January 2009 Newsletter

This is a record. Our meeting ended an hour and a half ago and I am blogging already. It must be the coffee, delicious brie cheese drizzled with honey. sliced bread and pears that Helen served. Whatever the reason, I am taking advantage of the energy I have and "going for it!

First meeting of the new year and new beginnings. We met and discussed personal goals that each of us set for 2009. I plan to record them here so, if anyone wants to check their progress, she only needs to look at the first blog of the year to see what she planned to do.

Randi shared the following goals:

1. make projects from magazines and books she hasn't used
2. focus on UFOs and family quilts
3. experiment with new techniques
4. make a scrap quilt using fat quarters

She shared a project with us that wasn't working so she took it apart and reassembled the blocks to make a Churn Dash table topper. From the leftover fabric, Helen created her own pattern and actually sat on her Grandma's lap and worked at piecing it together. We're looking forward to seeing the result. Meantime, the table topper is just cute as can be.

Randi finished her great-nephew's quilt and made the label using machine embroidery on the hull of several of the sailing boats. "Smooth Sailing" is the title of this nautical quilt and Randi varied the pattern by adding stars to each block. She used Minkie fabric on the back and suggested using straight quilting stitches and "Sewer's Aid".

Dawn set several goals for the next year:

1. complete the Hidden Stars quilt
2. make quilts for Dave's great nieces and nephew
3. make a scrappy quilt with 6" blocks
4. do something with fat quarters
5. make a paper pieced wall hanging
6. make seasonal wall quilt
   Dawn created a couple of table toppers and is expanding her free motion by using stars and hearts in the quilting. Just in time for Valentine's Day! She plans to use one in her office.

She showed us the "Quilt as You Go" quilt she made with the Ditch Stitchers and plans to donate it to hospice. The method features strips of fabric around a center panel. Someone is going to enjoy the fine work Dawn does, that's for sure!

Dawn made a quilt for Pazlee, the daughter of a family friend. The backside of the quilt features paisley fabric, of course and we know that this will be one of her favorite quilts as she grows up!

Peggy showed off a cute purse she made for a friend. Created from 21/2" strips,it is a keeper for sure! She also set some goals for the new year:

1. make a wall hanging with a quilt panel
2. make Shop Hop quilt from Fabrics Unlimited
3. Has 7 or 8 quilt tops, wants to complete 5

Tricia plans to accomplish her goals for 2009:

1. finish Thimbleberries bird house quilt
2. finish the quilt she began when she was diagnosed with cancer, a quilt that helped her cope with the unknowns.
3. seasonal table toppers for her coffee table celebrating the four seasons
4. learn to use the long arm quilt machine
5. improve free motion quilting

Carol was sporting a new hat and looked great! She set goals for 2009:

1. make an Elvis quilt for her first cousin, due to visit early this year
2. make a dandelion quilt
3. create a cherry quilt
   She showed us the applique work she did on the pumpkin quilt Dawn machine quilted for her. The vines just add the perfect finishing touches to a great fall quilt!

Carol also finished a table topper made on a grid. So many little squares but so cute!
She talked about the Angel quilt that she received as a cancer victim and asked us to consider making a quilt for donation to be auctioned. Carol passed around patterns she designed from angel fabric that could be appliqued on blocks. Linda said she would check on a paper pieced angel pattern since members are interested in learning how to paper piece. She'll bring something to the next meeting.

Dawn brought the Mom's on the Run donation quilt. Thanks to the efforts of the whole group, the quilt is finished. Special thanks to Randi for assembling the blocks and sandwiching it and to Dawn for quilting it. The Mom's on the Run have their annual fun run on Mother's Day and Dawn suggested that all of us may want to consider walking or running that day. The quilt will be offered in a silent auction and we discussed the value and how much money we expect the quilt to make for the group, Moms on the Run. We want the quilt to earn at least $250 for the non-profit so Dawn plans to talk with them about promoting the quilt so it earns as much as possible. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say the quilt is simply stunning!

