Crazy Quilters' Quilt Guild

NQA Chapter #PA 497

No. 253 www.crazyquilters.org April 2012

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 We all bought the same kit from Lisa Bongean. I am hoping to get it cut and put together. It is a Turning Twenty with all Christmas fabrics it should be cute.	Coming soon . . . . . Crazy Quilters Quilters’ Studio. Since we no longer have our lesson before our guild meetings run by Carol Whaling for many, many years, thank you Carol, we are missing the teaching component of our guild. I spoke with a woman when I went to the Art of the Quilt Exhibit in Lancaster, and she referred to Quilt Studio that her guild does once a month. The session provides a forum for new quilters to ask questions, and get help with their projects. I haven’t worked out all the details yet I hope to have a plan by the April meeting. Until then….. Happy Sewing Julie Challenge	Jane Grove janegrove@hotmail.com Stay tuned! The 2010 Challenge will be presented at the December meeting, and then subsequently printed on the web-site and in the newsletter. _________________________ Web News Allen Bernstein	Almax626@msn.com Hi again from the web, What a great meeting we had in August. Some faces old, some faces new. It matters not as our web site www.crazyquilters.org is for everyone. Take a look at new pictures, our newsletter and a picture of our raffle quilt. AND shortly after our meeting in September there will be some exciting changes. Stay tuned! From the President
Julie Borden
Happy Spring!	WOW! We have been so lucky to have an early spring. I know all the gardeners are happy. On the days that I am able I am getting out and walking. I hope we don’t end up with a snow storm at the end of March, however as all good teachers would agree we could always use a snow day. Our meeting in March was very informative and fun. We all enjoyed learning something new about Japanese textiles. The New Jersey quilt show was a success for our guild in terms of selling raffle tickets so to those who volunteered their time … Thank You! It is because of the volunteers in our guild that we are able to do so many wonderful things. I have selected a nominating committee to work on finding candidates to fill the positions that will be vacated at the end of the year. I have heard that we may have some interested quilters to take over as the program chairs.	My personal sewing goals are coming along….I still have some blocks of the month to complete, but last month I did finish 2 baby quilts that were started long ago. I have also started hand quilting again, which I find very relaxing. I am traveling to WI soon to do a retreat with my sister and sister-in-law. Community Service Lorraine Bujnowski
20th Anniversary block of the month quilt: May will be the month when we will show our completed block of the month 20th anniversary quilts. Community Service: Thank you to everyone who returned bitty bears, preemie blankets and pillow cases last month. They are being delivered and are much appreciated. I delivered bags of teddy bears this month to St. Lukes/Allentown and Cetronia Ambulance and I was greeted with smiles and appreciation. Camp Erin quilts will be shown and then collected for delivery at our May meeting.	_______________________________ Hospitality	Diana DeFanti Thanks to Nancy Skok and her volunteers for the March desserts. Assisting her were Patricia Miller, Emily Schneider, Nancy Horning, Joyce Haeflinger, Jackie Leipert and Jane Grove. April volunteers are Kathy Schuessler, Valerie Lee, Judy Walker, Carole Whaling, Adele Bush and Irene Madalena. You will receive a reminder prior to the April meeting.	__________________________ Bee News	Diana Campbell The Honey Bees, our daytime bee, will gather at the home of Joyce Haeflinger on April 11th at 9:00 a.m. If you are planning to attend, please R.S.V.P. to Joyce, and bring some hand work and a bag lunch.	See you there. Workshops	Val Johnson/Jackie Leipert Would you like to learn how to add perfect circles to your machine pieced quilts, easily and accurately? Why not sign up for the “Learning Curve” workshop? The workshop isn’t until June 6th but sign up now so you don’t miss out. It’s a half-day workshop (10am-1pm) and it’s only $20. The enrollment will be capped at 20 so if you are interested in learning more about Linda Warren’s unique method for doing curved piecing let Val or Jackie know ASAP. You can check out her website www.lindawarrendesigns.com where you can see a gallery of quilts created with this new tool. Also if you are interested in taking advantage of the workshop scholarship fund just ask. We have funding available to cover workshop fees for up to four Crazy Quilters for this workshop. _____________________________ Challenge	Jane Grove Have you thought about weaving your striped fabric? Cutting it and reassembling it in a different way can lead to a lot of interesting results. You might want to consider making strips from your plaids and plain fabric. These could be put around your large print, possibly in an "attic windows" setting. Thanks for the stamps for wounded Vets. Keep them coming. Just a few help. ____________________________ Raffle Quilt	Marketing Team Thanks everyone for your support selling tickets and white gloving at the Quiltfest of New Jersey. Ticket sales there totaled $701, so it was definitely worth the effort! Stay tuned for more! Mini-Class Before Meeting Carole Whaling
walingcj@aol.com There will be a mini-class at the June meeting. Topic to be advised. __________________________ Raffle Quilt Nancy Skok nancys@wfmc.com Our raffle quilt is now on display at ASMO. We still need some people to fill-in on Saturday afternoon at the Hershey Quilt show, July 24th. Thanks! . Hospitality	Diana DeFanti	defantid@gmail.com Thank you to the following members for their donations and assistance for our dessert table at the April meeting: Val Johnson, Irene Oehmke, Nancy Thomas, Lynn Gilbert, Nancy Horning, Ruth Hoffman and Diana Campbell. Members who signed up to bring a dessert for the May meeting are: Carole Whaling, Angela Assorgi, Tami Jones, Deb Veshinfsky, Mary Collins, Sandra Mugridge and Liz Dimmich.
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.

