Monday, September 29, 2014

October 2014 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Dear Guild Members,

Much as I complained about the end of summer, and, well, I haven't really stopped complaining yet, autumn isn't that bad so far. I am getting the orange and brown and associated complimentary colors out of my stash and taking that more saturated fall-winter color change in my sewing room. That was a bit of a fib. I'm keeping some low volume out because I like them, but the seasonal colors are taking the lead.

Speaking of seasonal colors, please help spread the word and sign up for our seasonal colors and inspiring plant life activity at Longwood Gardens! Haven't heard about it yet?  Keep reading the newsletter. I don't want to be the one to spill the beans. It will be more fun than a barrel of monkeys. It is a different kind of activity for the group and I hope everyone can come out for it. Huge special thanks to our own Longwood Gardens tour guide, Christine Harkins, for offering to host this great activity.

I want to welcome everyone back to this Guild year. Usually it takes a couple months for most of us to wander back from the shore, the pool, the garden, get the kids settled in school, but not this year! We were all back at once. Not to mention that everyone is back and renewed their memberships (thank you for not making me keep reminding you about admin details), but the getaway is full! Ellen was busier than a one-armed paper hanger at the the September meeting completing memberships and booking everyone into the getaway. Getaway is now on waitlist. Sign up now if you want any vacated spots. 

I will continue to nag. Please work on your 18x18 raffle quilts. Please work on your challenge quilts. No time like the present. The holiday meeting is coming so don't forget the exchange blocks. Keep them on your radar because these events will be here before you know it.

Now for my big nag and I won't stop until we complete this task. We need someone to volunteer to take over the show in 2017. Yes. 2017. Two years from 2015. Sounds like a long time from now, but time flies when you are having fun and it will be upon us before we know it. Our wonderful Suzanne Stiverson has chaired the show for the fourth time now. Our ever dedicated Robin McMillen has stepped up to help her. We will feel much better voting in June about the continuation of the show if we have a succession plan. Suzanne has things down to a process so you don't have to reinvent the wheel. Please think about volunteering for this important task. Co-chairs, even tri-chairs are fine. 

Please come out to the October meeting and keep the momentum we started in September. The programs committee has a great speaker - Theresa Fusco. 
See you then!

Leslie O'Brien

PROGRAMS

Suzanne Doonan and Betsy Moses

Our October speaker is Art Quilter Teresa Fusco. Check out what she's up to these days at http://myquiltplace.com/profile/TeresaFusco.  She will be bringing many quilts, so many that she asked for the elevator for assistance in bringing them in and quilt racks to display them.  Think of the colors that will be on display in that neutral setting.

Thinking ahead to November; we have a trip planned to Longwood Gardens on Sunday, Nov. 9.  (Flyer attached.)  Our own Chris Harkins will be our tour guide.  Thanks to all who helped plan the date.  We can enjoy a snack in the cafe following the tour.  Tour Sign-up will be at our Oct 13 meeting.

If you need more tour info: email christinecharkins@gmail.com.

If you would like to sign up, but won't be at the October meeting: email suzannedoonan@verizon.net

LONGWOOD GARDEN TRIP

Building on the inspirational momentum that speaker B.J. Titus presented at the September
meeting, the Programs Committee and Chris Harkins are sponsoring a field trip 
to Longwood Gardens.
Our trip will include a guided tour of the conservatory with emphasis on the Chrysanthemum 
Festival. This festival lasts only a short time but it is stunning!
Tour guides, including Chris, will discuss the ancient Asian techniques of cultivating 
chrysanthemums into artful shapes as well as modern topiaries. Did you know that there are
13 classes of Chrysanthemums?
The mums you will see are not available in local garden centers.
Some are grown just for the annual festival and some are part of the Longwood collection of 
rare and unusual plants. You will see and learn about the 1000 Bloom Plant…one plant with 
over 1,000 flowers! Overall, the Chrysanthemum Festival is fall at its best!
Be prepared to get Inspired!

