Penn Oaks Quilt Guild

Sunday, September 1, 2013

September 2013 Newsletter

President's Letter
Hi Quilters

It has been a b-e-a-utiful August and I am looking forward to may favorite season - Fall! I love back to school, football games, pumpkins, marching band, etc. Orange is my favorite color so I am diligently working on a new Halloween quilt. I want it done by October 1. (it is always good to have a deadline) I hope you are all looking forward to a new guild year. We have many fun and informative meetings planned to keep everyone inspired and working on projects.

I have another example of a look what I made from member Suzanne Doonan.

Robin

"Here's a simple project, a stroller or car seat quilt, that I made for my grandson. It's approximately 28 in x 32 in. Make 2 - 24 inch x 3 inch pieces, folded over twice and stitched twice for the ties and attach them approx 10 in down the sides of the quilt. Tie it to the carseat or stroller so that it doesn't fall off in transit." See Photo

This is genius, I wish I had thought of this when my kids were little. Please send me your "Look what I made" projects so I can include them in the October newsletter.

This is a note for Board members and Committee heads. I will be contacting many of you personally in the near future to set up activities on the guild calendar and to discuss what is coming up. I do not see an need to meet as a group in September. Email me or call me if you have an questions and I am putting together the September agenda so email me if you would like to be on the agenda.

Keep Calm and Quilt on!

Robin McMillen

(610)836-1363

MEMBERSHIP: Jean Fox/Ellen McMillen
Two-thirds of our members have signed up for the new guild year. Membership runs from September 2013 through August 2014. For those of you who have not yet renewed your membership you will find the Membership Form on the right side of this newsletter under "Important Information." You can print one or pick one up at the meeting if needed.

Please bring a completed form with cash or check for $35.00 to the September meeting or mail it to Ellen McMillen, 810 Dowlin Forge Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335.

September Birthdays
Debbie Becker
Maureen Carlson
Martha Hopkins
Rikki Newlander
Lee Paylor
Tamara Rommel
Nancy Rubinelli
Suzanne Simmons

PROGRAMS- Leslie O'Brien

As we kick off the new Penn Oaks Quilting year we will welcome Dalen and Mitzie Keys. Dalen is the author of several books including children’s books “Just A Quilt?” and “The Mess.” His talk will include book readings, thoughts on ways to spark creativity, and a quilt show and tell with quilts that tell stories. Mitzie specializes in string quilting making this talk a nice segue from our last speaker last year. The Keys will bring books and quilting to supplies to sell so start to think about the youngsters on your holiday gift list.

We will be able to spend the whole day with our October speaker, Christine Morgan, on meeting day next month. She will bring us her stunning chenille. This is not your grandmother’s chenille! Prepare to be inspired by her lecture and learn a new technique if you can make it for the workshop during the day. The workshop form is attached.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Christine Harkins for her hard work on programs. She brought in some fabulous speakers and we all enjoyed the meeting she planned. Thanks Christine for the hard work!

PENN OAKS QUILT GUILD PRESENTS

A QUILT MAKERS APPROACH TO LAYERED AND SLASHED FABRICS WORKSHOP

By CHRISTINE MORGAN

DATE: OCTOBER 14, 2013

TIME: 12:00 – 5:00 (approx.)

LOCATION: Frazier Mennonite Church, 57 Maple Linden Lane, Frazer, PA

COST: $30.00 workshop fee

$20 kit fee to be paid to Christine the day of the workshop

CONTACT: Leslie O’Brien, 610-269-4845, leslieobriensk8@comcast.net

CHECK AND MONEY TO: Workshop fee (not kit fee) and form may be sent to:

(Checks to be made out to Penn Oaks Quilt Guild)

Leslie O’Brien

581 Whitford Hills Rd.

Exton, PA 19341

Or pay at Sept. Guild meeting

MATERIALS LIST WILL BE PROVIDED

DON’T FORGET: Power strip and extension cord

Eat lunch first or bring snack.

Water or beverage of choice

We will break for dinner before meeting. Dinner will not be provided.

Chenille cutters may be ordered at The Quilt Block in Exton. They can order several different styles so you can choose the one you like best. Please order promptly so you have it in time for the workshop.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

PHONE/CELL PHONE:

EMAIL:

AMOUNT PAID:

Hospitality - Angel
Summer is almost gone and I'm sending the snack list a bit early as I have to go

out of town until Sunday. Also I have noted a pattern of getting 100% response 
bringing in snacks when the newsletter is sent closer to the meeting time.  The 
earlier it is sent out the more likely people forget.  The meeting when we had a 
cake to celebrate the successful quilt show only one snack came in!  Just an 
observation.  Septembers list is :

A. Barchi, D. Becker, D. Blake*, C. Block, 
S. Borr*, S. Braskey, J.Brown.

A* next to your name means you bring a beverage 
for the group instead of a snack.  If you can't attend the meeting, please 
switch with a friend and let me know.


