Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County
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Newsletter
President's
Message
Hi Members! Back in the spring when I considered taking over the presidency this year, I consulted with our outgoing president, Joan. She reassured me that the job was all lined out on a monthly schedule and I just needed to follow that. Sorry, Joan, but no where on that plan was anything about the closing of the old Pleasant Hill Schoolhouse! Luckily our great board helped me with this major upset. Hopefully everyone received notice by email or mail that we no longer have access to our classroom there. Everything we own is either in storage or at a member’s home until we explore our options. So far I have 2 volunteers to serve on a search committee for new space, Chris Roloff and Shari Wildschutte. They would like some more members to brainstorm with them, so, please, if you are interested, give them a call. We are hopeful that there is a new space out there for us, we just need to find it. The holiday season is quickly approaching and the Guild is offering you many ways to help make it a better season for those in need. I hope we will have a record number of members at our November meeting, when we have the opportunity to make quilts for our many charities. I love our Sew-ins, because they give us a chance to get to know each other better as we share our talents. It’s such a great way to make new friends and to create a symbol of comfort and love for some in need. Please join us even for a short time. I want to thank Cynthia Allen in advance for organizing this special evening. Please, read her article for more details. Each year our Guild supports a charity financially during this season. This year the board decided to support the local Food Bank. Every week there is an article in the paper about the increased demand for food and the decreased supply, so we hope our efforts will make a difference for them this year. See Debbie Flanders’ article for more information. Once again, I want to thank everyone, who helped with the abrupt move out of our classroom a few weeks ago. At the general meeting we gave 3 members special recognition for going the extra mile during that move. They were Joan Beall, Glenna Valley and Kathy Rummel. Without their efforts we would probably still be packing! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Bonnie Engel
General MeetingMonday,
November 17
7:00 pm Cynthia Allen Quilts to Share Sew-In This month we use our sewing talents to focus on our local community needs. YOU can help by turning scraps into quilts which are LOVED by the individuals who receive these beautiful quilts. YOUR labor of LOVE is greatly appreciated. The satisfaction of knowing that so many people receive comfort from our efforts is much greater. Please watch the newsletter for more details .
Nancy Engman & Jean DeGregory,
Co-Chairs
Upcoming SpeakersDecember 15, 2008 “Elves Jean & Nancy” Holiday Social – Spinning Wheel – a local Old Time – Bluegrass – Irish band Our annual Holiday Social will feature Spinning Wheel a group of friends, joined by their love of Old Music. The program called “Old Time Saturday Night” recreates something of the feelings of those good old times. Please join us to celebrate the holiday season and enjoy tasty treats. The elves are still working on this night’s event; for more details.
January 20, 2009 Mary Mashuta You Can Never Own Too Many Stripes (remember this is a Tuesday night meeting) Get more mileage per square inch. Stripes in blocks, sashing, borders, bindings and garments. Mary’s latest book “Foolproof Machine Quilting” which teaches you how to “Create Beautiful Machine Quilting with Your Home Sewing Machine – No Free-Motion Required” will be on sale at the meeting. www.marymashuta.com
Board MeetingWednesday, December 3, 2008 at the Farm Bureau Building [5554 Clayton Road, Concord 94521] at 7:00 pm. All members are welcome to attend. [Note the temporary location] [If you wish to discuss something, please contact Bonnie Engel to be put on the agenda.]
WorkshopsOur Oct. workshop went off without a hitch thanks to Barbara Shates donating the use of her own home for the class. Many of you saw the great Hooty Owl blocks at our last meeting... what a easy technique and a fun project. Thank you so much Barbara! We are still working on finding places for our remaining workshops and fully expect to have good news soon. So hang in there and I will be calling each teacher and all who have signed up so far the minute I know anything. Don't miss out on these workshops...try something new and have a lot of fun doing it. Sign up early to be sure you have your place reserved. You can call me or just send me a note with your check indicating which workshop (s) you want to reserve your space (include an SASE so I can send you a supply list).