The details of our trip
Date: Sunday, November 9, 2014
Time: We will meet at the Longwood Visitor Center at 12:45 p.m.
Tour: Tour will be about 45 minutes to an hour
Cost: Longwood Gardens Members – admission fee; tour an additional $5.00
Non-members – for a group of 15 or more
$21.00 adult, $19.00 age 62+ (price includes tour) 
Non-members – for a group of less than 15
$ 23.00 adult, $21.00 age 62+ (price includes tour) 
Just to let you know, Chris does not get any monies from your tour price.
(If our group is more than 15, we will have more than one tour guide.)
Sign-ups with payment to Penn Oaks will be at the October meeting.
If you have any questions, email or call Chris Harkins. christinecharkins@gmail.com


Membership: Ellen McMillen/Rita Marie Smith
We had a strong turn-out at the first meeting of the 2014-15 guild year. Forty-two members and three guests attended the meeting. We are 51 members strong. Chris Harkins was the door prize winner.

October Birthdays
Denise Blake                        1-October
Marsha Paczok                    8-October
Chris Harkins                     12-October
Rob Lodi                             13-October
Susan Longenecker           19-October
Elaine Egan                         26-October
Pat Gallagher                        ?
Many happy birthday wishes ladies!


HOSPITALITY: Angel Henderson
Snack list for the October Penn Oaks guild meeting is: D.Cory, C. Davis, K. DeCarli, R. DeCarli*,S. Doonan, E.Dusinberre, E. Egan*, J. Fox.  A star after your name means you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  If you cannot attend the meeting, please switch your responsibility with a friend and let me know.  


 SILENT AUCTION
The silent auction will be in December  so if you are cleaning out your sewing room and/or stash and have extra fabric, books, magazines, patterns, supplies, ufos, etc. that you no longer want and someone else  could use, please bring them.
Thank you,   Maryann

FABRIC SWAP
This month's fabric is batiks. Please bring (23) 10" squares in a ziplock type bag with you name on the inside. I will have your first set of swap blocks, they are all great! Next month's blocks will be "light prints". We never have enough lights, people tend to gravitate towards medium prints. So pay attention when you shop and make sure it is a light print!
Kelly----questions?    kellymx@aol.com


Quilt Show 2015
 We have six vendors signed up.  Timberline Patchwork; The Quilt Block; Pottstown Sewing (3 spaces); Jackie’s Woolens, Happy Valley Quilting plus Donna’s Quits and Prims (name change).  This totals 8 of the 12 spaces..  Robin and I will be calling other vendors to confirm or not.

Diana Smyrl is getting lists organized for the program advertisements, along with Pat Sherman preparing to send out requests for door prizes.  Suzanne Doonan is making sure we have all advertising/marketing avenues covered.  If you have suggestions, particularly long-armers who might want to advertise in our program or provide door prizes (the latter is listed in the program and on-line), please contact the appropriate Chair.

Pat Smith that she is working to develop a list of ideas for making items for the Acorn Shoppe.  Pat’s daughter is also collecting vintage sewing related items to sell just like last year.  We were excited to hear that because we all loved that special touch last time.  Suzanne Doonan will make sure we advertise that we have a judge who has judged at Hershey.  Helen did a great job of getting two new judges.

Website is being updated with newest information on the Quilt Show.  Maureen will be putting the Vendor and door prize list up soon.  Ellen will provide the whole quilt entry form and rules on the website..

Robin McMillen is getting her food handler’s license and will lead the food committee.  She is looking into prices and possible vendors.  Keep the ideas coming.

Jean Fox needs ten containers/large baskets for raffles.  Make sure you contact her to make sure she doesn’t have enough.

We need strong guys for Show Set up day—Thursday April 30 in the A.M.  Please start talking to your family to chip in.  It is too hard for most of us to move the heavy tables.

Raffle mini-quilts will be 18”X18”.  PLEASE START WORKING ON YOUR QUILT AS THEY WERE TERRIFIC FOR PUBLICITY OVER THE YEAR.  TURN THEM IN TO KELLY MEANIX AS SOON AS THEY ARE DONE.  WE ARE ASKING EACH MEMBER TO DONATE AT LEAST ONE MINI-QUILT TO RAFFLE because this was a major fund raiser at our show.

