Crazy Quilters' Quilt Guild

NQA Chapter #PA 497

No. 275 www.crazyquilters.org	May 2014

From the President
Bethanne Nemesh From the Oval Studio:
Well fellow quilters it looks like Spring may finally be showing it's pretty face here in Pennsylvania! For a lot of us, that means cutting back on quilting and spending more time outside in the garden. Personally I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year as it generally brings 10 cubic yards of mulch to my driveway!
I would like to share some wonderful news with the guild....our Raffle Quilt, "Reaching Back" that so many of you worked so hard on, has placed 2nd in the "Quilts among Friends" group category at Machine Quilter's Exposition East 2014. MQX is a large national show with a lot of tough competition and it is wonderful that your skill is being recognized. The ribbon comes with a monetary prize, the profits of which will be added to the raffle quilt income.
Lastly, as a reminder, the church will be under construction this summer which may impact us for more than one meeting. I ask that you all be flexible as we navigate this little bump in the road. We may do one meeting in the church sanctuary, one as a picnic, and may need to look at alternate venues for our September potluck. If anyone has ideas for that, please let me know.
Happy Spring Quilting! Bethanne Bee News	Diana Campbell The Honey Bees, our daytime bee, will next meet on Wednesday, May 14, at 9:00 a.m.at the home of Joyce Haeflinger. All members are welcome to join. Bring some hand work and a bag lunch. If you are planning to attend please R.S.V.P. to Joyce. __________________________________ Hospitality	Diana DeFanti Thank you to Sharon Schaffer and her helpers for providing the desserts for the April meeting. Assisting Sharon were Sally Waggoner, Doris Horwath, Kathie Laposata, Sharon Pieller, Janet Yandrisevits and Bethanne Nemesh. May volunteers are Kathy Schuessler, Diane Pesola, Roberta Whitcomb, Ruth Skinner, Diana Campbell, Linda Anderson and Patricia Karo. . You will receive a reminder a week before the meeting. Please contact me if you have any concerns or questions. Thanks everyone.	_______________________________	Library	Maxine Bernstein Thank you to Lorraine Bujnowski for providing the library raffle gift for the month of April and to A.B. for selling the raffle tickets. We are adding the following books to our collection: Continuous Line quilting designs by Pat Cody Hari Walner’s continuous-line quilting designs Rotary cutting revolution by Anita Grossman Soloman Reminder to Sally Waggoner and Sharon Schaffer who have volunteered to bring the library raffle gift for the month of May, 2014.	Challenge	Jane Grove Every place I go I see geese -- along streams, in fields, etc. I think they're reminding me that I should be working on my challenge quilt. Hopefully you're working on yours. We need as many as possible for the Oaks Show. It's an honor for our guild to be asked to exhibit our Challenge quilts. Don't forget that I collect stamps for hospitalized vets year round. They do not want torn or heavily canceled stamps.	___________________________ Membership	Valerie Lee Please welcome new member Diane Martin of Macungie. We had two guests: Peg Olson and Deb Turks May Birthdays: Nancy Bergstresser 5/5
Nancy Horning 5/10
Dawn Martrich 5/12 Claire Coakley	5/24 Christine Fenstermacher 5/25
Becky Marx 5/26
Sandra Mugridge 5/28 Happy Birthday to all.	_______________________________ Quilters’ Studio	Julie Borden	We will meet in May, 6pm before the meeting. We had a request for ideas on how to hang or display wall quilts. We will have a round table discussion if you have any tips and want to share. We would love to hear from you. Please let me know if you will be attending and if you have some tips to share. Thanks. Julie
Hospitality	Jackie Leipert	djleipert@verizon.net	Thank you the Julie Mc Donell and her committee, Karen Landis, Diane Pesola, Diana Campbell, Linda Herman and Jackie Leipert for the delicious refreshments at our July meeting.
I will be the coordinator for August's volunteers who will be Irene Oehmke, Pat Haberle, Kathryn Heffrich, Karen Hartzell and Becky Marx.
Our September meeting with its Anniversary Potluck Supper is fast approaching. Everyone is asked to bring a food item (protein, pasta, fruit, vegetable, dessert, or drink). Plugging in pots is discouraged for safety reasons. We have tablecloths but our tradition has been to bring our own place settings and to make individual tables more festive, flower arrangements for the table. Put on your thinking caps as to what you will prepare and sign up to bring your specialty at our next month's meeting. Thanks. be Irene Oehmke, Pat Haberle, Kathryn Heffrich, Karen Hartzell and Becky Marx.
The Crazy Quilters’ Quilt Guild Meets the first Tuesday of every month* at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit 3461 Cedar Crest Boulevard Emmaus, PA 18049 7:00pm www.crazyquilters.org Email: info@crazyquilters.org *except November Proud to be a Crazy Quilter	Val Johnson I just finished pressing, folding and bagging the last of the nearly 4 dozen pillowcases I brought home to finish from our April meeting. I must say it was some of the most enjoyable laundry I have ever done! As I sewed and turned and ironed I thought about the wonderful project that was begun by a fellow quilter, a mom, in pain, who used her love of fabric and sewing to brighten the day of her son, and then thousands and thousands of other kids too. Each pillowcase I worked on was cuter than the last. Bright cheerful colors and patterns all selected and coordinated by women with the same love of fabric and a sense of community spirit. Hearing Cindy Kerr speak that night and watching her video touched a spot deep in my heart. Hearing the buzz of the sewing machines and the chatter of the members of our guild at our own little “Crazy Quilter Work Shop” was invigorating! To think that we, by simply sewing, can perhaps make a child’s or a parent’s day a little better is humbling. Congratulations Crazy Quilters for a job well done!!

