September 2015 Newsletter

President's Letter

Welcome to the 2015-2016 Guild year! We have a lot of great speakers and activities planned. You are in for a great year!  There is something about fall that feels like "new years." Maybe it is the memories of starting a new, fresh, school year. Now we are starting a new, fresh, quilt year. 

I hope everyone had a great summer and spent some quality time in your sewing rooms. Please bring your summer creations and finished objects to the meeting so we can have a robust show and tell.

Did you start your challenge quilt yet? Have you been watching your favorite movies for inspiration? Or, just watching your favorite movies for no other reason than to just watch them!

I look forward to seeing everyone at the first meeting in September!

Leslie O'Brien

2015-2016 Programs

We have a fabulous line up of professionals for this fall, beginning with Gretchen Gibbons who will be presenting her lecture, "My Quilting Journey" and Working with Wool.  Visit her website, gretchengibbons.com and prepare to be wowed!  Gretchen has two best-selling books and many lovely kits so don't forget to bring your mad money.

Our October speaker is the illustrious Bethanne Nemesh whose expertise is ever evolving.  She has a very entertaining lecture and will be bringing some of her award-winning quilts among others.  Our own Bob DeCarli has a new lecture for us in November, "Tiptoe through EQ" which promises to be informative and humorous.  We also are planning a full day workshop for that day which we'll discuss further at the September meeting.  And last, but never least, Jan Brown and Cynthia West will show us what's new at The Quilt Block in December.  Be prepared to shop AND party!  What a great combination!  

The 2015-2016 programs that have been confirmed are now listed on the Penn Oaks website ( www.pennoaksquilters.org).  The line-up sounds great so take a look and pass along the information to your non-Penn Oaks quilting friends.  Guests are always welcome!

Membership

There are still a few members who have not renewed for this year.
Please bring the forms to the September meeting!  Form will follow in a 

separate email.

September Birthdays

5    Nancy Rubinelli

7    Rikki Newlander
12  Debbie Becker
13  Maureen Carlson
20  Martha Hopkins
23  Lee Paylor

 
 Hospitality

The snack list for September is: A. Barchi, D. Becker, D. Blake, S. Borr*, S. Braskey, J. Brown, M. Campbell*, M.Carlson, M. Caporale.  If a star follows your name, please bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  If you are unable to attend, please swap your responsibility with a friend and let me know.


Penn Oaks 2016 Getaway
It's time to think about our next Getaway.  It will be held at the Amish View Inn, Bird-in-Hand, PA.  The Getaway dates are Wednesday, February 17 through Sunday, February 21. 
The number of attendees will be limited to 30 due to the size of the sewing room. Make plans with your roommate, but please submit only one form per room listing all roommates.  A deposit of $100 will hold your room. We'll be accepting your reservation at the September meeting. Reservations will not be accepted prior to the meeting.  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 of $318.00 divided equally among all the attendees. 
Any questions - check with Ellen or Pat. You'll receive a separate email with the Getaway registration form. We're looking forward to another great Getaway!
Ellen McMillen and Pat Sherman

Silver Screen Challenge Spring 2016

Create a quilt inspired by a movie that is significant to you in some way.  It could be your favorite movie or it could be a movie you watched with your children or it could be the first movie you saw with your spouse.  There will be an award for both the best applique quilt and for the best pieced quilt.  Be creative when piecing, for example you could use the storm at sea block for The Poseidon Adventure or corn and beans block for Field of Dreams. 

The Rules:

·         Perimeter must be less than 100 Inches

·         Bring your quilt in an anonymous brown paper bag

·         Attach an explanation to your quilt including the title of the movie and an explanation of why you chose that film.  

-Kathy DeCarli and Robin McMillen

Special Raffle Item

Swap

This year we will be swapping 4 patches. I have a few people interested and will have a signup sheet at the meeting. The actual swap will start in October.

Questions? Email Kelly Meanix at kellymx@aol.com

We are starting a new thing this year. I will be emailing you all eventually with some questions so everyone can get to know you better!

Member Profile - Leslie O'Brien

When did you start quilting?

That's a hard one! I started sewing at about age 5. The rest is a blur of stitches. I started quilting at least 30 years ago. Long before Alyn arrived and she is 22!

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

That's easy. Designing and creating the tops and the artistic part of the items I make. After that, the longarmer is my best friend.

What is your favorite color?

My favorite color. All of them. Let's do it by elimination. I'm not fond of yellow, but it has its place in a design. blue is nice, but not at the top. Citrus green is good to make colors pop. I like salmon pink/orange. Purple and grayed lavender are good. As you can see, I can't pick just one.