Next Meeting will be in February 2015 at a deli or restaurant on a Friday.  Date, place and time to follow.

Quilt Committee Leaders Filled:  Now we need you to sign up for committees in January.

Quilt Show Co-Chairs:                                    Suzanne Stiverson & Robin McMillen
Floor Plans/Set- up/Tear Down                 Bob DeCarli
Acorn Shoppe:                                                  Pat Smith and Helen Hofbauer
Props:                                                                   Pat Smith
Small Quilts Raffle:                                           Kelly Meanix
Door Prizes (letters--email):                        Pat Sherman
Raffle baskets/Door prizes:                         Jean Fox
Basket Delivery                                                 Marsha Paczok
Lancaster Area Vendors:                               Pat Sherman  Distribution of flyers
Vendor letters:                                                 Suzanne Stiverson
Vendor on-site chair:                                     Robin McMillen
Registration/Admission:                               Denise Blake
Quilt Judging/forms                                        Ellen McMillen
Quilt Check in/out chairs:                             Jean Zubert & Cindy Vognetz
Ads for Programs:                                            Diana Smyrl
Program Brochures:                                        Rita Smith
Publicity/Flyers                                                 Suzanne Doonan
Quilt description/signs:                                 Myrna Paluba
Viewer’s Choice Ballots                                 Myrna Paluba
Signage inside and outside venue:           Elaine Egan
White Glove:                                                     Marti Campbell
Clean-up:                                                            Marti Campbell
Food Chair                                                          Robin McMillen
Food Handler                                                     Robin McMillen


Fall is here—shorter days and beautiful leaves.  Let’s get those quilts completed.
Suzanne Stiverson

Criteria for judging quilts

For those of you who are planning to enter quilts for judging (and I hope that will be many) you may wish to read one or both of the articles I found while searching out this topic. The authors include all, or nearly all, of the criteria the NQA judges use when viewing our quilts. You can find these articles from the following links:
http://piecesofpye.com/articles/preparing-a-quilt-for-judging/
https://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/tag/quilt-show-judging-criteria/
I believe NQA once had this information on their site but I could not find it. If someone does find this information on their site please let me know.
Ellen


MYSTERY BOX

It's back, the mystery box will be at the next meeting.  So be prepared to purchase your tickets when you arrive or during the meeting.
The cost of 1 ticket is $1.00 or 6 tickets for $5.00.  Remember the more tickets you enter the better your chances are of winning!!!

Looking forward in seeing you all,
Jan



2015 Challenge Project – Clichés

Size:  16” x 20” (Design can be vertical or horizontal.)

Examples:

1.     Out of the mouths of babes
2.     All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Go.
3.     Happy as a clam
4.     All that Jazz
5.     Taste of one’s own medicine
6.     Birds of a feather flock together
7.     You can’t judge a book by its cover
8.     Happy as a pig in mud
9.     Grinning from Ear to Ear
10. To bite off more than you can chew
11. Blast of the past
12. The blind leading the blind
13. Open up a can of worms
14. Pulling my leg
15. On Pins and Needles

For other thoughts and ideas, Google: ClichéSite.com or use a favorite cliché of your own.

When challenge is turned in print the cliché you chose on a piece of paper and attach it to the front of your challenge, but
DON’T IDENTIFY YOURSELF.

