November 2009 Newsletter

FRIENDSHIP QUILTERS NEWSLETTER

November 2009

Holidays Approaching

If you are anticipating all the time you need to finish projects in time for the Holidays, I think the only way we may be able to accomplish everything we would like, is to have 36-hour days – not 24-hour days! Then of course we’ll need the energy to keep us going! Some things that may help keep us focused:

Ø Spend some time with God – always motivating and inspiring

Ø Take time to pamper yourself – each of us has a different idea of pampering – use yours

Ø Eat healthy, nutritious meals – sugar slows things down – so stay away from it

Ø Spend time with family and friends – working together on things that will lessen the load

Ø Spend time being creative, using your artistic talents that God gave you

Ø Take a cat nap to recharge

Guild Christmas Party

The guild Christmas Party will be Monday, November 23. The doors will be open at 6:00p.m. with the party starting at 7:00p.m. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to pass and a fat quarter to exchange. Also, remember to bring your first quilt and your last quilt for show-and-tell. (Photos will work if you no longer have them.)

Sewing Day

Because everyone is so busy, there will be no guild sewing day on December 12. Use the day to do something you would like – probably sewing!

Sleep Over & January Meeting

There will be a sleep-over in January. It will get started at 2:00-3:00p.m. on Friday. Pizza will be ordered for supper on Friday. Saturday Pam will provide the dinner. The January meeting will be held at 9:30a.m. on Saturday. More news to follow on this.

Quilting Retreat

Linda has scheduled a quilting retreat for the second weekend in April. The cost will be $150 for the weekend with the first $50 due in January. Linda will have more information on this on Monday.

Websites to Check Out

I came across 2 websites that you can check out: InWeaveFabrics.com and HomeSew.com

Quilts of Valor

Quilts of Valor is a quilting project that provides quilts to injured military personnel. They are looking for quilters to donate quilts for this very worthwhile project. You can find more details at their website qovf.org or I will have information with me at the guild meeting November 23.

Looking forward to seeing all of you Monday!

Deb

November Dates to Remember

Saturday November 14th 9am to 3pm - General Workday - Friendship Quilter’s will have a general workday/ free sewing on this Saturday Nov. 14 at Schmitt Woodland Hills in the second floor activity room from 9am until 3pm. The background squares will be available for the Walk with GRACE quilt and patterns. Ann will have 1 yard of fusible interfacing if anyone needs a bit of it. Bring whatever equipment you need as we won’t have the guild items stored at church. Bring a bag lunch or order out. There is a soda machine just down the hall.

Monday November 23rd 7:00 pm - Christmas Party - Town and Country Presbyterian Church. Doors open at 6:00 am Bring a dish to pass and a fat quarter to exchange. Dinner place settings will be provided. Show and tell theme is "your first quilt and last quilt". Bring quilts or pictures of the first quilt you made and the last quilt you finished.

September 2009 Newsletter

FRIENDSHIP QUILT GUILD
September 2009 Newsletter

Fall’s Arrival
With a lot of rain (finally) Fall arrived. Cool temperatures, sweaters, sweatshirts, colors in nature, falling leaves, football and soccer games are just a few of the things we all look forward to in September. For me, Fall also means spending more time sewing and/or quilting. Christmas is not that far away, so if we have gifts to make, they need to be started!

Guild Happenings
Church open early:
The church will now be open at 6:00p.m. before the meeting. People who would like to come early and bring projects to work on are welcome. This may be a way of connecting with each other outside the meeting.

Quilt Show is Happening!!
Ann Meyer has talked with Schmidt-Woodland Hills. They would really like to have a quilt show there during the Color Fiesta. They will be responsible for getting the quilt standards and setting them up. (Ann will supervise this.) We will be responsible for hanging the quilts and having members there in shifts to monitor the show. Each member showing a quilt will be responsible for the description of their quilt. Ann will be giving more information at the September 28 meeting. If you live a distance from Richland Center and have a quilt you would like to have displayed, write up the description and bring it to Ann at the September meeting. Here is a sample of how to write out the description:

Title of Quilt (or Color Pattern, ie. Blue Ohio Star)
Made by Suzy Smith
Quilted by Liza Long (if different than maker)

Story of Quilt should start with pattern name or class that it was made in or book/magazine that it came from because it is illegal to display something that does not give credit to the designer. Then things like who it was made for, or inspired by. Techniques used to make it and machines used to make it. How long it took is a question of many viewers. Any previous ribbons or awards won by the quilt.

