Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Bits & Pieces
June 2005 -- Volume 10, Issue 6
Jeri Taylor , Editor
www.pacificpiecemakers.org

JUNE

June 17 1:00 p.m.

June 18 10:00 Ð 4:00 p.m.


            We have a double-edged treat in store for the month of June!

           For our June Guild meeting, Broken Dishes Repertory, a quilting/musical comedy team, will present a program titled ÒDo You See What I See?Ó  This program contrasts the quilting styles of Ann Anastasio and Lani Longshore, using about thirty of their quilts.  It includes original music written by Ann with lyrics by both Ann and Lani, as well as some familiar melodies from classical music and folk tunes.

            They read the same quilt books, listen to the same guild lectures and shop at the same quilt stores.  YouÕd never believe it to look at their quilts!  TheyÕll share two lifetimes of quilting experiences in their program.

            This promises to be a unique and festive occasion Ñ one you wonÕt want to miss!  Come at 12:30 for our social time and stay for the meeting at 1:00.

            On Saturday, June 18, our supremely talented member Judith Jones (a brand new grandma!) will give a workshop on ÒFantastic Bags.Ó  Many of us have seen the gorgeous tote bags that Judith makes and will testify to their uniqueness and fabulosity!   Here is your opportunity to learn her techniques and patterns so you can create your own one-of-a-kind bags!

            The workshop runs from 10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m.  Bring a lunch or take a break and grab a bite in town. 

            To become part of this workshop, contact Laurie Mueller Ñ laurie@mcn.org. 


GUILD GLIMMERS

By Donna Blum

            Guild members were treated to a wonderful Holiday Workshop with many festive projects demonstrated throughout the day.  After the demonstrations there was much snipping, stitching, sharing, and laughing.  Productivity was great.  Many members went home with their completed projects and patterns for more future holiday creations. 

            If you missed this workshop, you missed a fabulous gourmet luncheon provided by our wonderful hospitality hostesses, Laura Hamilton and Lola DeLongoria.  They treated the workshop participants to delicious roasted vegetable lettuce wraps.  Yum!

            Guild experts that shared their talent were:

            Barbara Dunsmoor:  Yo-Yo Holiday Tree.

            Marilyn Limbaugh:  Here Comes Santa Wall Hanging.

            Gail Sims:  Paper Pieced Christmas Tree.

            Janet Windsor:  Felt-stuffed Christmas Ornaments.

            Iris Lorenz-Fife:  ÒCave-womanÓ style Christmas Tree (Ricky Tims).

            Bonnie Toy:  Free Motion Quilted Tree Skirt or Table Cover and Simple Fabric Bowl.

            A special ÒThank you!Ó to all our talented guild teachers for sharing their time and expertise.  Hugs to Marilyn and Janet for getting the whole thing organized. 

            If you have never attended a PPQG workshop, itÕs a fun way to meet new friends and learn something new.  The guild sponsors several such workshops each year.  Try it Ñ youÕll like it!


PRESIDENTÕS MESSAGE

            Rainy days and quilting Ñ a perfect combination!

            This has been one of the wettest springs I can rememberÉ wet and wonderfulÉ Òquilting weather!Ó  Something about a drip in the air and a fire in the fireplace feels just right for the homely art of quilting.  While most any day is a Ògood day to quilt,Ó when I lived in Georgia there were days when it just didnÕt fit.  On a hot, humid summerÕs afternoon Ñ even with the air conditioning going full blast Ñ being draped with a quilt while hand quilting just seemed incongruous.  But these last few rainy coastal weeks have been just perfect for finishing up my challenge quilt!  A gift from the ÒQuilting GoddessÓ Ñ weather that bars us from our beautiful outdoors leads us to spend time inside, with our art!

                                    Lynne Atkins



NEW QUILT CLASSES!

