President's Letter
2018 is a new year. Let’s look back at Penn Oaks in 2017. In February we celebrated our 30th birthday, the spring saw us busily preparing for our Quilt Show which was a great success in May, and at our June meeting we had Lonni Rossi as a special speaker. In September we honored our longtime member Jean Fox and enjoyed hearing about her love of Crazy Quilts and at our November meeting we learned all about Modern Quilts. Do you think 2017 was a good year for us?
At our December meeting, we started a conversation about fundraising and I hope to continue that at our next meeting. Please put your thinking caps on and come with your thoughts about a future quilt show or other fundraising ideas that you might have.
See you in January,
Stephanie Braskey
Meeting Minutes
December 11, 2017 Penn Oaks Quilt Guild Meeting Minutes
Stephanie Braskey announced that AseraCare is looking for quilters to meet and talk with other quilters who are in Hospice. We are hoping to get Kelly Warner Shaw to come and talk to us about this idea.
Diana Smyrl announced we have 55 members. Directories were sent out today. If there is questionable weather we will announce it by email, no later than 4:00 PM the day of the meeting.
Rita Marie Smith announced we will be having a Round Robin demo in January and will also be collecting snacks for the Ronald McDonald House. We will send out Round Robin instructions prior to the January meeting for the membership.
The Quilt Show was brought up again and there was discussion about having it or not and maybe downsizing the show or doing something different like a bazaar. No one volunteered to be the chairperson so it will be revisited in January after the membership has had time to think about it.
Our bylaw discussion was tabled as Debbie Becker was absent. Questions were brought up as to why the dues need to be in no later than June and if new members have to wait a full year to hold a position in the guild. The price of dues was also discussed and ideas on how to persuade people to get their dues in on time. Late dues delay the membership list, and disrupt the snack list and the newsletter. It was decided to email Debbie with any questions you have before the January meeting to help with the discussion. Please look up her email in the directory.
We are looking for members to send pictures and memories to the newsletter so that the guild can put together a collage board for Betsy Moses' husband to use at her memorial service in January. Please send them to Kelly Meanix at kellymx@aol.com. This was later revised to a remembrance book that was given to Betsy's family.
We enjoyed a fun night of Quilto, hosted by Robin McMillen, a block exchange accompanied by yummy snacks and prizes. Happy New Year to all!
Repectfully submitted,
Kelly Meanix substituting for Leslie O'Brien
Programs - Rita Marie Smith and Linda Kerschner
January 8: Round Robin Demonstrations and Charity Project: Guild members will be giving 15 - 20 minute demos on quilt binding, embellishment beading, paper piecing and continuous binding. If anyone has attended a workshop or has a technique they would like to share and demo, please let me know. Great opportunity to get advice on what may be perplexing you in these areas whether you are new to quilting or not. There will be no handouts. All info will be posted online.
Our guild has many community outreach opportunities. One of which is the Ronald McDonald House. Jean Zubert has been making and delivering snack bags for pediatric patients and we can give her a helping hand. Please bring any individually wrapped snack items to our January meeting such as cookies, crackers, small candy items, fruit snacks, pretzels. Something your children or grandchildren would like. Families come from all over the U.S. and the world to CHOP for the extraordinary care they can get there for their seriously ill child. Moms and Dads are so appreciative of these little goodie bags they can give to their child. It's a good time to sit, chat, relax after the hectic holidays and help brighten a child's day.
Ronald McDonald House Snacks
Ronald McDonald House Snacks
We will be assembling the snack bags for Ronald McDonald House during the Round Robbin in January. To date I have received some snack items but more would be appreciated. Any small individually wrapped item -- cookies, candy, crackers, pretzels -- anything your kids would like.
Any questions --
Jean Zubert
484-369-8706
February 12: Annual Challenge - See special write-up. Also...Kelly Shaw of AseraCare Hospice, Exton, has asked if she could speak to us for a few minutes and share with us a hospice program she is the Volunteer Care Coordinator of.
March 12: Silent Auction - See special write-up. Speaker TBA
April 9: Gail Kessler, of Lady Fingers Quilt Shop, Oley, PA. Author, fabric designer, instructor. Her topic: "From Concept to Cloth"
May 14: Sara Bond, quilter and teacher will tell us about family members and quilts dating back to the Civil War.
June ll: Joyce Hughes, award winning quilter, lecturer and teacher. She will speak about her journey into quilting and thread painting.
Workshop Opportunity with Joyce Hughes, Monday, June 11. Time TBA. Joyce has offered to hold a workshop for us on raw edge applique, dimension thread painting and embellishment. It would be during the day, June 11, at the Frazer Mennonite Church with a maximum of 15 participants. The cost per person to be determined by the number attending. Joyce would provide a kit for $15 and a supply list. I will have a sign-up sheet at upcoming meetings to see how many would be interested. You can visit her web site to see an example of a panel we would use www.joycehughesoriginals.com/classes.