Due Date:  March 9, 2015

Questions, contact:  Myrna Paluba or Fay Ann Grider






QUILT HAPPENINGS
From Heart to Hand: African American Quilts from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
September 21, 2014-January 4, 2015
Montclair Art Museum
Montclair, NJ  07042
www.montclairartmuseum.org

Quilts in the Mill
October 3-5, 2014
Courthouse Quilters Guild
Stockton, New Jersey

Airing of the Quilts
October 4, 2014
Endless Mountain Quiltworks
Tunkhannock, PA
http://www.airingofthequilts.com

The Wonder of Quilting-An Adventure Filled World
October 18-19, 2014
Brandywine Valley Quilters
Brookhaven, PA 
www.brandywinevlyquilters.org

Valley Forge Quilt Show
October 24-25, 2014
Good Shepard Lutheran Church
King of Prussia, PA
www.valleyforgequilters.org

International Quilt Festival-Houston
George R. Brown Convention Center
Houston, Texas


8th Annual Exhibition of Quilts
Lebanon Quilters Guild
November 21-23, 2014
Lebanon Expo Ctr and Fairgrounds
Lebanon, PA 
www.lebanonquiltersguild.com

Sunday, August 31, 2014

September 2014 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Hello Guild Members,

As the leaves on the trees start to turn, the shadows get longer and the sun shines in your windows from a little bit different angle, and Giant has Halloween candy on display (Yes! grrrr....Giant has the Halloween candy out and it is still August. I just saw it at Wegman's this afternoon too), we know that fall and the next Penn Oaks Quilt Guild year is upon us. I shouldn't complain. We quilters have been eyeing and being inspired by the fall and holiday fabrics for months now. I guess the candy just rubs it in that summer is going to be winter with a wish for next summer soon. 

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and productive summer. Well, enjoyable anyway. We still have time to get our quilts ready for the show in May. We have a great workshop planned together with a great speaker to kick things off in September. I know Suzanne Doonan has more great speakers and programs on the way for us. Just a housekeeping note - Please be sure you have renewed your memberships.

Remember your show raffle quilts. Yes, I am such a nag. Just trying to help Kelly and Suzanne. Quilt show plans are in full swing and everyone looks forward to a spectacular "For the Love of Quilts" this spring. Start to spread the word and invite friends to save the date.

It will be May before we know it with the show, my niece's wedding, and Alyn's college graduation. Yikes! Too much too soon. Too much to absorb. That's why we quilt. To relax (it has been proven in actual scientific studies - you can look it up on the web and on facebook), enjoy life, escape from life, and document life. We are fortunate to enjoy such a wonderful art that benefits us in so many ways. 

And I am going to nag again - support your local quilt shops. I've been sadly watching Ramona's posts counting down the days. I know a lot of us like to shop on the internet, and there are reasons some of us do. We also need to support our local shops for teaching new quilters, advice and collaboration,  learning about the latest and greatest gadget, buying fabric and supplies we need today or maybe a year from now, provide a sense of community, and keep our cash in the local economy. Local small businesses provide a value beyond the online discount. Buy local, please!

See you in September! Have a great Labor Day weekend.
Leslie O'Brien


PROGRAMS
Suzanne Doonan and Betsy Moses

Get ready for a fabulous presentation by local art quilter, B.J. Titus.  Check out these beautiful quilts posted on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=bj%20titus ; We'll kick off a creative year of quilting!

For those of you who will be joining us at the workshop, we will meet from 11 am to 5 pm. at the church.



Membership: Ellen McMillen/Rita Marie Smith
Welcome to the 2014-2015 POQ Membership year. Approximately 20 percent of our guild members have not renewed their membership. I hope you all will return for the new year. Penn Oaks needs you! Please renew your membership at the September meeting so we can get out a new directory as soon as possible. The membership form will be sent as an attachment in a separate email. Thank you!
September Birthdays
Nancy Rubinelli            5-September
Debbie Becker              6-Sepember
Rikki Newlander           7-September
Suzanne Simmons        9-September
Maureen Carlson        13-September
Martha Hopkins          20-September
Lee Paylor                   23-September
Many happy birthday wishes to you all!             



HOSPITALITY
Angel Henderson

Snack list for the September Penn Oaks guild meeting is: A.Barchi, D.Becker, D.Blake*, C.Block. S.Borr, S. Braskey, J.Brown*, Joanne Brown, M.Campbell, M.Carlson.  A star after your name means you bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  If you cannot attend please switch with a friend and let me know.

