MEDINA QUILTERS DECEMBER 2011 NEWSLETTER

Next meeting:  Christmas Party at the Library, December 12th at 6:30 pm

What to Bring:  Yourself, a snack to share and a gift to exchange  

BE THERE OR YOU’LL MISS ALL THE FUN!!  

At the November meeting, we covered a lot of business, had a very informative program and fun show and share.

Lu mentioned that the district event will be scheduled for a date in January, and that our Christmas party will be held at the library on December 12^th at the library at 6:30 pm.  Bring a gift valued about $10 and a dish to share.

Nickie brought lots of needles loaded with silk thread and gave instructions to help get beginners started and those with experience additional hints on the skills of appliqué.  Remember to bring your appliquéd hearts with your name signed or stitched on the muslin block to the December meeting.  Nickie also brought a sampling of her projects where she used appliqué.  What inspiration!  Thanks, Nickie, for your great program!

Edie suggested that we start thinking about the types of programs we’d like to have in 2012.  She mentioned that a friend who is part of the Kerrville guild said that several of their members have skills that they would be willing to share in programs for our group.  If Edie can let them know what we’re interested in learning, her friend will connect us to the appropriate guild member to line up a program.  Let Edie know what kinds of programs you’d like to have in 2012.

Another item discussed was the making of donation quilts and appropriate organizations as recipients.  Members picked up blocks featuring Sunbonnet Sue pattern that were lacking blanket stitch edging.

Susan mentioned that three books—Lone Star Quilts, Volumes I, II and III are now available at the library.  These books were written by Karoline Bresenhan and Nancy Puentes, who coordinate the annual International Quilt Festival in Houston and own the new  Texas Quilt Museum in La Grange.

Here’s the info about Jane Kelly’s Open House:

JANE KELLY’S HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE will be Friday, December 16, 2011. Come anytime between 1 pm and 4 pm to see my newly organized Arts & Crafts room and the “Quilt on the Wall” in the bathroom. Stay to chat with friends and neighbors or just “take the tour:” and continue with your afternoon plans. Refreshments will be available. Address: El Viaje Retreat (formerly Las Aves), 17185 St. Hwy 16 N Lot 106, 4 miles northwest of Medina. Stay on the drive to the left of the clubhouse (alongside the white rail fence), then take the first right between the clubhouse and the fenced pool. My home is on the 6th lot up from the pool with the large front deck; look for the sign on the gold trash can. My telephone number is 972-832-1430. Looking forward to seeing y’all.

 

Here are the pictures from Show and Share (Keep scrolling to see all six photos!):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEXT MEETING AT THE MEDINA COMMUNITY LIBRARY ON MONDAY, NOV. 21^ST AT 6:30 PM

PROGRAM:  NICKIE WILL PRESENT A PROGRAM ON APPLIQUÉ

SNACKS BY:  Dinah Keeley, Donna Payne, George Ann Aycock, Lynn Lewis

 

MINUTES FOR 10-17

New members:  Bobby Smelly and Chris Wilks —-Welcome!!

Jana Osburne spoke on “Dining at the Dollar Store”.  She gave a handout that she prepared comparing and contrasting prices on a number of items at various dollar stores in Kerrville.  Overall, it seems the best buys are at Big Lots.  Jane mentioned that Walgreens and CVS often have good buys on food items, especially when using coupons.

We also discussed the annual event with the other quilting groups in the county.  Jana has a conflict on Nov 12, so Sat., Jan 21st was proposed as a date for the luncheon.  At the Nov. meeting, we’ll finalize the date and time, the location and cost. Bids are being obtained on food to have the event catered. Don’t forget to make or purchase potholders for the attendance gifts.

Nicki asked members to bring an appliqué needle, thimble and scissors to November’s meeting where she’ll give a program on appliqué. 

It was suggested that we have our December meeting (Christmas party) at the library instead of the cottage at UMC.  The library can accommodate the Quilters group on Dec. 12^th for this event.

The quilt exhibit at the library was de-briefed.  Susan stated that this was a very successful exhibit for the library, likely drawing the largest audience for an event of this type.  An estimated 270-300 attended the exhibit, many from outside our immediate area (Bandera Co).  About 70% were from Bandera Co, and 30% from outside our county, other parts of TX and outside TX.

