VILLAGE QUILTERS NEWSLETTER Next Meeting March 17, 2016 FROM THE PRESIDENT S WORKROOM Hope you all have been able to get some really good work done during these interesting weather times we have enjoyed this winter!! My To Do List is looking pretty decent and I ve been able to finish up quite a few things, which is very satisfying, as well as learning a few new techniques (including tumbler blocks using Marti Michell templates). Often the TV is keeping me company in the background. Sometimes I carefully chose what I want to watch (love genealogy shows and listening to the music channels), and other times I m rather surprised by what comes on! Listening to a Country Music channel recently, I heard a Jon Pardi interview, and was quite impressed by his views on writing music. I felt they could easily be switched up by replacing his word song with quilt. If you can take a piece of life and put it in a quilt, it is going to be a good quilt. And then, of course, I am watching American Idol, and I heard Keith Urban say, I judge myself by not what I have, but by what I am willing to give. Both these quotes could be mantras for today s quilters; I found them both very inspiring. A couple of years ago, in helping my mom, Mernie, downsize, I discovered a wonderful and touching piece of her life. During the 1930s, when she was eight years old, mom was sent to live with an aunt in a tiny town in rural Montana. Aunt Lillie (never married and a rural postmistress) had no clue how to care for this sad child. She did believe in the power of keeping a child busy, so set mom to hand piecing quilt blocks using worn out clothes. Mom made over 50 rail fence blocks the year she stayed with Aunt Lillie which were put away in a box and not again unpacked for over 77 years. I discovered them a week before her 85 th birthday, and went into overdrive to lay out a quilt top using her blocks, and then quilting it for her party. Bringing this piece of her life full circle was a labor of love, and one that brought her to tears of memory. She now has this quilt on her bed. And the Keith Urban quote to me it personifies all the selfless work done by each of you in stitching quilts for the various donations made by the wonderful ladies of Village Quilters Quilt on!!! Pat Wyatt 1
MARCH PROGRAMS - VQ Welcomes Rabbi Joanne Heiligman Joanne feels it is not easy to combine her two passions, but the spiritual leader of Columbia s Congregation Shalom Aleichem has found a way to string together her faith and her art. VQ members can look forward to learning more about her work at our March meeting. Rabbi Heiligman has found that her quilting has become an expression of her rabbinate. She blends the traditional and the contemporary, which, she says, is what she does as a rabbi. Joanne draws on the Bible and Jewish Symbolism in her work. Her quilts are detailed and inspirational. Her works have appeared in the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, the Ratner Museum in Bethesda and she has had some one-woman shows. In March Rabbi Joanne will present Texts in Textiles as her topic. Be sure to bring along your checkbook. Joanne will have some interesting items to sell. Learn more about our upcoming guest at http://www.jewishartquilts.com/index.htm NEEDLECHASERS QUILT RAFFLE Community Garden," NeedleChasers of Chevy Chase's 2016 queen-size raffle quilt, showcases the fresh greens of a garden plot. It reflects the theme of the guild s upcoming October 7 & 8 quilt show: "Quilting Green: Traditions Grow in New Directions." Making the quilt was a cooperative effort. A member designed it, and many members took part in cutting and sewing the blocks, borders, and binding. Another member did the exquisite machine quilting, incorporating garden motifs in harmony with the design. A unique aspect of the quilt is that the back is as interesting as the front, so the lucky winner can display either side. NCCC will be selling raffle tickets for $5.00 apiece. SHOWCASE OUR TALENTS This month our display quilt will be from Jacque Formica with a "St. Patrick's Day" theme. It is hard to believe that March is here already! Now next month I would appreciate someone contacting me with a Spring Theme...yep...time to think Spring or Easter in April! I really appreciate your contributions to the decorations of our Quilt Space and seeing yours or someone you know quilts. 5-INCH SQUARE EXCHANGE For March, we will exchange squares that make us "think spring." Please bring two sets of eight to exchange. Kathy Appleton 2
PROJECT LINUS UPDATE The February Community Service Sewing day was heavily attended this year. Each year the participation grows, which means we run out of our supply of hand sewing (quilts to bind) and machine sewing (kits) projects. More projects will be available next month and please remember to bring your quilt tops and finished quilts to the March meeting. During the meeting we tied 8 quilts and collected the following items: 12 quilt tops, 17 finished quilts, and fabric donations from Norma Campbell, Mimi Dietrich, Sue Galicki, Janet Elton, and Sheri Thompson. I don t think anyone machine quilted Project Linus quilts at the February meeting. Please let me know if you are interested in machine quilting. Charity quilting is a great opportunity to practice and improve your skills or try new techniques. Our guild has been contacted for additional donation requests. Project Linus needs patriotic themed or red/white/blue quilts for children attending TAPS camp during Memorial day weekend in Washington DC. These quilts can be small (lap size) or large (twin bed size). If you prefer to make an adult patriotic themed or red/white/blue quilt, Wounded Warriors in Walter Reed Medical Center in Bethesda needs quilts in the following sizes - 48 x 72 for bed quilts and 42 x 50 for lap quilts. Stephanie Sanidas CHARITY GIVING What fun was had at our last meeting. Our charity sit and sew is always a special occasion--- throw in a sewing related flea market and it becomes heaven. Please remember to bring your canned food donations to our next meeting. You all have been very generous this year; please continue to do so. God Bless Kay Worley Inclement Weather Policy: If BALTIMORE COUNTY schools are CLOSED, we WILL NOT meet. There is a Hereford zone in Baltimore County that is further north. If schools are closed ONLY in the Hereford zone, we WILL meet. If school is LATE, we WILL meet. 3
