Maple Leaf Quilters Online

February 2004

Goshen, Indiana

Sylva Keenan , Editor

Hi Ladies
We held our January meeting, even though the weather left a lot to be desired. Those attending enjoyed the evening. Carol discussed several items, especially that we need to have leadership for our Guild. So, if you think you might like to try your hand chairing the Guild, we would be thrilled.
Several items were discussed at Sew What Monday night at Edith’s.

Fran was hospitalized with kidney stones, so remember her.

Elaine shared information on a bus trip to the Houston International Quilt Show in Chicago on March 26 or 27th. Cost is $30 per person which includes the bus and show admission. Anita Barlow, former member of the Guild, is organizing the trip and Elaine has several handouts available with detailed information, so either contact her or come to the February meeting to learn more. Deadline for advanced tickets is March 1st.

Sylva

A message from Willa:
A sunshiny Hello from Ft. Myers, Florida. I am enjoying my stay here. Spending my time checking out quilt shops and quilt shows. Have seen some really quality quilts. I am trying to get my fan quilt hand quilted. Started a Celtic block for practice before I start a Celtic quilt. They have a sewing/quilting group here. They are making exciting things like pin cushions, casserole covers, and sweatshirts. I joined the Southwest Florida Quilt Guild. They meet once a month and have a Saturday "Fun Day" each month also. This Saurday they are going to make origami purses. They have Karen Combs coming this month to teach two classes. They only have 250 members. I am eager to see what this "Fun Day" is all about. Tell everyone I said "Hi." Willa Thiele

News Flash from Carol:
I'm so excited! I just received a phone call from Marianne Fons (as in "Fons and Porter") telling me that little sewing basket I entered in their "Love of Quilting" (Sept/Oct 2003) magazine's Fat Quarter Challenge is a winner! Whee! In addition to the personal phone call and congratulations from Marianne, I will receive a third place prize of 10 Fat Quarters, and the basket will be shown in the June issue of the magazine (which will be on shelves in April).
The Fat Quarter challenge was to use one fat quarter "... and make something fun." Trims, notions and embellishments were allowed, but no additional fabrics could be used. For my project I used 5 yards of cotton cording, which I wrapped with 1" wide strips of fabric cut from the fat quarter of fabric. I coiled the wrapped cording and zig-zagged it to form the basket shape, then made a lid for it using the same process. The entire project took about two hours and was fun enough to be satisfying even if I hadn't placed in the contest! Carol Honderich

OTHER QUILTING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

February 14-May 9, 2004. Quilting Genius. Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI will be exhibiting more than 30 rare quilts including some never before displayed. The exhibit will feature eleven 19th century materpiece designs by Susan McCord. On the web at http://www.TheHenryFord.org

March 6 & 7, 2004. Salt Creek Quilters Guild, Hinsdale, IL Celebrate the Pride of the Prairie. Over 200 quilts by members of the Salt Creek Quilters Guild will be on display at the Community House. The Hinsdale site is the new location for the biannual event entitled for 2004 "Pride of the Prairie." Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM at the Hinsdale Community House, 415 West Eighth Street, Hinsdale, IL. Contact: Wanda Wagner (708) 599-2987 or www.wwags50@aol.com

March 20, 2004. Gathering - Color Your World with Quilts. Guest speaker: Carolyn L. Mazloomi is a fiber artist, author, historian, and lecturer. Hosted by Sisters of the Cloth Quilting Guild in Ft. Wayne, IN.
http://groups.msn.com/SistersoftheCloth/thegatheringofquilters.msnw

June 3-4-5, 2004. THREE RIVERS QUILT FESTIVAL, Ft. Wayne, IN. http://www.appleseedquiltersguild.com

August 13-14, 2004. Quilts for Change, Cincinnati, OH. Quilts for Change 2004 is a national juried quilt show featuring internationally recognized quilt instructors, artists, and judges Carolyn Mazloomi and Susan Shie, with keynote speaker Faith Ringgold, author, painter, and quilter. http://www.quiltsforchange.org
Delores & Lynn, Show Co-Chairs
For questions or comments about Quilts for Change 2004, contact lynnharden@earthlink.net.

TONE-ON-TONE FAT QUARTER SWAP, 2003-2004

The following has been suggested for the coming year in place of the birthday fat quarter swap.

July	Reds
August	Yellows
September	Browns
October	Oranges
November	Blacks or grays
December	Whites or beiges or creams
January	Blues
February	Pinks
March	Greens
April	Purples
May	---
June	---

Guidelines:

Tone-on-tones are shades of ONE color only.

You may contribute up to six FQs but no more than three of one fabric. You do not need to participate each month.

