March 2020 Newsletter

President's Letter

Hello Fellow Guild Members!

I just got back from a great weekend at the Getaway! Wow! I can’t say enough about spending the time with friends, sewing on projects, and scoping out new fabric store finds!! I really enjoyed it.

I’m embarrassed to say, with all my other projects I need to finish, I did jump into another one!! Metro Rings! It’s like the Double Wedding Ring, but, for me, not as time consuming. Here’s a sample of what I started:

For those of you who haven’t joined the group on the getaway, it’s a must! Think about coming next year.

Now...back to working on the challenge for this month...what to make is always the hardest part. 😉

See you at the March meeting!
Helen Hofbauer
President

Ways and Means Update - Robin McMillen

• Acorn Shoppe Vintage Sale scheduled for Saturday September 26th at the Church where we meet.  So mark your calendars!  This is our primary fundraiser so it is extremely important
• I spoke with Jen Burke who is in charge of Programs next year and confirmed that the September Guild meeting will be devoted to getting items ready for the sale, bundling fabric and scraps, pricing items, planning, etc.  
• Think about consigning items.  Just like the Acorn Shoppe at the quilt show, you can make and consign items.  Guild would get 20% of the sale price.  Elaine Mayer and Marianne Caporale are running the consignments, please reach out to them with questions.  Consigned items in the past included, pin cushions, homemade greeting cards, aprons, purses, bags, unfinished blocks of the month, etc. 
• For all of you keeping items for the sale at your home -- thank you so much this is very helpful.  
• Carolyn Davis had a great idea for selling reusable beeswax wraps that we can make ahead of time.  These replace plastic wrap so are environmentally friendly.  I am researching materials and I will have some details to share at our March Meeting.  

Please reach out if you have any questions (Robin_mcmillen@yahoo.com, (610)836-1363)

Cleaning Tip.  

I got this from Real Simple and it is a formula for Granite counter cleaner but it works on so many different things, glass cook tops, bathroom sinks and I used it to clean my metallic ironing board cover ( it was covered in steam a seam glue and lint and threads).  I just sprayed it on and used an old abrasive towel to wipe it off.  I repeated a few times until it was all clean, I also sprayed it on and covered the board with the towel then ironed it to soften the glue.  

• 1 cup of water
• 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol 
• 1 Tbsp of Castile Soap I use Lavender but any fragrance will do.  You can buy it at Target too, the link is for Amazon.  I use it for everything, it is environmentally friendly. 
• https://www.amazon.com/Dr-Bronners-Pure-Castile-Liquid-Soap/dp/B0009R16MA/ref=sr_1_31?crid=1VO1GIJCEP5N6&keywords=castile+soap+liquid&qid=1582547734&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011&rnid=2470954011&rps=1&sprefix=castil%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-31

Robin McMillen

(610)836-1363

(610)873-2950

Hospitality - Angel
Snack list for the March guild meeting is: H. Hofbauer, D. Holzworth, M. Hopkins,E. Lance*, J. Loncaric, E. Mayer, E. McMillen, R. McMillen*, K. Meanix. Bring a drink for the group if you have a star after your name and remember to switch your responsibility with a friend if you cannot attend so we don't run short which happens particularly when we have guests.

Membership-Kathy & Bob DeCarli and Marianne Caporale
We had 2 new members in attendance along with 29  “old” members . Congratulations to Denise and her crew for a great event. We had one visitor she seemed impressed with our enthusiasm.  

The updated membership list was sent out last week. 

March Birthdays
Jen Burke
Marti Campell
FayAnn Grider
Pat Sherman 

Nominating Committee - Maureen Carlson and Kelly Meanix

Getting involved in your guild is fun and exciting! You get to help set the direction the guild will be going into the future. We are looking for someone to lead the way as President. If you think you might be interested please contact Maureen at mlcarlsonwc@gmail.com or Kelly at kellymx@aol.com Our current president, Helen Hofbauer is also willing to talk to you to help give you an idea of the job.We have new members that have not yet volunteered in a committee or board position and we would love to hear from you! There are plenty of people to help you along the way!

Community Outreach - Elaine Mayer

Hi Penn Oaks Quilters!

Thank you all for your generous donations for the Honeybrook Food Bank; they truly appreciate our support. The Food Bank serves 700 - 800 families per month. They also have many satellite programs for those in need, including back pack distribution, financial classes, clothing distribution and others. Our contact at the Food Bank is Ken Ross. Here is a helpful list for items needed all the time:

canned fruits, canned tuna or chicken, cereal, fruit juice, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, soup, toiletry items like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant and toilet tissue.

They will also accept cash or gift cards which they use to purchase meats, produce and dairy products.

I will collect donations monthly and deliver them to the Food Bank. Our goal is 600 pounds this year. In February, we collected 50 pounds.

We had great fun at the February meeting putting blocks together for quilts that will be donated to Veteran hospice patients of Main Line Home Care and Hospice. The board may have a date in mind for additional cutting, sewing and pressing. Thanks to Denise for her work in making this happen.

Just a reminder that Brenda Calhoun is accepting blocks or quilts, now for the Women's Shelter in Phoenixville (60 x 80"). Please refer to her hand out or consider helping with 5" square blocks sewn into a nine patch, or 7" squares made into a four patch. You may use 2 colors or an assortment of colors. Brenda will then sew the blocks into quilts. Brenda will happily accept donations of batting, fabric, cutting, quilting and binding.