Thanks were offered to all who were involved in making the exhibit such a success—those who worked on publicity, quilt display, exhibit fixtures, docents—–Congrats on a great job!!!

 

The group agreed to have an exhibit next year about the same time of year and made the following recommendations for changes:

Get signs to place near the street to direct traffic to the library (borrowed from Bandera for this year)	Coordinate the exhibit dates with the statewide quilter shop hop.
Find a new way to provide ‘block history’—perhaps sample blocks with history of each in a binder at the exhibit.	Consider discontinuing refreshments on Fri and Sat mornings as we didn’t have good response to that at this year’s event.
Do a ‘trunk show’ at the school—take a selection of quilts to the school to show and discuss	Consider having an ‘opening night’ event before the opening date of the exhibit.
Select a wide variety of types of quilts to exhibit	Consider making small quilts using a technique that is new to you (the library has more space to display smaller size quilts)
Consider having attendees select a  ‘peoples choice’ quilt and/or various categories.	Consider asking for donations from attendees for tickets for an opportunity to win a donation quilt (benefit to library).
Try to display more quilts at full size rather than folding to show them off to best advantage.	Consider reviewing methods for publicity to get the best coverage, especially reaching out to other quilting groups.

 

It was suggested that for next year that the three ‘sit and sew’ meeting that are held throughout the year take place a Michele’s store.  Sewing machines are available and she can accommodate the appropriate number of chairs and space for snacks.

Other ideas for next year include using videos of quilting techniques such as those shown on PBS and working on donation quilts.  It was suggested that a committee be formed to determine what organizations should be given donation quilts and using donated ‘Dutch Girl’ blocks to make these quilts.  Edie showed the group a sample of the Dutch Girl blocks that were donated by an exhibit attendee who was clearing out her deceased mother in law’s home and found these blocks as well as some bolts of fabric.  Some of the blocks are basted or pinned and need to be completed with edge stitching to match the other blocks.   The blocks are made with 1930’s vintage fabrics and appliquéd with a blanket stitch.

The following photos were taken during our show and share portion of the meeting.  Keep scrolling to see photos of quilts, blankets and dolls that “The Core” group was shown on Friday, Oct 28th by Dave Edwards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those who meet on Friday mornings at The Core had a special treat on Friday, Oct 28th.   Core patron David Edwards brought in several antique quilts and some antique dolls to display to those of us who were having coffee.  He had overheard Dinah and Edie talking about quilting one morning earlier in the week and offered show them off on that Friday.

 

Here are the photos of these items.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

News to share about the winners at the Houston International Quilt Show and the new Texas Quilt Museum that will open in La Grange on Nov 13th.  

 

Edie shared information from a friend in the Kerrville Quilting Guild about the winners at the Houston International Quilt Show, as well as photos of the winning quilts.  Click on the address below  for photos of the winning quilts—-outstanding works of art.  Be sure to notice Mary Ann Hildebrand, of the Kerrville guild who won 3^rd place in the Martingale / That Patchwork Place sponsored group.  Next best thing to seeing them in person.

 http://www.quilts.org/winners.html

 

Susan heard a talk by the two women who own and operate the Houston International Quilt Show at the Texas Book Festival the other week.  They were talking about their new book on Texas quilts and put in a plug for their new Texas Quilt Museum that will open on November 13th in La Grange TX!   

The Texas Quilt Museum will open on a limited basis, by appointment only, from October 28, 2011 until November 13, 2011.  On November 13, it will officially open to the public Thursdays through Sundays or by appointment.  Hours will be 10-4.  Admission will
be $8, $6 for seniors and students, and $6 for tours of 20+ when scheduled in advance.

The museum will close for Thanksgiving from November 24-30, and for the Christmas
and New Year’s holidays from Dec. 22-Jan. 4.

Texas Quilt Museum     http://www.texasquiltmuseum.org

140 West Colorado

La Grange, Texas 78945

Phone:  979.968.3104

 

NEXT MEETING:  OCTOBER 17, 2011

PROGRAM:  JANA OSBOURN WILL PRESENT HER YEARLY TEXAS AGRI-LIFE EXTENSION PROGRAM

Refreshments will be brought by everyone in the quilt group.