Patches of Love:  Rita Marie Smith
Please bring all your completed pillowcases to Guild Monday night.  Just a few more would bring our total to 100 to send off to the pediatric unit at Penn State Hershey.  A big thank you to the 11 ladies who have already contributed.  What would you like our charity work to be this year?  Pillowcases for breast cancer patients,  ConnKerr,  quilts for kids,  walker bags for folks in senior living?  Mention was made at a meeting about small special quilts for children and adults with autism.  Bring your thoughts and suggestions to Guild.  Thanks.






Penn Oaks 2013-2014 Round Robin



Instead of doing the traditional “Block of the Month” this year, Penn Oaks Quilters will be doing a “Round Robin”  A “Round Robin” is a quilt top that is made by a group of quilters and can be thought of as a variation of a friendship quilt.  We are going to do what is called a “Progressive Round Robin”.  The idea is based on a book by M’Liss Raw Hawley called “Round Robin Renaissance”.  Each participating person makes the equivalent of  two (2) – 12.5” blocks for each “box”  each month.  It can be two 12.5” blocks or the equivalent number of smaller units which can be used as setting blocks or sew together by the box owner at the end however they want.   You may not have time to do a paper pieced 12.5 square that month but you can do a set of  6.5” 4 patches or half square triangles that can be used to set the other blocks within the quilt top. 



Each quilter who signs up to participate will gather together at least 3 yards of material of at least 3 different fabrics.  Each participating quilter will fill out a guidance sheet indicating the participant’s preferences for the types of fabrics and blocks each quilter in their group will make for them.  The fabrics, along with the guidance sheet, will be placed in a plastic 14”  x 14” carry box (scrap booking storage box as found at Joanne’s).  This box will be brought to guild each month and passed among the participating group members till all group members have an opportunity to make the 2 12.5” blocks for that box.  At the end of the guild year, each participant will have 12 completed blocks ready to set into a quilt top.  



Groups will be limited to 6 people.  Sign-up can occur any time prior to or at the September meeting.  Please e-mail me if you are interested in participating so I can start organizing the groups.  A number of guild members already signed up at the June meeting.








The Groups are:



Skill Level:

Type of Quilt / Techniques


Beginner

Pieced blocks only


Beginner

Applique – Only   (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)


Beginner

Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.


Intermediate/Advanced

Pieced blocks only


Intermediate/Advanced

Applique – Only   (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)


Intermediate/Advanced

Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.






 Schedule:



September 2013

Sign up; organize people into groups, et al


October  2013

Boxes are due for  1^st exchange


November 2013

2^nd exchange


December  2013

No round robin exchange – Christmas block exchange and party time Plus everyone is busy with holiday preparations


January 2014

3^rd block exchange


February 2014

4^th block exchange


March 2014

5^th block exchange


April 2014

6^th block exchange


May 2014
Return of all boxes to owner. 

June 2014

Show and tell of blocks within each group. 


September 2014

Show and Tell of finished Quilt Tops to Guild and Group Members





 




In fairness to group participants, we are establishing these “rules” for this project:

-          This is a commitment.  If you have  doubts that you can complete 2 – 12.5” blocks each month on time and get it back to guild, don’t sign up.  There will be other opportunities in the future that will be a better fit with your availability to sew each month.  We’ve all “been there” when life gets in the way of something we want to do.

-           If you can’t make it to guild for a particular meeting, find someone to bring your box for exchange and to bring you your next box from the meeting.  If you don’t have a “friend” attending the meeting that month, participants can drop off/pick up boxes at my house.  I am working from home (telecommuting) and can usually answer the door for 5 minutes or get something quickly off the front porch.  Please let me know if you will not make a meeting or when you will stop by my house to retrieve your month’s box.  . 

-          I will be available throughout if the participants have any questions on what to make.  We have sample blocks available. 

-          I will track each group’s boxes each meeting.  Participants will “turn” in the boxes to me; at the beginning of each guild meeting.   I will note who has already had whose box to ensure all boxes get distributed equally. 



Recommendation to save time each month: 

-          Find a favorite “block”  (or set of blocks) that you will make for each quilt.  Then all you need to do each month is select which fabrics to use, cut and sew.  It is much more time consuming when you try and figure out a new block or blocks for each person each month.  There is also something nice about seeing your same blocks in different quilts with  different fabrics and set in different ways.