            As President Lynne said in the May ÒBits and Pieces,Ó Òwe hear you.Ó  Following the beginning piecing classes last fall some of you asked for another set of basic quilting classes, picking up where the last class left off.  We hear you.  If you took last yearÕs classes, if you have had plenty of experience sewing but are just getting started in quilting, or if you feel youÕve missed the basics or would like a review, these classes are for you.  For six Thursday mornings, beginning September 8th, weÕll work on curved piecing, paper piecing, inset seams, sashing and borders, binding and finishing a quilt.  The price is $60 Ñ a real bargain! More information will be available next month.  But if youÕre interested, mark your calendars and contact Mary Austin or Janet Sears.


THE CHALLENGE IS UPON US!

            Sew your bindings and attach your sleeves Ñ itÕs time to finish up your quilts for the 2005 Challenge Show!  Here are your marching orders:

            You should have turned in the bottom segment of your lime green entry forms by now!

            Bring your completed quilts to Gualala Arts on June 9 between 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

            Make sure the top part of the entry form is attached to the back of the quilt.

            Each quilt must have a hanging sleeve and a slat or rod upon which the quilt may be hung.

            Come to the gala reception June 11,  5-7 p.m.  Bring finger food to share!

            Join in the fun by trying to guess whose quilt is whose Ñ do we know each other?

            Relax and enjoy the show in the company of your fellow quilters.


HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Patricia Sagan             3
Ellen Soule                  3
Paula Osborne             9
Trudy Armer                 10
Jackie Gardener           11
Ruth Rosenberg           12
Jo Dillon                       16
Judith Jones                20
Bev Sloane                  21
Margery Tarp                22
Jeri Taylor                    30



NEW MEMBER GUIDES

            The following people have agreed to serve as ÒguidesÓ for new members:  Anita Kaplan, Donna Blum, Miriam Littlejohn, and Barbara McNulty.  Our recent members can feel free to approach any of them for help and information.  Of course, they can approach ANY of our friendly group and be warmly received!


THE LIBRARY CORNER

By Ann Graf

            This month we are adding Jane SassamanÕs book The Quilted Garden to our shelves.  Jane, who will be our guest artist in July, is known for her bold designs celebrating the energy and miraculous beauty of gardens, flowers, and plants.  This book guides you through saw edged and turned edge appliquŽ, and surface embroidery.  We have had many wonderful books given to us this spring, and you will have a chance to add them to your own shelves at the June meeting:  the biggest silent auction yet!  Bring your loose change, and support your library.  Thanks to all you donors!


MYSTERY QUILT PART ONE

            Diane Cunningham and Donna Blum introduced the first set of instructions for the mystery quilt at the May guild meeting.  All information and Part One instructions are available on the Guild Website Ñ www.pacificpiecemakers.org Ñ and at The Loft in Gualala.  Donna and Diane welcome your calls and are happy to answer any questions.  785-3625 or 884-4342.


A GOOD SUGGESTION!

            When sending email to the guild membership (ppqg@lists.mcn.org), itÕs a good idea to include ÒPPQGÓ in your subject line.  Not everyone recognizes the email addresses and might mistake a vitally important message for unwanted spam!


HANDY QUILTING TIPS

            Need to organize your space?  Hang an over-the-door shoe organizer on the door of your sewing room.  ItÕs great for scissors, rotary cutters, marking pencils, special threads, small bits of fabric, etc.

            Use a zipper sandwich bag to catch threads and small scraps when youÕre sewing.  To keep the bag from closing, turn it inside out and it will stay open permanently.  You can tape it to your sewing machine or on the end of your table.

            Use a multi-skirt hanger to store completed blocks.  The clips can be moved to accommodate any size block.  This keeps the blocks organized with no wrinkles.

            When hand-stitching your bindings, secure the binding with plastic-coated paper clips.  TheyÕre easy to slip on and the thread wonÕt get caught on them.


MEMBER INFO

Change of address for Mona Innes:  941 Bloomfield Road, Sebastopol 95472, 829-3006.

New Members

Cynthia Snowden (# 113), 785-3521, P.O. Box 505, Gualala 95445, August 16, inisfree@mcn.org

Carole Erkkila (# 114), 785-3278, P.O. Box 506, Gualala 95445, January 7, weseethesea@mcn.org