FABRIC SWAP
Kelly Meanix 

Please remember this month to bring your fabric for the swap. Our theme is fabric with "written words or text" on it. Bring (23) 10" squares in a large zip lock bag. Be sure to include your name inside on a piece of paper or index card. Bring them to the membership table in the back.
The theme for October is batiks. 



Quilt Show 2015

We have six vendors signed up.  Timberline Patchwork; The Quilt Block; Pottstown Sewing (3 spaces); Jackie’s Woolens, Happy Valley Quilting plus Quiltiques and Primitives (new) have signed up for spaces.   This totals 8 of the 12 spaces.  I’ve sent out letters to other possible vendors in mid-July with October 1 deadline.  I had previously (in May) sent letters to our previous vendors.  Robin and I will be calling other vendors to confirm or not.

Diana Smyrl is getting lists organized for the program advertisements, along with Pat Sherman preparing to send out requests for door prizes.  Suzanne Doonan is making sure we have all advertising/marketing avenues covered.  If you have suggestions, particularly long-armers who might want to advertise in our program or provide door prizes (the latter is listed in the program and on-line), please contact the appropriate Chair.

Website is being updated with newest information on the Quilt Show.  Maureen will be putting the Vendor and door prize list up soon.  Ellen will provide the whole quilt entry form and rules on the website..

Robin McMillen is getting her food handler’s license and will lead the food committee.  We will need commitment tending the food area if we go this way.  We have tried to get a caterer who will self-fund and supply everything and take the profit (with some cut for the Guild).  No luck so far concerning the latter.

Raffle mini-quilts will be 18”X18”.  PLEASE START WORKING ON YOUR QUILT AS THEY WERE TERRIFIC FOR PUBLICITY OVER THE YEAR.  TURN THEM IN AS SOON AS THEY ARE DONE.  WE ARE ASKING EACH MEMBER TO MAKE AT LEAST ONE.
ANY THEME IS WELCOME!
Cindy Vognetz and Jean Zubert are re-looking at receiving and returning quilts process.

Next Meeting is still on a Sunday—Sunday, September 21 at 1:30 pm at Suzanne Stiverson’s home.  Email will be sent to update you and give directions.

DONATE AT LEAST ONE MINI-QUILT TO RAFFLE because this was a major fund raiser at our show.

Quilt Committee Leaders Filled:  Now we need you to sign up for committees in January.

Quilt Show Co-Chairs:                                    Suzanne Stiverson & Robin McMillen
Floor Plans/Set- up/Tear Down                 Bob DeCarli
Acorn Shoppe:                                                  Pat Smith and Helen Hofbauer
Props:                                                                   Pat Smith
Small Quilts Raffle:                                           Kelly Meanix
Door Prizes (letters--email):                        Pat Sherman
Raffle baskets/Door prizes:                         Jean Fox
Basket Delivery                                                 Marsha Paczok
Lancaster Area Vendors:                               Pat Sherman  Distribution of flyers
Vendor letters:                                                 Suzanne Stiverson
Vendor on-site chair:                                     Robin McMillen
Registration/Admission:                               Denise Blake
Quilt Judging/forms                                        Ellen McMillen
Quilt Check in/out chairs:                             Jean Zubert & Cindy Vognetz
Ads for Programs:                                            Diana Smyrl
Program Brochures:                                        Rita Smith
Publicity/Flyers                                                 Suzanne Doonan
Quilt description/signs:                                 Myrna Paluba
Viewer’s Choice Ballots                                 Myrna Paluba
Signage inside and outside venue:           Elaine Egan
White Glove:                                                     Marti Campbell
Clean-up:                                                            Marti Campbell
Food Chair                                                          Robin McMillen
Food Handler                                                     Robin McMillen


Fall is just around the corner—shorter days and beautiful leaves.  Let’s get those quilts completed.
Suzanne Stiverson


GETAWAY 2015
Hello Quilters,

Kathy and I are excited about the new location for the  Getaway. It will be held at the Amish View Inn,  3125 Old Philadelphia Pike (Rt. 340), Bird-in-Hand. Take a look at their websitewww.AmishViewInn.com to see the lovely queen bed rooms (with microwave and refrigerator), and the info about the complimentary full hot breakfast buffet. The Lobby Great Room has complimentary coffee and tea available all day. The Inn even has a cappuccino machine. 


