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President's Letter
Hello fellow quilters!
Well, I don’t need to tell you that now that Thanksgiving celebrations are over…Christmas is just around the corner!! I only expect the time to fly from here on out! Leaving me with so much I’d like to get done and little time to complete it. Some helpful tips, that I need to abide by to feel that I did accomplish my tasks:
- Make lists!! A list of all of those you would like to make crafts as gifts…and what each gift will be.
- Then make a list of all the holiday special events you want to make sure you include in this holiday season. Example: attend a Christmas show, decorate the home, attend parties. Grab a calendar and mark those events on it.
- Now, budget the time it takes to make those crafts…individually. Then add that time up for all those gifts and see how you can divide the time and put an increment of time, each day, or in the days truly available to you to work on them. For instance, if I wanted to have a cookie baking event with the family, that day is off my calendar for any chance to work on my projects.
- Evaluate the time you figured in to work on those gifts…now, does it sound reasonable to get them all done? If not, look into quick easier projects, or shorten your list of recipients.
- Lastly, enlist…enlist help!! Do you have a daughter, niece/nephew, grand kids, or friends that you would love to spend time with over the holiday season? Ask if they would like to help you work on some sewing projects…if they don’t sew, maybe they can assist with fabric selections, cutting patterns out, pinning, etc.
- Importantly, no matter what you do complete or don’t complete for the holidays…just have fun and spend time with those you love.
Happy Holidays!
Helen Hofbauer
Programs - Rita Marie Smith and Denise Blake
December 10: Christmas Holiday Party (Members only please) Who doesn't love to play bingo ? We will be playing the quilt version....Quilto and there will be prizes ! We'll also have our annual holiday block exchange. Make and bring a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished holiday theme block of your choice. Please wrap it or put it in a gift bag. There will be a designated table to put your wrapped block on. You may make as many blocks as you wish. For each one you bring, you will receive one. Yummy refreshments and show and tell of course.
January 14: Penn Oaks Guild member Robin McMillen is our speaker. Robin's topic - History of Visual Arts and How to Draw Inspiration From Your Favorite Artists and Reflect That in Your Quilt. Robin will be speaking about the history of artistic expression and the 7 different forms of art - Architecture, Sculpture, Painting, Music, Poetry, Dance, Performing. She will bring in many of my quilts and discuss how famous artwork I admire influenced the decisions she made. It is her hope that the talk will inspire others to look at their quilts differently and incorporate elements from their favorite artists be it colors or design. It will be a presentation that will include a slide show with quilts as well.
February 11: Ann Tumolo of the Calico Cutters Guild. Ann will have a trunk show A Parade of Quilts for us. I have asked Ann to bring some wall hangings she made and painted faces on. In addition, she is going to demonstrate thread painting. She has taken many classes from Joyce Hughes. I am hoping to have 2 other demos by Penn Oaks Guild members. Perhaps paper piecing and applique. Volunteers needed !
March Annual Challenge. Dana has information and directions posted below.
Pillowcase Challenge: Kits will be available at the November, December and January meetings to take home, sew, wash (in the in free and clear variety of laundry detergent please) and returned in the plastic bag provided. You may use your own novelty 100% cotton fabric or a flannel novelty fabric if you'd like. If you need directions, they can be found online at Ryan's Case for Smiles or on you tube as the hot dog pillowcase. If you are looking for a tutorial on how to make a pillowcase using the hot dog method you will find it here http://pinkadotquilts.blogspot.com/2018/06/
Hospitality - Angel
Snack list for the December Holiday meeting is: L. Telson, C. Vognetz, J. Burke, M. Campbell, M.Caporale, M.Carlson*, D. Daley, C. Davis, K.DeCarli*, R. DeCarli, N. DiTeodoro, E. Eagan*, FA Grider, A. Henderson, H. Hofbauer, B. Holden*, D.Holzwarth, M. Hopkins, K.Joyce. If there is a star after your name please bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack and please remember to switch your responsibility with a friend if you cannot attend.
Great News: We sold the 14th vendor spot so the show is now fully booked. Here is a list of vendors:
Ladyfingers Sewing (3 spaces), The Quilt Ledger (2 spaces), Faraway Road Stitchery (2 spaces), Pat Beard Handwovens, Happy Valley Quilting, The Bee and the Bear, Journey Quilting (Deb Tucker 180 Rulers), Cork and Cloth, Handmaiden Designs and
The Engraver/The Green Hill Collection
This is a very nice mix of vendors. Many of you have requested we mix it up and we think you'll be pleased. Thank you Suzanne, Maureen and Nancy!
Another highlight - Smithfield Barn will again grace our show with her wonderful antiques. Chris is already gathering items with our show in mind.
