Pictures from our June Meeting

June Minutes

Possum Town Quilters
June 19, 2010

• Meeting was called to order at 9:40am by Julia Graber
• Charter Member Linda Goley was introduced as a “Visitor”; Welcome Back Linda
• Show & Tell –
• Carla presented Carla’s Kaleidoscope”; pattern found in a magazine; quilted by Sharon Hedrick; made for no one special – so it’s for her
• Suzy presented her Stack ‘n Whack from class, which she will use for a couch quilt
• Margie presented her Stack ‘n Whack, which she will use as a bed quilt
• Lawana presented her Stack ‘n Whack, which she will use as a wall hanging
• Watana presented “Circle of Life”, made from batiks
• Sharon Lofton presented her Stack ‘n Whack titled “College Band”, which she will give to her Granddaughter who will finish her last two years of music at MUW
• Judy presented a Disappearing Nine Patch which she will give to her Grandson Zeb; class from Bonnie Browning last year at the Alabama Quilt Symposium; backing is Hancock 50 cent / yard fabric
• Annette presented a Stack of Posies; tying the knots in the corners of each square; used thicker batting
• Watana presented her Stack ‘n Whack; border is the fabric for the spinners
• Both the Stack of Posies and the String Quilt for the Sisters are complete; the Tossed Nine Patch will be quilted by Sandi
• Judy told of teaching her three Granddaughters (ages 9, 9, and 7) to quilt
• Each girl made a Stack of Posies
• Grandma Judy will quilt them
• June Blocks of the Month
• Lawana received her quilt strips
• JoAnne’s blocks were displayed
• Annette read last month’s minutes; approved as read
• Suzy mentioned she finished the quilt she showed us last month; it is now on her wall

Old Business:
• Quilt Retreat
• Dates: September 9 – 11, 2010
• Cost of Retreat is a personal expense for each participant
• Activity / Schedule TBD
• Committee Nominated and Approved to be Julia, JoAnne, and Judy
• Education Reserve Funds
• Julia and her two sisters will be at a Quilt Show in Hattiesburg in October; they would be available the following week (during the week) for a class
• Use funds to allow all members to participate
• Brenda reported Challenge blocks are due next month – they must be done!
• Barbara had no report for Charity
• If you have Raffle Quilt Blocks, please hold them until we see Sharon Hedrick
• Lowndes County Fair begins September 14
• No information is available, but we expect the rules to be the same as last year
• Rules for August Quilt Show at Arts Center are available

New Business:
• Barbara Klein is available to teach a class October 11 or 13
• Cost would be $150 for a half day or $300 for an entire day + Travel (est $100)
• Star Spin
• She has a new book due in July, which she would have available for sale
• Class could be held at Arts Center of Julia’s Home

• Block of the Month
If you sign-up, you must do all the blocks – back to the beginning in January
July – Christine Anderson
• Instructions provided
• 12” finished with Black as Background, adding pink and light green
July – Carol
• Use 2 fabrics: one dark and one light
• Instructions provided
• You will have a 5” square of each material extra which will be used in the assembly process

Program – Judy Stokes: Cheap Tricks
Use everyday items versus buying gadgets
• Use a pill bottle; drill small holes in the lid; use to pull threads from bobbins in the bottle
• Use a pill bottle with one small hole drilled in the lid to dispose of used needles (or use to keep your sewing needles)
• Chatelaine: Ribbon, straw, and 2 safety pins – holds thread around your neck
• Wooden Iron: one side of a clothespin; take the clothespin apart
• Sand Paper Dots to hold Ruler: Place double sided tape on the back of the sandpaper; make with a hole punch
• Iron material onto an old mousepad – good as new
• Metal Candy Tins – place double sided tape on a refrigerator magnet and place in tin – a great way to hold pins, bobbins, seam ripper, and machine feet

• Chef On A Shoestring today by Carla and Barbara
• No July Workshop
• Next Meeting July 17 – Mary Ann will order pizza for lunch
• Judy has details on the October 8 – 10 Quilt Show; information from the Gathering
• Philadelphia Gathering is October 15 & 16
• July 19 & 20 is a Class in Starkville, by Applewood Farms Lady – See Julia for info
• Be careful with magnets near electronic sewing machines

May Meeting

Before we cover the happenings at the meeting I wanted to share a little bit of the latest Habitat house.  Sharon presented the quilt to the homeowner and she was so happy.  On our way out, the owners of the habitat house with the 14 quilts shared how much those quilts had meant to their family.  She said the oldest son teared up when she presented his patriotic quilt.  She said the younger boys fight over whose quilt is whose...In addition, I wanted to share how wonderful the kids at Heritage were...they were all very pleasant and happy.  It was wonderful to see a group of young people that happy.  They also raised enough money to pay her first 6 months mortgage and electric bill.  I found myself tearing up over the generosity of time and money. 

