A Happy Holiday Gathering!

 This was the meeting that almost didn't happen. Due to a broken elevator, the board members had to scramble to find a different venue with only a week's notice!  We were very lucky that Elaine Moody had a connection allowing us the use of this very nice room- with plenty of  nice big tables and more than enough chairs!  We were very pleased that so many of our new members joined in the holiday fun!

There was a ton of food- difficult to photograph- as well as a wonderful assortment of gifts for the annual holiday silent auction.    Such fun to see the bidding wars and the items that get the most interest. (Some of the bidders were quite cutthroat!)

And of course, show and tell!

Alex Hammon made this sweet mug rug and the sunglasses case below for Christmas gifts. 

Elaine Ross gave wool appliqué a try, joking that other members could have finished in a an afternoon what took her days! (but I think she did a great job, don't you?)

New member Dee Waldraff (sorry if it's spelled wrong, I'm still learning)- started a block a day project online in 2022, and fell a bit behind.  But it's finally finished.  Se quilted it herself- doing a bit of damage to her machine in the process.  I'd say it was worth it.  

Sue Russell got this kit from the Stitchery and finished for the holiday season!

Connie Grimsley had only a tiny bit of work to do to finish this wool felt pincushion from a class we hosted several years ago!

Connie and Jennifer taught a paper piecing class in November, and members who finished their blocks joined Connie in sharing their work.  New member Jeannie Glozer even got hers made into a pillow!

Jennifer Grimsley used a pattern found on one of those postcards the shops all carry (maybe Villa Rosa designs?)  to make this sweet quilt as a gift for a former co-worker.  (It looks like sea glass to me!)

Elaine Moodie (I have to stop myself from typing the wrong name every month!)  did some holday embroidery- on her sweatshirt and some beautiful pillows!

New member Marcia Rickettson made herself a nametag during quiet periods.  It uses magnets to adhere to her shirt!

New member Nancy Merritt finished this hunters star runner, begun in a class at Patchwork Garden. She quilted it herself on her longarm.  

I'm happy the new members are joining in show and tell!

In January we'll enjoy some fun and games after the CHALLENGE presentation!!  You have only 34 days to get something made with the theme of "Under the Big Top".  (insert terrified screams here)

Happy Holidays to all!

New member November!

 We welcomed a lot of new members (and a few returned members!) at the November meeting- it was a packed house!  ( A clever blogger would have taken a picture of the audience, don't you think?)  We did our best to make them all feel like part of our group.  If any of them found their way here- welcome again!  This is the place to see show and tell if you couldn't see very well, find more information about our speakers and upcoming events.  If there's something you'd like to see here, let me know! (Martha-I'm also the hospitality chair, so my info's in the newsletter!)

So, on to this month's show and tell...

Connie Grimsley made this sweet flannel baby quilt for a niece's little one. 

Connie still enjoys sewing with the kids at the school where she used to teach. These blocks are part of an annual challenge by the National Quilt Museum.  This is the third(?) year she has entered work by students she works with.  Below are a few of the blocks.  After they hang in the museum in January and February, she will make them into pillows for the students.   

Bonnie Dedo used a book she found in the guild library, by Tula Pink (?), to create this beautiful gradient quilt!

Eileen Sorochty was inspired by another member's strip quilts to make these gifts for little ones in her life.  

Returning member Sandy Shufeldt shared these beautiful dragonfly pieces she recently finished - formerly UFOs. 

I'm sorry that the picture I took of Sandy's rag quilt- donated to community service- wasn't worth sharing.  

Christine Hansen shared this beautiful painting she commissioned from our talented member, Kevin Hammon.

Lorraine West share this scrappy top she made.  She said there was a mistake in her color choices, but it looks great to me!  Lorraine donated this to Community Service. 

Trudy Kutter shared these three tiny paper-pieced quilts she made.  She said they were fun to make!

Our presenter this month was a representative from Stitch Buffalo.  They shared their mission to help mostly refugee women earn money by making items to sell with donated supplies.  They also brought a great assortment of their handmade gifts for members to purchase. 