How many quilts have you made?

Good questions. I just found out from a close friend that I made a dinosaur quilt for her son when he was a baby. He is now 26. I forgot all about it! I remember her daughter's quilt. It was based on Disney picture on a Bloomingdale's bag. I still have the bag. Let's just say, a lot! Mostly smaller pieces, but there are a lot!

What is your next project?

You must mean projects! I'm finishing a lap size quilt from wine themed fabrics. I've collected row by row rows from here and NY so I have to start those. I have to start the life size photo quilt of Alyn based on her senior lacrosse photo. Something about is causing me to hesitate. I think it is one of those projects I want to be perfect and I really need to jump in and get it started.

What is something the group might like to know about you?

Another hard one. How about things the group should know? I like summer. Winter is too cold and I hate going out in the snow. Christmas is my favorite holiday. I've been married to Jim 36 years. We have one daughter, Alyn, age 22.  I love cats. I love the beach. I thought I didn't like eggplant until I made a really good eggplant Parmesan last night. It isn't my favorite food, but it is tolerable now. Although I eat a lot of vegetables and belong to a local CSA, I never turn down a good prime rib. I like artsy things.


Snacks for Ronald McDonald House

I am going to be collecting snacks for the Ronald McDonald House at the Oct meeting.  The families really like to take a snack or goodies to their children that are in the hospital. Especially other children in the family like to take a "surprise" to a sibling.

They are looking for individually wrapped cookies and  crackers, fruit snacks, puddings, small bags of pretzels, chips, Doritos, etc. Single sized Twix, Hershey products and Reeses.  Something that would brighten a child's otherwise tough stay in the hospital.

I'm not going to put one more thing on your list to remember for Sept. (if you have something, I'll take it) but plan for the Oct. meeting.

Thank you,

Jean Zubert 

jzbeachchair@aol.com


Raffle Opportunity! 

Denise Werkheiser has offered to give our guild this sewing machine to use as a raffle. Stay tuned for more details at the meeting.

Upcoming Quilt Shows
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XXII—Sept. 17-20 Greater Philadelphia Expo Ctr., 100 Station Ave., Oaks, PA (GPS USERS: 100 Station Avenue, Phoenixville, PA or 1601 Egypt Road, Phoenixville, PA) Hours: Thurs.-Sat., 10 am - 6 pm; Sun., 10 am - 4 pm

ColorBurst - October 9 & 10. Presented by the Keystone Quilters Guild at Quakertown Christian School, 50 E. Paletown Rd, Quakertown, PA. Fri 10 AM to 6 PM, Sat 10 AM to 5 PM. Admission: 1-Day $7; 2-Day $10. www.keystonequilters.org

Lebanon Quilters Guild Exhibition of Quilts—Nov. 13-15
Lebanon Expo Center, 80 Rocherty Rd, Lebanon, PA
Hours Fri. 12-6, Sat. & Sun. 10-4.

August 2015 Newsletter

President's Letter

Hello Guild,

I hope everyone is having a great summer and getting a lot of sewing done. The August bee is coming up soon. Knowing the bee is almost here is a bit like observing the days getting shorter and the sun steadily getting lower in the sky. It means autumn is coming, but not that fast! We still have a lot of summer to enjoy. We still have time to collect rows at our favorite quit shops and enjoy light, bright, airy fabrics that remind us of the season. Perhaps you are sewing lots and lots of pillow cases or other items to show others that quilters care. Hershey held a great show this year and I know many of us attended. And of course, there is always just doing nothing but enjoy great weather and cooking up good fresh farm food. 

Keep collecting your ideas for the challenge. Still stumped? Try this. It worked for me. Say to yourself that you will do something related to the next great favorite movie you see. Channel surf and see what stands out. Find that favorite classic. Maybe an advertisement that reminds you of an oldie. Maybe a Facebook post that reflects on a movie. You'll find it. We do have time, but there is not time like the present. Umm...was that a cliche? 

I hope to see many of you in August. September is coming and know Programs is working hard to set up a great year. 

Keep sewing,

Leslie

Summer Bee

Our annual "Quilting Bee" is scheduled for August 10th, 4:00 to 8:30.  Come when you can, leave if you must.  This is always a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones!  Bring a project, quilting or not.  Bring your favorite tips, tricks or favorite techniques to share.  Bring your favorite food.  Or just bring your favorite summer stories.  We all love to talk and listen!

SWAP?