Programs and Workshops	Nancy Skok

May 6, 2014 - Pennsylvania Dutch Quilts Folklore & Superstitions by Pat and Arlen Christ

They provide approximately 30 quilts that represent some of the most colorful Pennsylvania quilts made in the mid to late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Their unique designs and quilting patterns have created the “Dutch” folk art we collect today. Discussion will include the connection of quilts, hex signs and the world of folklore and superstitions.

To find out more about Pat and Arlen go to their website at http://www.thechristcollections.com

June 3, 2014 - *Art of Color Blending by Gyleen Fitzgerald

Explore what the mind sees but the eyes cannot. Gain insight on how to read each fabric’s color to successfully use 50 plus fabrics within one quilt. Even a two color quilt can have over 20 fabrics! For Gyleen, quilting is the passion which colours her world as her writing journey continues. To see more about Gyleen and her art visit her website, http://colourfulstitches.com

June 4, 2014, 9am to 3pm - **Workshop: Trash to Treasure Pineapples by Gyleen Fitzgerald

Isn't it time to clear the clutter in your life? What about using up all those bits and pieces stuffed in nooks, crannies and boxes? Let's make an old fashion favorite pineapple quilt with a new and contemporary twist, sewn with perfection an totally random and without paper piecing! Workshop Fee $20.00 + 5.00 pattern fee.

July 1, 2014 - Bring Your Own Project, Quilto and Ice Cream Social

Join in on the fun at our summer Ice Cream Social. Win prizes playing Quilto (Quilt Bingo), or if that's not your game bring along a project to work on while enjoying a yummy ice cream sundae and socializing with your quilting friends.

August 5, 2014 - *Quilter's Journey, 50 and Over, Better than Ever - Teresa Fusco

Teresa Fusco, well known quilter presents, "A Quilter’s Journey, 50 and Older Better than Ever art quilts". Teresa is a busy, outgoing artist with a passion for quilting and creating. She is an exceptionally talented, award-winning quilter and a well known teacher in the quilting industry. She has traveled and taught at quilt shows, quilt guilds and quilter’s gatherings as well as other quilting events on the east coast and Canada. She brings a fresh outlook to her classes and techniques, and she encourages students to be progressive and innovative.

Website: http://teresasquiltstudio.com

August 6, 2014, 9am to 3pm - **Workshop: Bargello Quilts by Teresa Fusco
One of the most popular and beautiful pieced quilts of today, the Bargello pattern is made from rectangles sewn into peaks and valleys of gradual color changes. This pattern has its roots in embroidered needlework, not fabric. It can be traced back over 500 years to Europe where some preserved pieces can still be found in museums. Workshop Fee: $45.00 per student.

*Admission $5 guest fee

** Advance registration required

Blocks and Swaps	Julia Davidovich

FQ DRAWING

Dig out your SOLIDS. Contribute any SOLID color quilt shop quality fat quarter and get a chance to win all the fabric in the Fat Quarter Drawing at the May meeting. (No need to prewash your fat quarters). Deliver to the Blocks & Swaps table and take a ticket for each FQ you donate.

BLACK & BRIGHT PINWHEEL BLOCK DRAWING

-Quilt shop quality fabrics only

-Blacks must read as a solid (small black prints ok)

-Select bright cottons (no batiks)

-No need to prewash if you are confident in your fabric quality

Use some of those 5” squares you have been saving. Our goal is to end up with a 5.5” (raw) pinwheel block. Here is a technique to make simple pinwheels in a hurry. (I made 2 blocks in 20 minutes). Yes you are left with bias edges but the blocks are small enough that it won’t be a problem. Use starch and don’t manhandle the block with the iron and they will end up perfect!

Highlight, copy and paste the below link onto your browser to see the easy way to make these pinwheels.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekYpJzHoW6E

Place a piece of painter’s tape on the wrong side of the block … print your name. Deliver to the Blocks Swaps table. We will have a “Winner-Takes-All” the blocks drawing at the May meeting.