Hospitality - Angel
The snack contributions for our Holiday meeting were awesome! Team work makes the dream work!! The list for January is: P.Smith, D. Smyrl, S. Stiverson*, L.Telson, P.Toghill*, C.Vognetz, D. Wertheiser, P.White, J. Zubert. A star after your name indicates you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack. Don't forget to switch your responsibility with a friend if you can't attend so we don't run short.
Membership - Diana Smyrl
January Birthdays are as follows:
Diana Smyrl
Mitzi McGlynchy
Hospitality - Angel
The snack contributions for our Holiday meeting were awesome! Team work makes the dream work!! The list for January is: P.Smith, D. Smyrl, S. Stiverson*, L.Telson, P.Toghill*, C.Vognetz, D. Wertheiser, P.White, J. Zubert. A star after your name indicates you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack. Don't forget to switch your responsibility with a friend if you can't attend so we don't run short.
Write as Desired
My Favorite Things (a poem to be sung)
Cream-colored backgrounds
And whimsical cottons
Kaffe Fasset bold plaids and wonderful patterns
Batiks with repros all mixed in one fling
These are a few of my favorite things.
Glass beads in clusters
Floss running in stitches
Small squares of bowties to quilt in the ditches
Beautiful buttons all tied on with string
These are a few of my favorite things.
Thirties fun solids and
Cute happy flowers
My stash of fabric I look at for hours
Threads of all colors that make quilting zing
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the bobbin’s out
When the needle breaks
When my points look bad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don’t feel
so mad.
May you have all of your favorite things this New Year!
Christine Harkins
Calling all Quilters
Please clean out your sewing rooms
and donate to the Penn Oaks Silent Auction
This can be a major fundraiser for our Guild!
***********************************
***********************************
Only two months left (January and February)
for collecting all of your unwanted material
notions.
Diana Smyrl
Downingtown Library Quilts - Leslie O'Brien
A Call For Quilts! The Downingtown Library is sponsoring a quilt show to promote quilts as art with the quilts to be raffled off as a fund raiser for the library. We are looking for any interested quilter to make a small “art” quilt as a donation. The size request is 16” wide by 20” long. Any subject matter, any method, including hand or machine quilting and any form of embellishment is acceptable. Please sign or label your quilt and include a sleeve or corner triangles for hanging. A dowel is not necessary. Raffle tickets will be sold at the library while the quilts are on display. Winning tickets will be drawn at an evening reception on April 6th. Winners will be able to take their quilts that night or pick them up later at the library. For a little incentive , the quilter whose quilt sells the most tickets will win a $25 cash prize. Quilts will be accepted any time between now and March 20 at the library or they may be given to one of the following people: Karen Smith (Downingtown Library)- ksmith@ccls.org Debby O’Keefe - dokeefe19@hotmail.com Leslie O’Brien- leslieobriensk8@comcast.net Please send the following information to confirm your intention to participate to Debby - dokeefe19@hotmail.com: Your name: E-mail address: any questions? Thank you so much for supporting the library and quilts as art!
2018 Challenge - Denise Blake
The response for the challenge has been terrific, so far. I'm really pleased.
So, here's how it works:
I will have fat quarters available at our meetings. Each fat quarter will cost a member $1.00. It's not so much an ugly fabric, as it is difficult to use.
For the challenge, one MUST use at least a 5" square of fabric on the quilt, and no, that 5" can not be used on the back of the quilt. You may cut that 5" square up, just as long as 5" are used.
I came to my senses and thought not everyone would like a 16"x 24" hanging their homes, seeing as how there will likely be no quilt show. So the new size is no bigger than 40" x 40".
The challenge will be at our February meeting, so you have plenty of time to think of something.
That's it. Pretty simple. If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail or call me. Please look Denise's phone number or email up in the membership list.
Thank you.
Denise Blake
Charity Corner
Charity Corner
Baby Bits As always, feel free to make baby quilts, 30 x 30, for the NICU at Chester County Hospital. CCH also accepts knitted or crocheted baby blankets that are used in the general nursery. At this time, the nursery does not need baby hats.
CCH also has Ob/Gyn Clinic Services for those in need. The clinic will happily accept blankets and hats that are quilted, knitted or crocheted. Color is not important. Use scraps of yarn and fabric!!