Here is what you can do to prepare for the show. Remember: the proceeds from the show provide the funding for our wonderful programs. Rita Marie has done a great job with speakers and we want to keep that going strong. Jeannie Campbell was wonderful at the November meeting. 1. Make a mini quilt for the raffle, 16 by 24 portrait orientation. The only rules are that the quilt must be complete and properly finished and cheater cloth cannot be used. For our newer members take a look at the 2017 Quilt Show link on pennnoaksquilters.org for ideas.
We are hoping for 100% participation. Any questions contact Eileen Mincarelli (Eileen4874@aol.com) or Jean Zubert (jzbeachchair@aol.com)
2. Make a quilt for display in the show. We need more beautiful quilts to show case. We will not have judging at this show which we hope will encourage more members to exhibit. You may also sell your quilt with a 10% commission to the guild.
3. Make items to sell in our Acorn Shoppe -- 80% of the profits go to you or you can donate all proceeds to the guild. Contact Helen Hofbauer (hhofbauer@comcast.net) or Denise Blake (dewpink@gmail.com) with questions
4. Start thinking about where you would like to work during the show. In the spring there will be sign up sheets. We will need volunteers to sign up for hourly spots. Here are some of the volunteer opportunities:
- Sell registration tickets at the front door, we want friendly faces greeting attendees
- Work in the Acorn Shoppe selling items
- Sell raffle tickets for the baskets or mini-quilts - more friendly faces
- Work as a white glove person
- Sign up for Prep cooking the week of the show
- Sign up to work in the kitchen with either the cooking or collecting the money
- Sign up for set-up the day prior to the show
- Sign up for clean up after the show There will likely be time at the December meeting to answer your questions. Please reach out to us, we'd love to hear your suggestions and ideas. Robin McMillen (robin_mcmillen@yahoo.com) and Ellen McMillen (ejmcmillen@verizon.net), 2019 Quilt Show Co-Chair
Quilt Show Raffle Baskets
One of our fundraisers for the quilt show in May is raffle baskets. We plan on preparing 10 baskets with different themes to be raffled at the quilt show. There are many ways that quilt guild members can participate.
- Volunteer to coordinate a basket
- Join a basket team to plan and collect the basket contents
- Contribute items for the baskets that relate to the chosen themes.
- Contribute monetarily to the baskets.
Thank you to those who signed up at the November meeting. We have volunteers for 5 baskets. The themes are:
*Tea & Coffee
*Wine & Chocolate
*Pets
*Spa Day
*Movies
We are asking members to bring items to donate to the December guild meeting. These items don’t have to be quilt related. Dog/cat toys, tea, coffee, chocolate, pampering items, movies etc. are needed. If you are inspired and want to contribute a home made item for the theme that would be great.
We also need volunteers for 5 more baskets. There will be a sign up sheet at the December meeting. Create a theme or choose one of the suggestions on the sign up sheet. It will be fun to see what we can put together. If you have any questions please email me at ellenlance55@gmail.com.
Quilt Show Mini Quilt Idea
Just in case you are looking for a little fun sewing over the next few weeks Check out Coriander Quilts. This would make a very cute mini quilt for the Quilt Show. Just add some borders or extra blocks to make it the correct size.
Challenge - Dana O'Connor
Choose an artist from the following list and create a quilt (no more than 150 inches in perimeter) either representing a piece by that painter or design something in the style of that painter. Bring to the March meeting unlabeled or with the label covered in a brown paper bag. Edvard Munch, Pablo Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Rembrandt Michelangelo, Paul Klee, Georgia O'Keeffe, Van Gogh, Monet Salvador Dali, Da Vinci, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Matisse, Degas, Rubens, Norman Rockwell, Andrew Wyeth, Jamie Wyeth or Maxfield Parrish.
2019 Getaway Update - Pat Sherman and Ellen McMillen
Oops correction - We have 24 members signed up for the Getaway, leaving four available spaces. For our new members the Getaway will be held at the Amish View Inn & Suites at 3125 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird-in-Hand from February 20th to 24th. You may reserve for one or more nights. The room rates (including tax) for a single/double room will be $102.12 per night for Wednesday/Thursday nights, and $150.96 per night for Friday/Saturday nights. The double queen rooms have free Wi-Fi, a microwave and a refrigerator. A fantastic complimentary full hot breakfast buffet with made to order eggs, pancakes and waffles is served daily in the Lobby Great Room. Coffee and tea is available all day in the lobby. To learn more about the Amish View Inn visit their web sitewww.amishviewinn.com. If you would like to attend please contact Ellen before the December meeting. She can answer your questions and send you the reservation form.