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2014 The Cherry Pit and other unexpected finds…..	Margaret Timm

Grey clouds swirled ominously and winds were menacing but with umbrellas stowed, lunches packed, and hot coffee mugs in hand – it was “girl’s day out” and nothing was going to stop the celebration of our day together.

It is not often that I am in Tennessee and it is not often that the grandchildren are in school. Unpredictable weather was not interrupting this outing with my daughter-in-law.

The Quilter’s Navigator listed several quilt shops in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. A search of area maps suggested Sevierville, TN as our destination. Located in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains, the first shop was tucked into the Sevierville’s Court House Square, a quiet reminder of the quiet and beauty of an earlier time in this country’s history.

The Cherry Pit was our first stop. Well, actually, the Salvation Army Store, next to The Cherry Pit, was our first stop. As we walked toward the quilt shop, we were surprised to find three old quilts displayed in the front window of the Salvation Army Store. Of course, we had to stop and investigate. One of the quilts was the Double Wedding Ring quilt – blues and creams, queen size, hand pieced and hand quilted of fabrics from long ago.

After much debate, we forced ourselves out of the Salvation Army Store and into The Cherry Pit. As we opened the door, we experienced laughter, a busy hum of machines, sparkling colors, and a sense of warm welcome. The store was in grand disarray from the previous week’s Quilt Show. We would learn that over 1500 quilters had been through The Cherry Pit during that show! Jane Washington, owner, was one of the women greeting us. She quickly answered the unasked, but present, question of how the shop got its name. Her husband is George Washington and in deference to his work in support of the store’s development, she named the store after his great ancestor - remember the cherry tree? She further reported refusing to name their son George Washington, II as her husband had desired.

The Cherry Pit is as delightful as the owner. An abundance of fabric was organized by color with suggested projects mounted above the fabric shelves. Many of the projects boasted original designs by the owner. Original block of the month quilts from past several years were available for purchase. Rooms were dedicated to classes, sale fabrics, books and country candles, toys and garden ornaments. Better Homes and Garden Magazine named The Cherry Pit one of the 10 best quilt shops in the country!

As we left The Cherry Pit (with our purchases!), we returned to the Salvation Army Store and purchased the Double Wedding Ring quilt – how could we not?

We then located the second quilt shop: Machine Quiltin’ by Iva. Although the shop had a great deal of material, it lacked the warmth of The Cherry Pit. Of course, being the quilters that we are, we were able to find material that we absolutely needed to add to our stash!

Whew. We had shopped for nearly six hours! It was a delightful day. The wind gradually calmed, the morning mist turned to a bright sunny afternoon. With our “to go cups” reloaded at a local coffee shop, we were on our way home to relish our finds.

Crazy for UFOs Club!	Michele McLaughlin

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It's not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it's when you've had everything to do, and you've done it.”
----Margaret Thatcher

Spring has sprung! We all want to work in our gardens or spend some time outside but what about those rainy days of April and May? That’s the time to look at your orphan blocks…blocks that are left over from projects you completed (or didn’t). These orphans need a home --other than the drawer or box they’ve been assigned—this month think about placing them in a permanent home. Consider making potholders, mug rugs, pillows or bags to sew; these projects can be completed on a rainy day or evening. Experience the wonderful feeling of having completed an “old something” so you can make room for a “new something” to sew.

Applications for the challenge are accepted every meeting. Meet me over at the library table with your form (or

a sheet of paper) with your projects listed.

It’s not too late to join the UFO challenge! Feel free to bring your form over to the library table to join us for our challenge!

Point system for UFO challenge:

Wall/Preemie Quilt: 4*

Baby (36 x 54): 6

Throw (54 x 72): 8

Twin (54 x 90): 10

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Community Service	Lorraine Bujnowski

Thank you to Ruth Hoffman and Karen DalPezzo who each made a Quilt of Valor. Sally Waggoner delivered them to the Veterans Outpatient Clinic.

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the pillowcase race at our April meeting. From Kathie Laposata and Sandy Mugridge who helped me precut all of the cases to the pinners, sewers, "ironers & washers" of the pillowcases - a huge thank you!! Please return all of your completed pillowcases to Maxine Bernstein at the May meeting so that we can get a total count.

Camp Erin quilts will be collected for delivery at the May meeting.

Looking forward to the summer months. Use up some scraps by making a few breast cancer pillows, placemats or beginning a Camp Erin quilt for next year.

Once again thank you for all that you do.

PS:

I will be bringing Pat Laxar's stash to the May meeting. There will be fabric, kits, various sewing items for sale.

