Sunday, December 10, 2017

Meet Sharleen Jespersen

Sharleen served as our past Community Outreach Coordinator and continues to inspire with her generous spirit and amazing quilting skills!


Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I started sewing as a young girl in 4-H as well as in home economics in junior high school.  My Mother and my Grandmother also quilted in their spare time although they didn’t have much of that. They were doing hand piecing mostly and hand quilting. It was hard for me to see that I would EVER do that. Once I learned about rotary cutting and machine piecing I was in.   I first joined a quilt guild in Rochester, Michigan where we lived for 22 years.

We moved to Florida in 2010 and so I think it must have been 2011 when I joined the OMQG. Here I have met so many great people with common interests.

How did you learn to quilt?

Years ago I helped with a quilt project at church that was being tied and decided to look into it a little further and I was hooked. Someone gave me the permission to be a piecer only and that’s how I started.  Now, I try to do my own quilting as much as I am able.


What machine(s) do you drive?

I have been a Bernina girl.  Last Christmas my husband upgraded me from a 165 to a 765 and I’m really enjoying that.


What is your most treasured (sewing related) possession?

I have several prized quilting possessions.
One is the blue and red quilt that you see in the photo.  It is now very well worn. When my Grandmother died in 1960, there was a box under her bed with this quilt in it.  Inside was a note that said to give it to me. I was in grade school and was delighted to use it on my bed.


I have quilts made from my Mom’s first quilt blocks that she made as a teenager in 1936 as well as other quilts made by Mom and Grandma Rush that are very dear to me.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska where by family were some of the very first pioneers.  My husband, myself and our two daughters were all born at the same hospital there. While living in Michigan, I made a quilt for a dear friend and she had a reproduction of one of the blocks painted on her barn.  You can see a photo here.


Today I’m retired and use sewing and quilting as my creative outlet.  Most of my free time is spent helping at our local Food Pantry and sewing with our Days for Girls Team.


I also try to promote and contribute to The 70273 Project by keeping blocks in my purse to stitch while in waiting rooms.  When I get to play, I go to my sewing room.  Right now I’m not doing any large projects.  I seem to get a lot of satisfaction in being a small part of a larger system.  I’m perfectly happy to do a simple block over and over that can be used in a quilt for community outreach.  And, I love seeing my daughter Sarah’s advancing skills in quilting.  In some circumstances, I think that a quilt can provide a tangible hug for someone.  It says, “I see you” and “I know of your struggle.  You are not forgotten”.

Thank you Sharleen for sharing your quilting journey with us.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

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MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Maitland, FL


WELCOME NEW MEMBERS & GUESTS

PRESIDENT’S REPORT


President Sarah opened the meeting and greeted guests, asking Jane, as Member in Large, to introduce them. Sarah showed us a new gavel for the guild, engraved with “Orlando Modern Quilt Guild.”

Quilts for Pulse (QFP) Project Closing 

Sarah reported that, while the guild has thought several times before that the Quilts for Pulse Project was over, now we are officially and finally closing it. Finances are closed and there are no quilts left in the inventory. If anyone makes a request for a QFP quilt from the guild or from individual members, it will be up to individuals to fulfill the request if they wish, but the guild has no more resources and considers the project closed. Leftover heart blocks, which were received after the project deadline, have been sent to Las Vegas for its project. The QFP Legacy Committee will be wrapping up details as well.


As part of closing the project, Sarah introduced two guests, Josh Langholtz of Thrivent Financial, and guild member Kathy Aber, representing Trinity Lutheran Church, to receive our grant closing letter. Sarah presented them with the letter from the guild making its final report and also with 3 mini quilts as thank yous from the guild: 1 for the local Thrivent Financial office, 1 for Thrivent Financial national headquarters, and 1 for Trinity Lutheran Church in Orlando. Thrivent Financial and Trinity Lutheran gave, as a grant, to the guild, over $5,000 for backing fabric, batting, and postage, making possible our completion of the QFP project. Sarah also thanked everyone involved in the QFP project since the shootings at the Pulse nightclub on June 12, 2016.

Sarah also reported that we need to have a slate of candidates for offices on the guild board to present to members at the January meeting for election in February to take office and run meetings beginning in March 2018. She asks that anyone interested in serving on the Nominating Committee email her to volunteer so the committee can do its work before the January meeting.

VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT


Vice President Paula introduced Caroline, chair of the Creactive Club to report. Only 1 member working on the current project had a quilt for Show and Tell today, so she – Dar – won the prize, a Japanese bag Caroline bought on a recent trip to Japan.


Caroline then held a drawing from those who posted a picture of their favorite modern quilting book on social media with the hashtag #myfavoritemodernquiltbook, and Laura won the prize, a watch and small journal.
Block of the Month (BOM)


Mary So’s Flying Geese Blocks of the Month were won by Marge,

and then Caroline presented the BOM for January, a checkerboard of squares in gray and white. Instructions for the BOM will be on the blog tonight.

Unmodern Made Modern Show and Tell

Paula asked Alejandrina to present the Show and Tell for the Unmodern Made Modern challenge, so each of those projects was shown.




Quirky Scrappy Quiltalong Show and Tell


In Jodi’s absence, Paula presented the Quirky Scrappy Quiltalong challenge Show and Tell quilts. Thanks to Jodi’s efforts, Rifle Paper Company donated fancy printed folders for everyone who participated in both of these guild challenges.










TREASURER’S REPORT


Marge reported that this month had a high number of expenses for a variety of reasons, such as purchasing member holiday gifts, paying the Modern Quilt Guild membership fee for the year (having over 100 members, we are in a higher cost category), and giving a gratuity to resort employees at retreat.

Retreat

Marge will be contacting Wyndham Ocean Walk resort to verify that the discounted cost for rooms will be the same for either the 1st or 2nd weekend of November 2018, so she can then reserve the space for next year’s retreat. After some discussion (preference for the 2nd weekend to use Veteran’s Day holiday that Monday and go Fri-Mon; preference for the 1st weekend as leaving more time before the holidays, and go Thu-Sun), Marge asked that people email her their comments. After verifying that both weekends cost the same, Marge will reserve one weekend or the other. Some asked if we might consider another retreat, but one reason November works so well is that it is not the busy season so we received a significant discount on the cost of rooms.

Three special retreat project backs that were favors at the retreat were given by random drawing to members who were not at the retreat.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Calls for Blocks – Leslie

Filling in for Beth, who was not present, Leslie reported that the guild asks members who wish to, to continue making half square triangles (HSTs) from 10” squares of white and any (preferably bright) color, so we will have a reserve from which to make quilts for future requests for quilts for victims of disasters.

Quiltcon Charity Quilt


Sarah showed a slide of the guild’s QuiltCon 2018 charity quilt, Orlando Sunrise, because it has already been sent to the Modern Quilt Guild. It was designed by our Education Chair, Anne, blocks were made by members under the guidance of Debra J, and it was quilted by Alissa.

Legal Aid Quilts – Wrap up in January

Legal Aid Quilts brought today were collected, but quilts donated to this project may be brought to the January meeting as well. They will be presented to Donna Haynes of the Legal Aid Society at the January meeting, and then that project will be closed, so if you have a quilt for that project, be sure it is submitted at the January meeting or given to someone to take to that meeting if you can’t make it. There have already been 25 distributed to the Legal Aid Society to give to young adults aging out of foster care before the holidays – they received the quilt and a package of quilting supplies with which to set up their new homes. Mary W was not present but sent her thanks to all who helped her photograph and distribute the first 25.

Sarah also noted that there are a number of quilt tops in kits with backing and batting at the back of the room and asked that anyone willing to quilt them for the January meeting take one or more to finish.

EDUCATION


Education Chair Anne reported that the next class the guild offers will be a class by Sarah Sharp of No Hats in the House on January 20, 2018, at the Bernina Sewing Center in Lake Mary – not at the Dr. Phillips Public Library, where most of our classes take place. If you wish to take the class, your place is held by payment for the class, and a sign up sheet was passed around the meeting. Anne also showed a quilt that is not exactly what will be taught but is a quilt made by Mary W after a Sarah Sharp class in the past.

Anne noted that Sarah is a really wonderful, positive teacher everyone would enjoy and said that the cost of the class includes the pattern, which will be received at the class. People should indicate in advance whether they want the pattern for the feathers or the fish, and both will be taught in this class. Anne explained that Sarah Sharp teaches intricate paper piecing but that it is friendly to all levels of paper piecers. Bernina Sewing Center (BSC) asks that, if class-takers need supplies for the class, that they purchase them at BSC to thank them for hosting the class for us.