Saturday Sewing
A discussion was held as to the possibility of getting together to sew on Saturdays. It was noted that the church is going to start the labyrinth again. It was reported that Schmidt-Woodland Hills would welcome us if the church is not available. Carol also mentioned that upstairs of Trappings was also available.

Project Linus
Guild members ill get together on Saturday, October 10, 9:00a.m.-4:00p.m. to work on quilts for Project Linus.

Book Sale
At September’s meeting there will be soft-cover books on sale for $5. Put your name on the card in the book so we know who has it in case someone would like to borrow it and turn it in with your money to Suzanne. It was noted that at College for Kids each child was able to choose a quilt book to take home.

Committees
If you haven’t already signed up for a committee, think about one of these: Sunshine, Activity, Retreat.

Birthday Block Exchange
People can either sign up to take part or just watch and be inspired – wouldn’t it be more fun to participate??!!! Each person participating will specify their choice of block and colors they would like. Then each person will make a block for the birthday person.

Show and Tell First/Last Quilts
It was decided that at the Christmas party in November guild members should bring their first and their last quilts for Show and Tell.

Quilt Expo
For those of us who were fortunate enough to get to Madison and the Quilt Expo, we were able to see the 2nd place ribbon on Ann’s “Blazing His Own Trail” entry. Congratulations, Ann!!

Next Meeting
Until Monday, September 28, happy sewing! See you at the meeting!

Friendship Quilter's Walk with Grace Donation Quilt

Guest Blogger: Marcia Wachuta of Marcia's Crafty Sewing

This is our Walk with Grace Donation Quilt for 2009 from the Friendship Quilter's in Richland Center. GRACE stands for Greater Richland Area Cancer Elimination, Inc. GRACE offers services and support to cancer patients in Richland County Wisconsin and a portions of surrounding communities.

Each member of the Friendship Quilt Guild was given a packet of black and white and red fabric from Linda Kowalski our president from June 2008 to June 2009. We then were given the pattern to make the block. Completed blocks were returned it to Linda. She then assembled the quilt and asked me to quilt it with an overall freestyle quilting. I used a Grey thread. The quilt is on display at the Richland County Bank. The Walk With GRACE auction will be held on WRCO Radio 100.9 FM starting on Monday, August 10, 2009 through Thursday August 13th. This quilt will be offered for auction starting at 9:15 on Thursday. Click here to register and for more information about other items offered for auction.

A few close up pictures on Marcia's website... www.craftysewing.com --- the Good Causes -- Other causes page.

September Lectures and Classes in Reedsburg

The Reedsburg Area Quilt Guild is hosting Jan Krueger and Linda Marcou at the Voyageur Inn located in Reedsburg Wisconsin.

Friday September 18th - 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm Scrap Busters Trunck Show

Saturday September 19th - 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Patchwork Borders Class with Jan Krueger

Trip X Two Class with Linda Marcou

Pre-Registration is required at Quintessential Quilts. Follow this link to the flyer for more details

College for Kids

This is the second year a group of women from the Friendship Quilt Guild taught quilting classes at the College for Kids program located at the UW Richland Campus. They worked with a really sweet group of kids. Carol had the only male student and he was very artistic. All 24 students (except one that missed on Friday and she’ll finish later with her teacher) finished their quilts and were very happy with them. One student reported on her evaluation that she wanted to sew all day and another thought it was real special to have one on one teaching and really get to know her teacher and make a new friend. It was a great experience for both students and teachers.

June Picnic

Last night we were finally able to see the completed President's Quilt.

We have so many talented quilters in our group.

It was such fun to see our individual style work so well together.




Linda will surely treasure this quilt forever!


Deb gave a wonderful toast in Linda's honor.
Thanks so much for all of the fun and creativity you brought to our guild this past year!

Welcome new president Pam R. (with a tattoo like that you know we are all in good hands) and Vice President Deb B.

Next Meeting is July 27th @ 7:00 pm.

Dues of $20.00 will be collected for the upcoming year.

We will be having book sales from our library cart over the next few meetings. Please be sure to bring your checkbook if you would like to make a purchase.

June Meeting and News

Hi, everyone! I will try and not ramble so bear with me.

May 29th meeting had 22 members in attendance. We discussed disbanding the library.

1. If you have donated a book you can take it back.

2. We will be holding a sale of the books to Guild Members

3. Give College for Kids, kids a book. ( simple)

Next meeting is the PICNIC on June 22nd.

We will be having a potluck. Everyone bring a dish to pass. Anita Bunge will bring our beverage. The guild will provide plates, glasses, and silverware. So, just bring yourself and a dish to pass.