“Friends with Benefits”

By The Crazy Quilter

I did something last month that I will never do again. A bunch of my sewing friends decided that it was time for a road trip to a fabric store. (Cabin fever, no doubt. I know they hadn’t used up their stash of fabrics, kits, and UFOs.) They asked if I wanted to go, and I said no thanks. I have too much to do, and I don’t need any fabric. Really, who among us “needs” fabric?! Anyway, I didn’t go, and that was a huge mistake!

Having a network of friends and things to do together with them is so very important in life. There have been numerous studies that demonstrate the importance of having a social network and the positive influence friends have in our lives. By positive influence I mean health benefits. It has been shown that people who have networks of close, even not so close friends live longer and healthier lives. One study showed that people who regularly interact with friends outlived those who don’t by 22%. Another study revealed that loneliness and lack of a support network increased the occurrence of heart disease, viral infections and even cancer. Still another study suggested that not having friends is worse on one’s health than obesity and inactivity. Although the reasons for the apparent positive influence friends have on our health are debatable the general belief is that the need for human contact is fundamental to our wellbeing.

So, the next time I’m asked to go along on a road trip with my posse I will be there whether I need fabric or not, and I advise you to do the same. Never miss a guild meeting unless absolutely necessary. Gather a small sewing group to get together once a month. Join a book group, or a knitting circle. Get yourself on a committee. Form a clan of any kind. Cleaning the bathroom and running errands can just wait. The expression “Friends with Benefits,” now has new meaning - you will live longer and feel better. Besides, hanging with our friends is just plain fun. We need more of that in life!

Guild Calendar from the editor May 6, Crazy Quilters’ Guild Meeting, 7pm	Quilter’s Studio, 6pm May 27, CQ Board Meeting, 7pm Calendar of Events from the editor “Art Quilt Elements” by the Wayne Art Center, Ongoing thru May 3rd, 10am to 4pm (Monday thru Saturday), Wayne Art Center, 413 Maplewood Ave., Wayne, PA, www.waynart.org “QuiltFest 2014” by Colonial Quilters, 5/3-5/4, 10am to 5pm (4pm Sunday), Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Rd., Palmer Township, PA, $7 admission, www.colonialquilters.org “Show and Sale” by Penn Dry Goods Market, 5/16-5/17, 10am to 5pm (to 4pm Saturday), Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Ctr., 105 Seminary St., Pennsburg, PA, www.schwenkfelder.com “Indoor/Outdoor Quilt Show” presented by Pieced Together Quilting Guild and Red Mill Museum Village, 6/8, 12 to 5pm, Red Mill Museum Village, Downtown Clinton, NJ, $6 cost, www.piecedtogetherquilts.org “Kutztown Folk Festival” from 6/28-7/6, 10am to 8pm(5pm Sunday), Kutztown Fairgrounds, Kutztown, PA, 888-674-6136 “Vermont Quilt Festival” 6/27-6/29, Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, VT, www.vqf.org “Quilt Odyssey 2014” 7/24-7/27, 10am to 6pm (Sunday to 4), Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA, $12 admission, www.quiltodyssey.com “World Quilt Show New England XII”, 8/14-8/17, Radisson Center of NH, Manchester, NH, www.quiltfest.com “Valley Forge Quilt Show”, 10/24-10/25, 10am to 7pm (4pm Saturday), Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 132 E. Valley Forge Rd., King of Prussia, PA, $5.00, www.valleyforgequilters.org “8th Annual Exhibition of Quilts” by the Lebanon Quilters Guild, 11/21-11/23, 10am to 4pm (Friday noon to 6pm), Lebanon Expo Center & Fairgrounds, 80 Rocherty Rd, Lebanon, PA, $6, www.lebanonquiltersguild.com Officers President: Bethanne Nemesh First Vice-President: Nancy Skok Second Vice-President: Valerie Lee Secretary: Nancy Horning Treasurer: Margaret Timm Committees Blocks/Swaps: Julie Davidovich Challenge: Jane Grove Community Service: Lorraine Bujnowski, Chr.; Kathy Flickenger, Sally Waggoner, Ann Lineberger, Sharon Schaffer, Kathie Laposata, Roberta Whitcomb Historical: Karen Hartzell Hospitality: Diana DeFanti Library: Maxine Bernstein/Michele McLaughlin Membership: Valerie Lee NQA Liaison: Irene Oehmke Newsletter: Allen Bernstein Phone Chain: Julie McDonell Programs: Nancy Skok Publicity: Kathy Schuessler Raffle Quilt 2014: Bethanne Nemesh Raffle Quilt Marketing: Julie Borden, Chr; Sharon Yurkanin, Marsha Heimann, Jackie Leipert, Anita Hertzog, Val Johnson, Kathy Schuessler Show and Tell: Maria Hance Sunshine and Shadow: Sandra Mugridge UFO Club: Michele McLaughlin Website: Allen Bernstein Workshops: Nancy Skok