Anne will email the supply list before the class, and asked that everyone taking the class let her know whether you want the feather or the fish pattern.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for classes was discussed. It was noted that we have never had an overflow requiring a lottery to limit the class so far, because officers usually step down if space is needed to accommodate everyone wanting to take a class, and they usually get to take the class regardless, because of some who signed up dropping out. Mail a check to Marge to hold your spot if you didn’t pay for the class today but you signed up.

Education Basket


Yanick returned the Education Basket filled with lots of great things, a Momo jelly roll, 3 charm packs, some Kaffe Fassett fabric, a package of batting, an ironing pad, a candle, chocolate, a pin cushion, and other special items. The basket was won by Mary Sm.


MEBMER AT LARGE


Jane reported that there will be holiday parties at both December Sew Days. She said those wanting to exchange gifts at the Dr. Phillips Sew Day on December 16th should bring a small (possibly homemade) gift in a small brown bag and to please bring food as usual.

Leslie will be in charge of the holiday part at the Maitland Sew Day on December 11th, and she reported that there will NOT be a gift exchange there but to please bring a side dish or dessert, and a pasta dish will be provided. Any wishing to donate a Christmas tree block to Beth, who lost a quilt’s worth of them, please bring to Maitland Sew Day.

HOLIDAY SURPRISE


A holiday gift of a FQ (fat quarter) and candy cane was provided from the guild for each member; a basket was passed around so everyone could choose the one they wanted.

DOOR PRIZES

Paula presented 3 door prizes by random drawing. The winner of the 1st, with items from Wilton Brands, Marcus Fabrics, and Aurifil, was Rebecca.

The winner of the 2nd, a length of Marcus Brothers Fabric and a spoon of gray Aurifil thread, was Alissa.
And the winner of the 3rd prize off 8 FQ of Cherrywood Fabrics and Aurifil thread, was Rosary.

SHOW AND TELL


WRAP UP

Sarah reported that our star and tree quilt donated to Council of 101 at the Orlando Museum of Art to be raffled at this year’s Festival of Trees was very popular and brought in several thousand dollars. She knows of someone who bought $100 in tickets and put them all in for our quilt but didn’t win.

LIBRARY

Yanick reported that there are 4 books missing from the guild library, and she asked anyone who took one during the retreat without signing it out to please return it. She also has books signed out by 2 members who have not returned them, and asked that anyone knowing Catherine or Tess, who have those books, to ask them to please return them to her right away.

LUNCH

Members going to lunch together met at Marlowe’s Tavern on S Orange Avenue, Winter Park.


UPCOMING EVENTS
  • ·       Email to OMQG or to Sarah to volunteer to be on the Elections Nominating Committee (to present a slate of candidates at the January 3rd meeting)
  • ·       December 11, 2017 – Maitland Sew Day, Maitland Public Library, 10-4, Holiday Party, please take salad or dessert to share, NO gift exchange
  • ·       December 15, 2017 – Dr. Phillips Sew Day, Dr. Phillips Public Library, 10-4, Holliday Party, please take food to share, take gifts in a small paper bag if you wish to participate in the gift exchange
  • ·       January 3, 2018 – OMQG Meeting – Sewing Center, 10-12
  • ·       January 6, 2018 – Dr. Phillips Sew Day, Dr. Phillips Public Library, 10-4                                 NOTE THAT THIS IS A CHANGE FROM THE USUAL DATE
  • ·       January 8, 2018 – Maitland Sew Day, Maitland Public Library, 10
  • ·       January 18-20, 2018 - Mancuso World Quilt Florida, Orange County Convention Center – OMQG has a guild display
  • ·       January 20, 2018 – Sarah Sharp [No Hats in the House] Feathers & Fish Class at Bernina Sewing Center, Lake Mary, 10-4
  • ·       February 22-25, 2018 - QuiltCon 2018, Pasadena, CA
  • ·       April 21, 2018 – Jen Carlton Bailey class, Dr. Phillips Public Library, 10-4
  • ·       October 20, 2018 – Melissa Averinos class, Dr. Phillips Public Library, 10-4