VILLAGE QUILTERS NEWSLETTER Next Meeting November 19, 2015 FROM THE PRESIDENT'S WORKROOM I am up and running and have already finished a couple of small projects. Going along with a new workplace, I am trying to become more organized in how I approach just WHAT I am going to work on next. Recently, I came across the book The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up the Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo. It is quite an interesting book and was well worth reading and applying as appropriate to my life. One of the author s parting comments is to pour your time and passion into what brings you the most joy, your mission in life. She stresses that putting your house (or workroom) in order allows you the freedom to do just that. As I unpacked, I tried to make sure that what I placed I actually had some possible use for (and would be able to find again (haha)). Of course, a committed quilter can almost always find some way to use everything in her stash So I have to admit, I didn t quite go the whole way with the tidying up I do know that I can use those crazy fat quarters at some point Now that my workroom is in incredible order (please don t laugh too hard), I decided to tackle the dreaded TO DO list. I already keep a spread sheet for the work that I have done each year I have been quilting from when I started in 2010. I note what I made, the pattern, the inspiration, the dimensions and material used, and what it was for and where it ended up. I take a picture (and someday will meld the pictures with the spreadsheet ). But what I don t have is a good sense of just WHAT I am going to work on currently, much less what is in the queue. And, I admit, I found UFOs that were so neglected I couldn t even recognize them as mine! So my next big goal is to figure out a TO DO protocol that will work for me. In a novel I read recently (The Collector by Nora Roberts), one of the characters notes that words on paper became reality. If she wrote something down, she could make it happen. Sooooo, I am auditioning TO DO practices. Right now I ve started with the basics, a handwritten, dated, numbered list. My dilemma? Do I keep these? Do I prioritize them? Figure out a way to incorporate them into my spreadsheet? Am I getting too complicated? Oh, dear, I ve just realized that there are several more TO DOs lurking under my desk Does one of you have a practice that can organize me? Pat Wyatt 1
Program News for November Village Quilters welcome 21 st century quilter, Heather Kojan. Heather started quilting well before this century, and her work reflects a bright future. Her program Traditional to Modern My Quilt Journey will give our members an eye popping look at quilting today. She is the founder of Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and is the author of Classic Modern Quilts. Heather teaches classes locally at Springwater Designs in Columbia. She has classes on November 14th and December 12 th - Hexi Wedge table runner or quilt and Dresden Rainbow Mini Quilt. She d love to see some VQ quilters in class! Check out Heather blog at heatherkojan.blogspot.com -Your Program Chairs Dori & Paulette APPLICANTS WANTED! If you love quilting and love learning, then you could be the next Program Chair! You might want to co-chair with a friend. Believe us, this is a terrific VQ job. The rewards are neverending. And we, your present Program Chairs, have scheduled speakers right up until October 2016! We will also help you get started on this new adventure. Think about it. Inquire. Requirements include: membership in VQ of Catonsville, a love of quilting, meeting new and interesting quilters, and a desire to get active in our wonderful guild. Job training is guaranteed! Openings begin in June 2016. -Your present VQ Program Chairs Dori & Paulette CHARITY FOOD DONATIONS What fun was had during the Bingo on Friday. As we enter into the holiday season, we need to experience our attitude gratitude season. Please remember the less fortunate among us with your donations to the food bank and Toys 4 Tots. We will be collecting toys at both the Nov. and the Dec meeting. We all have been so blessed--- and have so much---please remember to bring your food donations and your toys. No child should go hungry in America--- or have a toyless Christmas morning. God Bless and Enjoy. Kay Worley 2
NOVEMBER HOSPITALITY Thank you, October crew for the great job you did. Morning helpers -- (put cloths on serving tables, set out plates and plasticware, make sure coffee and hot water are started, set out, tea, cups, sweetener, creamers, etc. Turn on ovens to 350 deg. F.) 1. Paulette Chellis Lunchtime helpers -- (Help put food in ovens to heat, get food onto table right before lunch, cut cakes, etc., and put 2 serving spoons into every dish. Turn off ovens) 1. Sandy Newsome 2. Penny Clifton 3. Joan Hammersla Clean-up helpers -- (Wash serving utensils & coffee pots, put used cloths & dish towels in with other used tablecloths, help put items back into cabinets, make sure there are a few clean tablecloths in cabinet for next month's set-up.) 1. Patty Wheeler 2. Denise Feist 3. Sharon Koscinski 4. Mitzie Lepka Tablecloths* -- take 1/2 of tablecloths home to launder, store & return next month. NOTE -- Return cloths in JANUARY. They are not used in December. 1. Donna Helm 2. Jackie Jones Sodas -- Sandy -- 2 liters caffeine-free clear Paulette -- 2 liters diet clear (caffeine-free) Patty Wheeler -- 2 liters caffeine-free diet cola * If you signed up to take tablecloths, please stay until they are ready and remember to take them. Kathy Appleton 3