As of right now I have not heard back from anyone interested in another swap. I am guessing many of you out there have jelly rolls stashed away that you are waiting to do something with. How about a 4 patch swap using up those jelly rolls? The way it would work is to take (2) 2 1/2" strips, sew them together, cut up 2 1/2" sections the length of the strip and sew them together to make a 4 patch. See the tutorial below.

You don't have to have a jelly roll you can also cut up strips from yardage. This time instead of assigning colors every month we can do a traditional/reproduction swap and or a modern/bright color swap and the choice of colors is your own.

Email me Kellymx@aol.com and let me know if there is any interest.

Sew 2 jelly roll strips or (2) 2 1/2" strips that are about 45" long together. Press the seam to the darker fabric.

Trim off the edge, make sure it is squared up.

Now cut 2 1/2" sections, continuing down the entire strip. I was able to get 17 cuts out of the strip.

Pair them up (I got 8 pairs) and sew them together as shown above.

Sew them assembly line style.....

Don't press the seam allowance to one side.

Instead open up the seam in the center so it looks like a little 4 patch and press well. This will make it lie much flatter and you won't get that little hump (thanks to Myrna for showing me how to do this!)

There you go, (8) 4 patch blocks. It only took me 15 minutes to make these. For the last swap we had 23 people. If we had the same amount you could make all your blocks within an hour.
This is a very accurate and fast way to make these blocks.
Thought? Yes, no, maybe so?

From Marion Stevenson

A funny article for your enjoyment!

http://kaythesewinglawyer.blogspot.com/2015/06/a-speech-on-quilting.html?m=1


Just for Fun!

PILLOWCASES

I met up with Debbie Becker at an Agnes Irwin gathering that I was invited to with Elizabeth. Elizabeth shared with her how much her patients love the pillowcases we make for them. Elizabeth says they do get to keep them and she uses them to distract the child when examining them or doing a procedure. The adorable designs are great for storytelling and conversation starters. I will be delivering more at the Hershey Quilt Show. Please consider making at least one or two pillowcases. The kids at Hershey LOVE them !  Thank you :)

Allie

July 2015 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

Dear Penn Oaks Quilters,

Even though it is June and we aren't meeting again until the August bee, we are still working on getting set for next year. Board and Committee Chairs are transferring activities to the new group. I have heard talk about the August bee and programs. Membership is active. There is even chatter about the next show.I know everyone is working on their summer quilting so we will have a lot to see the next time we meet.

I hope many of you have been participating in Row by Row. There are a lot of great shops out there waiting for you to pick up your rows. I'm sure all of you do the same thing I do when I travel. First things first, google all the quilt shops in the vicinity and plan the trip route accordingly!

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the adorable cat blocks. Yes, I am a crazy cat person! I look through the stack of blocks often. They make me smile! I'm thinking about how to combine them into an awesome cat quilt. It is fun to consider all the options. Talk about a great group quilt. Thanks, Everyone!

Have a great 4th of July Holiday. Get those red, white, and blue quilts out!

Les


PROGRAMS

Our annual "Quilting Bee" is scheduled for August 10th, 4:00 to 8:30.  Come when you can, leave if you must.  This is always a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and make some new ones!  Bring a project, quilting or not.  Bring your favorite tips, tricks or favorite techniques to share.  Bring your favorite food.  Or just bring your favorite summer stories.  We all love to talk and listen!

 

Our October meeting is shaping up to be quite exciting.  We are in the process of contracting with Bethanne Nemesh!  If you've been to recent Lancaster and Oaks shows, you've drooled over her fabulous long-arm quilting.  "Like" her on Facebook, where you can link to her website, www.whitearborquilting.com  which has a gallery of all her award-winning quilts, as well as info about her lecture, "Walk a Creative Path".

 

Betsy Moses and Robin McMillen

 

Membership 
Please join me in welcoming Linda Lakitsky to Penn Oaks Quilters. You may have met Linda when she volunteered at the quilt show. Linda's address is 720 N. Reeds Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335 and her home phone number is 610-458-5135. Her email address is lklakitsky@comcast.net.
Note that Marie Kline's correct home phone number is 610-384-4003. Her new email address is mkline1942@gmail.com.

July Birthdays
Delores Holzwarth            6-July
Sara Borr                              13-July
Pat Smith                             19-July
Many happy birthday wishes ladies!Carolyn and Jamie will be take over Membership mid-summer. 

