Minutes for May 2009

The Possum Town Quilters Guild met on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the RAC. We had 24 members sign in. The President, Judy Stokes, introduced three new members: Barbara Walker, Eddie Young, and Suzy Stanton. That makes 33 paid members for 2009! We are growing.
Show and Tell: (1) Judy Stokes showed a hot pad she made and her grandson I Spy quilt. She also printed his picture on the label. (2) Jo Anne Slancauskas showed her yellow, turquoise and brown, Stack a Posey quilt. She also showed pot holders made for the oodie bags for the October meeting and a rag doll with her own patchwork quilt for the Auction at the RAC. (3) Sharon Hedrick showed her finished Stack a Posey finished top and she is making another one in purples. (4) Marjorie Williams showed her completed Stack A Posey top. She had a different approach to her border. (5) Christine Anderson showed her mauves, beige and hunter green Stack a Posey. (6) Sue Skipper showed her blue and orange Stack a Posey quilt top. She still had a couple of borders that she wanted to add. (7) Linda Dawkins showed her Turning 20 (large!) quilt top. It was in brown, orange, black and beige. The focus fabric was Lori Lee Dog Ladies print. (8) Eddie Young shared the cushions she had made to take to workshops. She even added a handle to carry. (9) Watana Cantrell showed her AVU pattern quilt in black and white with red (on the back). She also showed her purple onion quilt she made with all batiks. (10) CC Coggins showed her Stack a Posey which she completed during show and tell! It is rose colored with green accents. (11) Faye Robertson showed an embroidery thread system to keep track of her dimensional threads with a unique aver to keep the threads organized. She explained about the website for this raised embroidery. She offered to help anyone who needs instruction for our Crazy Quilt block challenge.
Old Business:
Judy Stokes requested the four people who haven identified their block for the black and white challenge to please do so.
We need to be sure and arrive on time so that the meetings can be started on time. It was discussed whether to arrive and 9:00 a.m. in order to be able to start on time at 9:30. No decision was made on this.
Jo Anne Slancauskas said that all the members need to do 5 potholders each. That will give us around 150 for the oodie bags for the October MQA meeting. We could also add a covered button to the clips we have and give those in the oodie bags
New Business:
The clips that Jo Anne picked up in Dallas are for sale in the lobby @ $1.00 per card of 12.
Info sheets on the members (and new members) were completed and given to Jo Anne for the PTQ directory.
Quilting on the Hearts and Gizzards quilts at the library. We are only half-way through. Faye Robertson has the calendar for sign up to quilt. Everyone needs to participate and get this quilt finished. We need to hang it and raffle at the October Gathering. Hours at the Library are: M-Th, 9:00-6:00; Fri 9:00 5:00; Sat 10:00-4:00.
Discussion of food for the October Gathering included the cost of the Friday night fare. No decision was made.
Judy checked with printers in Fayette AL where she works and it looks like the color printing may be too costly. Black and White we could get 500 for around $150. Terry Turnage is also checking around locally.
Habitat for Humanity: We discussed making quilts for the children of the house that is to be completed in August. There are 13 children. The family was combined when the father brother children were left without a parent. The sex and ages are as follows: Boys, 19, two 17s, 13, 11, 5, 2; Girls, two 13s, 12, 9, 6, and 4. We also have a quilt for a gentleman whose house will be finished soon, too.
May 30th will be the fifth Saturday in May. We will have a workshop. Everyone come and be prepared to sew and make quilts for the Habitat for Humanity. We can get a system going and not everyone will have to sew.
The June Gathering is in Pearl on the same weekend as our normal workshop (June 6). The second weekend in June will be the Quilt Symposium of Alabama, Inc., in Culman AL. (check out website: www.qsai.org.
The third weekend in June is our normal meeting. There is a Quilt Fest in Birmingham. It was discussed that some members would like to go to Birmingham. Those who want to go will meet at Lowe’s. Judy will get info to members via e-mail. Those who don’t want to go to Birmingham can meet at the RAC and work on projects.
Mary Ann said we need to have the crazy quilt blocks to show at the RAC during July and August. Turn in those block at the July 18th meeting.
Mary Ann demonstrated making quilt yo-yo’s. She gave out patterns for the yo-yo’s and demonstrated a commercial yo-yo maker. Cutting out the yo-yo is much easier with the yo-yo maker. Mary Ann suggested that you use a strong thread in order to pull them together. The reason for the yo-yo demonstration….the block for next month will be a 4 x 4 yo-yo square. Make 4 yo-yo’s across and 4 yo-yo’s down. The second block for next month will be a "didn’t quite make it" block. Any of your blocks no matter what the size that didn’t quite make the grade to go in a quilt or take to block exchange. These block can be dropped off at Wal-Mart to Mary Ann, Suzy or Derindia.
Mary Ann passed out embroidery thread to be included in our Crazy Quilt block. This will help tie all the block together.
Mary Ann answered questions about the crazy quilt blocks.
Block Winners:
Flower: Derindia Bates
Pink and Green Crazy Quilt: Linda Dawkins
Noodles: Red fabrics: Jeanette Roach
Next month the third item will be Layer Cake blocks. If you wish to participate, bring 2 tone on tone 10" squares.
Respectively Submitted
Jo Anne Slancauskas, Secretary