Tips and Ideas	from the Crazy Quilter

Stealing Time

By the Crazy Quilter

I once took a workshop with instructor, Brenda Papadakis. It was a class in which we made, what else, several of the Dear Jane quilt blocks. Most of the students in class had their sewing machines to make the class project, but there were a few students who did not bring machines; they were actually planning to hand piece their blocks. Those of us with our machines were thinking they were crazy, but, whatever! One of us (not me) even said out loud that they must be crazy, because Brenda then commented that it was the hand piecers who finished their quilts!

Over the years I have never forgotten that comment. I have even found it to be true in my own case. Not that I’m a hand piecer (I enjoy sewing on my machine, and I love machine the projects I do on my machine – they get finished, too, eventually,) but I do enjoy hand work and I find that the projects that I do by hand or that I carry around with me actually, eventually, get finished! These are the projects that seem so overwhelming and time consuming that who would even consider starting one of them let alone doing them by hand?! Appliqué, hand piecing, and English paper piecing are the types of projects that fit into this category – I’m sure there are more. A full size quilt of any type takes time, but a full size quilt in any one of these techniques would take considerable time to complete. So why does the hand work get done? I believe it’s because we derive pleasure in the quiet time, because we have plenty of the kind of time needed for the hand work, and because the finished results are worth it.

Although I enjoy working in the sewing room, it means being exiled from the rest of the household. I also admit that I feel guilty when I’m in there too long neglecting everything and everyone else. So, I have come to enjoy time in front of the TV with the family while I do handwork - no guilt, and at least I can be a part of some of the conversations going on. I like doing appliqué in front of the TV. I have also learned to steal time for my habit (or passion, I should learn to call it.) I’m talking about my lunch hour at work, or an hour in the morning before going to work, or in the car on a long trip. We all have similar times that could be filled with hand work. I’m currently working on some English paper piecing during these times, and even though an entire quilt in this method is likely to take a long time, if I stay with it and do a minimum amount every day I know I will get there. Quilts made using these hand techniques seem like insurmountable tasks, but when broken down into small bits and approached in small chunks of time they really can get done. The best part of working this way is that you don’t lose time in your sewing room if you’re stealing time elsewhere. You can do both! And aren’t the end results worth it?! So steal some time for your passion!

New Quilt Shop Opening	Carole Whaling

Here is the info for Susan Sasser's quilt shop:

The Round Bobbin

1126-B Horsham Road

Ambler, PA 19002

Phone: 215-367-5597

email: info@roundbobbinquilts.com

Web: roundbobbinquilts.com

Exact date of opening is questionable. Check before making the trip.

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Lecture at Easton Public Library	Emily Schneider

The Underground Railroad in Quilts?

April 25, 7:00pm
Easton
Cassandra Stancil Gunkel gives her talk The Underground Railroad in Quilts? at the Easton Area Public Library.
Sponsoring Organization: Easton Area Public Library
Contact: Mary Ann Horvath
(610) 258-2917 x393
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Programs	Val Johnson/Jackie Leipert

Do you think that you know everything about quilts? Come to our April 3 meeting where our very own Michele Mc Laughlin, founder of the Emmaus Quilt Study Group, will share her knowledge of Quilts in History. I am sure we will all learn a thing or two, plus be inspired to learn even more about the historical quilts that fueled our passion for quilting.

__________________________________________________________________

Library	Maxine Bernstein

Thank you Jackie Leipert for the March raffle gift and to Allen B. for selling tickets. Suzanne Nelson has volunteered to bring the April raffle gift.

Please return any outstanding library books when you are finished with them. We do have a waiting list for some of the signed-out books.

Please let me know any suggestions you may have for books to add to our library.

Many thanks.