Next month is our annual holiday party and December Silent Auction. The meeting is ONE WEEK EARLY- December 13!

For the party you should bring a dish to pass (with a simple list of ingredients so our members with food restrictions may choose carefully), your own place setting and beverage.  For the auction, if you have items to donate, please contact Jen Grimsley to let her know what they are so she can set up the bid sheets.  Please remember to bring cash or your checkbook to pay if you plan to participate.

Stitches in Time 2024

 

The show has come and gone- so quickly after all the months of preparation!  (Isn't that how everything goes??)  Many Many hands were involved in the planning and at the show. We should all be proud of ourselves for working together so well!!  (Pause for you all to pat yourselves on the back.)

When I arrived Wednesday to drop off my quilts, the racks were up and the first quilts had been hung.  It's so exciting to see the transformation from empty room to quilt show!  As she has done the last few shows, Cathy Schmeider did an excellent job laying out the room and the quilts.  (The rearranging the quilts once the judges made their choices)

I heard from quite a few of our visitors (and a couple of the vendors) that they look forward to our show because it is such a well done show, with such a variety of talent, techniques and skills on display!

2024 Stitches in Time

Award Winners

Congratulations are extended to every member that entered quits in the show.

The judges as well as the viewing public were impressed with the quality and

variety of the quilts. We’ve received many comments – you are all winners!

Viewer’s Choice Awards are being tallied and will be announced at the November

guild meeting.

Best of Show – Leonard’s Rabbitry by Cathy Schmieder

Large Quilt Piecing – Sunflower Field by Susan Chiddy

Large Quilt Hand Applique – Scrappy Goose Crossing by Nancy Bow

Large Quilt Machine Applique – Cold Weather Friends by Carol Farkas

Large Quilt Hand Quilting – Ombre Windows by Anne O’Geen

Large Quilt Mixed Techniques – Ripon by Mary Lowe

Large Quilt Machine Quilting (domestic machine) – Spring Frolic by Chris Kuehl

Large Quilt Machine Quilting (longarm) – Silver Winter Blues by Cathy Schmieder

Small Quilt Piecing – Never Again by Chris Kuehl

Small Quilt Hand Applique/Embroidery – Dancing Chickens and Flying Pigs and

Lots of Quirky Other Things by Susan Privitera

Small Quilt Machine Applique – Irma and Emma by Susan Privitera

Small Quilt Hand Quilting – Buttercup by Jennifer Grimsley

Small Quilt Mixed Techniques – Be Your Own Happy Little Tree by Elaine Ross

Small Quilt Machine Quilting (domestic machine) – Be Your Own Happy Little

Tree by Elaine Ross

Small Quilt Machine Quilting (longarm) – Fun Feathered Fancy by Cathy

Schmieder

Visual Impact – Resilience by Elaine Ross

Best Use of Color – Rings of Power by Jennifer Grimsley

Art Quilt – Look Mommy, I’m Riding My Bike! By Elaine Ross

Most Creative/Innovative – Sweet Baby James by Nancy Schrader

Home Décor – The Neighborhood by Susan Privitera

Paper Pieced – Siciliano Mini by Connie Grimsley

Best Miniature – Posey Packets by Mary Lowe

Wool Applique Large Quilt – Applique Quilt by JoAnn Flynt

Wool Applique Small Quilt – Wall Hanging by JoAnn Flynt

Quilted Fashion – Quilted Jacket by Bonnie Dedo

Modern Quilt – Ombre Windows by Anne O’Geen

Judge’s Choice John Kubiniec – Stayin’ Alive by Kathy Everett

Judge’s Choice Patricia Ohtake – Seashell Sashiko by the Sea Shore by Jennifer

Grimsley

Judge’s Choice Sandra Pirdy – To a Wild Rose by Elaine Ross

Co-President’s Award (Diane) – Obsession by Mary Ellen Casey

Co-President’s Award (Alex) – Flower Baskets by Donna Tomski

Show Chairman’s Award – Kaffe Color Explosion by Carol Farkas

Beginning Quilter Award – Pumpkin by Carolyn Stegman

If you were unable to come see the show, you can visit the photo album here.  There are no names on the pictures, as I took them when the judges were working. (that's what the blue is on the labels- posties covering the names)   I hope I got everyone's quilts.  If I missed any, it was unintentional, and due to interruptions and then quilts being moved.  Please let me know if your quilt was left out.  