Pillowcases Children’s can be given to Debbie Becker or Suzanne Doonan.. Adult pillowcases can be given to Diana Smirl. Links to pillowcase instructions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrYWCma9wgM&list=PLN02zJgWGLKu-VExeoYcjgAy4OZvQ44-b (you can use just 2 different fabrics)
Frustrated Fidgeters. PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING ONE OF THESE AS THEY ARE VERY NEEDED! The Pocopson Nursing Home has asked us to make sewn or knitted items for dementia, Alzheimer’s, etc. patients, who may become agitated and need to keep their hands occupied. These are designed to offer an outlet for anxious fidgeting.
A twiddlemuff is a double thickness hand muff with bits and bobs attached inside and out. Fleece would work well. An activity blanket or pillow serves the same purpose. Activity blankets are comforting of they have some weight to them (3-5 lbs.) – this gives a sense of security. A blanket can be weighed down with thicker fill, rice, dried beans, etc. All items must be firmly attached or, if detachable, must be too large to be swallowed.
For more ideas google twiddlemuff images and look on pinterest.
Chester Bears
There is a group led by Susan Longenecker that makes stuffed bears for use in the CCH emergency department.
Anything you make can be given to Debbie Becker or Suzanne Doonan at meetings.
2018 Getaway - Ellen McMillen and Pat Sherman We have room for one more quilter at the Getaway. The room block is full for Wednesday night but there is a room available for Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. The Getaway will be held at the Amish View Inn & Suites at 3125 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand, from February 21st to 25th. The room rates (including tax) for a single room are $102.12 for Thursday night and $150.96 for Friday/Saturday nights. There is also a $20.00 fee to cover the shared cost of the sewing room and for the Saturday evening meal. If you are interested please contact Ellen McMillen (ejmcmillen@verizon.net) as soon as possible. Full payment is needed the first week in January.
Quilt Happenings
Quilters’ Winter Retreat
February 22-25, 2017
Holiday Garden Inn
720 Eagleview Blvd.
Exton, Pa 19341
Click here for more details
Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild
February 22-25, 2017
Holiday Garden Inn
720 Eagleview Blvd.
Exton, Pa 19341
Click here for more details
Susquehanna Valley Quilt Guild
Loose Threads Quilters’ Tea
Saturday, March 10, 2018 (snow date March 17)
First United Church of Christ
145 Chestnut Street
Spring City, PA
Click here for more information
Saturday, March 10, 2018 (snow date March 17)
First United Church of Christ
145 Chestnut Street
Spring City, PA
Click here for more information
AQS Quilt Show – Lancaster
March 21-24, 2018
Lancaster County Convention Center
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Click here for more details
March 21-24, 2018
Lancaster County Convention Center
25 South Queen Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Click here for more details
The Lancaster Quilt Show continued at the Continental Inn
March 21-24, 2018
Click here for more details
March 21-24, 2018
Click here for more details
An Evening with Mary Fons
April 11, 2018
6-9pm
Easton Fire Hall
315 Aurora Park Drive
Easton, MD
Reservation 8.00
Send check to Bayside Quilters, P.O. Box 2672, Easton, MD 21601 (please include an email address for receipt)
April 11, 2018
6-9pm
Easton Fire Hall
315 Aurora Park Drive
Easton, MD
Reservation 8.00
Send check to Bayside Quilters, P.O. Box 2672, Easton, MD 21601 (please include an email address for receipt)
A World of Quilts
Calico Cutters Quilt Guild
May 4-5, 2018
Ashton Hall at the Church of the Good Samaritan
212 W. Lancaster Ave.
Paoli, PA
Click here for directions
Calico Cutters Quilt Guild
May 4-5, 2018
Ashton Hall at the Church of the Good Samaritan
212 W. Lancaster Ave.
Paoli, PA
Click here for directions
Quiltfest 2108
May 5-6, 2018
Colonial Quilters Guild
Charles Chrin Community Center
Palmer, PA
Click here for more details
May 5-6, 2018
Colonial Quilters Guild
Charles Chrin Community Center
Palmer, PA
Click here for more details
Celebration of Quilts 2018
May 18-19, 2018
York Quilters Guild
York College of PA
Click here for more details
May 18-19, 2018
York Quilters Guild
York College of PA
Click here for more details
Penn Dry Goods Market
Antiques Show and Sale
May 18th and 19th, 2018
Friday – 10:00 – 5:00
Saturday – 10:00 – 4:00
Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073
Click here for more
details
Antiques Show and Sale
May 18th and 19th, 2018
Friday – 10:00 – 5:00
Saturday – 10:00 – 4:00
Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA 18073
Click here for more
details
Brandywine Valley Quilters
Quilt Show
October 19-21st, 2018
Brookhaven Municipal Building
2 Cambridge Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015
Click here for more details
Quilt Show
October 19-21st, 2018
Brookhaven Municipal Building
2 Cambridge Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015
Click here for more details