May Meeting Minutes

Jo Anne opened the meeting. There were no visitors.  Suzy Stanton renewed her membership.  Welcome back!

Show and Tell

 Carol James showed her first quilt…fabulous!

Susie Stanton showed an art quilt.  This was made to pattern after a painting.  She did a beautiful job.  She was planning to quilt it this afternoon. 

 Sue Skipper showed a quilt for her grandson.  Loved the colors and prairie points.

Linda Baines showed a quilt called Autumn Braid  where she added some other fabrics too. Love those batiks.

Joanne brought a mystery quilt in black and white and her project from Paducah.  Both were really neat.

Business

Sharon was going to do the report on Habitat for Humanity but Terry gave it in her absence.

Mary Ann’s mother is in bad shape and we are requesting prayer for her and her family.

Committee reports

Challenge packets are still available, only use light weight fusible, we have some available.  Also remember that the block is to be straight set, NOT on point.

Charity quilts – Exchange club want us to make a decision to whether to donate a quilt…they said they would pay for one, but since it is for a charity group would like a discount.  JoAnne then read a new letter from them.  A discussion was held on different points of how it could be done, and whether to do it.  Lawana made a motion that we take a vote whether or not to do the project.  Lauren seconded. More discussion ensued.  Motion passed.    The committee will get some particulars together.

Carla shared a quote:  During the Great Depression, quilting gave women a profound sense of accomplishment; of being able to piece something together when people’s lives were falling apart.

Lauren gave the treasurers report. 

                Challenge intake of $156, Dues of $75, Tshirt sale of $8  for total receipts of $239.00

                Dispersements of $91.26 for fabric and supplies for use on sister’s quilts and RSVP machine.

                Total cash on hand $3,435.24.

Linda Baines shared that there is a quilt show in Tuscaloosa on June 4-6.  Here is a link for more information  http://www.waqg.com/ . 

Retreat maybe possible at Julia’s inlaw’s home.  It has 4 bedrooms and they are not staying there currently.  Be watching for more definite information.

New business – the calendar for June was passed out.  Important dates are listed below.

New habitat house has begun.  We will plan a quilt.

Stack and whack class was discussed.  Flower head pins needed. Fabric for spinners needs to have a large repeat and you need eight repeats.  We will have supply list made up before the workshop.

Linda Baines shared she was having trouble reaching the blog.  Terry suggested that when you get the link in the email that once you follow it and are at the blog click on the favorites button to add it to your favorites.  That way you will be able to reach the block without having to go back to the email.

Block of the Month

Lawana wants us to make two strips in pink/reds and blues with the light she provided in the center. Please coordinate with the sample given.

Jo Anne’s block is going to be in blue and yellow…and she does not know the name of the block but I am sure it will be fun.   

Jo Anne included all the fabric since she had a big collection already.

There is a correction to the packet that Jo Anne gave out at the meeting.  On page 1 C & D are the same fabric as A.  B and E are out of the same fabric.  On page 2 from the strip that is to cut A, C and D pieces the bottom cut is 4 1/2 inches.

  

 

 

Sharon's Blocks

Wantana's Blocks - notice how value effects the design.

 Chef on a Shoestring

Since June 5 is the MQA meeting and there is another quilt show in Tuscaloosa there will be no Chef on a shoestring at the workshop.  If you are attending please plan to bring a sack lunch.

Barbara and Carla will be our featured Chefs at the June19th meeting. 

Birthdays

June 15   Linda Goley

June 30  Carla Formel, Julia Graber, Sharon Lofton

Important Dates

June 4 & 5 MQA meeting in Jackson

June 4, 5, & 6 Quilt show in Tuscaloosa

June 5  PTQ workshop day…some may begin working on their stack and whack. Wantana says we will need lots of room to spread out in order to do this quilt.