If you have any suggestions for work shops or if you would just love to share a technique or project with the other members of our guild, please feel free to call me anytime. Demos/Make and Take for the Guild Quilt Show If you would like to do a Demo or a Make and Take for our show in March, know someone who might, or have any suggestions, please contact Shari Wildschutte. See you in class, Shari Wildschutte
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Tammy Zanella handed out patterns for a 12" Madison House block, including sky fabric. In May her home town of Parkersburg, Iowa was hit by a severe tornado. Since she knows many of the people whose homes were destroyed, she plans to use the house blocks to make quilts for several of the families. She would appreciate receiving as many blocks as members enjoy making. Also, Pam Smith received blocks made in the Crazy Loon pattern from the quilterscache website. Large square areas are white, rectangle pieces are purple and the smaller squares are any color. She plans to use the blocks as an outside border for a quilt. The block is 8" when completed. Ann Gimbel
MembershipThe membership directories and cards are available for pick up in the Guild Room at the School House when it is open. I will have them at the next meeting, October 20. After that they will be mailed. Please try to pick them up if you can, to help save on the postage! Thanks! Reba Siero Our membership year starts July 1. Lifetime membership is defined by being 80 years of age or more. Being a lifetime member entails not paying membership dues, but YOU DO NEED TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION every year to keep you information current and to keep us informed of your interest in the belonging to the Guild. Below is the 2008-2009 application for membership. [ back to top ]
Quilts to ShareWith Halloween behind us and Thanksgiving right around the corner, mark your calendar for a night of charity, gratitude, and lots of fun. November is our fall Sew-in. Set up is starting at 6 p.m. meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m. guest speakers will tell us about their programs and how we are helping to support the children and families in our community. Our program Chairs are planning light refreshments, so we can snack as we work. Special thanks to Patricia Abernathy, Jo Mathies, Carol Smith, Catherine Smith and Cynthia Wheeler for their help with making blocks and top packets. We will need those who are willing to press, to bring irons and ironing boards. Give me a call to make sure we have enough cords. 925-757-0256. Since we plan on sewing blocks into tops many sewing machines are needed. Tables will be set up to square up blocks and cut borders and sashing. Bring your mats and rotary cutters, etc. We will have something for everyone. Any questions call me or you can send an e-mail. Twelve terrific quilts were donated by: Lucie Hendrix Brown, Mary Ethel Jae (8), Anne Loucks Ch. D.A.R, Jo Mathies, Cynthia Wheeler. Big thanks to everyone that participated with our block packets. We acknowledge the following for returning twenty-one packets: Cynthia Allen, Karen Cowan, Ellen Hearthcote, Kristin Jenny, Chris Lee, Fran McNamee, Myrna Rutkas, Audrey McInerney, Rosemary Neeley, and Marlene Wunder. Eighteen pillowcases were donated by the following: Kathy Berger, Carole Bibeau (2), Sandy Butner (2), Jane Giulieri (5), Audrey McInerney (3), Bernadette Noran (2) Jackie Seidell (2) and Barbara Shates (2). New block packets and pillowcase kits will be available at our January meeting. Enjoy your holidays and see you at the sew-in!
Please don't forget to pin your name to your donations!
