From the President
This seems very strange to be writing under the title of President of PQG. I started quilting approximately ten years ago. When I was ripping out my less than perfect seams, never did it occur to me that quilting would soon become my obsession.
How about this cold weather? I love it! Mother Nature is trying to help us get ready for our big Quilt Show. I love to hand quilt when it’s cold. Who needs a quilt in their lap when its 95 degrees? I have always thought I could get more quilting done if it would stay cold.
Speaking of our Quilt Show, we need to sell more tickets. Remember, ladies, this Opportunity Quilt has special meaning. It was made by guild members and for the good of the guild. When buying tickets you not only get a chance to win the quilt, but also you are continuing financial support of your guild. You will win either way.
I need a few greeters and helpers to set up and take down for both our meetings. If you could help, your service would be really appreciated. There is work to do before our meetings and we should not expect to walk in and be entertained. If you cannot help on a regular basis, offer to help when you are in attendance.
For some reason, I always feel ready to make changes with a new year. I feel ready to learn and experience new ideas; ready to benefit from my past triumphs and disappointments. At our January meeting we will discuss our meeting site. Other options have been opened to the guild.
We have a new year and yesterday is over. Let’s all work together to make our guild better and stronger in 2010. No one can do it alone, but united it’s possible.
February is coming, Quilt, Quilt, Quilt!
Carolyn Milligan
Day Chapter
Is it cold enough for everyone yet? Sorry I missed the Christmas party, but I can attest to you all that I had a great visit to Stuttgart, Germany, and a wonderful visit with my daughter whom we haven’t seen in over a year. We baked over 12 dozen cookies and made lots of fudge so that she could make up “goodie bags” for her troops who had to work Christmas Eve and day shifts. I’m sure they all appreciated our hard work as we appreciate all of the military’s efforts.
I’m happy to be on the board for our guild again. It’s been a while and I can say that sitting back and taking a break for so many years has made me somewhat lazy.
I seem to be newly motivated and am ready to step up my quilting. I have even picked up knitting and crocheting again, mostly out of necessity to make some neck scarves because of the inclement weather we are experiencing. Plus, I can make the exact scarf I want, since I can’t seem to find what I’ve been looking for anywhere in town!
January’s program should be interesting Joyce Thompson will explain “Discharging on Fabric,” a technique that will release color from previously dyed fabric using bleach or a special paste. There is more than more product on the market to accomplish this technique so that those who want to give this a try may choose which best suits their needs and delivers the desired results. This will give all of us some inspiration on how we can get the exact shades or colors out of a fabric that just isn’t quite the right tone we want. This may also prove to be helpful information for those of us who have some antique fabrics in our stash that have either faded over the years or have permanent crease fade lines. Maybe we can get new life out of those old fabrics.
I will NOT be doing a block of the month (BOM) for members. I have asked Suz- anne Wernick if she would take this on since BOMs are donated to Community Projects and turned into quilts for our guild donations. She was delighted to take over the block selection and will even give us fabric hints and suggestions for the BOMs. This will give us more cohesive blocks with which to create beautiful quilts. Thanks, Suzanne!
My last request this month is “fat quarters.” Our supply has dwindled to the point that we will have to cut back to one piece per birthday recipient until we can resup- ply our basket. Those of you who have fat quarters or left over yardage and would like to donate, we would certainly appreciate it.
Remember, we are ALL volunteers in this guild, so we each have to do our part to keep the machine running!
Laurie Berdahl First Vice President
Night Chapter
Welcome to 2010 and my first month as your new 2nd Vice President. I am a little nervous but very excited about all the opportunities this year holds. I will need your help, encouragement and attendance as we look forward to the months ahead. I’ve got lots of ideas for programs and involvement in the many aspects of the Guild.
Our January meeting will be brought by Ellen Flaherty as a payback from the Memorial Fund. She will be presenting information learned on long arm quilting from a class taught by Karen McTavish. Come prepared to learn and be inspired.
Don’t forget to bring your Silent Auction quilt. See you at the meeting.
Karen Williamson
Bargain Days are Here Again
If, by some chance, you missed out on the calendar sales before the first of the year, I have good news for you. Seeing as calendars are dated materials, we have decided to discount what we have left. So come one, come all and get your beautiful Pensacola Quilters’ Guild 2010 calendar for the new bargain price of $10 each. Look for Linda Siska at the January meetings.
At Home in the Guild:Beautiful Basic Bindings
Hear ye, hear ye, all whose bindings could use a little more polish, our own Alma Moates has graciously offered to share her expertise and lead us all to the golden land of beautiful, basic bindings. So if you are wondering how to finish off that special quilt for the quilt show in a manner most likely to impress the judge, wonder no longer. On Friday, February 5, Alma will conduct a hands-on At Home in the Guild class on basic, beautiful bindings. Space is a consideration and the class will be limited to five interested members, so sign up early and reserve your spot. The two-hour class will start at 10 am at the home of Linda Siska. Details will be available at the January meetings and on our website. If you are unable to attend a meeting or just want to book early and beat the crowd, please contact Linda Siska by phone or email.
Don’t Forget Your Dues
To keep your membership current, don’t forget to pay your membership dues by the end of January. Otherwise, your membership will be interrupted and you could be excluded from the 2010 membership directory. No need; pay the small amount of $20.
Looking for a Night-Time Assistant
Kathy Bullard and Barbara Meloy have generously offered to be At-Home-in-the-Guild assistants (thank-you, ladies!), but I’m hoping someone from the night guild will offer as well. I hate to admit it, but I am a nighttime wimp. When it gets dark, my car leaves the driveway with great reluctance. And so, I’ve got my fingers crossed that there is someone out there, preferably someone who attends both day and night guild, who would be willing to announce the upcoming classes to the night members and sign-up any interested parties. That’s it, that’s all there is to the job! Please let me know if you are willing to take this on! By the way, Barbara Doster is a hard act to follow (Thank you, Barbara, for all the great classes you’ve sponsored.), but I’m willing to do my best!