MARCH HOSPITALITY Morning Helpers - (no one signed up) Put cloths on tables, set out plates & plasticware, make sure coffee and hot water are started, set out tea, cups, stirrers, sweeteners, etc. Turn on ovens. Lunch-time Helpers - (Help put food in to heat, get food onto tables, etc.) 1. Barbara Shafer 2. Penny Seymour 3. Sue Grandizio 4. Cindy McIntyre Clean-Up - Wash & dry serving utensils & coffee pots, put used tablecloths and dish towels in with other tablecloths, help put all items back in cabinet and make sure there are a few clean tablecloths in cabinet for next month's set-up. 1. Vera Hall 2. Laurie Gregg Tablecloths - If you took the tablecloths home in JANUARY, please bring them back this month. This month - Patty Stenpeck and Karen Lease Each take home 1/2 of tablecloths to launder and return next month. Sodas - The group is responsible for bringing sodas. Mix up the regular and diet, caffeine-free and not, cola and not. TOTAL - 4 2-liter bottles). SIJ CHARITY GIVING MARCH Several times throughout the year the food pantry at St Isaac Jogues Church in Parkville is the recipient of your generous food donations. Guests who rely on the food distribution include those who are underemployed, on fixed incomes, or may be suffering from illness or loneliness. Many live in multi-generational households, and survive on limited resources. Whatever reason causes them to seek assistance, they never fail to express their amazement at the kindness of strangers and their gratefulness for your kindness. The pantry operates twice a month year round, and is also available on an emergency basis. It is not unusual to serve 45-50 families. We are always happy to replenish our shelves with nonperishables such as jelly, cereal, coffee, canned meats and paper products. Your gift of one can of soup or box of pasta makes a difference. Thank you for remembering those who struggle. You are remembered in their hearts. Beth McGraw 4
WINNERS The February raffle baskets contributed $85 to help defray the cost of our programs and speakers. The winners were: Susanne Hilton Norma Hong Donna Shroff Please continue to bring in items to replenish the baskets for March. LIBRARY NEWS Happy St. Patrick s Day! Please remember to return VQ books in a timely manner. There may be other members waiting to check them out. Here are three books recently added to the VQ library. Each contains projects to celebrate a season, special occasions, or holidays. (From left to right): a) Calendar Table Toppers; Twelve Distinctive Table Toppers Plus Decorative Accessories by Lynette Jensen and Marilyn Ginsburg. b) Art to Heart: Count On It by Nancy Halvorsen. c) Motif by Jeri Kelly. Daria Phair 443-830-0408 dbphair@gmail.com 5
BLOCK OF THE MONTH This month we have a different style block...more modern. I must admit that I am more of a traditional quilter but the modern mode has become very popular. We have had some very interesting, modern quilt speakers visit us in the past months and I felt that if we are paying these talented people to visit us and share their knowledge, then we should try to make a block that would be somewhat modern. Now there are only two requirements about this fun block for March. 1. The background must be a solid material. You may choose any color fabric as long as it is a solid. If you think you do not have a solid fabric, try turning over one of your prints. I did to discover that the reverse side was indeed a solid design. 2. The gray material must be a solid. You may use a light, medium or dark gray but it must be a solid fabric. All the directions and sizes are listed on the pattern design so have a good time and try something a little new. Remember to use a permanent bonding material on the circle or add a little material if you wish to applique. Jacque Formica 410-552-1661 eburg999@hotmail.com SUNSHINE Please remember to send news of members in need of sunshine to Janet Ruehl so she can share it with the guild. The following former and current members could use some cards to cheer them. Kay Lehman, Cass Padach (recovering from hip replacement surgery), Elva Steigler (will be having hip replacement surgery soon), Jacque Formica (recovering from back surgery) and Diana Gotsch (caring for her husband). SPRING RETREAT And they're off... to sew, and eat, and shop! March 7th, twenty-five Village Quilters are headed to a four day retreat by the sea. May our bobbins be spinning and our travels be safe. We're sew blessed. Cindy Reisberg 6
WEST RIVER FALL RETREAT Hello Ladies, The Fall Retreat will be held November 10th-13th. Total cost of this year's retreat is $230.00. A deposit of $115.00 is due to me by June 16th meeting to hold your spot. If anyone is interested, I have 3 spots available. Please email me at ladybug3157@gmail.com if you are interested, or call 410-256-0749. Sharon Coffman BUS TRIPS The bus trips for 2016 will all leave from the park and ride outside the Presbyterian Church (route 108 and Presbyterian Circle at 7:30 am and return by 7:30 pm. On Friday, September 16, we have the show in Oakes, PA. October 14 is our shopping trip to Lancaster County PA. All trips are $48 per person. To sign up for any of the trips please make your check payable to: Milltown Quilters Send to: Sheri Thompson, 7422 Cherry Tree Drive, Fulton, MD 20759 STRIPED FABRIC Want to learn how to cut striped fabric into proper corner triangles? Here s a link to a YouTube video done by Sharon Pederson showing how to get the stripes all going the same direction. The video is just a little over 2 minutes long. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=linnargeww8 MID APPALACHIAN QUILTERS Registration begins soon for MAQ 2016. It will be held July 15-17, 2016 at Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, MD. Check out the classes on http://maqonline.org/index.html 7
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