5 INCH SQUARE EXCHANGE For November, we will exchange squares (2 sets of 8) in bright fall colors. Your fabric can be solids, prints, stripes -- anything in fall colors. Kathy Appleton PROJECT LINUS UPDATE At the October meeting we collected 5 quilt tops, 3 finished quilts, fabric and batting donations for Project Linus. The holiday season is approaching, if you have time to sew, please pick up a quilt kit at the next meeting. And if you want to practice machine quilting, Project Linus quilt tops with donated batting and backing fabric are available to take home. It takes a village to make our donation quilts throughout the year. Stephanie Sanidas 2016 OCEAN CITY RETREAT All slots are filled! We are set for Monday, March 7, through Thursday, March 10, 2016. The cost is the same as last year -- $500 Single; $352 Double; and $320 Triple. If you want to tack on an extra day or two let me know. Deposits are due the first of December. Please make your check payable to me. I'd like to put our rooming list together, so, if you haven t already, please let me know with whom you'll be rooming, and if you have any food allergies. I'm looking for a couple ladies to do demonstrations, so let me know if you would care to share your talent with the others. If you have any questions or concerns, give me a call 410-922-4365 or an email CindyReisberg@gmail.com. Sew on, Cindy 4
LIBRARY NEWS Happy Thanksgiving! Thank you to everyone who bought withdrawn library books. VQ has another $22 in its coffers. If you checked out a book earlier this year, please return it. Another VQ member may want to check it out. Congratulations to the winners of the VQ Library Book Summer Challenge: 1st Place: Pat Wyatt 2nd Place: Stephanie Sanidas 3rd Place: Bette McKeldin I have finished inventorying the library. Sad to say, there are a few missing books. Please check your house and car for the following titles with a VQ stamp inside and red tape on the spine. Perhaps you picked it up from the free table. Awash With Color Quilting with Japanese Fabrics Cut-Loose Quilts Stars by Magic Magic of Crazy Quilting String Quilts New Twist on Strips n Curves Daria Phair 443-830-0408 dbphair@gmail.com RAFFLE BASKETS The raffle baskets earned Village Quilters $101 in October. The winners were : Jane Stolte Susan Goodhand Mary Brown Please continue bringing in sewing and quilting "treasures" to share with the guild in the raffle baskets. Thanks, Janet Ruehl 5
MEMBERSHIP Thank you to all the members who have renewed so far. We were joined by four new members at the September meeting! They will be receiving their name tags this month, so please look for and say hello to: Robin Blackburn Sandy DeLaney Susan Goodhand Pat Hiler Membership cards will be at the front table this month. Please pick yours up to insure you get your discount as a member in good standing at all of the quilt shops you visit. Handbooks will be ready at the November meeting. If you have not had your picture taken, or would like a new one in the book, please see me at the October meeting. I will also be looking for those who have not had their picture taken to make sure you are included. We currently have 108 members in good standing with 18 previous members needing to renew. Check with me at the front table if you are unsure of your current status. Linda Newsom SUNSHINE Please remember to send news of members in need of sunshine to Janet Ruehl so she can share it with the guild. Kay Lehmann - Kay's health is failing somewhat. She is back in her apartment with assistance. She would be encouraged by cards from her quilting friends! 2525 Pot Spring Road S-501 Timonium, MD 21093 Joan Hammersla - Joan has bronchitis and her husband is ill in the hospital. They live in a fairly remote spot in PA and she is feeling a bit isolated in addition to being under the weather. Drop her a card and encourage her. 7660 Blue Hill Road Glenville, PA 17329 Beth Bohac - Beth is having heart surgery (I think on Oct.27). Send her cards of encouragement before and/or after the event! 9451 Brett Lane Columbia, MD 21045 6
BLOCK OF THE MONTH November is a special month! This month the quilters of our guild have the privilege of making blocks for our ablebodied and wounded soldiers. The blocks will be donated to make a Quilt of Valor. The donation site is in Maryland and the quilt will go to a service person within our state. I am asking every quilter to make at least ONE block! The least we can do is use our talents for those who have done so much for us. There will be TWO prizes this month! The first is as usual i.e. put you name on a slip of paper and place it in the basket; one entry per block made. The second prize will go to the person who makes the MOST blocks! Please put all your blocks with your name into a zip lock plastic bag; keeping them together so they can be counted and credited to you. The prizes will be awarded at the meeting. An individual may only win one prize. In advance, please let me thank you for your time, effort and generous donation. Jacqueline Formica FOR SALE Horn of America - Deluxe Sewing Chair (Model 14090) - $175 Brand New in the original box (white base/wheels) Retail: $292 w/o shipping Contact: Sheri Thompson 301-490-4448 or sherit@aol.com HINTS When piecing fabric for a quilt backing, remember to cut off the selvages prior to sewing. The selvages are woven tighter than the body of the fabric and skews the seam. 7
8