Again, a big thank you to everyone who helped, or entered a quilt.  A special thank you to the visitors who make our shows worth all the work! See you in 2026!

It doesn't feel like September

 The weather has been warmer than we expect for September, so it felt more like summer at the meeting.  (and many of us are wishing for an extra month to finish things for the show!)

There wasn't a lot for show and tell this month (see above regarding finishing things!)

Nancy Ellers is cleaning up in preparation to move and decided to finish this cute little heart.  

Liz Scott got her apron ready for the show- super cute!

Jen Grimsley shared this top that will not be in the show- from a class she took several years ago with Victoria Findley Wolfe, called Bright Lights, Big City.  Jen finally finished the top anfter taking the class again at Quilting by the Lake!

Connie Grimsley went digging through the blog archives to discover it was 13 years ago we took classes with George Siciliano.  This was supposed to be a 4 block quilt, but 1 was enough for Connie.  (I did four- I wish I had stopped at one, too!)

Guest Debbie Thies brought a quilt she made in a beginner class to share with us.

Martha Lorshbaugh's grandson decided to keep everyone waiting, which allowed her to bring his quilt in to share with us.  (Note- he was born the next day!)

Next month is the QUILT SHOW!!!

I'll do my best to get pictures of the show posted  again.  You don't have to wait if you come to the show- and bring a friend.  Lots of good stuff- the Boutique, Silent Auction, Raffle quilt, Raffle baskets, and Vendors!!  Oh and THE QUILTS!!

Friday, October 18 and Saturday October 19, 10 am  - 5 pm

Steamy August

 It was not quite liquid air in the auditorium for the August meeting, but it was sure not easy to breathe in the oppressive warmth!  We had a nice crowd- some new and some returning faces!  I got lots of hugs, even as sweaty as I was!

Mary Ann Fritz finally got to do the trunk show we had to cancel twice!  I say it was worth the wait.     But- wait! First is our member show and tell.

                             Nancy Ellers developed a pattern for this cute little knitted bunny

                                Nancy made a couple of Halloween themed "Wee Little Quilts" ...

                                                          ...And a cute little heart 

                               Nancy donated this pinwheel quilt top to Community Service.

Mary Lowe made this gorgeous quilt for Community Service.  below is the back of the quilt.  

Nancy Mitchell took a class at Jackie Lynn's to make this table mat.  She enjoyed making it so much she made another one! (below- with a color wheel arrangement)

Donna Kaufman brought a couple of recently discovered vintage quilts to share.  If I understood correctly, Donna's grandmother had a hand in making this one.

This one was a gift from Donna's step-mother, which was made by her sister (so, a step-aunt?) in 1937!

It's all hand pieced and hand quilted.

                                   Donna Tomski made this for one of her great-grandchildren. 

Donna hand embroidered the baskets on this lovely piece that we'll get to enjoy at the quilt show.  

Donna was happy to say this former UFO is now finally finished. (and we talked her into hanging it at the show as well!)

Elaine Moodie used some layer cakes she's had for a while to make these two quilts.  The green and peach is for community service, and the yellow one is for her mother-in-law.  (sorry for the blurry photo!)

Poor Mary Ann Fritz had her trunk show cancelled twice over the past few years- once due to the pandemic lockdown and once when the power was out at the VA.  I think it was worth the wait!

Mary Ann uses an interesting variety of materials and techniques to create her fiber art.  Here are a few of the pieces she shared with us.  

At the September meeting, we'll be learning about punch needle and rug hooking from Karen White.