Yours,
Linda Siska, Chairperson, At-Home-in-the-Guild
Workshops
Our first workshop of the New Year will be given by Scott Murkin, our quilt show judge. His a six-hour class will be on Wednesday February 24. You may look at his work by going to www.Scott Murkin.com. The class will cover his Strata techniques that create the illusion of layers and depth in your quilts. If you are interested in taking his class, please sign up and pay at the January meetings. If his class does not fill, then I will open it to other guilds. You may call me to put your name on the list, but payment must be made at the next meeting
All classes for Sharon Schambers on June 25 and 26 are filled, but I am taking waiting list names. There are always people who have signed up, and for one reason or another, can’t come. So don’t think you don’t have a chance for the class; it is still early. I will also be taking payment for these classes starting in March. Your spot will be saved for only two months after that date unless you have paid.
Chairperson
Barbara Doster
Break is Over—Let’s Get Moving!
February marks the start of Community Quilts/Day workshops at Suzanne Wernick’s home. The date is February 18 at 10:00 am. As always, lunch will be served. Bring machines, cutting tools and basic sewing goods. Fabrics will be provided.
Our 2010 goal is at least fifty quilts for Habitat for Humanity. This is a good way to start the New Year for a deserving cause.
Sign up at the January meeting or contact Suzanne by telephone or e-mail (contact information in directory). Remember that space is limited, so reserve a spot early. Children’s Exhibit At the upcoming Quilt Show we will have an area to display our children’s, grandchildren’s ,nieces’, nephews’ or other family members’ quilts. They will not be judged, but there will be a $3.00 fee for insurance. These items will not be turned in the same day as judged quilts, but on the day of set-up for the Show. Or if they are small, you can turn them in to me earlier. The forms must be turned up to Barbara Doster in January. If you need more information, please contact her.
Wearable Art
Our 2010 Quilt Show is about six weeks away. Sandy Miller, Myrna McPhail or Mary Anne Holland need to know who will be displaying quilted garments. Please see one of these guild members for the registration form, which is the same as for all non-judged items entered in the show. We are all excited to see your creative side expressed in wearable art.
2010 Quilt Show Coming Soon!
It is down to the crunch, and there is much need for workers, souvenir blocks, and support for promotional items. Please pick up opportunity quilt tickets, postcards, T-shirts, pins, and/or calendars.
I must send the information to the insurance company by the first of February, so I must have the forms for all the non-judged items by the end of January. Any items after that date will NOT be insured, so please come with the form, or the means to fill it out at the January meetings. You need a picture of your item and its size. Please see the appropriate chairperson to help out.
Thanks, Angie Madden
Silent Auction Update
The time has come and I need your quilts for the Silent Auction. Please bring them to the January meeting. I will also need the name of the quilt and a suggested opening bid. Remember to put a 2” sleeve on the back. With the number of quilts registered and lots of vendors, I know this will be a great addition to our Quilt Show. Thanks for your participation – I know you are as anxious as I am to see the entire exhibit.
Karen Williamson
Quilt Show Boutique and Consignments
Counting down to the, 2010 Quilt Show there is still time to get involved. So, knock out a couple of donations, sign up for the fun of working in the Boutique booth, and get your consignment ready. Guidelines (in case you missed them!) are as follows:
- Items should feature some actual quilting, piecing, or appliqué.
- Items should be clean and free of any obvious flaws.
- Items should demonstrate quality craftsmanship.
- Consigners are limited to 3 large quilts, 4 medium quilts, 8 baby quilts or quil- lows, and 10 medium items (placemat sets, aprons, etc.)
- You may consign an unlimited number of small items, but please limit yourself to no more than ten of any one type.
- Pricing is always a difficult question – we don’t want to price ourselves out of the market, but we don’t want to sell ourselves short, either. Prices should reflect your considerable time and talent!
We will accept donated items at the guild meetings or on Thursday, February 25, at the Fairgrounds. You can turn these in to Leni Cable or Barbara Doster. We will be taking consigned items only at the Fairgrounds on the 25th.
You may pick up your consignment sheets from Barbara Doster. Please ask for Consignment Procedure if you are going to consign.
Your consignment sheet should be completely filled out ahead of time. Have your items priced with a tag and pinned on securely with a safety pin and ready to go. Please bring your items in a container labeled with your name. You may pick up any unsold items at the close of the quilt show.
If for some reason you can’t bring your items on the Thursday before the show, please talk with Barbara Doster to work out an alternative arrangement.
For Sale
Brother Pace Setter: Perfect for trips or that grandchild expressing an interest in sewing. Weight 14.5 lbs. Comes with accessories and instruction book. Can drop feed dogs, drop-in bobbin, decorative stitches, and four-step buttonhole. $100. Mary Anne Holland.
Blocks for Quilt Show
Gals, we have done a great job on blocks. Let’s wrap it up at the January meetings.
Thanks to those of you who left blocks at the Arts Festival. I wish everyone had included their names. For any questions, contact Leni Cable or Fran Moore.
Dates to Remember
- 1/25 Monday Night Chapter Meeting – 6:30 pm
- 1/28 Thursday Day Chapter Meeting – 9:30 am
- 2/4 Thursday Board Meeting – 10:00 am
- 2/5 Friday AHitG – 10:00 am
- 2/14 Thursday Community Quilts/Day – 10:00 am
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