Reminder - the final payment is due at the December meeting. Ellen will let you know the amount of the room balance due prior to the meeting.
Reminder - the final payment is due at the December meeting. Ellen will let you know the amount of the room balance due prior to the meeting.
Getaway Opportunity - Denise Blake
As many of you know, I work at the Joanne's store in Downingtown. A couple of weeks ago, these two wonderful women came into the store (they were looking for something in particular, but, of course, we got side tracked on other subjects) and it turns out that they run a getaway several times a year. It is held at a B & B in Lancaster, includes several meals, a mystery quilt-working at your own pace-an original design by one of the women, room and board, irons and cutting mats are supplied, you can use one of their sewing machines, if you let them know in advance, unlimited soda/water/iced tea, time to shop and explore, friendship, and help if needed. All for around $300 from a Friday to a Sunday. Check out www.quiltaways.com. I told them that I would mention them to our guild and they will mention out quilt show to patrons. Not a bad deal. So, check out the website and maybe go. It looks like a lot of fun.
Denise Blake
Fabric News!
I know many of you have probably ooohed and aaahed over Cotton & Steel fabric from RJR. Well the ladies have left Cotton & Steel and are now called Ruby Star Society by MODA. You can read all about it HERE They are very talented and have some beautiful designs, with a vintage yet modern flair. Check them out!
NEW!!!!!! Sew Your Stash Sew Along
Mystery Sew Along
We are starting a new idea in the guild starting in January. If you are interested in signing up please email me and I will put you on the email list.
1. Instructions for each step will be given out monthly. I will email you the directions and it will be available in the guild newsletter at the end of the month.
2. Sew at your own pace, we are not swapping or exchanging, so everything you sew will be in your quilt. The quilt will finish at queen size. If you prefer a smaller quilt, simply stop when you have reached the size you prefer.
3. I highly encourage you to use your stash! Make do with what you have if possible. If you want to have one consistent background fabric throughout the quilt, 2 ½ yards should be enough (no guarantees depending on the sewing methods you choose!)
4. Feel free to use which ever method works best for you. Directions will be printed using traditional strip piecing methods when practical. I highly encourage you to make changes or modifications according to your personal preferences. Feel free to substitute any step.
5. Bring your progress to share at show and tell. It will be fun to see how similar/different our quilts are. Feel free to send your questions to Kelly Meanix at kellymx@aol.com
6. We have about 20 people signed up. If you are interested in participating, please email me. I will email the instructions on the first day of each month, and I will put them in the newsletter which comes out at the end of the month.
Cherrywood Challenge Opportunity
Cherrywood Challenge Opportunity
I wanted to share the announcement of the new Cherrywood Fabrics challenge. Owner Karla Overland keeps surprising us with her challenge themes, including Broadway musicals, Van Gogh, and Prince. For 2019, she has chosen Bob Ross, a dorky guy who became a big celebrity through a PBS show on how to paint. Although Bob Ross has been dead since 1995, his fame still grows, with his shows now viewed on YouTube.
There are a couple of things that are different in this year's challenge, most especially that ALL the fabrics in your 20 inch square challenge quilt must be Cherrywood and in the chosen palette that is based on BR's favorite colors. Go here for more information Cherrywood Challenge
Quilt Happenings
Susquehanna Art Museum, Thru January 20, 2019. Color Improvisations 2. Special invitational exhibition of contemporary quilts curated by Nancy Crow.
http://www.susquehannaartmuseum.org/galleries/colorimprovisations-2/
AQS QuiltWeek, March 27-29, 2019, Lancaster County Convention Center. http://www.quiltweek.com/locations/lancaster-pa/ The Lancaster Quilt Show, March 27-30, 2019. Double Tree Resort.
https://www.lancasterquiltweek.com/ Homemaker’s Country Quilters, Blooms of Spring, April 5- 6, 2019. Penn State Extension Building, Collegeville, PA http://homemakerscountryquilters.org/2019-quilt-show/
Ocean Waves Quilt Guild, Bird’s’ Blooms and Butterflies Quilt Show, April 26-27, 2019. Sussex Academy, Georgetown DE. https://www.oceanwavesquiltguild.org/quilt-show
Penn Oaks Quilters, For the Love of Quilting X, May 3-4, 2019. Griffith Hall, Ludwig’s Corner Fire House, Glenmoore, PA http://www.pennoaksquilters.org/
Quilt Fest Mancuso Show http://www.mancusoshows.com/upcoming-shows-and-events/quiltfest-lancaster/ May 9-11, 2019
Quilters Unlimited, Sea to Shining Sea, May 31- June 2, 2019. www.quiltersunlimited.org/quilt-show