The Getaway dates are Wednesday, February 18 through Sunday, February 22. While the sewing room is about 1.5 times larger (and much nicer) than the one at Bird-in-Hand we are limiting the number of attendees to 28 to ensure that everyone has sufficient room. The Inn provides 3 ironing boards and irons for our use - no need to bring our own. There isn't a kitchen in the sewing room so we may dispense with the shared goodies we usually bring.  There is a microwave and small refrigerator in this room. 

The sewing room will be available from 1:00 pm Wednesday to 3:00 pm Sunday. The fee for this room is $318.00 which will be equally split among all the attendees. Until registration is complete we won't know the exact fee but it will likely range from $11 to $13 per person.

We'll be taking your reservations at the September meeting.  A deposit of $100 will hold your spot. Due to the terms of our contract the final date to register is December 15th and the balance of your room charges are due at that time. After the new year we'll collect the sewing room fee.  If you have any questions please call Kathy (610-269-1113) or Ellen (610-363-5956) or talk with us at Guild.  The Getaway is a time to share, laugh, shop and sew. Come join us!








Ellen McMillen and Kathy DeCarli




Write as Desired……by Chris Harkins

My August Quilt

I had some ideas and jotted them down
But the roses of summer outside abound.

I thought of pink thread, the color red,
But sparkling pool water called me instead.

I wanted to piece, I wanted to sew
But the sunshine of August would not let me go.

Bundles of fabric lay on the floor
But again, there I was, going out of the door.

Yellow squares stuck up on the wall
But time spent with Mom now mean more than that all.


Her memory fades,
Mine holds it all in. 
I’ll remember for both of us,
I’ll stitch it within.


Christine Harkins




I want to thank all my friends in the Guild for their cards and expressions of sympathy on the passing of my Mom.  It's not an easy thing losing a loved one and I sincerely appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  Cindy Vognetz

In Memory of Jerry Skahill there will be a charity walk on October 18th. Please click on the link for more information.
http://pages.lightthenight.org/epa/chester14/cutupssalonspa


QUILT HAPPENINGS


September 5-28, 2014
Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center
Wellsboro, PA
Mountlaurelquiltguild.com

Quilts from the Heart of Berks
September 12-13, 2014
Berks Quilt Guild
Leesport Farmers Market
www.berksquiltersguild.com

PA National Quilt Extravaganza
(Mancuso Show)
September 18-21, 2014
Oaks, PA 
www.quiltfest.com

From Heart to Hand: African American Quilts from the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts
September 21, 2014-January 4, 2015
Montclair Art Museum
Montclair, NJ  07042
www.montclairartmuseum.org

Quilts in the Mill
October 3-5, 2014
Courthouse Quilters Guild
Stockton, New Jersey
http://courthousequilters.com

The Wonder of Quilting-An Adventure Filled World
October 18-19, 2014
Brandywine Valley Quilters
Brookhaven, PA 
www.brandywinevlyquilters.org

Valley Forge Quilt Show
October 24-25, 2014
Good Shepard Lutheran Church
King of Prussia, PA

8th Annual Exhibition of Quilts
Lebanon Quilters Guild
November 21-23, 2014
Lebanon Expo Ctr and Fairgrounds
Lebanon, PA 
www.lebanonquiltersguild.com



Tuesday, July 29, 2014

August 2014 Newsletter

President's Letter

Hi Everyone,


It's August, hang on to summer as long as you can! We still have time to enjoy the season.

I hope to see a lot of you at the summer bee. 4:00 at the church on the usual second Monday of the month, August 11.

I trust you are all working on your raffle quilts and show quilts? Not trying to be a nag or anything, but it will be May before you know it.