If you think you are interested and/or want more information and sample pictures of “Progressive Round Robin” quilts from the “Round Robin Renaissance” book, please e-mail me @ mlcarlsonwc@yahoo.com. 


Maureen Carlson



Upcoming Quilt Events

September 19-22, 2013



Oaks, PA



www.quiltfest.com 







Airing
of the Quilts Outdoor Quilt Show



October 5, 2013 



Tunkhannock, PA



Presented by Endless Mountain Quiltworks



www.airingof thequilts.com



ladybug Quilters are sponsoring a bus
trip to this event.  Contact parsonsp1217@verizon.net
if you are interested by 8/12. 







Scraps
to Treasures



October 11-12, 2013



Presented by Keystone Quilters Guild



Quakertown Christian School



www.keystonequilters.org







Beaver
Valley Piecemakers- 19^th Annual Quilt Show



October 11-13, 2013 



Holy Family Parish



New Brighton, PA 











Quilt
Show – Tiadaghton Quilt Guild



October 18-20, 2013



Penn College Field House



Williamsport, PA 







Berry
Basket Quilt Show



October 19-20, 2013 



Marlton, New Jersey



Berry Basket Quilters



www.berrybasketquilters.com







Quilts
for all Seasons



October 26-27, 2013



Presented by Undercover Quilters



Brookhaven Municipal Building



Brookhaven, PA  



www.undercoverquilters.com







International
Quilt Festival/Houston



Oct 31-Nov 2, 2013



George R. Brown Convention Center



Houston, Texas



www.quilts.com/home/shows/viewer.php?page=FallFestivalme/shows/viewer

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

August 2013 Newsletter

Hi Quilters,

Phew, I sure have been enjoying this break from the heat. That was some long heat wave. I think I really was suffering from heat rage (not pretty). I have been working on a few projects including a string quilt. If any of you have made string quilts or any scrap quilts you know what a mess that can make of your sewing room. It looks like my stash exploded. Miranda is also making a scrap project, a giant stuffed elephant made of my old scraps. She informed me that my string quilt is not truly a scrap quilt because I am being selective in my choices and I am cutting up huge pieces into little strips. I guess when you are 15 you can be a purist ;)

I also made the most adorable doll. And that brings me to a cool idea. I would like to include in my president's note a "Look What I made" feature. I am going to solicit pictures of small projects (Pin cushions, dolls, small quilts, whatever) you personally made to include in the blog. These should be projects you can make in a small amount of time. You will get an email request from me. I will work through the guild directory. The feature would look like this.

"Look What I Made"

I made this adorable Raggedy Ann doll from A Homespun from the Heart Pattern "Raggedy Ann and Ell" Pattern.

I purchased the pattern at the Country Store in Intercourse. They were selling the dolls made by the Artist (Cindy Markovcy) for quite a bit (Lots of Work) but she was also selling her patterns so you could make one. I am going to make some more with Halloween Fabric. I learned a few new techniques such as dry brush painting her legs with stripes. The directions were clear and helpful. It was fun to complete a project in a few hours.

I will bring her to the Bee on the 12th. The doors open at 5:30. Bring a project and your dinner. I hope to see you all there. It will be fun to catch up with you. I hope you are having a good summer. Happy Quilting.

Robin McMillen

Penn Oaks 2013-2014 Round Robin

Instead of doing the traditional “Block of the Month” this year, Penn Oaks Quilters will be doing a “Round Robin” A “Round Robin” is a quilt top that is made by a group of quilters and can be thought of as a variation of a friendship quilt. We are going to do what is called a “Progressive Round Robin”. The idea is based on a book by M’Liss Raw Hawley called “Round Robin Renaissance”. Each participating person makes the equivalent of two (2) – 12.5” blocks for each “box” each month. It can be two 12.5” blocks or the equivalent number of smaller units which can be used as setting blocks or sew together by the box owner at the end however they want. You may not have time to do a paper pieced 12.5 square that month but you can do a set of 6.5” 4 patches or half square triangles that can be used to set the other blocks within the quilt top.

Each quilter who signs up to participate will gather together at least 3 yards of material of at least 3 different fabrics. Each participating quilter will fill out a guidance sheet indicating the participant’s preferences for the types of fabrics and blocks each quilter in their group will make for them. The fabrics, along with the guidance sheet, will be placed in a plastic 14” x 14” carry box (scrap booking storage box as found at Joanne’s). This box will be brought to guild each month and passed among the participating group members till all group members have an opportunity to make the 2 12.5” blocks for that box. At the end of the guild year, each participant will have 12 completed blocks ready to set into a quilt top.