May meeting "Show & Tell"

Linda Dawkins won these "crazy" quilt blocks.

Derindia Bates won the "flower" quilt blocks.



Jo Anne's doll and quilt she plans to sell during the quilt show.

Judy's "I Spy" quilt made for her grandson's birthday.

Curves by Watana.

A black & white with red by Watana.

Linda Dawkins "Turning 20" quilt.

Workshop at Annettes

We had a great time at Annette's learning the Stack a Posie. Watana did a great job. I understand she has been asked to do another class again next Saturday for those who were not able to come today.

Minutes for April 20009

Possum Town Quilters’ Guild met Saturday, April 18th, 2009, at the home of Judy Stokes. We were unable to meet at the RAC for this month. We had 26 attendees (according to the sign in sheet).
Two ladies from Central Methodist Church brought an old signature quilt (at least 80 years old) to show the Guild and ask someone to repair it. The quilt was from the church ladies to a former pastor.
President Judy Stokes recognized all the visitors this month: Barbara Walker, Jeanette Roach, Sharon Lofton, Rita Williams, Eddie Young and Sue House. One of the visitors, Sue House, showed a beautiful Crazy Quilt she had made. It had lots of embroidery and beadwork. Sue Skipper showed her pink and turquoise Turning Twenty quilt top. Sharon Hedrick had collected fabrics with roses for many years and turned them into her “Roses” Turning Twenty quilt top. CC Coggins shared her Star Tricks quilt top made at the class taught by Julia Graber’s sister, Barbara Cline. Watana Cantrell is back from Florida and showed us what she had accomplished over the winter. She did a charity Bow Ties lap quilt; an Alabama lap quilt; a full size Safari quilt; a Beatrix Potter Rabbit baby quilt; a Monster in My Closet baby quilt for her first great grandchild when she has one; Stack a Posey #1 which had dark fabrics; Stack a Posey #2 which had light fabrics – this only uses 4 pieces; and a quilted bag. She’s been very busy. Carla Formel showed her Turning Twenty. Annette Pennington showed a Crazy Quilt she is working on – it is a quilt-as-you-go. This is a memory quilt and very precious to her. She also showed a crazy patch purse she made in Wisconsin; a block with lots of embellishment (she calls it “encrusted”); a picture frame of two small crazy quilt blocks.
Julia and Annette showed the quilts they entered into the Pidgeon Forge 15th anniversary contest. Annette’s was 15 mini quilts hanging on clothes lines and Julia’s Finding 15 Hole-in-a-Hole blocks (a full square-in-a-square blocks). Judy Stokes also entered the challenge and her quilt is hanging at the Library in Columbus at our quilting station. Julia also showed a photograph of her Uncle’s woodcarving. She asked his permission and made a wonderful rendition of that small Amish children carving in fabric and framed it.