I have a couple of new meeting logistics to experiment with this year. We now have a meeting set-up and tear-down helper. Those tables get heavier every year and I need help getting them out and putting them away. This also gives us another pair of hands to help take things out to cars (vendors, silent auctions, membership, etc.) Jan Brown has volunteered to be the first to hold this position. Thanks, Jan!

We have have a project underway to add our portraits to the Guild roster. That will help us put names to faces. Please be ready to provide us your favorite picture. Yes, that means a picture of you. Not like facebook profile pictures. No pictures of your dog, cat, goldfish, garden,  etc... Debbie Becker has volunteered to work with Ellen on this. We will be in touch with how we will accomplish this soon.

I welcome Christine Harkins as our new newsletter occasional special guest columnist. You may already know that Christine's work appears in American Quilter. Christine writes this month about the importance of buying from local quilt shops. We were all shocked and saddened by Ramona's announcement to close Chester County Quilting. That was after we already lost several of our local shops this winter. I don't know about you, but every time I see a subject line from a quilt shop that says "news from......" I cringe and brace myself for what may be coming. It is always a relief to see a new class list of photos of a new fabric line. The way to keep our shops in business is to shop there. 

Remember, BJ Titus will be here in September 8 for a daytime workshop and evening meeting lecture. I need you to sign up if you plan to come so I can fill the workshop. Please email me if you plan to attend. I will open it to the public soon and I want to make sure the Guild members have every opportunity to sign up before I do that. 

See you at the August Bee,
Leslie

Programs Suzanne Doonan

Join us for our Bee on August 11. Bring your handwork, your dinner or snack,  and your enthusiasm for quilting!  We'll start at 4 or whenever you can get 
there and end at 8:00. 

Membership: Ellen McMillen/Rita Marie Smith
Approximately 20 percent of our guild members have not renewed their membership. I hope you all will return for the 2014-15 guild year. Penn Oaks needs you! I will be at the Bee on August 11th. The membership form will be sent as an attachment in a separate email. August Birthdays 
Eileen Mincarelli                4-August
Esther Dusinberre             5- August 
Suzanne Stiverson            12- August
Betsy Moses                      15-August
Helen Hofbauer                25-August
Kathy DeCarli                    26-August
Jean Zubert                        27-August
Many happy birthday wishes ladies!  

Quilt Show 2015

We have six vendors signed up.  Timberline Patchwork; The Quilt Block; Pottstown Sewing (3 spaces); Jackie’s Woolens, Happy Valley Quilting plus Quiltiques and Primitives (new) have signed up for spaces.  Waiting on two checks.  This totals 8 of the 12 spaces. I’ve sent out letters to other possible vendors in mid-July with October 1 deadline.  I had previously (in May) sent letters to our previous vendors.

Diana Smyrl is getting lists organized for the program advertisements, along with Pat Sherman preparing to send out requests for door prizes.  Suzanne Doonan is making sure we have all advertising/marketing avenues covered.  If you have suggestions, particularly long-armers who might want to advertise in our program or provide door prizes (the latter is listed in the program and on-line), please contact the appropriate Chair.

Website is being updated with newest information on the Quilt Show.  Maureen will be putting the Vendor and door prize list up soon.  Ellen will provide the whole quilt entry form and rules on the website..

Robin McMillen is getting her food handler’s license and will lead the food committee.  We will need commitment tending the food area if we go this way.  We have tried to get a caterer who will self-fund and supply everything and take the profit (with some cut for the Guild).  No luck so far concerning the latter.

Raffle mini-quilts will be 18”X18”.  PLEASE START WORKING ON YOUR QUILTS AS THEY WERE TERRIFIC FOR PUBLICITY OVER THE YEAR.  TURN THEM IN AS SOON AS THEY ARE DONE.  WE ARE ASKING EACH MEMBER TO MAKE ONE.

Cindy Vognetz and Jean Zubert are re-looking at receiving and returning quilts process.

Next Meeting is still on a Sunday—Sunday, September 21.  Place to be determined.

DONATE AT LEAST ONE MINI-QUILT TO RAFFLE.