Membership	Sharon Schaffer

April Birthdays

Joan Hangey	4/5	Diane Pesola	4/8

Helen Hanton	4/7	April Odor	4/16

We welcomed two new members; Nancy Keeler of Emmaus and Sharon Kaszyski of Orefield

Three guests were Helen Orndorf, Vera Mae Knabb and Vivian Ketels.

At a previous meeting I talked about starting a new section in our newsletter. The idea is to have information about our members in a way to “Get to know each other.” Attached you will find a copy of the questions to be answered for our new section of “Getting to Know You.” I figured I should set a good example and do the first one. Please take a few minutes to write about yourself. Don’t worry about grammar or spelling. I will read them before they get printed. If I have questions, I will give you a call. You can mail it or send me an email with your info. I look forward to Getting to Know YOU. Thanks.

“Getting to Know You” Sharon Schaffer

I am a retired vocational teacher. I taught computer-aided drafting and Kitchen and Bath Design for 20 years at Bethlehem Area Vocational Technical School. Over the years I have tried many different crafts but seem to be drawn to old crafts. I did toile painting, scherenschnitte, knitting and fractures for years. After I retired I thought I wanted to do water color painting but got hooked on quilting.

I am married to my husband for 45 years. We have two grown children and three grandsons (17, 15 and 13). All of our cats and dogs have passed to the great beyond, but we have two grand-dogs that come to visit.

I grew up in Vera Cruz, just south of Emmaus, and graduated from Emmaus High School. After getting married we moved to south Allentown where we lived for over 40 years. We moved to our current residence in 2009.

I grew up with sewing. As a 7th grader I had the biggest crinoline (for those of you too young to remember, that is a super full slip worn under those full skirts of the 50s). My Mom was a dressmaker and my earliest memories are going to visit her in the factory. Needless to say, I started sewing early. I was always repurposing hand-me-downs and sewing. I made my daughter’s prom dresses and clothes for myself. And in the 70’s even gave a hand to sewing for my husband. As times changed it got to a point that it wasn’t cost-effective to sew and I also started going to school and then working. I didn’t sew much. About 2000 I was going through JoAnne’s and saw what I thought was my hobby in retirement. I saw a beauty of an embroidery/sewing machine. That’s where I got started. I found one I liked and really got hooked. I enjoyed digitizing designs and running my embroidery machine. I eventually got a 6 needle embroidery machine. I had never made a quilt, but the sewing machine shop had some quilting classes and that’s where I got started. I do machine quilting. I don’t have the patience to do the hand quilting. I don’t have a favorite pattern. I like to try different styles and also I enjoy making my own designs. Last year my husband saw an ad for an auction that had a sewing machine and he asked me if I could use it. It was a HandiQuilter frame with a Babyloc. I got it and am having a ball doing the quilting. It’s not a long-arm, but I enjoy it.

I joined the Guild in 2009 after I retired. I have gotten to know some very talented and friendly people and enjoy learning new styles and techniques. Last year I accepted the job of Membership Chair. You will find me at the sign-in table. Don’t hesitate to say “Hi”.

TYPE YOUR ANSWERS IN PARAGRAPH FORM PLEASE!!!

1. Tell me about you:

- Yourself…....job outside of home? Career?

- Hobbies other than quilting?

- Other things you like to do?

2. Tell us about your Family:

- Husband (or boyfriend) His job?

- Children? In school? Married?

- Grandchildren?

- Family pets

3. How long have you lived in the Lehigh Valley? Always?

- moved from where?

- What brought you to Lebanon?

4. When did you learn to quilt?

- were you a sewer as well?

- What type of quilting do you like to do?

- Favorite patterns? Favorite style?

- How long have you been a member of our guild?

…….-Do you have a favorite tip about quilting?

5. Please mention any other things you would like your friends in the Guild to know about!

Send to: 3683 Hawthorne Dr

Center Valley, PA 18034

***if you have a computer, you can email me the info:

Sams46@verizon.net

Thanks,

Sharon

Recipe for Peanut Butter Dip	made by Emily Schneider for 3/6 meeting

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, softened; 1 cup peanut butter (I use chunky style); 1 cup brown sugar; scant ¼ cup milk. Combine all ingredients and mix well.

You may place into a serving bowl or form into a ball. I like to top it off with chopped peanuts.

Refrigerate to set a bit. Goes well with celery, crackers or cookies.