SEPTEMBER MEETING NOTES

• We will also discuss and plan for the November 12^th event (District meeting) to which the other organizations will be invited.  Plan to bring two potholders which will be table favors.  We’ll plan whether to have a breakfast, brunch or luncheon meeting, whether food will be prepared by members or catered, etc.  We expect attendance of about 40 for this event.
• Susan requested that we take time to discuss “lessons learned” from our first quilt exhibit, such as:
• Should this be an annual event?
• Should we accept and display quilts from non-members of the organization?
• Can we source enough quilts to display in just one year?
• What should we do differently?
• What can we do better?
• Are there other issues we should address for an exhibit in the future?
• Lu mentioned that she would not serve as leader of the group next year, since she has served in this capacity for three years.

Susan thanked all the members who have participated in the exhibit.  We’ve had a very good number of visitors (many from out of town) and many compliments about the number, variety and quality of the quilts exhibited.   The following are photos from the Quilt Fest currently at the Medina Community Library:

 

Tammy showed the quilt made by her foster mother.  Beautiful first-time quilt!

NEXT MEETING:  SEPTEMBER 19th at 6:30PM at the Medina Library

PROGRAM: SIT-N-SEW

Refreshments on your own and we may sit outside if weather permits as the quilt show will be set up in the meeting room.

AUGUST MEETING NOTES

Two guests who asked to be added to the e-mail list:  Sandy and Susan.
August Birthdays:  Tammy, Joyce and Helen

Lots of discussion for the quilt show. Many quilts were brought to be included in the show and Loreta will have a display of her dolls. Members were asked to sign up for demonstrations they will provide. Sample of brochure reviewed by members. Jane brought patchwork name badges as well as a larger one to hang on the window of the library and Donna volunteered to write members names on badges for the show. 

Show and Tell:
Special event: Keara came to thank all members for their help and reported on her adventures at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). She participated in two classes; Mixed Media and Fashion Art & Design, and had a wonderful time learning from instructors and from other young artists.

Joyce wore her cheerful necklace and ear rings made from yoyo’s.

Nicki brought her “Tammy Made Me Do It” quilt made as a wedding gift after much encouragement and mentoring (aka nagging) by Tammy.

Tammy had a table runner made from free pattern available at www.Quiltbug.com.

Edie brought back her “Santorini Star” quilt (our Block of the Month from 2010, pattern available at www.BOMquilts.com) to show the final product with prairie point border.

Edie also brought a T-shirt quilt made for her sister-in-law from Spurs T-shirts.

Loreta brought her chenille dolls—wonderful soft and cuddly and baby-safe. Makes you want to go find that old chenille bed spread and see if it has useful life left afterall.

Program:
Donna presented a hands-on program on a recycle use for old t shirts. Amidst lots of laughter, members were able to complete bright boa’s (or tube top’s for the daring) or sashes to go over skirts or jeans. Some cutting but no sewing required.

NEXT MEETING:  AUGUST 15TH at 6:30PM at the Medina Library

PROGRAM: SOMETHING NEW TO DO WITH T SHIRTS BY DONNA PAYNE

Donna asked that you bring an old T shirt and scissors or rotary cutter and mat to learn as you go. She also wanted you to know she had been mistaken about the cost of the cute name stamp from Expressionary.com that she used on her quilt. It cost about $50, but you still may want to consider it as a saving of time and materials in the long run.

HOSTESSES: Margaret C., Michele M., Jane K., and Helen H.

JULY MEETING NOTES

The July meeting was a busy one with lots of plans and discussion for our quilt show at the Medina Library in September.  Just a reminder of dates in case you have not marked your calendar–we sill set up on Thursday, September15th and show is from Friday, September 16th thru Friday, September 30th with take down on Saturday,  October 1st.  A few quilts have been provided already and more promised. Remember, we plan to do a display of Holiday Quilts for one day only during the show so hope some of you will include those to be loaned for the show. PLEASE REMEMBER to bring your quilts to the next meeting or contact Edie for pick up so the display committee will have time to plan placement in the library. Randy has said we can hang small quilts on the end of shelves in the library to help lead folks to the larger show area.  Also, PLEASE BE SURE YOUR NAME IS ON YOUR QUILTS so we can return them to you without any confusion.