Business Meeting:
Old Business:
1. Jo Anne gave a status report on our Directory. Judy couldn’t open the disk on any of her computers, so Jo Anne will print out the pages to review before sending to a print shop.
2. Judy Stokes explained the Block Challenge for 2009. Each year we do a challenge block with certain criteria from a committee. This quilt is then given to the Arts Center to auction off in payment for the Guild using the Arts Center for meetings and workshops. The packages for 2009 have been bought by the members for a crazy quilt block with a difference! We all will have an historic or modern day site in the Columbus area as the theme for each crazy quilt block. There is to be no ink on the blocks, embroider the lettering and dates on the cream color piece in your bag. A 5-sided template in enclosed and can be cut from any of the fabrics in your bag. This beginning piece may be placed anywhere on the block. All seam lines have to be embellished by hand. Save a few areas for a thread Mary Ann will give us (this is to tie all the block together visually). Also, do not print any pictures on fabric for this quilt block.
3. Silent Auction for MQA Gathering in October hosted by PTQ Guild: CC is still gathering items for the silent auction. Judy explained this auction will go throughout the event, probably having 3-4 different offerings for auction each time.
4. Ideas for Goody Bags for the October gathering: Goody Bags will be for all who attend the gathering. Jo Anne’s daughter-in-law will donate large Bath and Body bags and we are trying to fill these. Judy says were are advised to have about 150 to give out.
a. Sandi Bowen showed a “thumb/index finger” pin cushion (she will bring the pattern the next time we meet).
b. Melissa Keasler showed a simple bag to catch scraps when you are sewing – these can be made from professional fabric swatches. Her mother has a lot of these swatches.
c. Several others made suggestions: Print our logo on peel off/sticker paper to put on items that are given away. Make coasters from orphan blocks or new blocks. A clothespin pin cushion and a “Penny Saved is a Penny Earned” item. Also cloth shopping bags we can make to put door prizes in before giving out during the gathering. At the workshop the first Saturday in April, many worked on pot holders and pin cushions .
New Business:
1. Judy received information of a Quilt Fest sponsored by the Birmingham Quilter’s Guild, June 20-21st. Our meeting is on the 20th but some members may want to take a road trip on that Sunday.
2. Crossville TN is having their 5th Biennial Mountain Memories Quilt Show on 19-20 June 2009.
3. Sandi Bowen said that Gore Springs MS has a wonderful quilt show on the third weekend in October. These are mostly traditional quilts.
4. Sewing World will give PTQ members a 10% discount. Just show your membership card you got when you paid your dues.

Blocks for Next Meeting
1. 12 ½ inch crazy quilt block in pink and greens.
2. Theme of April Showers bring May Flowers – we are to do a 12 ½ inch block of flowered fabrics with no color specification.
3. For the Door Prize: Bring 4, 2 ½ inch x fabric width, strips in Red fabrics (any thing red, solid, print, etc)

Who Won The Blocks for This Month?
1. Black and White/White and Black Winding Ways: Lawana Schultz
2. Spring/Easter Block: Carolyn Ward
3. Door Prize/Charm Pack: Elsie Johnson

Chef On A Shoestring: Thanks to Sue Skipper and Linda Dawkins for our lunch today. For the May workshop, Melissa Keasler and Faye Robinson will be the hostesses (this meeting will be at Annette’s again.) For the May Guild Meeting, the hostesses will be Sandi Bowen and Sharon Hedrick (this meeting will be back at the RAC)

Respectively Submitted

Jo Anne Slancauskas
Secretary

After the meeting at Clyde & Judy's home and a delicious lunch by Sue Skipper & Linda Dawkins including Clyde's flavorful pecans which everyone loved, we came by caravan to the country home of Walter & Annette Pennington on Lake Lowndes Rd. Twenty three were present and there was some serious learning going on. I could see some seeds of love sprouting for this block with so much individuality and many styles. Can't wait to see the blocks for May !!! I hope no one will say they did not experience the "hospitality "of New Hope on Saturday, April 18, 2009..........................Annette Pennington........................

Meeting Place Change for May

Our regular monthly meeting for April 18, 2009 is scheduled to meet at the Clyde & Judy Stokes home. Please call Judy at 662-327-5920 or 662-574-0593 if you have any questions. The May meeting will resume at the RAC in Columbus.

Pilgrimage Quilting

Our guild is participating in the Columbus Pilgrimage this year by quilting at some of the antebellum homes. Here is Sharon, Judy, & Julia at "White Arches."

Here's Annette & Julia at "Colonade Gardens."