Fabric Swap
Last year we did a fabric swap with 10" squares. There was talk of continuing it again this year, but changing it up a bit. We could do 2 1/2" strips, charm squares (5" squares), or fat eighths. There was also the idea of doing a block swap.....nine patches, flying geese, variable/Ohio stars, square in a square using novelty prints in the center, a modern fabric swap, a hexagon swap, a polaroid fussy cut swap, a civil war fabric swap, traditional fabric swap, low volume swap, the choices are endless.
I need to know what if anything you would like to do, we could even have a couple of different swaps going on at the same time. If you have an opinion or thought on this, contact me and let me know...kellymx@aol.com. I would like to try and get this set up in August so we can hit the ground running in September.
Please remember this, you must commit to the entire year, September through June. It is only fair to the rest of the members who are also participating and are counting on you to enhance their stash!
I know I have a great bunch of 10" squares that are just waiting to be made into a quilt!
Kelly Meanix


From Jean Fox
To Penn Oaks members and friends,   

You really took me by surprise with nominating me as volunteer of the year.  I deeply appreciate it  and thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Penn Oaks and the members hold a special place in my heart and I am deeply proud  to say I am a part of this fine group.  I feel there are others  who give so much to the guild and deserve this more than me but I really do appreciate being selected.   

Not to be forgotten is the lovely pot of flowers that came with the certificate.  I shall enjoy them and think of all of you when I look at them. They are planted in my yard so will be enjoyed for many months ahead. I am looking forward to another great year with a great group of quilters.   Jean Fox

June 2015 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S LETTER

It's hard to believe. Another year in the books. It was a great year and I thank everyone who helped make it happen. If you see a committee volunteer, please thank them for the work they do to make POQ the great experience it is.

I will award the volunteer of the year at the June meeting. June will be our last meeting of the year. Over the summer we will announce the summer bee and possibly a workshop. Watch for emails and newsletters for announcements. 

In the meantime, the sun is shining, we can leave our houses without bundling up and worrying about icy roads. Its time to start our summer sewing. It has already hit the 90 degree mark, so it may be time to make tops and leave the batting laden heavy projects until fall, or maybe call one of our favorite long armers. Quilting the quilt is now a year round activity. We all know what we have to do - start our quilts for the 2017 show!

No, it isn't too early to start to plan for 2017. Remember how fast time went between 2013 and 2015? Working towards the next show is way of life for POQ. I don't think anyone is complaining!

Speaking of 2017....I have wonderful news. Carolyn Davis, with the help of Jamie Loncaric and several committee chairs, has agreed to head up the 2017 show!

We have a show chair! The show will go on! When you see Carolyn, please thank her profusely and offer your help.Thank you Carolyn!!!

Have a great summer and I hope to see many of you at the summer events. Don't forget to complete your membership forms!

Leslie

PROGRAMS Betsy and Suzanne

Rachel Derstine will be our speaker for the June meeting.  Rachel is an award winning art quilter living in Schwenksville, PA.  Having grown up in Japan, she is strongly influenced by an Asian sensibility of design and often uses Kimonos, silks, ikats, and batik fabrics.  The dynamic of movement and a sense of depth through color and design are featured in her work.  Hand dyed fabrics, textural couching, and intense machine quilting are prominent elements in her creations.  Rachel will be presenting her lecture, "My Quilting Journey: Boundaries and Beyond", as well as a trunk show of her gorgeous and innovative quilts.  This should be an enjoyable evening.  Bring a friend, if you can! 

MEMBERSHIP: Ellen McMillen/ Rita Marie Smith
Thirty -nine members and three guests attended the May meeting. Marti Campbell was the winner of the door prize.
May and June are the membership renewal months for the 2015-16 guild year. You can find the renewal form on the newsletter blog and it will also be sent as an attachment in a separate email. The form may be easier to print that way. We will have some blank forms at the June meeting for those who do not have printing capability. Please bring your membership forms and checks to the meeting. You may also mail your renewal to Ellen McMillen, 810 Dowlin Forge Rd., Downingtown, PA 19335.

June Birthdays
Leslie O'Brien                    6-June
Marie Kline                        7-June
Ellen McMillen                  7-June
Jan Brown                        23-June
Cindy Vognetz                 24-June
Bob DeCarli                     26-June
Maryann Lewis               29-June
Many best wishes to all!

Membership Form----A form was also sent in a separate email. If you look to the right you can also click on "membership form" and print it out as well.

Penn Oaks Quilt Guild Membership Form 

PENN OAKS QUILT GUILD 
               NQA#336
  SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 - AUGUST 31, 2016 

NAME:_________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS:______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

HOME PHONE:_________________________ CELL PHONE #____________________

(WILL ONLY BE USED FOR MEETING CANCELLATIONS)

EMAIL FOR NEWSLETTER:_________________________________________________________

DUES: $35.00 PER GUILD YEAR PAYABLE NO LATER THAN JUNE FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR. PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO PENN OAKS QUILTERS.

