Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Bits & Pieces
December 2003 -- Volume 8, Issue 12
Jeri Taylor, Editor

www.pacificpiecemakers.org

GUILD GLIMMERS

By Jeri Taylor

          It was an overflow crowd at the Comfort Quilt workshop on November 21.  Some thirty-five people jammed into the Gualala Arts auditorium and conference room to work on the much-appreciated quilts which are donated throughout the year to organizations which serve the needy.   Heletia Halworth of Valley Fabrics in Sonoma had donated boxes of beautiful batik material; PPQG seamstresses turned this windfall into an array of stunning quilt tops.           

            Marilyn Limbaugh and Carol Tackett demonstrated a “stack and slash” method which allowed  the quilters to create  festive patterns in a very short time.  These quilts come just in time, as our backlog of comfort quilts will be almost depleted after donations to the Redwood Cost Regional Center and Project Santa.  Thanks to all our talented members of pitching in on this most worthy cause!

            The steering committee met and approved the 2004 budget, and discussed the nearly-completed affiliate agreement with Gualala Arts.  Our officers are to be congratulated for having negotiated an extremely favorable contract.

            The monthly business meeting was highlighted by a “fashion show” of Miriam Littlejohn’s fabulous costumes for the ACT production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors.”  This looks like one of those must-see events!

            A special note of thanks to the Hospitality Committee, who kept our energy up with sandwiches and cookies!

WANTED:  AIR QUILT 2004

            Long before we organized PPQG, area quilters created a quilt each year for Gualala Arts scholarships, raffled during Art in the Redwoods.  These projects are fun for everyone, but especially rewarding for those who make them.  Ask any of our past AIR creators:  Miriam Littlejohn, Pam Wilson, Elizabeth Beckett, Barbara McNulty, Lenore Sollom, Bev Sloane and I are just a few. It’s fun to be the one who decides what this year’s quilt will be.  The time spent designing, buying fabric, and assembling the quilt top combine work and play, and can be shared with a quilting partner.  It’s really a “worth it” experience for all.

            Please don’t wait another minute — take the plunge!  Volunteer to head the 2004 AIR Quilt project.  With your incredible guild behind you, it’s a definite WIN-WIN-WIN for everyone.

            Call Linda Warnock today and tell her you’ll do it!

                                    Paula Osborne.

HAPPY  BIRTHDAYS

Barbara McNulty             2

Lola DeLongoria            8

Carol Tackett               14

Mary Austin                  18

Christina Owings          18

Donna Blum                 24      

SNIPPETS

Interesting and Intriguing Info for Members

MARCH 13-14, 2004:  Voices in Cloth 2004  - Oakland Convention Center.  Extraordinary Quilt Show presented by East Bay Heritage Quilters.  Antique quilts, quilts by Ruth McDowell, silent auctions, merchants’ mall.  $8.00 admission. 

www.ebhq.org or (510) 233-6771.

MAY 999-14, 2004:  Quilter’s Escape  - Fortuna, CA.  Four days of hands on study with a national teacher of your choice:  Jane Sassaman, Judy Severson, Dixie McBride, Cynthia England and Janet Jones Worley.  $495 includes meals, teacher workshops, lectures, and all special activities.  (707) 442-0081 or www.quiltersescape.com

ART QUILT TAHOE 2004—Lake Tahoe, CA  Six days in beautiful Lake Tahoe area with nationally famous art quilt teachers.  Two sessions:  Nov. 7-12 and Nov. 12-17.  Sue Benner, Yvonne Porcella, Melody Johnson, Caryl Bryer Fallert, Ruth McDowell and many more.  $1,250 includes workshops, conference fees, meals and lodging at the world class Hyatt.  (Anita and Jeri went this year and raved about it!)  (530)887-0600 or www.artquilttahoe.com.

FISHY CHALLENGE!

            It seems we’ve been fishing around for the exact dates for the 2004 Quilt Challenge.  Well, get out your calendar and add these dates — this is official!

Wednesday, June 9—deliver quilts to GA.

Saturday, June 12—opening reception.

Tuesday, July 6—take down quilts.

            Now that the dates are set, is your quilt planned?  Started?  Finished?  June is a long way off; maybe you could do more than one!  The show will be up while Melody Johnson is here — let’s wow her!  It will also be up over the July 4th weekend, a big one at the Art Center.  So let’s show the world what we can do!  Think fishy!

DECEMBER

Friday, December 12

12:00 noon

            Our annual holiday luncheon is always an occasion of joy and festivity, and this year’s celebration promises to be as lively as ever!  It’s a soup and salad pot luck, with Marilyn Limbaugh and Carol Tackett providing the soup.  For your contribution, see below:

A-G bring salad

H-O bring bread

P-Z bring dessert

Make a reservation by December 5 by calling or emailing Marilyn at 785-3814, marilynl@mcn.org.

Also — bring four fat quarters (18” x 22”) in a brown paper bag.  The planners undoubtedly have lots of fun things in mind, so make sure you’re a part of it!

FUSE IT OR LOSE IT:

TAKING THE WONDER OUT OF

WONDER UNDER!

Anita Kaplan will teach this class at Gualala Arts, January 22nd, 9:30—4:00, $25. It will introduce you to the basic methods of fusing and the extraordinary creative power of Wonder Under.  It will also prepare you for Melody Johnson’s class in June.  It is easy and exciting to learn how quickly an art quilt can be put together.  No sewing machine required; Gualala Arts has the supply list.  Come bond with me!

(Anita took first place for her quilt, “Jungle Fever,” in the student challenge show at Art Quilt Tahoe, 2003.)

Thanks from Janet

We say it often and it’s true.  Quilters are by definition caring people and PPQG quilters top the list.  Even though I kept telling you it was no big deal, I’ll admit that anticipating brain surgery was not particularly pleasant.  It was made much easier, though, by all the prayers, loving thoughts, and kind words you sent my way.  I went through the whole procedure knowing I was surrounded by good friends and loving family.  I’m convinced that it was largely thanks to this care that I was able to come through so quickly and with such good results.  I’ll be back to quilting as soon as my eye starts to behave.  And my first project will be a comfort quilt to make up for missing the workshop.  Thank you, everyone.   Janet Sears

SPECIAL WORKSHOPS, SPECIAL DEAL

Freddie Moran, February 19:  Freddie’s House

Based on one of the House projects in her book, the class will make one of those houses — and those who sign up early get to vote on which one!  Beginners to advanced.  Workshop price, $110 — if you sign up by the December 12 meeting— $93.50.

Melody Johnson, June 15-17:  Fine Art of Fusing

Her fusing techniques and color ideas will inspire log cabin four patches, dynamic doodling, themes and variations.  No machines, just hands-on techniques.  Beginners to advanced.  Workshop price $275—if you sign up by our January 116 meeting—$233.75.

Velda Newman, September 188-19:  Layers: Form and Texture.  Her class throws all the rules of stringent design out the window.  First we will construct units by exploring machine techniques for texture and form; then add color and depth with paint and colored pencils.  Then the units will be assembled, collage style, into one fabulous piece.  Beginners to advanced.  Workshop price—$130—if you sign up by our January 16 meeting—$110.50.

WANT SOME INSPIRATION?

            Be sure to be there for our January 16 meeting, when Barbara Shapiro will present a slide show titled “Sources of Inspiration.”  Sounds like something we could all use!

             NEW  MEMBERS

Herbst, Ann: Windsor 95492    20 November.

Ann Linville: Windsor 95492    27 January.