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Recipe for Texas (Chocolate) Sheet Cake	made by Patricia Miller for 3/6 meeting

Ingredients:	Cooking spray

2 tsp all purpose flour

2 cups all purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

¼ tsp salt

¾ cup water

½ cup butter

½ cup unsweetened cocoa, divided

½ cup low-fat buttermilk

1 tbsp vanilla extract, divided

2 large eggs

6 tbsp butter

1/3 cup fat-free milk

3 cups powdered sugar

¼ cup chopped pecans, toasted

Preheat oven to 375 degrees	4. Combine 6 tbsp butter, fat-free milk, and

¼ cup cocoa in a saucepan. Bring to a

Coat a 15 x 10 inch jelly roll pan with cooking	boil, stirring constantly. Remove from

spray; dust with 2 tsp of flour. Set aside.	heat. Gradually stir in powdered sugar;

stir in 2 tsp vanilla and pecans. Spread

Combine 2 cups of flour and next 4 ingredients	over hot cake. Cool completely on wire

(thru salt) in a large bowl. Combine ¾ cup water,	rack.

½ cup butter, and ¼ cup cocoa in a saucepan; bring

to a boil, stirring frequently. Pour into flour mixture.

Beat with a mixer at medium speed until well

blended. Add buttermilk, 1 tsp vanilla, and eggs;

beat well. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake

at 375 for 17 minutes or until a wooden pick in-

serted in center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack.

Guild Calendar from the editor April 5, Crazy Quilters’ Guild Meeting; 6:45pm refreshments, 7pm meeting, LCHS Calendar of Events from the editor “Celebrate 25” by County Line Quilters, 3/24-3/25, 10am to 5pm, Archbishop Wood High School, 655 N. York Rd., Warminster, PA, Admission $5 (seniors $4), www.countylinequilters.org “The Rhythm of Quilting” by Friendship Star Quilters, 4/27-4/29, 12 to 8 Friday, 10 to 6 Saturday, 10 to 4 Sunday, Montgomery County Fairgrounds, Home Arts Bldg., Gaithersburg, MD, $8 fee, (seniors $5), www.fridndshipstar.org “Quiltfest 2012” by Colonial Quilters Guild, 5/5-5/6, 10 to 5 (10 to 4 Sunday), Charles Chrin Community Center of Palmer Township, 4100 Green Pond Rd., Palmer, PA, Admission $7, www.colonialquilters.org “39th Annual Quilt Show” by Quilters Unlimited, 6/1-6/3, Dulles Expo & Conference Center, Chantilly, VA, www.quiltersunlimited.org “Pennsylvania Quilts ll: Patterns and Variations” at Packwood House Museum, 6/12-10/13, Lewisburg, PA, www.packwoodhousemuseum.com “Kutztown Folk Festival” 6/30-7/8, 9am to 6pm, Kutztown Fairgrounds, Kutztown, PA, www.kutztownfestival.com “Celebration of Quilts” by York Quilters’ Guild, 6/23-6/24, 10 to 5, Old Main Bldg., York Expo Center, York, PA, Admission $10 (seniors $8), www.celebrationofquilts.com “Vermont Quilt Festival” 6/29-7/1, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction, VT, www.vqf.org “Quilts, Quilts, Quilts” by Alapocas Run State Park, 7/21, 10am to 2pm, Blue Ball Barn off Route 202, Wilmington, DE, 302-577-7020 “Quilt Odyssey 2012” - 7/26 to 7/29, 10am to 6pm (Sunday to 4), Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, PA, $10 one day, $12 multi, www.quiltodyssey.com “World Quilt Show” New England X, 8/16-8/19, 10am to 6pm (Sunday to 4), Radisson Center of New Hampshire, 700 Elm St., Manchester, NH, $12 multi, www.worldquilt.com “PA Nat’l Quilt Extravaganza” 9/13-9/16, 10am to 6pm (Sunday to 4), Greater Phila. Expo Center, Oaks, PA, $14 multi, www.quiltfest.com Guild Officers President: Julie Borden First Vice-Presidents: Val Johnson/Jackie Leipert Second Vice-President: Sharon Schaffer Secretary: Jane Grove Treasurer: Anita Hertzog Committees Challenge: Jane Grove Community Service: Lorraine Bujnowski, Kathy Flickenger, Lois Drendel, Sally Waggoner, Ann Lineberger Historical: Nancy Skok Hospitality: Diana DeFanti Library: Maxine Bernstein/Michele McLaughlin Membership: Sharon Schaffer NQA Liaison: Irene Oehmke Newsletter: Allen Bernstein Phone Chain: Julie McDonell Programs: Val Johnson/Jackie Leipert Publicity: Alison Bessesdotter Raffle Quilt Marketing: Kathy Schuessler, Roberta Whitcomb, Sharon Yurkanin, Marsha Heimann, Jackie Leipert, Anita Hertzog, Val Johnson Show and Tell: Maria Hance Sunshine and Shadow: Sandra Mugridge Website: Allen Bernstein Workshops: Val Johnson/Jackie Leipert