Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Valerie Goodwin Workshop

Valerie Goodwin is coming to our guild on May 9th for a one-day workshop titled Memory Map. It promises to be very, very interesting and different. It immediately sent me to Google Earth in search of maps of my childhood... Valerie is a well-known art quilter with a unique style; we will learn a lot of new techniques! Do spend some time visiting her fascinating website.

The workshop will take place at the Dr Phillips Library from 10AM to 6PM. The supply list is here. It may appear a bit daunting, but be aware that The Sewing Studio in Maitland has these items for sale: teflon sheets, Esterita Austin's Misty-White fuse and both off-white and white silk organza.

Members pay $25 + $10 kit fee, total $35. Non-members pay $40 + $10 kit fee, total $50.

We will have a pot-luck lunch, like we do in sew dates.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

Sew Day, April 21, 2012

We had another wonderful sew day.

We look so serious in the photo.  Believe me we worked hard and ate heartily, all while sharing quilting tips and ideas and talking about everything imaginable and beyond.


Our chevron blocks have been assembled into two quilt tops and are now ready for quilting.

I don't dare show you a close up of the wonderful foods since we quickly demolished everything.

If I could add a soundtrack of women laughing and talking, this photo would capture it all, sewing, great food, friendship, and laughter.




Thursday, April 5, 2012

Member Swag

Did you know you can order items with our guild's logo? Our Orlando Modern Quilt Guild Store has several fun items for sale. Last year, members received this over-sized tote bag with a paid membership. We have a few extra totes available for new members. They will be on sale for $16 at the May meeting.

 You can order mugs...
Stainless steel water bottles...
Even a nightshirt! Cafe Press offers discounts on a weekly basis, so check for their current promotion before you order.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

MEETING MINUTES, APRIL 4, 2012

MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 4, 2012
SEWING STUDIO, MAITLAND, FLORIDA
10:00 AM UNTILL APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM

I.  SIGN IN, MEET AND GREET, INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS
     There were 16 people in attendance including new members and visitors.


II. MARCH BLOCKS OF THE MONTH
     The blocks were won by Jackie.




III. CHEVRON BLOCKS
Quite a few (as of yet uncounted) chevron blocks were turned in for a charity quilt.  More information is posted under the Charity Quilts Section.



IV.  RAFFLE BASKET
The raffle basket was provided by Lisa and won by Terry.


V.  MAY BLOCK OF THE MONTH
Linda introduced Wild Waves, the  Block of the Month for May, a 12.5 inch unfinished block which is to be done in brights and white. Alejandrina has already posted a tutorial online.


VI. CHARITY QUILTS
The chevron blocks will be used to make fundraising quilts for the Camaraderie Foundation. Jodi said that there appeared to be enough Chevron blocks to make two quilts.  The plan is for one wall hanging (around 36 by 36 inches) and one lap quilt (around 50 by 60 inches), which could potentially be auctioned at the Foundation's events for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. During the summer Jodi will collect additional sampler blocks for a future quilt for this group. For these additional blocks please use any combination of white, red and/or blue to create 12.5 unfinished blocks of your choosing.  

The group also accepted Jodi's proposal that the guild members make small items such as potholders, oven mitts, place mats, mug rugs, and coasters for Habitat for Humanity. The items would be added to the small gift baskets that are presented to each new home owner involved with the local Habitat for Humanity. One suggestion was that items (optionally) could have house blocks used the making of the small items.  Another great suggestion was that we should consider making gifts in sets, for example a pair of potholders, 4 placemats, and a set of coasters. Items will be collected throughout the year at Guild meetings and they will be turned over to Habitat for Humanity about twice a year.


VII.  OTHER GUILD BUSINESS
          VALERIE GOODWIN WORKSHOP
The Valerie Goodwin workshop is to be held on May 9th at the Southwest Branch of the Orange County Library System (The Dr. Phillips Location.) The cost to participating guild members will be $25.00 for the class PLUS a $10.00 kit fee for a total of $35.00. The class runs from 10 AM until 4:30 PM. A signup sheet was distributed at the April guild meeting, and Alejandrina will send specific details to the guild members very soon.

          AAQI QUILTS
The quilts from our guild challenge are now posted on the AAQI site.

          FIELD TRIP
The date of the field trip to a quilt shop in the Rockledge area needed to be rescheduled.  The group selected June 2.  More information will be forthcoming from Alejandrina.

          BUSINESS CARDS
Members were given a few business cards in order to promote the guild to others who may be interested in joining.

VIII.  SHOW AND TELL










IX.  LUNCH FOLLOWING THE MEETING AT SO NAPA














Sunday, April 1, 2012

May 2012 Block of the Month

Another two-for-one little project for HST lovers! Here is the tutorial:


You end up with two 12 1/2 blocks, using white and bright colors from the scrap basket, YEAH. The tutorial is quite detailed, so there is not a lot to add except to share a couple of my experiences building the sample block.

First, after building the half white-half color squares, you are supposed to sew them to the 4 1/4 white squares (tutorial figure 4) When I put them right sides together, they did not match at all! The white 4 1/4 squares are larger than the HSTs:


 Don't be alarmed, all is well...you get to trim the excess later. I matched the color corner and sewed on.

Second, when it is time to trim down to 3 1/2 inches (tutorial figure 6), I trimmed all 4 sides so that the point of the color triangle is always exactly at the center of a 3 1/2 inch square on the ruler. Like this:


You get perfect squares:



That's all I have to add. It was FUN to do.