Suzanne made a Quilt for Lecien Fabric Corp. It is showcasing a new fabric line. She has named the quilt "HOLLY'S GARDEN". You can find the pattern online after quilt market at www.lecien.co.jp/em/hobby

I learned at Southwest Tech's sewing expo last weekend that is will be no more. They announced this was the last year of the Expo.

FYI Jean Glise's husband has had a stroke and in the hospital.

***UPDATE*** Jean Glise's husband passed away late last week. Funeral and visitation was June 16th.

Hope to see everyone on the 22nd.

Linda

April/May Meeting Update

Good Evening, I hope everyone has had a great weekend. The wind was a liitle more than I would have like on Saturday, but Sunday was beautiful.

Just a reminder of our May meeting on the 25th. We need to discuss the picnic in June and also talk about the presidents quilt for future years.

Carol Dekert needs your squares to support our College for Kids in July. She is looking for 2.5 inch squares for 9 patch blocks. If you could provide 2 colors that will work for a 9 patch and the brighter the better.

We had 29 members in April and after a long discussion we voted to not have the Quilt Show in 2009 and revisit the plans for 2010 at a later meeting.

Hope to see you May 25th.

Linda

Quintessential Quilts Bus Trip to Duluth

Quintessential Quilts invites you to join us and other local quilting enthusiasts for a 3-day-round-trip adventure that includes the 31st Annual Minnesota Quilters, Inc. Quilt Show & Conferencein Duluth, MN.

The bus will depart on Wednesday, June 10at 8:00 a.m. from Quintessential Quilts, Reedsburg and take us Shop Hopping all the way to the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in Duluth. You’ll be spending two nights at the Holiday Inn which has a walkway connection to the convention center. What could be easier?

On Thursday, June 11 you can attend the Minnesota Quilt Show and participate in classes or lecturesif you choose. Visit www.mnquilt.org/mq2009 for information about the classes and lectures available and how to register. Some classes are already full so you might want to visit the site soon if you are interested.

A popular activity of the event is the Fat Quarter Stroll. This activity starts with purchasing a passport. Then you’ll visit featured booths and area shops, purchase a fat quarter from each location and have your passport punched. Turn in your passport to the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center with 1-6 punches and you will be entered to win a $75 gift certificateto a quilt shop of your choice. If you have all 10 locations punched, you will be entered to win the grand prize of a $150 gift certificateto a quilt shop of your choice provided by Minnesota Quilters, Inc.

The show hours are 7:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. so there will be plenty of time for browsing and shopping. The displayed quilts are spectacular so plan to take this trip even if you don’t want to participate in the classes or lectures.

On Friday, the bus will take us back to Reedsburg, stopping at quilt shops along the way home. We expect to be back to Reedsburgat approximately 5:00 p.m.

The cost for this quilter’s mini vacationincludes 2 nights at the Holiday Inn, a ticket for the quilt show on Thursday, transportation to and from the show by bus and exciting opportunities to visit quilt shops between Reedsburg and Duluth. Single $399 per person Double $299 per person Triple $265 per person Quad $231 per person. The cost for food is not included.

Space on the bus and at the hotel is limited so sign up immediately if you are interested. A non-refundable depositof $100 is required when you sign up-on or before May 18, 2009. You must visit Quintessential Quilts to sign up so you can pay your deposit.

This is an excellent opportunity for QFL (Quilt Fabric League) members to earn road trip points.
We’re going to have a lot of FUN so don’t hesitate to be a part of this adventure!
Quintessential Quilts LLC http://www.qquilts.com
940 E. Main Street Reedsburg, WI 53959

President’s Quilt Updated 3-29-09

Update:  We need your block for the President's quilt by April 27th. Otherwise it will not be in the quilt. Light blocks are needed.  We will have a work day on May 16th at 9:00am. If you have a block, please let Carol know at gdeckert@mwt.net

Guild members are asked to make a 10 ½” crazy quilt block for Linda’s President’s Quilt. Any color or multiple colors may be used for the block. Linda has asked that everyone use 100% cotton fabric and that everyone autograph their block before turning it into Carol Deckert at the November meeting. One word of caution on the blocks – this quilt will be machine quilted and any embellishment may be stitched on – so stay away from crystals, beads, etc. Any other questions, contact Carol Deckert.

Mystery Quilt Part 5 - Final Step

Lay the blocks out next to each other to form 6 blocks as shown in figure 8 (or 8a) and 3 blocks as shown in figure 9 (or 9a) .  Try it both ways and see which way you like the best.  8a and 9a are negatives of 8 & 9.  (If you use 8a use 9b ... if you use 8 use 9)

 Click on image to enlarge

Lay new blocks as shown below:

8 9 8                   8a 9a 8a

8 9 8        or       8a 9a 8a

8 9 8                   8a 9a 8a

Note: there are other layouts for this quilt top, these are just two examples..