Quilting at the Library

Two of our Possum Town Quilters were featured on the front page of the Commercial Dispatch. Brenda & Lawana were quilting on our raffle quilt at the library.

More Show & Tell

The winner of last months "St. Patricks" blocks was Julia Graber.

Brenda Crownover won the "Moon over the Mountain" blocks.
Judy Stokes showed a small quilt from a class that she took at Quilt Fest in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Julia showed her sampler quilt that each member is making to hang for the MQA Gathering we are hosting in October.

Show & Tell

Brenda & Lawanna put this quilt together for us to quilt during the annual Prilgrimage.

Terry made this "Log Cabin with Stars" for her son.

Marjorie showed us this quilt with old vingage cars that someone gave her.
Brenda, CC, and Lawanna showed their "Turning Twenty" quilt that they are donating to charity.
Terry's "Turning Twenty" quilt is made with puppies in the focus blocks.

PTQ March 21, 2009 Minutes

March 21, 2009 Possum Town Quilters Meeting
Our meeting began by welcoming 5 new guests: Sharon Lofton, Jeanette
Roach, Barbara Walker, Anita Hood, and Doris Byars; with hopes they will
join our guild.

We had 22 members present.

Several members showed their "Turning 20" quilt tops they had made, with
each one very stunning. Marjorie showed an older top someone gave her
with old vintage cars and trucks on it that was hand pieced. Terry
brought a beautiful log cabin with stars she did for her son. Julia told
us of the educational seminar that MQA will be holding on paper piecing.
She also showed us her block of the month we are working on for our
gathering. She showed a 20X20 challenge piece she did while at a family
sewing retreat that she choose a name of "After the Picnic" with enough
fabric left over to make a miniature quilt named "Mustard, Ketchup and
Black Beans." She also showed a beautiful new "Star Tricks" she did that
was beautiful. Judy showed her challenge quilt she had entered in the
Quilt Fest in Pigeon Forge this year. She also showed two pieces from
some of the classes she took while in Pigeon Forge. Sue showed 2
different blocks she did at classes also in Pigeon Forge. Judy showed the
quilt top Brenda & Lawanna did for working in the Pilgrimage. We will be
sandwiching and basting it after today's meeting.

Sandi showed some ideas for our "Goodie Bags" for our fall gathering. A
pretty flower that you can pin on your shirt made from using golf tees.
She also showed a "little chicken" you can make for a pin cushion or on
top of golf tees to use as a pin.

Judy gave an update on JoAnne & Sharon's family. Our condolences to both
for their losses.

Fay gave a talk concerning quilting at the library, urging members to
come and quilt.

Judy urged members to have something to work on for Artisan's Day (April
4), also to have something for the Pilgrimage to hand quilt, crochet,
etc.

Lauren gave a talk on working at the Pilgrimage and encouraged
participation from all members, needing at least 2 people each day to
work. Days are March 30 to April 11, 2009. Be sure to bring chairs.
Sue Seymer told the guild about recycling rotary blades. To do as a
guild, will do better by sending in quantities to save on postage and
they will return new blades (1 for 1) for $5 each. You can go online to
www.houseofhanson.com/lpsharp.html to read more about it.
Signature blocks are all done, so everyone got the balance of theirs.
Sue Seymer gave information on doing charity quilts for Habitat for
Humanity.

Lawanna gave info on tops we can do then send to the RSVP center, and
they can hand tie them for us. Our brochures were presented to preview
what Terry worked on for us.

Mary Ann showed our next months blocks after showing a neat display work
board she made. One block will be "Winding Ways" with black and white
fabric. She demonstrated how to sew it. (Mere curves!) =) The 2nd block
to do, is to be a pastel representing "Easter," 30's fabrics will work
well, your design.

Julia Graber won the Saint Patrick’s Day, green & white blocks.
Brenda Crownover won the " blue & white "Moon Over the Mountain" blocks.
Mary Ann demonstrated how she did her "quilt as you go" method on her
"Turning 20" quilt she did.

Marjorie Williams won the fat quarters as the door prize.
Next months door prize is to be 4 charm squares (5"), tone on tone colors
for all that wants to enter.

Mary Ann showed our next years challenge. The packets will sell for $6
each for a baggie of goodies to make your block. It will be a "Crazy
Patch" block with Victorian colors, to be finished by May.