June 19 PTQ Guild meeting

April 2010 Minutes

April Meeting Minutes
Jo Anne opened the meeting. There were no visitors.

Show and Tell

Margie showed a pieced and appliquéd lap size quilt. 

Great inspiration for the Challenge quilt!

Lawana showed one of the sisters quilts that has the borders on.











Julia showed her quilts “Autumn Tumble” and “North Wind Doth Blow”.

She also showed an antique quilt owned by Lee Sanders, that needs repairs. It is an antique puff biscuit quilt. He is offering around $500.00 for your services.

Judy showed a turning twenty quilt with farm pictures for her grandson and another Log cabin with Stars for another grandson.

 













Business
Sharon shared that Mary Anne’s mother is ill, please pray.
Terry read the minutes.

Committee reports
Challenge packets are still available, light weight fusible stuff is available.
Charity quilts – Exchange club has requested a quilt to raffle. Tabled
Pilgrimage – Started quilting a quilt on the first day. It was finished on Saturday. We will bind it this afternoon.
Calendar for May was passed around.
Quilt show rules for August RAC Show were distributed. No King sized quilts. Try to keep them smaller than the panels and the director liked the small items. Put reasonable prices or not for sale. Patrons think the art center prices the items and feel like they are being taken advantage. Limit of 3 quilts per person. All new items, no items from last year. Quilted wall hangings are to have a hanging sleeve and a label. Label of some sort on all items. Need quilts July 30 and everyone needs to be here as early as possible that day.
Proposal to purchase a used sewing machine. $50.00. Motion made to buy and seconded.
On May 1, Sharon will be giving a seminar on appliqué. Bring some muslin, fabric, a needle you are comfortable with, a fine thread, such as silk, to work with and a marking pen. She will be showing several techniques.

Challenge Block - Reminder
Block is to be square set, not on point!!!

Monthly Blocks

Linda Baines Granny squares came out great!!  I missed the picture of CC's stars in Navy...but they looked great!

Watana showed her demo block and it is called Crown of Thorns by “Somewhere in Time”, it is an 18” block and she is providing the outside border fabric. She wants the background fabric to be white on white (wow) and for the colors pick up colors in the batik provided. www.blockcentral.com/bom2008-3pfv.shtml

Sharon gave a demo on chain piecing her block it is a small block, 9 inches. She is providing the pink background, you are to use a medium to dark purple. Press to the dark fabric.

Chef on a Shoestring
May chef on the shoestring.
May 1 Sharon Hedrick and Sandi
May 15 is Watana and Sandi

May Birthdays
May 6 Christine Anderson
May 9 Linda Baines
May 10 Lauren Hutchins
May 14 Donna Lee
May 27 Derendia Bates

Important Dates
May 1 Workshop at RAC 9:30 AM Appliqué Workshop
May 15 PTQ Meeting at the RAC 9:30 AM

Possum Town Quilters March Meeting
Boy this meeting was really packed full.  There was lots of information and show and tell!!

Show and Tell
 

Wantana brought a quilt made with some Cherub fabric she bought in Pigeon Forge.  Her daughter is recovering from brain cancer, and loves Cherubs so Wantana made a quilt of it and put lots of bling into the quilt.

Barbara Walker brought a quilt she is working on for her grandchild that was born Wednesday.  It is done in colors and pattern to match his nursery.

  

Judy brought the last and final challenge quilt from last year.  The auction is next Saturday.

Judy also brought her and Julia challenge quilts.  Neither won, but both were beautiful.  The challenge was to use star power…

Joy brought a Christmas log cabin quilt.  She also brought a lighthouse block that is from a quilt she is working on.  

Judy showed quilt that made from a kit that she made in pigeon forge. 

Sue showed her making from 3 classes.  She showed a quilt with 60 degree angles.  Her rays of sunshine quilt turned brown and is beautiful.  She also did a black and white quilt called material girl. 

Jo Anne showed her quilt called sew simple pineapples.  Then she showed a block called fantastic fans. 

Sharon showed her turning 20 quilt top.  It is in pinks and greens…so pretty.  She then showed her stack of poisy quilt.

Mary Ann showed her star tricks quilt – quilted!!  Just need to bind and label.

