March 2009 Newsletter

Well, It is already April and our next meeting is in a few days. I guess that is motivating me to post the last meeting of the Quilting Bees gathered at Helen’s Hive on March 16, 2009. The members present included Peggy, Margie, Randi, Tricia, Helen, Rita, and Linda. Since it was the eve of St. Patrick’s Day we began the meeting with a social time, eating mostly green foods. This delayed the meeting start by half an hour but our tummies were full and there weren’t any complaints that’s for sure. We decided to have a social time from 5:30 for about 15 minutes but we ask that people still arrive at 5:30 so we can get started before 6:00 pm. We appreciate so much meeting at Helen’s home and her generosity inspired Tricia to offer her own home for a church group.

We decided to rotate bringing refreshments so that Helen doesn’t end up preparing snacks and getting her hive in order at the same time. Tricia and Peggy volunteered for the April meeting.

Linda reported on the paper pieced angel block for a quilt to raise money for the cancer support group that offered so much support to Carol. We selected an angel that needs to be purchased on-line so Randi offered to take care of that. Linda will teach the class in June. Margie is willing to set up dates for the Quilting Bees to meet for classes at the UNCE office in Carson as needed.

Rita reported on the March 28 class at Douglas High School. She distributed a list of supplies needed and said she would have her project from the class she took in Sister’s ready to show us when we arrived.

Kathy H. from Alaska, was introduced as our internet member. Linda suggested that the blog be an open forum so anyone in the group could post if they had something to share; pictures, quilt sales, questions…. As a group, there wasn’t any interest so until there is, it looks like I’m the lone ranger out here.

Peggy brought a quilted wall hanging to show and tell. She is working on one of her goals, to improve her machine quilting and is doing a great job! A lovely quilt, Peggy.

Randi shared a picture of her great nephew and the sailboat quilt she created for him. A tiny baby at birth, he is smooth sailing now! She also brought her convergence quilt that she made in a class offered by Going Batty. She used all but a few scraps of fabric and the back art was so creative. What a fun project!

Linda showed off the quilt she made for her great nephew for his first birthday. She made a matching quilt in different fabrics but used the same pattern for his older brother.

We had fun working with Helen on her pumpkin quilt. The top is assembled but she needs borders. She auditioned several borders and everyone had an opinion or two about it. She decided to change out the leaf border for a geometric fabric and used the leaf fabric, which is beautiful, on a pieced leaf quilt. She only needs twenty more squares! Two quilts when only one was planned! Now that’s quilting math for sure.

The highlight of the evening was presenting Tricia with her quilt. The group met on a Saturday afternoon and made blocks from Stars Across America, quilt blocks named after important women in history. This was the perfect pattern to use and the quilt is beautiful. Peggy selected the fabric with a little help from Lori at Sierra Sewing. Randi added fabric to complete the colors for the quilt. Helen assembled the blocks, passed it on to Randi who sandwiched it and created the back art. Lori made the label and then I quilted it and passed it on to Peggy for the binding. Through all of the quilt travels, Tricia had no idea that so many loving thoughts were being sewn into a quilt that she could wrap about her shoulders. Then Randi made a booklet showing all the blocks, the historical women they were named after and the quilter from our group who sewed each block. When we gave her the quilt there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she felt blessed and loved.

Peggy was so sweet as she gifted each of us a basket she made using her embroidery machine. Her work is so beautiful. Thanks from all of us for such a thoughtful gift, Peggy.

The Quilting Bees extend love and sympathy to Carol, Trisha and Lacey for the loss of Mike Fallon; son, brother, uncle and loving father. The Celebration of Life was so beautiful that those of us that did not know Mike when he was living wished that we had known him.

The next meeting is Monday, April 20 at 5:30 pm. If you aren’t working on a quilting project right now, don’t forget the QBee’s Christmas Challenge - “Two of a Kind” quilt, wall hanging, table runner…The final project should be kept secret and is due in nine months, at the Christmas potluck.

Keep Bzzy,
Linda

Meet Kathy, Our Internet Member from Juneau

I have been playing with fabric and textures since around 1970 when I was living in Seattle. I didn't start quilting until I was expecting my first grandchild eight years ago. I make quilts for family and friends and love to invent my own wallhanging patterns using fabric and odds and ends from my stash. I'm a collector of ribbons, threads, netting, buttons, seedpods and anything that will add texture to a design. I love photography and will often use a photo for inspiration. This wall hanging I started a few years ago and didn't like it so I put it on the back burner to simmer for awhile. It kept nudging me in my dreams, so this winter I pulled it out again and was just about to throw it in the trash when a little voice told me to spare its life and just fool around with fabric and embroidery to enhance the design. This playfulness freed me up to do anything I wanted. It's a view of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska that we see from our home. I'm happy with it now.

My goals for 2009 are :
1. I'm finishing all my UFO's before I start a new project (unless someone gets pregnant!)
2. I'm using fabric from my stash and NOT buying any new fabric.
3. I'm teaching my 8 year old grand daughter Siena to make her first quilt. As I told her she was the one who inspired me to begin this quilting adventure in the first place.
4. I'm such a closet quilter and haven't joined any of the guilds here in Juneau so I plan to do that this year.

Kathy

The members of the Quilting Bees welcome our newest and first internet member. Kathy emailed her bio and picture as a means of introduction and I will be sending everyone email addresses. We look forward to sharing many more quilts and ideas - in person and online. I also wanted to add this combination photo taken by Kathy of gladiolas she grew in her yard on a table topper she created. She titled the picture "Glad for the Glacier." From her deck she has a breath taking view of Mendenhall Glacier.

Linda

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

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