Border as desired for your own finished size (quilt top measures 36"x36" without borders)

May 1 & 2 Trip With Country Sampler

May 1-2 - Country Sampler is planning a Bag Lady Express Bus Hop on May 1 & 2. The bus leaves from Spring Green, stops at Lansing Iowa, Cresco Iowa, Rochester Minnesota, Rogers Minnesota, Eau Claire Wisconsin, Waunakee Wisconsin, Janesville Wisconsin and then home to Spring Green. Overnight will be at Rogers Minnesota. At Lansing there will be a free Bag Lady Express pattern designed by Yellow Bird Art. Total cost for the trip, which includes bus, hotel and meals is...are you ready for this...$99.00. They need to hear from you soon if you want to participate. Call Country Sampler at 608-588-2510 to reserve your spot. 

Guild Photos

Pam Rick put together this clever quilt for her grandson. It features photos of family homes and even has a picture of "Grandma's Wal Mart" where Pam is employed.

Quilt Show 2008

February Meetings and Current Events

Notes from Linda about upcoming events:

The next meeting will be on Febuary 23rd and we are starting the meeting at 6:30.

You will need to bring 1 yard of ugly fabric for an activity. The block exchange is a 12 1/2 " unfinished square, in blues, greens, and white, and a star pattern.

The retreat in March is set for the 13th-15th at the Bishop O'Connor Center in Madison. We are not limiting this to Guild members. If you have a sister, Mom, or friend you would like to bring along. Sign up and enjoy the sewing therapy.

Anyone who wants to attend the Sewing Expo at Southwest Tech. ***Correction - Anyone that has attended recently should still receive a catalog. For those of you that have not registered for classes in the last 3 years the SW Tech organizers are sending out postcards. If you plan to attend, please send the postcard back along with the $3.00 fee for the class catalog. If you would like more information you can visit the website at http://www.swtc.edu/

Lorna, sent the following info:

"Fairy Land of Fabrics"

View Victorian Crazy Quilts at the UW School of Human Ecology exhibit. Reception Sunday Jan. 25th 1 to 4

Opens Wednesday and runs through March 8 at the UW SoHE Design Gallery. 1300 Linden Drive. Hours are Wednesdays - Fridays 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays Noon to 5 p.m. Free and open to the public.

http://www.designgallery.wisc.edu/

Suzanne, is holding a class at Schmitt Woodland Hill Feb 11,18,25 from 6-8. 1 1/2 yard background fabric and 16 up 35 fat quarters for the rest of the quilt. Let her know if you are interested or for more info.

Anyone interested in going to Paducah let Maggie Mezera know. Her cousin has two cabins we can help share. April 22nd-24th.

We will have a class at College for Kids this year. July 20th-24th more info in Febuary.

We were able to make 40 plus pillow cases. Suzanne will not be turning them in until mid Febuary. Feel free to drop some off at her house. Nobody home just leave them on her front porch.

Stay warm and quilt till you drop.

Linda

Brief Note from Linda About the Sleep In

Just a quick reminder from Linda:  I will be at the church by 2:00 Friday so come on down.   If you don't want to sleep you could sew on Friday and come back on Saturday and not have to take down you sewing machine.

Feel free to bring snacks and your own drinks.  Pam is bring coffee grounds so we can make a pot  of coffee on Saturday. You will need to bring your own breakfast for Saturday.  We will be ordering Pizza on Friday night.

We will  be painting, discharging, and other fun stuff on fabric.  Bring an old shirt it could get messy.

I will have a Baked Potato bar set up for after the meeting.  Everyone is welcome to join in.

Help chase away your Cabin Fever!! Come sew with us.

Linda

January Meeting and Overnight

Please note the January 2009 guild meeting will be held on a special day and time. Our monthly meeting will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, January 24th.

Our annual Sleep-In will be held at the Town and Country Presbyterian Church on Friday evening January 23rd & Saturday January 24th.  Linda will be at the church as early as 2:00 on Friday.

Sleep-In highlights:

Fabric Embellishment: On Friday night you will have an opportunity to work with fabric embellishments such as paint sticks, Fabrico markers, fabric paints, foam stamps and color discharge. Please bring your own fabric to experiment on.  All are welcome to join in.  This is a great opportunity to try out some of the different products on the market without the expense.