Quilts to Share — Help Needed! WILL TRAIN, NO SKILLS NEEDED, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED. We have recently received some much needed help from members and appreciate it greatly. But the program is growing and we continue to need more help moving fabric, sorting, washing, cutting, packaging, collecting, distributing to members, preparing for sew-ins, taking photos, getting donations and just general support. Working with us, you will learn how to turn scraps into quilts that will be loved. The end result is very rewarding. Please look into your hearts and try to find a little space each month that we can count on. Call Cynthia Allen or Cynthia Wheeler, we are in the book .Patriotic Quilts This project is continuing all year long, but at the moment the focus is on the baby and teen quilts for the Quilts to Share Sew-in in November. If you decide to clean your sewing room for the holidays and happen to find some homeless blocks, we will be glad to take them off your hands and put them into a quilt to be shared with those in need. Cynthia Wheeler
INFORMATION ABOUT QUILTS, ETC. Patriotic Quilts: If you would like to complete a quilt, quilt top, or quilt block, we will be accepting them all year long. The completed quilt or top size should be 50” x 60”. The quilt back size should be 56” x 66”. The quilt block can be any size. Teen Quilt Project : We are continuing towards completing twin size quilts appropriate for ages 13 through 18 to be given to the foster teens. Consider making more than one block of whatever you are working on at the moment and bringing to the Quilts to Share table. Everything is appreciated. Pillowcase Project: WOW! Those pillowcases keep a coming. Aren’t they just so fun! They are totally addicting. Don’t forget to bring those pillowcase kits back next month and pick up a few more. We continue to need children’s and teen quilts for several different organizations. Remember the sewing of strips to foundation blocks technique for left over material. Variation of strip sizes and colors make the blocks interesting and then sewing the blocks together is a snap. Have we said thank-you? If not – Thank you so much – you are making many feel better with your generosity.
Handy size guide
Also for details on sizes please see the Quilts to Share Guidelines area under the Information
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Opportunity Quilt TicketsThe ticket packets will be available for pick up beginning with the October 20 meeting. I will have them at the November meeting as well. Reba Siero, Opportunity Quilt Ticket chair
NCQC Corner = Northern California Quilt Council
All current members of the guild are also members of NCQC and as members you are invited to attend these meetings. Cynthia Wheeler / your Northern California Quilt Council Representative Visit the NCQC website for all kinds of information: http://www.ncqc.net Note: On the NCQC site you can find information about member quilt shops, teachers. The calendar lists quilting events. Be sure to bookmark this site to find out all kinds of information. Kathy Callahan, webmaster [ back to top ]
Agatha Chrisee is still on the hunt for UFO's. Confess and sign the pledge to finish one (or more?) by the May meeting. Program Chairs Nancy and Jean promise that it will be worth your while and fun. And think how grateful you will be to get the UFO out of your way and off your conscience!! If you would like a pledge, contact Jean. The Program Chairs are also looking for members who are capable and would like to present a program for your own Guild. We know you are out there, so call or email Nancy or Jean and let us talk with you. Don't hide your light under a quilt! If you don't fess up, maybe one of your friends will "volunteer" you----or maybe Agatha Chrisee will find you.
Nancy Engman and Jean De Gregory (2nd Vice Presidents).
SunshineWe are saddened by the death on October 16 of Pat Ronald, a former guild member. Well wishes for improved health to Sandy Burns.
Please
phone me if you know of a member who needs a note of cheer or sympathy. Myrna Rutkas [ back to top ]
Newsletter InputIf you wish to change how you received your newsletter, please let me know at the email address below. Newsletter input for the December 08/January 09 newsletter is due to Becky Styles by noon Thursday, December 4, 2008. Send email to: Newsletter. We welcome submissions from all members and publish as many as we can. Becky Styles [ back to top ]
Publicity ChairWant to help make our next quilt show a success? Get the word out to other quilters and the public about our wonderful show!! Looking for someone to lead the efforts. I am currently getting the word out on the internet but would like to have someone take over the spearheading of other efforts. I have lots of information to pass on. Consider adding your own flair for how best to get the word out. Contact Kathy Callahan.