Penn Oaks quilters will also be sewing the Teddy Bears for Chester County Hospital.

I will bring multiple patterns to the next meeting for anyone who wishes to participate 

I am looking forward to the retreat where I hope to do a good bit of charity sewing. Thank you again for your generous spirits and donations,

Elaine

Seeing Stars Sew Along! Last year Diane from Butterfly Threads gave me permission to use her patterns for our sew along. She has another she is doing this year. I thought I would pass it along for those that want ANOTHER project or some of you that did not want to do our current sew along.

Quilt Challenge - Lynn Telson

Quilt Challenge!!!!! It is here! I look forward to seeing all of the creative items guild members have come up with representing their favorite farm animal.

Bring it to the March 9th meeting. There will be awards and prizes. 

Any questions call me. Lynn 717-799-0638 or email at lynntelson@gmail.com. 

Sampler Sew Along - Kelly Meanix

I hope you all are excited about our new Sampler Sew Along! I sent out the helpful hints page a few weeks ago. If you have it, save it or print it out. If you need it, email me and I will make sure you get them.

How did the February blocks go? How was the paper piecing?

As always, at any point if you have any problems contact me and I will be happy to help you out. Remember it is only 3 blocks a month, not hard I know you can do it!

The blocks go out on the 1st of the month, but I will be away on March 1st so I will send them out on February 27th. If you do not receive them, be sure to let me know.

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

Corresponding Secretary 

I am the corresponding secretary for the coming guild year.  I am asking each guild member to help me fulfill the mission of the Corresponding Secretary position.  Part of the position responsibilities is what is called "sunshine".  Sunshine is where cards are sent to members of the guild that have been ill, hospitalized, have lost a loved one, or are struggling in some other way.  Since I don't talk with each and every guild member consistently, I will need you all to e-mail me if you know of someone who could use some Sunshine in their lives from Penn Oaks!

Thanking you in advance for your assistance this year with this endeavor.  

Maureen Carlson

mlcarlsonwc@gmail.com

484-880-1984 (Cell) or 610-696-7736 (home)

Women's Sufferage

As I continue to read the blog "Pennsylvania Piecemaker", I am amazed at what women have accomplished in America’s history.  The blog's President's day entry from Monday, Feb 17th talks about women's efforts in the Civil War to raise money for the cause plus making quilts for the soldiers on the battlefield.  Those of you who are familiar with the Elm Creek Quilt series knows Jennifer Chiaverini goes back in history and tells about Elm Creek during the Civil War and their quilt making/fund raising efforts.  Michele McLaughlin also talks about other charity and good works efforts women throughout America's past have done.  If one thinks about our present day life style, we have a lot to be grateful to our female ancestors for.  We, too, should become involved in making our current world a better place for both our descendants and current fellow man.  Kudos to those of you who were at the February guild meeting and worked diligently on the charity quilts.  Challenge yourself and think about ways you, too, can participate to make this world a better place – even if it’s only for a little bit of time – with your favorite cause(s).  

Maureen Carlson

Newsletter Articles

As always members are invited to send items to be included in the newsletter. Please send them to Kelly Meanix at kellymx@aol.com Items are due no later than the 24th of the month. The newsletter is published on the 25th. Please send them in an email and not as an attachment.

Quilt Happenings

2020 Quilt Preview
March 5-7, 2020
Thursday & Friday: 9am – 8pm
Saturday: 9am – 3pm
MCC EC Material Resources Center
517 W. Trout Run Road
Ephrata, PA 17522
Click here for more info.

The Lancaster Quilt Show at The DoubleTree
March 25-28, 2020
Willow Valley Resort
2400 Willow Street Pike
Lancaster, PA  17602
For more information, click here.

County Line Quilters presents “A Quilter’s Home”
March 28-29, 2020
St. Cyril of Jerusalem Social Hall
1410 Almshouse Road
Jamison, PA  18929
For more information, click here.

Pennsylvania Relief Sale
April 3 & 4, 2020
Farm Show Complex
Harrisburg, PA
Click here for more info.

Quilters/Crafters Garage Sale
Saturday April 25, 2020
9 am –1pm
Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church (Fellowship Hall)
500 McKennans Church Rd., Wilmington DE
For more info, contact Ladybug Quilt Guild

Colonial Quilters Guild Presents “QuiltFest 2020”
May 2 – 3, 2020
Charles Chrin Community Center
4100 Green Pond Road
Palmer Township, PA  18045
For more information, click here.

Penn Dry Good Market
May 15 and 16, 2020
Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center
105 Seminary Street
Pennsburg, PA)
There will be lectures on quilts both days. Lecture is $25 in advance. ($30 at the door, if available).
More info and link to pre-register on the website www.schwenkfelder.com

York Quilters’ Guild Presents “Celebration of Quilts”
May 29 – 30, 2020
Grumbacher Sports & Fitness Center (York College)
899 S. Richland Ave.
York, PA  17403
For more information, click here.

Main Line Quilters  annual “TRASH TO TREASURE” Sale
Saturday, June 13, 2020
10 AM – 1 PM
Tredyffrin Touwship LIbrary
582 Upper Gulph Road
Strafford, PA. 19087
Click here for sale flyer.

Diamond State Quilt Show
Ladybug Quilt Guild
July 30 – August 1,  2020
The Independence School
1300 Papermill Road
Newark, DE  19711
For more information, click here.

Quilter’s Quest Shop Hop
October 8 – 12, 2020
For more information, click here.