Quilt Committee Leaders Filled:  Now we need you to sign up for committees in January.

Quilt Show Co-Chairs:                                    Suzanne Stiverson & Robin McMillen
Floor Plans/Set- up/Tear Down                 Bob DeCarli
Acorn Shoppe:                                                  Pat Smith and Helen Hofbauer
Props:                                                                   Pat Smith
Small Quilts Raffle:                                           Kelly Meanix
Door Prizes (letters--email):                        Pat Sherman
Raffle baskets/Door prizes:                         Jean Fox
Basket Delivery                                                 Marsha Paczok
Lancaster Area Vendors:                               Pat Sherman  Distribution of flyers
Vendor letters:                                                 Suzanne Stiverson
Vendor on-site chair:                                     Robin McMillen
Registration/Admission:                               Denise Blake
Quilt Judging/forms                                        Ellen McMillen
Quilt Check in/out chairs:                             Jean Zubert & Cindy Vognetz
Ads for Programs:                                            Diana Smyrl
Program Brochures:                                        Rita Smith
Publicity/Flyers                                                 Suzanne Doonan
Quilt description/signs:                                 Myrna Paluba
Viewer’s Choice Ballots                                 Myrna Paluba
Signage inside and outside venue:           Elaine Egan
White Glove:                                                     Marti Campbell
Clean-up:                                                            Marti Campbell
Food Chair                                                          Robin McMillen
Food Handler                                                     Robin McMillen


Happy Summer and Aloha
Suzanne Stiverson



Write As Desired......by Chris Harkins

We all remember the show “Cheers” in which everybody at the bar knew everybody else.
In the show, a certain patron would walk in and everyone would shout “Norm” as he entered. Norm would then walk thru the bar and take his regular seat.

The local quilt shop, “The Quilt Block”, is my “Cheers”.
I stop in when I need to get a break from daily life and can just walk thru the bolts of fabric.  I stop in when I need to get a new idea.  I stop in when I need to touch and smell new fabric, see the new colors.
So it was with great sadness that I read that the Chester County Quilt Shop will be closing.  No, it was not my neighborhood bar (I mean quilt shop) but it was close.
Admittedly I was not a consistent customer but just knowing it was there was comforting.
I have heard nothing but good things about Ramona and the service she delivered.

It is romantic to think of owning a store…buying want you want, all the fabric you would ever need, all new and fresh within your grasp. Yet the reality of owning a shop as we are finding out is not quite as romantic.  Long hours, little profit margin and immense competition from the internet and the world around, make owning a store a real commitment and challenge. 

The other day I saw a fabric (well ok more than one) that I loved at the shop.  The next day I received an email that the same fabric was available at a Lancaster area store for a little less money.  I could order it online and have it delivered for a fee. I could also drive there and spend time that I should be sewing.  So this raises a larger question.
I saw the fabric and felt it and fell in love with it here in Exton.  It does not seem right, almost morally wrong, to buy it elsewhere.

I am saddened by the closing of the Chester County Quilt Store as I assume we all are.
It brings the reality of our craft to the forefront.  We all have different purchasing needs.
I am one trying to work through my stash.  I get dismayed at the unused purchases of years gone by.  But even as I look at my piles and bundles, the piles need a little punch, updated.  So why not go have a look at your own neighborhood shop and have a drink of cheer, and buy that yard of luscious red or perky polka dot.

After all, it costs less than that craft beer!

Chris Harkins 
(Not endorsed by any local establishment)


Check out the new Penn Oaks Quilters website!

 The new Penn Oaks website is now on-line.  Please take a look and let me know if you encounter any issues.  It has a lot of pictures and graphics.  If you have a slow internet connection, pulling up the site may take you some time.  If it does, I would like to hear from you! 


A big "Thank You" to everyone who takes to time to review the site.  As special incentive to do so - the 2014-2015 programs are listed on the site  (Thank You! Suzanne Doonan).  And see if you can find yourself featured there!

As always, if you have materials or pictures you think is news-worthy for the public website, please contact me.  I will be glad to post the items.


Maureen





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