Thru the Eye of the Needle

May—2009

FROM THE PRESIDENT

These past few months for me have been packed with seminars, classes, and new ideas. My head is so full of plans and projects I want to do…….but where to start. I have to remind myself that first I must complete my challenge quilt and then my show quilt. Then and only then can I start a new project. In the wee hours when I can’t sleep but am too tired to sew I have been journaling and sketching. I would hate for a great idea to be lost forever because of my lack of memory! So now I’m collecting ideas along with my fabrics, books, and notions! Maybe it’s part of the creative process, preparing for inspiration. But at some point it’s time to take action. We must make enough stuff, good and bad projects, so that the really great ideas have a chance to shine. I once heard that it’s more important to be productive than to be creative. If you are productive, your creativity will take care of itself. If you are not productive, then how is it exactly you intend to be creative? It’s a great way to think, but I bet the person who said that doesn’t have a challenge quilt due in June and a show quilt due in October!

On to business……..Marion Carrier is our liaison with the church and calendar keeper. If you or your committee would like something added to our website calendar or if you need to schedule the use of the community room, please contact Marion.

Unfortunately the church is having problems with their sound system, and in an effort to police the problem, has decided no outside groups can use their system. We have our own sound system, but we need two members to commit to set-up and monitoring during each of our meetings. These positions are critical to the running of our meetings. If you can help, please contact Sheree Jimmerson for our Thursday morning meeting and Ingrid Whitcher for our Monday evening meeting. This is an urgent request so please don’t think; ACT by picking up your phone and agreeing to help!

As we go into the busy summer months don’t forget to mark your calendars and attend our meetings. We have some wonderful upcoming programs scheduled you won’t want to miss. Also check out the PQG website. It has a new look and more pictures of speakers and quilts. A big thank you goes to Claire Nicolini for many years as our web-mistress. She ushered us into the computer age and made sure our site was beautiful.

Take care and happy quilting, Joyce Thompson

DAY CHAPTER

The April program with Eric Drexler was great, don’t you think? Check out our website for some pictures of the quilts that he shared with us. I would like to thank all the guild members who boarded him, transported him, and entertained him while he was here.

For our May program, Sandra Wolf will share with us information and techniques of appliqué that she learned at the recent Houston International Quilt Show. She and Frances Borowski have worked hard to prepare a wonderful powerpoint presentation for this program. I am looking forward to this, for sure.

There will be a new Favorite Block released at the May program. Be sure to do your part to contribute to Community Quilts by making one of these favorite blocks.

We are all looking forward to June. The program will be the Circle Quilt Challenge. Remember, your quilt must be completed. It must have three of the five items from your brown bag displayed on the front of the quilt. It must be between 12” and 40” in diameter. We will also have a group photo made of all the Mystery Quilts, so be sure to bring your completed quilt top or quilt.

Hope to see you at the next meeting. Sheree Jimmerson

NIGHT CHAPTER

This is a reminder of an important calendar change – the May meeting is scheduled for May 18th – which is the 3rd Monday because of Memorial Day. I forgot to announce it at the last meeting – so this is it!

Wasn’t last months program wonderful! I so enjoyed seeing Kim’s work and having a signed copy of her book. There are some pictures from her program on the web site for those who were not able to attend. (Look for it under the Meetings and Program tab.)

For the May program Alma Moates is going to be doing a lecture entitled “Flour Sacks Make Better Underwear.” I know… it sounds very intriguing. I hope you all are planning on attending.

Just remember, just one more month until the Challenge is due. I am so excited to see all the innovative ways you all came up with to deal with the grab bags.

See you at the meeting. Ingrid Whitcher and Deila Hiebert

COMMUNITY QUILTS/DAY

The Guild has donated 16 quilts to Habitat for Humanity so far this year. Thanks to guild quilters Winnie Haley, Sue White, Ingrid Whitcher, Lisa Walborn, Angie Madden and Melissa Fell, we were able to donate several quilts in a timely manner.

At the April workshop, with nine members participating, we were able to construct nine quilt tops. The next workshop will be Thursday, June 18, 10 AM – 3 PM at Suzanne Wernick’s home. Space is limited so please register with Suzanne at the May meeting. Sewing machines and basic sewing tools are requested. Fabric is furnished and a new technique is usually offered.

Lunch is provided and a good time is guaranteed. Suzanne Wernick

WORKSHOPS

We have only two classes left on our schedule this year. Flavin Glover will have the night program in August with two classes following the next day. I have heard comments that working ladies would attended night classes if we provided them. Well, ladies, here is your class.

  • Aug 24, night meeting program, “The Care & Feeding of the Patchwork Design.”
  • Aug 25, 9:30 a.m., full-day workshop, “The Colorful & Creative Log Cabin Diamonds” class will cost $35.
  • Aug 25, 5:30 p.m., three-hour workshop, “Patchwork Houses & Buildings” class will cost $20. This will be a lecture/demonstration with design exercises on grids and diagrams.

I have some ladies who have signed up for classes but not paid. I will be removing your name when the space is needed. Call me if you still want to attend. Remember your space cannot be saved unless paid for. Carolyn Milligan

AT HOME IN THE GUILD

  • Portrait Painting – May 16, Saturday, 9:30am. (Angie Madden)
  • Curvaceous Curves Log Cabin – June 9, Tuesday, 9:30am. (Kathy Bullard)

I am in the process of scheduling classes you have requested. Check your newsletter in the coming months.

Ladies, the start time of classes does not mean that is arrival time. Please allow yourself enough time to be set up and ready to go by the class scheduled time. If you need more class information, please call Barbara Doster.

SOUVENIR BLOCKS

A big thank you to all who participated last month. I would like to challenge all members to make a commitment to make at least a few blocks each month. if we all pitch in, our goal will be easy to achieve. Make blocks now before it’s time to hurry and finish quilts for the show, the holidays etc. The strip block is on an 8 1/2” foundation. Strips can be any size. The Pensacola star block finishes 9 1/2”. Step-by-step directions are on the guild web site (On the left, click on Quilt Show, and at the top of that page, click on Souvenir Block Instructions. If you have questions, call Fran Moore. (Refer to your directory for contact information.)

DATES TO REMEMBER

  • May 2009
    • Saturday,16— AHiG Portrait Painting
    • Monday, 18—Night Chapter Meeting
    • Thursday,28— Day Chapter Meeting
  • June 2009
    • Friday, 5—Night Chapter Community Quilts
    • Tuesday,9 —AHiG Curvaceous Curves
    • Thursday,18—Day Chapter Community Quilts