that you make for them.
Pillowcases because you love to watch your grandchildren. 
Placemats with lobsters, wine, cheese because that's what you love to eat.
A sun hat
A blanket for your pet

Possibilities are endless.
 
> Categories for awards could be:
> Most original portrayal
> Most fun hobby
> Challenge that no one could guess whose it is

CLEAN OUT YOUR SEWING ROOM

FOR THE

SILENT AUCTION

ON JUNE 13, 2016

THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO DELIVER THE GOODS

TO DIANA SMYRL AT THE MAY MEETING

(Please no items delivered at the June Meeting)

ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE GUILD.

Member Profile - Myna Paluba

How many years ago did you start quilting.

I became interested in quilting in 1982.  My first quilting class was held at the home of Jacqueline Magann in Berwyn, Pa.  Jacqueline was one of the founders of Main Line Quilters.

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

I enjoy the color and fabric selection and especially the machine piecing.  My least favorite part is machine quilting.  Have taken a few classes, but remain totally frustrated with machine quilting.  For peace of mind and sanity I prefer to have someone else perform this task .

What is your favorite color?

My favorite color is blue.  When I first started quilting my color pallet was earth tones.  Today I prefer bright colors and love throwing in a few zingers when needed. 

How many quilts do you think you have made?

It is exhausting just to think about this number.  I have three albums filled with pictures of every quilt I have made, large, small and in between sizes.  I started counting the pictures in the first two albums, but stopped when I reached 150.  The count is high because for many years I was involved with a wonderful group of ladies who sold their quilts at the Brandywine River Museum.   The more you made the more you sold.

What is your next project?

I want to make a queen size bed quilt for my wonderful physician, Dr. Ann Reilly.  I have been a patient of Dr. Reilly’s for over 30 years.  She is a lovely lady and has always been there for me.   She is a physician who has time for her patients and now it’s time for me to start her quilt.

Tell us something the members may want to know about yourself.

I am married to my high school sweetheart.  We live in a historic house in Strafford-Wayne and we enjoy antique shopping and gardening.  We have formal gardens which we maintain ourselves and have a very large pond with Koi and goldfish.   Before moving to Wayne we lived in a house which was a log cabin in Honey Brook built by the Winchester Family (as in guns).   I have a twin sister who lives in the Brandywine area who is a beautiful seamstress, but not a quilter.  I have made so many friends through the love of quilting and I thank all of you for your lasting friendships. 

Quilt Show 2017 Update

Members, we are counting on more fabulous new quilts for the show. We met to discuss possible changes, or adjustments, to our categories. There will be more information a little later, for now, don't stress over categories. Just make some wonderful quilts, wall hangings, or accessories.

Thanks,
Carolyn and Jamie  

Write As Desired…….

Working the Stash

Collecting and stashing fabric is one of my most pleasurable aspects of quilting.  What is more fun than perusing the bolts of fabric at your local quilt store and taking home new yardage or even a new bundle of the most luscious colors imagined!  Getting new fabric is fun, inspiring and sometimes magical!  But what about that stash you already own? 

Working the stash requires the quilter to make all the decisions and not rely on a team of color experts who design easy to mix and match fabric collections. Working the stash can be difficult, time consuming and indeed daunting. Working the stash can cause feelings of uncertainty and the quilter may feel the need to fall back on the “matched” collection.  But working the stash can also be exciting, spontaneous and give reason to try new ideas!

A quilt anthology which I have not been able to put down is, “Unconventional & Unexpected, American Quilts Below the Radar 1950-2000” by Roderick Kiracofe.  The book shows a stunning collection of quilts of collector Roderick Kiracofe.  There are no elaborate Baltimore style appliques or blue ribbon showpieces, but rather a collection of more casual works by predominately undocumented quilters.  Ordinary quilters who at times produced extraordinary works using their limited stash.   These quilters were unafraid to put fabrics together that did not always match. 

In working my own stash, I have come up with a few ideas that I will share.   1) Commitment – Stay with it. Trust your instincts.

      2) Dig deep – If that perfect fabric does not surface, look again. If that perfect fabric is not there, can something else be used?

      3)Unbundle your bundles – This may seem counterintuitive but if you bundled some fabric for a project years ago, unbundle it.  Your ideas on use of the fabric have probably evolved and that certain something you need for your current project may just be in a bundle that you have not gotten to, and may never.

      4)Don’t save a fabric – This too may sound counterintuitive but if you have been saving a favored fabric for some time, it could just be what you are looking for your current project. Use it!  This also gives you a great reason to revisit your local quilt shop for your next project!

      5) Remember - It’s All a Journey! 

Chris Harkins

Ronald McDonald House Snacks

Cindy Vognetz and Eileen Mincarelli and I bagged up the treats  for Ronald McDonald House that all of you have donated. We have 213 snack bags containing 3 or 4 items each. I know that this will make a lot of children happy. Thank you for your generosity.

Jean Zubert

Quilt Happenings

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

Quilters Unlimited
Virginia’s Beautiful Waters
June 3-5, 2016
Chantilly, Virginia
www.quiltersunlimited.org/quiltshow

Quilting by the Bay 2016
June 11-12, 2016
The Annapolis Quilt Guild
Annapolis Senior High School
Annapolis, MD
www.annapolisquiltguild.org

Trash to Treasure
June 11, 2016, 10 AM – 1 PM
Main Line Quilters
Tredyffrin Township Library
www.mainlinequilters.org

Mid-Appalachian Quilters (MAQ)
July 15-17, 2016
Mount St Mary’s University
Emmitsburg, MD
www.maqonline.org

Quilt Odyssey
July 23-26, 2016
Hershey Lodge and Convention Center
Hershey, PA
www.quiltodyssey.com