Ellie set three goals:

1. complete her scarecrow/pumpkin table topper
2. finish the Valentine table topper
3. complete the pumpkin quilt

Helen has three goals too:

1. clean her sewing room, about 75% finished!
2. begin working on the seven boxes of projects that she assembles as a result of cleaning her room.
3. complete her pumpkin quilt

Linda has a list of projects that she plans to work on during 2009:

1. work on UFOs
2. make Drew's t-shirt quilt
3. make a PJ flannel quilt to raffle off to her family at Christmas time to make money for a family in need
4. make a bed quilt using leftover fabric from clothes she sewed for her children and grandchildren.

During the last month, Linda completed several projects and happily crossed them off her list. One is a UFO table runner that was started for her mother as a Christmas present but she put it aside to care for her mother and she passed away shortly after Christmas. It's a reversible, quilt as you go, pattern.
Linda brought the t-shirt quilt she made to honor the life of her young friend, Garrett. His mother gave her 25 t-shirts and she assembled them into a quilt with flannel sashing cut on the bias.

Her grandson, Noah, celebrated his 2nd birthday and Nana made him a little boy doll to cuddle and love

She is making quilts for her sister's grandchildren and is finishing the binding on the "Hot Wheels" quilt for Andru and is preparing to quilt the bear quilt for Jayden's first birthday later this month.

Everyone talked about the pattern we plan to use this year. We selected Two of a Kind and each member will make the pattern in the fabric they choose, complete "something" using that pattern - wall hanging, quilt, table runner, coaster...whatever they choose. The finished projects will be kept secret until our Holiday meeting in December, at which time each person will bring her completed project to display. We're looking forward to experiencing the diversity and creativity abundant among the women in the Quilting Bees!

We missed Margie, Trisha, Lacey and Rita and hope you can all be with us at the next meeting. Thanks to the women who brought items for the 4-H fabric and rummage sale. And a special thanks to the hostess with the mostess, Helen.

Reminders for the February meeting:

• Randi bring pattern for Peggy
• Linda bring paper pieced pattern
• Randi copy patterns of group quilt
• Members bring the 6" squares to complete your commitment

Keep bzzy and keep quilting!
Linda

December 2008 Newsletter

Christmas is such a festive time and we confirmed it at our December meeting. It was a blustery day and we all came in, shaking off the snow and bearing gifts, good food and warm hearts. The food was delicious; chili in bread bowls, veggie platter, enchiladas, rice and beans, cookies, flan, cannoli's, 7-layer dip....thinking about all that good food makes me feel satisfied. The Quilting Bees that joined in the festivities included Margie, Peggy, Tricia, Dawn, Randi, Ellie, Helen and Linda. We missed the members that were unable to join us and wished them a happy holiday.

Dawn came prepared for Show and Tell with a quilt created to bring a bit of nature into her workspace. Her office doesn't have a window so she created a space with a fountain, beta fish and plant and this amazingly quilted wall hanging, "Working...while you Play."

It features orcas, at play.

Then she showed us the children's quilts she is making to take to Mexico with her in 2009. One is a game quilt and the other features beetles. Such fun!

Helen showed us some of her completed UFOs and we were impressed. The tops were finished but now they are done; sandwiched, quilted and bound. She started a table topper and quilted each block separately, ending up with a full sized quilt! Through the Carson Valley Quilt Guild, she took 3rd Saturday classes and made placemats, a scrap quilt and a fun quilt she named "Teddy Bear Picnic." Helen and Ellie showed us squares for a calendar quilt and Christmas quilt made with another quilting circle. We appreciated the inspiration.

Next month, each member is encouraged to bring a quilt pattern that could be used by everyone to produce a quilt. The idea is that the finished quilt would be a secret to be shared next Christmas. So don't forget those patterns so we can vote. We are also asking each member to set personal quilting goals for 2009 and bring them along to share. And don't forget to bring quilting items you would like to pass on so Margie can take them to the Carson City 4-H Fabric and Rummage Sale.

Helen offered to work with Peggy to learn about her long-arm quilt machine. The only obstacle that keeps Peggy and Tricia out of the studio is window covering. Dawn suggested using fabric, Ellie said just use newspaper. I guess we'll find out what Peggy used at the next meeting.