The challenge is a quilt full of flowers.  Make a 13 inch block with nothing on the outside ½ inch.  It is to be a bouquet of flowers in container the back ground is a pieced background in light neutrals.  Use a recognizable amount of each fabric.  You may add fabrics.  You may cut out flowers and use them.  You may use steam a seam or wonder under (light weight, so it can be quilted). You can finish the flowers by machine or appliqué.  Embellishments – remember this is machine quilted, but remember it is being made to be able to be washed and used on a bed.  So be sure the embellishments are small.  The deadline is July 17.  Packets are numbered; return the zip lock bag you received the material in.  Please keep your number a secret so we can be anonymous. 

 Challenge Quilt News

The challenge is a quilt full of flowers.  Make a 13 inch block with nothing on the outside ½ inch.  It is to be a bouquet of flowers in container the back ground is a pieced background in light neutrals.  Use a recognizable amount of each fabric.  You may add fabrics.  You may cut out flowers and use them.  You may use steam a seam or wonder under (light weight, so it can be quilted). You can finish the flowers by machine or appliqué.  Embellishments – remember this is machine quilted, but remember it is being made to be able to be washed and used on a bed.  So be sure the embellishments are small.  The deadline is July 17.  Packets are numbered; return the zip lock bag you received the material in.  Please keep your number a secret so we can be anonymous. 

Block of the Month


Here is Sandi and her future tossed 9 blocks.  She was so excited, said no two fabrics were alike.  Since we all live in a small town, that is pretty amazing.  Terry had the Massachusetts block.  They are great too.  Check out the secondary pattern ...

Discussion on monthly blocks.  If you want a specific block, try out the pattern using the block.  Give written instructions.   If you want a specific fabric, put it in a baggie and leave it an instructions in the RAC.  If you missed the meeting it is your responsibility to get with the member to find out what needs to be done. 

Linda Baines passed out instructions and background fabric for her block.  This is a 16 inch finished block (16.5 unfinished)  Cut the 5 ¼ block first.  You need to add at least 4 different prints.  This is in the Fons and Porter July/Aug 09 pattern called “Granny’s stars”.  It is suggested that you use 1930s or small prints, or tone on tones.  The star points should be the predominant color for the middle blocks of the outside. She made a sample block.

Since Eddie could not be at the meeting CC stepped in an we will be making the block for her.  Thanks for being flexible ladies! CC wants a star block with more than 4 points in pastel colors, background should be navy blue.  12 ½ inch.  Put more than one color in the star…scrappy look.  Think Easter colors. 

Other News

Terry read the minutes. 

Still need to get some people to switch committees.  Tabled.

No information on the quilts for the retreat – tabled.

JoAnn read information on the sisters

Charity quilts Barbara, no new news.

Terry requested that anyone not receiving email speak to me after the meeting.

Lauren passed out updated email addresses and asked that each member check their information.

Lauren did the pilgrimage report.  She sent a sign up list around.  They are looking for folks to dress in period costume and quilt and/or croquet or tat at the homes that are on tour.  If you do not want to dress up, but want to help, you could volunteer to be on the setup and tear down help, also may need to bring a chair that would fit into the period.  Artisans alley, will be on the Saturday and you do not need to dress up for that. 

Sharon and MaryAnne are working to get a raffle quilt together.  It will be mostly paper piecing…we will do it on the next workshop, the Saturday before Easter.  We will be focusing on paper piecing so if you want to learn this technique, come and learn.

Lauren will email the treasurer report.  

Card was passed around for Linda Dawkins husband.  Discussion about a donation for American Heart.  Terry proposed we send a $100 donation.  Seconded and passed.  Sue made a motion that we only recognize spouses and children.  Limit of $100.  Seconded and passed.

Chef on the Shoestring for the April workshop is Linda Baines, Carol James

April meeting  chef on a shoestring is Annette, Wantana and Barbara

New business:  Contact Terry if you would like to repair a crazy quilt, a friend of hers needs one repaired.  If you would like to put children’s clothing together let Lauren know.  If you would like to put borders on a quilt and finish it for money, talk to Lauren.  If you are interested in repairing an old quilt see Judy.

Judy got an email from American quilt study group.  Nationwide block challenge 30 for 30.  For every block you do your name is put in one time.  The first block is $3 then every block after that is $1 to enter.  This group is working to preserve our heritage quilting.