Fabrics must be 100% high quality cotton. Please purchase your fabrics at higher quality quilt or fabric shops -- no JoAnn or Wal-Mart fabrics, please!

Please attach a label to each FQ with your name and either “Washed” or “Unwashed.”

Turn your FQs in to Edith at the beginning of each guild meeting and she will swap them and give you your new FQs by the end of the evening. If you won’t be at a meeting and wish to be a part of that month’s swap, let her know and arrangements will be made.

Maple Leaf Quilters Minutes - January 26, 2004
Waterford Mennonite Church
6:30 PM
Quilters Present: Naomi, Beulah, Sylva, Carol, Sue, Laura, Peggy, Marie, Nancy, Jan
Meeting:
Brochures regarding upcoming quilt shows were shared. More detailed is listed under Other Quilting Events and Opportunities.
The Gathering in Fort Wayne, March
Henry Ford Museum: Quilting Genius, March-May
Chicago Quilt Festival in Rosemont, IL in March
Quilters Hall of Fame Opening in Marion IN during July
Sauder Village Quilt show

Jan shared information regarding Project Linus at Jeannette's in Wakarusa. For every finished baby quilt brought in, you will be entered into a drawing to win a new Janome sewing machine. No limit on blankets!! February 21st is the last day to bring in blankets for the drawing!

Discussion was held regarding changing the Guild year from January to December rather than June to May. It was also discussed that we need leadership for our Guild. We need people to volunteer. The Guild used to make a quilt top for the chairperson every year and it would be nice to start this tradition again. It was also decided that we would make a quilt top or blocks for Beulah as she has been so gracious to continue being our treasurer for the past 3 years, and an excellent one at that!!! She will come to the next meeting and tell us what colors and pattern she would like to have!!

Carol explained her new challenge for the next couple of months and hopes everyone will participate. She handed out a sheet with more information on it. (See detailed information in the January newsletter and in this newsletter.) It need not be a stressful project, make a potholder, appliance cover, lap quilt or a bed quilt, whatever time and energy will lend itself to!! Be spontaneous and creative!!!!

At the February meeting Naomi will demonstrate how to make knotted fleece blankets! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring 2 pieces of fleece (same size) material along and we'll all help each other tie up the blankets in record time!! 1-1/2 yards is good for baby blankets and 2 yards for lap size blankets!! Also -- bring sharp scissors, a ruler, a yardstick and pins.

SHOW AND TELL:
Laura: has been making 70 sashes for her church for the children’s program.
Marie: has made a baby quilt and is taking care of a new puppy!! She was working on her Ronald McDonald headboard quilt during the meeting.
Sylva: spent a couple of months making 20 Teddy Bears for the Home Extension Clubs which are given to children involved in accidents or crisis situations. Also showed birthday blocks that are put together with borders and ready to be quilted.
Peggy: showed her unfinished Christmas tree skirt and her pattern that she drafted for her first quilt she made in 1975.
Beulah: has been working on many different quilts at home.
Naomi: showed a very pretty pink girl’s dress that she made for her church mission. She showed us her finished Ronald McDonald headboard quilt which just needs to be quilted. She had a beautiful partially finished Winners Circle quilt that she was making for a teacher at her church mission school.
Minutes by Peggy

The following is a suggestion Carol has for a challenge in 2004.

CHALLENGE: Food Inspired Kitchen Quilts

Your challenge: Create a “Kitchen Quilt” based on a favorite food recipe. Select an old family recipe or a new favorite. Think about the ingredients used in the recipe, the techniques used in preparation, the colors, the aroma, the reaction/pleasure of people enjoying your dish. Can you put these elements together and translate the recipe into fabric and from these elements design a quilted piece to use in your kitchen? Here are a few suggestions for types of “Kitchen Quilts.”

Table runner or place mats

A potholder or an oven mitt

A valance and/or curtains for your kitchen window

The “Kitchen Quilt” should reflect the recipe in one or more of the following ways:

In the fabric colors and prints used

in the piecing and/or appliqué designs used

by using traditional quilt block designs that have names that relate to the recipe.

Here are just a few traditional quilt blocks that have food names:

Possible Schedule:
January -- Sign up for challenge
April -- Provide written recipe and accurate pattern for your Kitchen Quilt
May -- Have finished quilt available for photography
June -- Pattern package of all submitted recipes and patterns available for purchase.

Recommended Quilting Web Site:

WEB LINKS TO CHECK OUT! Favorite Quilt Fabric Links from past issues. The first three are new sites that Peggy provided.

Quilts Inc (website for Chicago quilt festival in March). http://www.quilts.com
Quilters Hall of Fame. Marion, Indiana. http://www.quiltershalloffame.org
Quilt Blocks Galore (hundreds of quilt blocks with patterns, wonderful site). http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html