February 2009 Newsletter

The Quilting Bees met at Helen’s home on February 16 with lots of fun projects to share. The members present included Peggy, Tricia, Dawn, Trisha, Randi, Carol, Ellie, Helen, Rita and Linda. Margie was the only missing quilter and we missed her immensely!
Randi, the Queen Bee, began by distributing Valentines to everyone at the meeting. The foam hearts asked why we set goals and the chocolate attached to the back was yummy. Thanks Randi!

The “Two of a Kind” quilt pattern is a go and we talked about fabric selection and project size. The limits of this project are set by our own imaginations. So, let’s be creative and see what wondrous quilts, wall hanging, table runners, mug mats… we can create using the pattern. Thanks Randi for making us copies. We have until our Christmas meeting to come up with a finished project and we shan’t be sharing until December so be sure to keep it a secret until then. Good luck.

Linda talked about her cousin, Kathy, a resident of Juneau, Alaska. They have shared emails and Linda said Kathy is doing fun quilting projects. The group talked about inviting Kathy to be an internet member so I’ll send her an email to invite her to join our fun group of creative quilters.

Rita wants to offer the members a workshop in her lab at Douglas High School so we can experiment with silk screening, fabric painting and just “get down and dirty” with color. We set a Saturday, March 28 date. Rita will be sending a project list of materials to bring. We will finalize plans next month as far as food etc. Meanwhile everyone needs to come up with a quote she would like to put on fabric.

Rita also shared a project she is working on for her sister. She painted pictures of her beautiful nieces and silk screened the fabric, intending to make a quilted wall hanging. I think she used twill fabric. She wants to add jean fabric from their outgrown pants in the border and was interested in talking about how to create a manageable project that won’t “do in” her machine. Members suggested that she use fabric for the back such as Robert Kauffman’s Kona cotton in a muslin color. She may also want to try a low loft poly batting. We are excited to watch the progress on this project for sure.

Rita also set goals for 2009

1. complete the niece project sometime this year – for her sister’s birthday, anniversary or Christmas.
2. practice more accurate seaming
3. learn turn needle appliqué

We were delighted that Trisha began her first quilt. Way to go, Trish! She is making pinwheel blocks and set two goals for 2009.

1. Finish the pinwheel quilt
2. combine her love of scrap booking with quilting and make a quilt with pictures

It’s amazing what Trisha can do when her mom tells her the group thinks she isn’t really that interested in quilting but enjoys sharing the camaraderie with Carol and friends. “I’ll show them,” said Trisha “and I’ll make a quilt!” Whatever it takes, we’ll figure it out and make quilters out of scrap bookers any day.

Carol has been in a quilting frenzy and brought her Elvis quilt to show off. She wanted ideas on how to finish off the quilt top and members suggested she add colored inner borders and finish it off with a black border. Since she has a million yards of the Elvis fabric, Randi suggested she back the quilt with the colored Elvis photos, framed in black fabric and colored prints. We can’t wait to see it finished..
Carol also brought along an embroidery birth sampler that Lacey is making for her daughter, Paisley, who celebrated her first birthday in November. The needlework is exquisite and Lacey created the design as well. Grandma Carol has definite reason to be proud of her grandaughter's talent!

Ellie shared the wedding wall hanging made for her 6/7/08 wedding. She and her husband selected the date because the numbers have meaning – 6 represents man, 7 means completion and 8 stands for new beginnings. Carol made the quilt and designed it so the wedding guests could sign it and wish the couple a long life together. It is simply beautiful!

Peggy is expecting her first grandchild, a sweet little boy, and is getting ready for the baby shower. Since last month she created two rag quilts; one for her daughter-in-law and the other for her grandbaby. She also made three pillowcases and two lined curtain sets for her sewing studio. She brought along a wall hanging made from the Kansas Troubles pattern and is her first attempt at free-motion quilting. Wow, has she been busy!

Tricia showed us the fun quilt she made for her nephew Jackson, who is also Peggy’s grandson. What a lucky little boy to have a grandma and an auntie who both love to quilt. Tricia also told us that she had a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and they were discussing whether or not she needs chemotherapy. Since I am writing this post appointment, I am delighted to report that she does not need chemo and will take medication and have regular check up visits. We are so thankful that prayers are answered.

Helen treated us with purses that she is making for a dear friend of hers who is a fabric designer. Helen is her apprentice, the master carpenter, taking her ideas and giving them life. They are so creative and all of us, mostly Helen, hope that the designer’s ideas and talent rub off onto Helen… then on to us.
She also made a Valentine table runner and machine embroidered hearts in the squares. It is sooo cute!

Randi shared a photo of a quilt that didn’t have much spark to it and that was set aside for quite a while. One day, while trying to recapture her "mojo," she took out the piece and began reverse sewing. Once she had all the pieces apart, she played with them, shared some with her granddaughter, Helen, and began creating anew. It worked! Now she has a couple of table toppers and Helen has her first creation from arranging the scraps (blue wall hanging). Last month we featured the second table topper so check it out to see all finished pieces. She is working on those goals and taking care of UFOs and scraps all at the same time. Way to go, Randi!

Linda and Randi reported on the Mom’s on the Run quilt and shared the photo from the meeting at Pinnochio’s when the quilt was presented to their board. They loved the quilt and appreciated the donation. We took flyers to share with the Quilting Bees and encourage everyone to sign up for the walk or run. The quilt will be added to the silent auction and we asked that the minimum bid be $250. Be sure to check out their website. This non-profit does so much to help local women with female related cancer (breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers) by providing for needs; food, gas money, childcare, medications etc. Each month they spend an average of $1700 so this annual fundraiser is important to keep up with the need.

Dawn finished four quilts to take with her when she and Dave vacation in Mexico. She made contact with a woman in Loreto,Baja California, who will make sure the quilts find good homes. We’ve had a chance to see all her quilts and know that there will be some very happy youngsters with beautiful quilts thanks to Dawn and Dave.

Our next meeting is March 16 so everyone is encouraged to wear green and bring St. Paddys Day treats.

Keep Bzzzy and happy quilting to all!
Linda