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Quilt ShowIt’s coming, it’s coming… Without the Schoolroom we’ve got some storage and collection issues. For now I will bring bins to the Guild meetings to collect items for the Country Store. Then the weekend before the Show we’ll have a work party such as we had for the bequest sale to get everything labeled and marked. If you are making small items for friends and relations (pot holders and gift cards are it for me this year!) make a couple extra for the Country Store. Hand made items sell well. We will be having consignment items again this year. Inventory sheets will be in the January newsletter. You are responsible for making a complete inventory sheet and then giving us a copy of it. That way we both know what’s there and can keep better track of the items. The Country Store is not the place for really precious items. There are times when there is a crush around the tables. We do our best, but unpaid for goods do go home with people. As before, the Guild’s commission will be 20%. Joan Beal
Opportunity Quilt 2009 - Amish Gem
Isn’t it gorgeous? The best way to sell raffle tickets for our Opportunity Quilt is to take the quilt to other guild meetings. It’s also a way to see how other guilds operate .The Opportunity Quilt is our big fundraiser for the year so please give it some thought. Can you spare an evening? Please call Audrey Macedo-Burman.
[ back to top ] Miscellaneous InformationGQCCC Food Donation - Holiday Charity This year your Board of Directors has decided to make our Holiday Charitable Contribution to the Food Bank of Contra Costa County. Here are some facts as to where our donations will go, ¨ For every $1 that is donated they can provide enough food for 2 meals!¨ It will help provide over 9,000,000 that is 9 million pounds of food for hungry people all over Contra Costa County for the next 12 months.¨ Provide our area’s seniors with food, so that they don’t have to choose between buying medication and eating.¨ Provide food for children, to strengthen their resistance to disease and increase their ability to learn.¨ Help some of our area’s hardest-working parents “make ends meet” by supplementing the groceries they are able to buy with food from Food Bank of Contra Costa.Just think, 1 yard of cotton fabric about $10 = 20 meals. Please be as generous as you can. Thank you Board of Directors of the Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County You may bring your donations to the Guild meeting or send them to: Contra Costa Food Bank We are also accepting non perishable food items at the Guild Meeting for the Monument Crisis Food Center in Concord Debbie Flanders
LOPCided Quilters The LOPCided Quilters meet at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, in Room 202 on Thursdays from 1-3. We invite you to join us in making quilts for the Bay Area Crisis Nursery. Bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies; we have fabric and batting. We also have fabric that is already cut and ready to sew. Several members of the guild are also in the group. We hope to have you join us. If you'd like more information, contact Ann Gimbel
Bequest Sale - Thank You Many, many thanks to all of you who worked so hard getting items ready for the sale. The work paid off, we earned $900 for the Guild! Please tell anyone who asked that we couldn’t possibly consider another until next summer. ( As Bonnie said, she hopes this doesn’t become an annual event!)
Parliamentarian Due to time constraints Dee Munk resigned her board position as Parliamentarian. Thank you, Dee, for your service on the board. We are fortunate to have Audrey Macedo-Burman volunteer to take over this position for her. Audrey, thank you much.
Fabric and Craft Sale SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2008 from 1-4PM the American Sewing Guild will be having a sale. Mostly garment sewing fabrics, laces, craft supplies and magazines will be available. Location: Walnut Creek United Methodist Church, 1543 Sunnyvale Ave. Walnut Creek. By Treat Blvd and Contra Costa Blvd. WWW.asgwalnutcreek.org.Cynthia Wheeler
Minute Chocolate Mug Cake from Audrey Macedo-Burman 1 coffee mug Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly. Pour in the milk and oil and mix well. Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla and mix again. Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high. The cake will rise over top of the mug, but don’t be alarmed! Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired. EAT! (this can serve 2 if you want to share!) And why is this the most dangerous cake recipe in the world? Because now we are all only 5 minutes away from chocolate cake at any time of the day or night.
Opportunities - Check here for any current requests for help or opportunities to share your talents!
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Places To Go and Things To Do!Check out the NCQC Calendar for information as well! http://www.ncqc.net/events.htm
September 13 - November 23, 2008, Untold Stories: Early
American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks presented at the
Bedford Gallery, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.