The group decided to change the program schedule because our September meeting may be outside. We will have Donna’s program in August and September will be Sit-N-Sew with bring your own finger foods for refreshments. We want to keep food out of the meeting room while the quilts are on display.

Joyce brought some of the potholders that are needed for November and also requested items for door prizes. She said these could be quilt related or could be something pretty that you think another extension club member might enjoy.

Several Members brought items for SHOW & TELL:

Julie brought two quilts that she has long arm quilted herself. She is remodeling to make room for her very own long arm in the future—a long time dream coming true.

Joyce brought her completed sampler block of the month from 2010. Several members have completed their sampler quilts now and even though the blocks were the same there is great variety in the quilts. Lu hopes we will have at least 3 of these quilts for the show to demonstrate how great a difference fabric selection and block placement can make.

George Ann had completed a String Quilt using instructions from books and the internet. She says this is a great way to use little pieces and fabric edges–especially if you like lots of color.

Theresa brought two beautiful quilts of traditional block patterns from her collection.

And Lu brought samples of Tammy’s Chirstmas in July. The  patterns and instructions are available free on Tammy’s  BomQuilts site.

And after all that we still had time and energy for a wonderful program on sewing with denim by Jane. She had great information on recycle, repurpose fabrics available at very reasonable prices at thrift stores in this area and hints on sewing adjustments when using heavier fabrics like denim.

So her completed projects are beautiful,  useful and economical in the spirit of early quilters who made “comforters”. Thank you Jane for a great program.

And finally–Evelyn, our sock lady, continues to go sockless in the triple diget heat—BUT—she has decided to step it up a notch.

See you all on Monday.

Remember to bring items for the show!

NEXT MEETING: July 18th at 6:30 pm in the Medina Community Library meeting room

PROGRAM: Jane Kelly on using blue jeans to make quilts and other interesting things

HOSTESSES: Lu Harrison, Edie Jessup and Evalyn Poole (Anne Wells–July BD)

June Meeting Notes

Our June meeting was a busy one with Joyce filling in for Lu to keep us organized. We had 16 members, 1 guest, and two new members–Sandy and Debbie. Welcome.

Tammy was not able to be there but sent word that she has a box of quilting supplies ready to ship to Joplin. The “hat” was passed and money collected to cover the shipping cost.

No new potholders were presented at the meeting and Joyce reminded us that we will need two from each member to be favors at the county meeting that we will be hosting in November.

There was a lot of discussion and planning for the quilt show in September. Lu has sent a request that members be thinking of a name for the show to suggest at the July meeting. The name will be important in publicity so put your thinking caps on.

Jane brought samples of quilted name tags that she would like to have for all members of our group and to be worn when any of us are helping with the show. Her design is simple but she will need help in getting them done for the show. Gayle and Sandie volunteered to donate fabric for the name tags.

Edie asked that members who are willing to loan quilts for the show bring them to the next meeting (July) to allow time for the historians to prepare their information and the display committee to plan they layout. We will be having a special display of holiday (all holidays included) quilts on Saturday Sept 24th. Please be sure to have your quilt labeled with  your name and include a note about the quilt for the history committee –the pattern if you know it, why you made it or where it is from.

The Publicity committee will meet when Lu is back from her trip.

Show and tell included Margaret with the really cute potholder she is making. She said it is more difficult than she thought it would be but certainly cute.

Sandie brought her first quilt that she is hand quilting. She told us she saw the frame being used by another quilter while she was traveling and has found it to be very helpful.

 

 

 

 

 

Edie brought a tea towel from Elda’s vintage linen stash. The towel is an example of Swedish Weaving in very small stitches and is to be passed on to Lu for her collection.  Lu has tought us several classes  on this technique and may do so again next year if requested.

Joyce has been trying some embellishments on her wonderful wearables .  Note the YoYos on her jacket. Hope she will let us include it in the display for the quilt show.

 

 

 

 

 

 Our “Sock Lady” is giving her toes a cooling break for the summer. She did come prepared with a great program on Embroidery as an embellishment for quilts. She said she was “flabbergasted” that anyone needed instruction on embroidery which she learned at her Grandmother’s knee. (I wonder where my grandaughter will learn it.) She brought samples of Brazilian Embroidery, Birds and flowers done by her 98 year old father which were as neat on the back side as the front, and her beautiful embroidery embellished hankie quilt.She also brought iron on patterns which are still available at Doolies in Fredericksburg for us to try.