CASH $________           CHECK#________       AMOUNT $________      DATE________

BIRTHDAY MONTH/DAY FOR NEWSLETTER:_____________________________________

WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE HISTORY OF OUR CHAPTER UPDATED. PLEASE SHARE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WITH US.

HOW MANY YEARS HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF PENN OAKS?____________________

ARE YOU A CHARTER MEMBER?___________________________________________________

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY OTHER QUILT GUILD? WHICH ONES?___________________

________________________________________________________________________________

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN QUILTING?___________________________________________

HAVE YOU WON ANY AWARDS? IF SO WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN____________________

________________________________________________________________________________

ARE YOU AN NQA MEMBER? ______________________

IS SO, WHAT IS YOUR NUMBER?______________  EXP DATE_______________________
For Membership Use

Dues received (Date)______Cash____ Check___Check #______ Amount_________

  

Hospitality Angel Henderson
Snack list for our June meeting is: A. Barchi, D. Becker, D. Wilson*, S. Borr, S. Braskey, Jan Brown, M. Campbell, M. Caporale, M. Carlson, C. Davis, K. DeCarli*, B. DeCarli, S. Doonan, E. Dusinberre, E. Egan, Jean Fox*, P. Gallagher, Fay Ann Grider, C. Harkins*, A. Henderson*, D. Hill, H. Hofbauer, D. Holzwarth, M. Hopkins, M.Kline,E. Lance, M. Lewis, R.Lodi.  If there is a star after your name , please bring a beverage for the group instead of a snack.  Remember to trade your responsibility with a friend if you cannot attend and let me know. 

Fabric Swap

June is our last swap and I will bring the final fabric squares (yellow prints) to the June meeting. Please let me know if you will not be at the meeting. If need be you can mail them to the participants or make other arrangements.
There are quite a few extra blocks.....I will put everyone's name in a box and pull one. They will be the winner of all the extras.
This was a lot of fun and we got some really beautiful fabrics. Thank you to everyone for participating! If there is interest we could do another one or some variation (charm squares, 2 1/2" strips etc) of one next year. Send me your feedback and let me know what you want to do!

Kelly----questions?    kellymx@aol.com or 610-873-7211

LAST 2015 QUILT SHOW NEWS

Well the numbers are in.  We (emphasis on WE) made $3811.46.  GREAT JOB all around.  In 2013 we totaled around $2800 and in 2011 we brought in around $3000.  The food and all the efforts of our raffles and the Acorn Shoppe really paid off.  Terrific.  We had 359 attendees.  Thanks Denise for plugging through the financial reports.

We have a new 2017 “For the Love of Quilting IX” chairwoman:  Carolyn Davis with Jamie Loncaric as back-up.  YEAH!  We are in the process of sending in the deposit for Griffith Hall.

Our next show (in 2017) will be May 5-6 with set up on the 4^th. 

Again, thanks for all the support.  I’ve loved doing the past four shows.

Start stitching!

Smiles,

Suzanne Stiverson

Newsletter
Please feel free to email me over the summer break with any news or information to send to the group. Even though we don't meet that doesn't mean we aren't sewing!

Quilt Happenings

In Full Bloom
May 30-31, 2015
Garden State Quilters Guild
Morris Sports Arena Morristown, NJ
www.gardenstatequilters.com/quiltshow.html

Annapolis Quilt Guild

June 13- 14, 2015

http://www.annapolisquiltguild.org/quilt_show.htm

Trash to Treasure
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Tredyffrin Township Library
582 Upper Gulph Road, Strafford, PA
www.mainlinequilters.com

Quilts Paying it Forward
July 17-18, 2015
Cape Henlopen High School 
Ocean Waves Quilt Guild
Lewes, DE
www.oceanwavesquiltguild.org/qs15.html

Quilt Odyssey
Hershey Pa
July 23-26, 2015
https://server7.pacecomputing.com/quiltodysseycom/www/General-Information.php

AQS Quilt Week
July 29-August 1, 2015
The Oncenter,
Syracuse, NY
http://www.quiltweek.com/locations/syracuse/

Kaleidoscope of Colors
August 7-9, 2015
Eventplex, Frederick, Maryland
Four County Quilters Guild
www.fourcountyquilters.com

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza
Sep 17-20, 2015
Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (Oaks)
100 Station Ave, Oaks PA
www.quiltfest.com 

For The Love of Quilts 2015