Gen Adm - $7, 13-17 - $3, 12 & under - Free. Tues - Sun 12 - 5 PM, Thurs,
Fri & Sat 6-8 PM. Closed Mondays. 925 295-1417
www.bedfordgallery.org Report on Untold Stories: Untold Stories: Early American Quilts from the Collection of Susan Brooks, shows 35 quilts from the 18th and 19th century. The quilts, sewn from 1850 to 1912, were created during some of the more significant eras of U.S. history - the slave era and Underground Railroad, the Civil War, the Mormon and Oregon Trails, the Northeast whaling community, and Temperance Movement. Traditional patterns and crazy quilts dominate the exhibit, with unusual variations such the plain center square of an eight point star replaced by a nine patch. I was wishing for my reference books as I toured. The quilts vary in quality from badly matched corners to perfectly pieced. All of them seem to be made from scraps from other projects. You can hear our ancestors saying “waste not, want not”. Their talent for matching leftover fabrics into a unified whole seems to far exceed ours. Treadle sewing machines are scattered around the exhibit. It’s easy to picture these women sewing on them. It’s impossible to tell the utility quilts from the prized heirlooms. All the quilts are aged by time, and some of the dyes helped rot the cloth. So most quilts have some shredded areas where the batting shows through. The exposed batting was always cotton. The write-up for each quilt helped me appreciate the story behind it. Some of these quilts were abandoned along the trails. It’s hard to imagine such a practical item being left behind; life must have been a struggle. Take your notebook. Bedford Gallery will only permit you to take pictures of the quilts if you sign a release to not use the quilt patterns commercially. This seems strange, as the patterns and quilts are long out of copyright. The Bedford Gallery is in the Regional Center for the Arts in downtown Walnut Creek, The gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00 - 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Admission is free every Tuesday. The nearest free parking is three blocks away. Pay parking is located right next to the Bedford Gallery. The exhibit is open until November 23. If you like quilt exhibits, this is one you won’t want to miss. Cindy Mohler
November 18, 2008 - January 25, 2009 Recent Works by 4
Masters of Contemporary Fiber Art Solo Exhibits: Visible
Presence - Polly Barton, By Chance/By Design - Mary Anne Jordan, Variations2
- Eleanor McCain, wrapped/uwrapped tapestries - Mary Zicafoose, San Jose
Museum of Quilts & Textiles, 520 South First Street, San Jose Tues-Sun 10-5 Adm: General - $6.50, Students & Seniors
-$5, Museum members & children under 13 - Free. Admission FREE the 1st Friday of
each month. INFO: 408 971-0323 or
www.sjquiltmuseum.org January 15 - 18, 2009 Road to California Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, CA Over 100 classes and lectures. Class and registration info online www.road2ca.com Advance Tickets for Road 2 CA Beginning November 15th you can purchase your admission bracelets online - www.road2ca.com or by mail: Road to California, 1529 W. 13th Street, Unit A, Upland, CA 91786-7531. A single day admission is $10, a multi-day admission is $20. Please add $5 per order for shipping and handling charges. Ticket orders must be received in our office by December 31, 2008. Admission free during the last hour of each day. January 24 & 25, 2009 Heart of the Valley Quilt & Textile Arts Show Country Crossroads Quilters. Modesto Centre Plaza, 10th & K Streets, Modesto Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Featured Quilters: Ruth Brown & Teresa Seifert. Adm - $6, children under 12 free INFO: 209 527-2718 www.countrycrossroadsquilters.com March 7 & 8, 2009 "Symphony of Color" Quilt Show 2009 presented by San Francisco Quilters Guild. Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 - 8th Street at Brannan Street, San Francisco [Muni #19 Polk/Freeway Accessible] Featured Quilters: Judy Mathieson & Anita Barber. Sat 10-5, Sun 10-4. Adm $10 (2 day admission) INFO: SFQG Quilt Show 2007, P.O. Box 27002, San Francisco, CA 94127 www.sfquiltersguild.org
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AffiliatesOur Affiliates
- Please patronize these members of our guild
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Newsletter Archives - Current and Past Newsletters in .pdf format These are pdf files which require Acrobat
Reader to display them. This is a free download.
February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 |