Pillowcases for Children with Cancer - Suzanne will be demonstrating pillowcase construction at this overnight.  Our guild will be making pillowcases to be donated to children that are currently being treated for cancer.  Children range in age from infant thru 18 years of age.  Kid friendly/age approriate fabric can be used. 

- Fabric Requirements per pillow

3/4 yard for body of pillow - to coordinate with:

1/4 yard cut across the width of the fabric (not a fat quarter)

Fabric Suggestions:

Children's prints

Woodland prints

Large scale floral (Amy Butler style, etc) w/striped fabric edge

10:00 am Saturday - January meeting. 

- Please bring your show and tell.

- sign up for March retreat at Bishop O'Connor Center March 13-15th  $30.00 deposit required.

January lottery block theme is "Black and White and Red All Over". Your block (s) should be 12-1/2 " unfinished.

Meals:

Friday Dinner -  we will order out for pizza (bring some cash if you want to join in)

Saturday Breakfast - on your own

Saturday Lunch - Linda is putting together a Potato Bar for a nominal charge

Bring a sleeping bag and stay the night if you like.

Monthly Block Lottery

Linda K. was our January 2009 Block Lottery winner. She chose the block for the February 2009 exchange. Blocks are to be 12.5" unfinished or 12" finished. Block colors are Blue, Green and White with a star shape as the theme.

Mystery Quilt - Part 1

Scrap Mystery Quilt - Part 1



This is a very quick to piece scrap quilt that can be made with a minimum of six different fabrics (3 lights and 3 darks), it can be done with scraps in your bag from previous quilts of by trading with friends, or it can be done as a charm quilt with every patch a different fabric (it can not be strip pieced if you are making a charm quilt.



This pattern will make a 36"X36" quilt top with out borders.



**************************************************

Part 1

Fabric option #1

If you are using scraps from your scrap bag you will need the following:

36 darks measuring 2.5"x2.5"

36 lights measuring 2.5"x2.5

36 lights measuring 4.5"x2.5"

36 darks measuring 4.5"x2.5"

36 lights measuring 3.5"x2.5"

36 darks measuring 3.5"x2.5"



Scraps from your scrap bag will equal to the amount of fabric listed below:



Or Fabric Option #2



If you are using just 6 different fabrics (3 light, 3 dark) you will need the following:

1/2 yard of 1 light (Part 3)

1/2 yard of 1 dark (Part 1)

1/3 yard of 1 light (Part 2)

1/3 yard of 1 dark (Part 2)

1/4 yard of 1 light (Part 1)

1/4 yard of 1 dark (Part 3)



Using the 1/4 yard of light and the 1/2 yard of dark fabric (or the equivalent from your scrap bag):



Cut light fabric in strips 2-1/2" wide by the length (approx 44")

Cut dark fabric in strips 4-1/2" wide by the length (approx 44")



Strip piece them together so you will have a strip similar to figure 1. Use a 1/4" seam allowance with 12-15 stitches per inch. Press toward the dark fabric.

Cut across the seam for pieces that are 2-1/2"x6-1/2". You will need 36 pieces of the configuration shown in figure 2.

When you have completed all of Part One, you can go on to Part Two

Mystery Quilt Part 2

Part 2

Using the 1/3 yard of each light and dark fabrics cut the following (or the equivelent from your scrap bag):

Cut light and dark fabric strips 3-1/2" wide by whatever length (if this comes out of your scrap bag it is whatever length available, if cutting from a full piece of fabric it will be approximately 44")

Strip piece them together so you have a strip similar to figure 3

Press toward the dark fabric.

Cut across the seam for pieces that are 2-1/2" x 6-1/2"

You will need 36 of the pieces of the configuration similar to that shown in figure 4

When you have completed all of Part Two, you can go on to Part Three

Mystery Quilt Part 3

Part 3

Using the 1/2 yard of light fabric and 1/4 yard dark fabric cut the following (or the equilvent from your scrap bag):

Cut dark fabric strips 2-1/2" wide by whatever length (if this comes out of your scrap bag it is whatever length available, if cutting from a full piece of fabric it will be approximately 44")

Cut light fabric strips 4-1/2" wide by whatever lenghth (if this comes out of your scrap bag it is whatever length available, if cutting from a full piece of fabric it will be approximately 44")

Strip piece the light and dark fabrics together so that you have a strip set (or several strips) similar to that shown in figure 5

Press seam towards the dark fabric.

Cut across the seam for pieces that are 2-1/2" x 6-1/2"
You will need 36 of the pieces of the configuration similar to that shown in figure 6

When you have completed all of Part Three you can go to Part Four