Since our November meeting, Tricia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was scheduled to go in for an operation the day after our meeting and the very good news is that the cancer did not spread to her lymph nodes. She will have an implant to target the radiation to a specific area and will be traveling to Reno daily for radiation therapy. We are so thankful that prayers are being answered and that we can support Tricia in her journey back to health.

The Quilting Bees is about much more than quilting, isn't it? We are sisters, sharing and supporting each other through our joys and tribulations with a good measure of quilting added. My wish for each of you is that 2009 will be a good year filled with laughter, fun and completed UFO's.

Happy Quilting!

Linda

November 2008 Newsletter

It's a windy January afternoon and I am traveling back to November, hoping to bring back memories of an evening in Helen's home, sharing with each other. The Bees in attendance were Helen, Tricia, Dawn, Randi, Margie, Peggy, Carol, Trisha and Linda.

We planned the December potluck with a Mexican theme and asked Helen to invite Ellie to join us too. The gift exchange, under $10 please, was a quilting related item. Margie distributed information about the Carson City 4-H fabric and rummage sale. Everyone was asked to bring items to the January meeting.

Margie is making great use of one of Randi's give-a-way books and selected a pattern to make a crib quilt for her friend. She selected the focus fabric border and was on the lookout for color suggestions.

Peggy shared "Herd of Turtles", a quilt made entirely from her stash. She did a beautiful job machine quilting. Peggy insists that is her challenge but she has yet to convince the rest of us. Work is continuing on her addition, just painting and flooring left. Her long arm quilting machine had to be moved and to do so required taking it apart. Yikes!

Randi brought along the sailboat quilt she made for her great nephew, Hayden. The little tyke was born June 16, 2008 and weighed 1 lb. 13 oz. He is home and waiting for his Great Auntie Rand to bring him his boat blanket. Just a few days before the meeting, Randi had her thyroid removed and she shocked all of us by showing up. She moved slowly and acted somewhat drugged but she did it! Little Helen asked her "when they cut your head off, how are they going to put it back on?" From the looks of it, they did a good job.

Dawn brought Christmas placemats to Show and Tell. She used fabric that Randi was getting rid of and when we all saw how beautiful they were, Randi wondered why she didn't make them herself. Dawn also showed off her template bed quilt, "Beached in the High Desert." Her sewing machine broke mid project so she had to relearn to quilt. It is just beautiful!

Dawn finished quilting the Colonial Ladies quilt that Carol created. Dawn used bias binding on a scalloped border. It was breathtaking! She used Soak to remove all the markings. Dawn insisted that all she did was "follow the dots" but the rest of us know that it takes talent by the bushelfuls to create such art. The two are quite a team, Carol's applique and Dawn's machine quilting...WOW! Trisha said all that was missing was Shiloh's cat hair.

I gave an update on the Sunbonnet Sue quilt. Lacey is still working on her square and Rita finished hers, Sue in the blowing wind with leaves scattered in the background. Once we have Lacey's square, we'll add them to the backside of Carol's quilt, close to her heart. Randi gave each person pictures of their block and the quilt. Thanks for being so thoughtful.

Carol is scheduled to have another round of chemo near Thanksgiving. She completed 19 sessions of radiation. Her vein became infected from the chemo, actually resembled a burn. The chemo drip lasted 96 hours. She is eating better and that is good. She thanked everyone for our love mails and for helping her get through the days. After reading the book, Making Miracles, about 11 terminally ill cancer patients who survived 10+ years Carol said "I don't feel like I'm dying. I'm not afraid and I'm NOT ready." Way to go, Carol! We'll keep you in our prayers.

2009 Quilting Bees Goal Suggestions
Randi- wants to make more patterns from her own magazines and books. Also wants to use more of her own fabric. Randi invited Margie to look through her stash and Margie wants to know if she is serious. She is!!

Margie bragged about having only two UFOs. But, as Helen reminded us, "a UFO is a UFO!"

Tricia has a seven year old project she plans to finish, a queen sized quilt called "Safe Haven" by Thimbleberries, it features bird houses.

Peggy suggested selecting one pattern for all of us to make using fabric from our stash. So everyone is asked to bring a pattern so we can select a group project.

I'll be on to the December minutes soon. Thanks for your patience.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.
Keep Bzzy!
Linda