Thanks for a great program. See you all on July 18th.

 

JUNE 2011 NEWSLETTER

NEXT MEETING: June 20^th at 6:30 pm in the Medina Community Library meeting room

PROGRAM: Embroidery by Evalyn Poole

HOSTESSES: Leza B, Nickie B, Gayle, P, Helen H (Aug BD), Julie S (June BD)

May’s meeting was an action-packed one with lots of discussion and quilt displays! I apologize that I didn’t get photos of all the quilts that were shown—being new to this job, I sometimes forgot that I need to keep my camera ready.

I want to extend special thanks to Michele and Edie for their kind assistance and expertise in training me to use the website for this newsletter.

We discussed the County Appreciation Brunch in November and want to remind everyone to make and donate two potholders (Select your design and size) that will be used as table favors.  Bring them to Joyce at any of our meetings.

We have three new members to welcome:

Helen H.

Jane T.

Janet L.

Lu shared a note from Kathleen S. who has moved to Ingram.  She’ll be contacted by email to see if she wishes to stay on our member roster.

Lu also had a note from Keara H. who thanked the members of the group for donations she received to help her attend a special program for the arts in Savannah, GA this summer.  This will be an exciting summer for Keara!

Lu led the discussion on the upcoming quilt exhibit at the library, opening September 16^th through October 1^st.  Many beautiful quilts, old and new, were shown by members who have offered them for the exhibit.

Lu suggested that the Friday ‘Coffee Klatch’ that meets at the Core meet at the library to greet and show whatever current projects are being worked on.  The group agreed to do this from 10:00 to 11:30 on Fridays during the exhibit. We’ll call this “Coffee on the Patio”.

Edie had prepared signup sheets for those who wish to exhibit quilts or quilt-related items during the exhibit.  Having this information will help place the quilts to the best advantage in the library meeting room space.

It was agreed that setting up committees could help Lu with organizing the exhibit project.

Edie J, Michele M, Elinor V and Theresa E volunteered to serve on a committee for organizing the selection and exhibit display as well as planning and scheduling the demos; Jane will plan docents who will answer visitor questions during the exhibit; Margaret, Dinah, Tammy H and Linda B will work on quilt labeling/block history.

Lu will handle publicity for the event; Joyce and Donna P volunteered to work with Lu on this.

Jane K offered to donate tension curtain rods for quilt displays.  Lu offered use of partitions from the Methodist Church for quilt display.  Michele has offered to loan rolling quilt racks that she’ll purchase for her store.  Margaret offered to donate colored paper for printing notices for the exhibit.  Others offered other items as well as money to fund purchases/expenses that may be needed.  Lu will accept these donations.

We agreed that signs should be posted to prohibit food and drink in the meeting room during the exhibit to prevent any accidental spills. Susan will prepare these.

It was suggested that a specific time be selected to display ‘holiday quilts’, perhaps the second weekend (9-24-2011).

If you didn’t get to sign up to display a quilt or quilted item, please contact Edie.  If you’d like to volunteer to work on planning and organizing the event, contact Lu or Edie.  There are lots of opportunities to participate on a committee and/or by exhibiting a quilt(s) or quilt-related items.

Check out the photos below taken during the meeting:

Jane K shows off her patriotic tote bags for Memorial Day and 4^th of July

Donna P shows her last year’s BOM quilt “on point”. Great job, Donna!!

Check out the beautiful and intricate quilting that Michele did.  Beautiful on both sides!

Edie holds up one of Linda B’s quilts—a postage stamp quilt.  How did Linda work with all those tiny pieces??!!  Lovely color work.

Another of Linda’s quilts—-a Sunbonnet Sue variation with umbrellas.

Helen was proud to show one of her family quilts from the early 20^th century, a variation on a tulip pattern.

Another early quilt from Helen’s family is this Sunbonnet Sue.  What family treasures!

Newsletter for June 2011

Due to the technical issues, the newsletter has been published as a PDF in the above link. Please click on the above link to open. Thanks!