Groups will be limited to 6 people. Sign-up can occur any time prior to or at the September meeting. Please e-mail me if you are interested in participating so I can start organizing the groups. A number of guild members already signed up at the June meeting.

The Groups are:

Skill Level:	Type of Quilt / Techniques
Beginner	Pieced blocks only
Beginner	Applique – Only (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)
Beginner	Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.
Intermediate/Advanced	Pieced blocks only
Intermediate/Advanced	Applique – Only (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)
Intermediate/Advanced	Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.

Schedule:

September 2013	Sign up; organize people into groups, et al
October 2013	Boxes are due for 1^st exchange
November 2013	2^nd exchange
December 2013	No round robin exchange – Christmas block exchange and party time Plus everyone is busy with holiday preparations
January 2014	3^rd block exchange
February 2014	4^th block exchange
March 2014	5^th block exchange
April 2014	6^th block exchange
May 2014	Return of all boxes to owner.
June 2014	Show and tell of blocks within each group.
September 2014	Show and Tell of finished Quilt Tops to Guild and Group Members

In fairness to group participants, we are establishing these “rules” for this project:

- This is a commitment. If you have doubts that you can complete 2 – 12.5” blocks each month on time and get it back to guild, don’t sign up. There will be other opportunities in the future that will be a better fit with your availability to sew each month. We’ve all “been there” when life gets in the way of something we want to do.

- If you can’t make it to guild for a particular meeting, find someone to bring your box for exchange and to bring you your next box from the meeting. If you don’t have a “friend” attending the meeting that month, participants can drop off/pick up boxes at my house. I am working from home (telecommuting) and can usually answer the door for 5 minutes or get something quickly off the front porch. Please let me know if you will not make a meeting or when you will stop by my house to retrieve your month’s box. .

- I will be available throughout if the participants have any questions on what to make. We have sample blocks available.

- I will track each group’s boxes each meeting. Participants will “turn” in the boxes to me; at the beginning of each guild meeting. I will note who has already had whose box to ensure all boxes get distributed equally.

Recommendation to save time each month:

- Find a favorite “block” (or set of blocks) that you will make for each quilt. Then all you need to do each month is select which fabrics to use, cut and sew. It is much more time consuming when you try and figure out a new block or blocks for each person each month. There is also something nice about seeing your same blocks in different quilts with different fabrics and set in different ways.

If you think you are interested and/or want more information and sample pictures of “Progressive Round Robin” quilts from the “Round Robin Renaissance” book, please e-mail me @ mlcarlsonwc@yahoo.com.

Maureen Carlson

QUILT HAPPENINGS

Statewide Shop Hop
Row By Row
www.facebook.com/PARowbyRow
July 1 through Labor Day
The Quilt Block is a participating member
www.quiltblockincfabric.com
610-363-0404

Falling Springs Presbyterian Church
Chambersburg, PA 17201
www.chambersburgquiltguild.org

Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show
“Baskets of Friendship 2013”
Aug 2-4, 2013
Frederick County Fair Grounds, Maryland
FACEBOOK: Four County Quilters Guild
Quilt Show

Diamond State Quilt Show
August 8-10, 2013
Newark, DE
www.ladybugguild.org
Space available in many classes!
AQS Quilt Show
August 14-17, 2013

Grand Rapids, MI
www.americanquilter.com

Pennsylvania National Quilt
Extravaganza XX
September 19-22, 2013
Oaks, PA
www.quiltfest.com

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

July 2013 Newsletter

July 2013 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

I hope everyone is relatively dry. Some crazy weather! I will keep this brief. We are looking forward to the August Bee. It will be held on the same night as our meetings. The second Monday in August, August 12th. This is a nice, informal evening. Bring your projects and your dinner. I will open the doors at 5:30. It is an opportunity to discuss projects and see what everyone else is working on. One year I brought a bunch of paper piece units and extra hands helped me remove the papers. (Thank you Ellen,Myrna and Fay Ann). I hope to see you there.

Email me if you have more Questions.

Robin McMillen

MEMBERSHIP-Pat Smith/Rob Lodi

SUMMER BIRTHDAYS:

July		Sara Borr
		Cindy Block
		Delores Holzwarth
		Mary Morello
		Pat Smith
August		Kathy DeCarli
		Esther Dusinberre
		Helen Hofbauer
		Betsy Moses
		Suzanne Stiverson

Jean Zubert

For those of you who have not yet renewed your membership for the 2013-2014 guild year please send the completed form with your check to Ellen McMillen, 810 Dowlin Forge Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335. You'll find the link to the membership form on the right hand column of the newsletter. Thank you.
Ellen McMillen and Jean Fox
Membership Co-Chairs

PROGRAMS
Summer greetings from the Programs Team! Things are shaping up nicely for next year. Here is a preview of the events coming this fall.

In September we will welcome Dalen Keys who will present his lecture "Quilting, Creativity, and Children's Books." His wife, Mitzie, will present a trunk show of her string quilts. How is that for a segue from June meeting? Some of her quilts are featured in Dalen's books. Dalen and Mitzie will have books and quilting products for sale. This may be a good time to stock up on quilt book gifts for the children in your life. Feel free to look at his website www.dalenkeys.com for a preview.

October will be busy on meeting day. We will have a workshop with our speaker, Christine Morgan, during the day and then enjoy her lecture at the evening meeting. Christine created "Stacked and Stitched" a new way to appreciate chenille in our quilting. We will complete, yes complete, a small project in the workshop. We are working on the details. As soon I have more information I will have Kelly send it out the group. In the meantime, save all day for the guild. It will be a lot of fun.

Leslie O'Brien, Program Chair

PATCHES OF LOVE Rita Marie Smith
Thank you to the 11 ladies who made 82 pillowcases during this past guild year. They are absolutely wonderful and I'm sure the young ones and teens will love them. Since we will be sending them off in September, there is still time to make a couple over the summer if you haven't had a chance to do so as yet. If you need directions, please let me know or you can google hot dog pillowcase, tube pillowcase, etc. and see video tutorials on youtube. Don't forget to bring ideas and suggestions you have for charity projects to guild in September. Have a good summer.

Penn Oaks 2013-2014 Round Robin

The Groups are:

Skill Level:	Type of Quilt / Techniques
Beginner	Pieced blocks only
Beginner	Applique – Only (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)
Beginner	Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.
Intermediate/Advanced	Pieced blocks only
Intermediate/Advanced	Applique – Only (Please indicate if you have a preference for Hand Applique only, Machine Applique only, or would not mind both techniques in your quilt)
Intermediate/Advanced	Mixed Techniques (Group member have the choice of doing pieced blocks, any style applique or blocks with embellishments like machine embroidery.

Schedule:

September 2013	Sign up; organize people into groups, et al
October 2013	Boxes are due for 1^st exchange
November 2013	2^nd exchange
December 2013	No round robin exchange – Christmas block exchange and party time Plus everyone is busy with holiday preparations
January 2014	3^rd block exchange
February 2014	4^th block exchange
March 2014	5^th block exchange
April 2014	6^th block exchange
May 2014	Return of all boxes to owner.
June 2014	Show and tell of blocks within each group.
September 2014	Show and Tell of finished Quilt Tops to Guild and Group Members

In fairness to group participants, we are establishing these “rules” for this project:

- I will be available throughout if the participants have any questions on what to make. We have sample blocks available.

Recommendation to save time each month:

Maureen Carlson

95 East Welsh Pool Road
Exton, PA 19341
610- 363-0404

Open Monday - Friday
10:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Closed Sundays during the Summer
Find us on the web atwww.quiltblockincfabric.com

Do you need to getaway from it all and do some quilting? We've planned a Quilt Spa Weekend

August 2nd - August 4th.

Won't you join us.

Click on the Link below for all the details.

Quilt Till You Wilt Getaway

or stop by the shop to find out how you can attend.

QUILT HAPPENINGS

Statewide Shop Hop
Row By Row
www.facebook.com/PARowbyRow
July 1 through Labor Day
The Quilt Block is a participating member
www.quiltblockincfabric.com
610-363-0404

Greater Columbus (OH) Convention Ctr
www.nqaquilts.org
A Quilter’s Journey – 2013 Quilt Show
July 19-20, 2013

Falling Springs Presbyterian Church
Chambersburg, PA 17201
www.chambersburgquiltguild.org

Four County Quilters Guild Quilt Show
“Baskets of Friendship 2013”
Aug 2-4, 2013
Frederick County Fair Grounds, Maryland
FACEBOOK: Four County Quilters Guild
Quilt Show

Diamond State Quilt Show
August 8-10, 2013
Newark, DE
www.ladybugguild.org
Space available in many classes!
AQS Quilt Show
August 14-17, 2013

Grand Rapids, MI
www.americanquilter.com

Pennsylvania National Quilt
Extravaganza XX
September 19-22, 2013
Oaks, PA
www.quiltfest.com