When your heart hurts so much

When you see a friend in pain, it hurts.  It hurts so badly and you just wish you could carry the load for them, or at least a portion in hopes that their burden is more manageable.

Two months ago one of our guild sisters, Leandra (The Zombie Quilter), tragically lost her 20 year old daughter to a motorcycle accident in the wee hours of September 19.  Our hearts ached for her and we wanted to do what we all do best;  make her a quilt.  Time was of the essence and our guild is quite large so we needed a quick and easy block that was on the small side so all of them would fit.  It also needed to be scrappy so that virtually everyone could participate without having to run to the store.  We noticed that Leandra had a Pinterest board called “For the Love of Purple” and we found a simple and smallish heart block here by Cluck Cluck Sew.  So our plan was to create quilt of purple hearts!  Our board members approved the plan and information was sent out within 24 hours.  Our goal was to have the quilt completed and to give it to her at our next meeting on October 7.  I knew our guild members would not disappoint!  We could do this! 

Why did I know we could do this?  First of all, our guild members, and quilters in general, are such loving and caring people.  And we love to comfort people with our quilts!  I also knew we could do this because in October of 2012 Judy lost her life partner and we made her a beautiful quilt in just a few weeks and without her knowing it.  We even swapped blocks right under her nose at one of our sew days! 

The day after the email went out the blocks started arriving.  Every day blocks were being dropped off or coming in the mail, many with sweet notes of sympathy.  As the collector of the blocks, I have to say that the sentiment of each and every block was so loving.  I could just feel the love that was going to envelop Leandra and her family when she would be presented with the quilt.  It was such an honor to be the one to collect the blocks!  

All in all, we received 48 blocks, one short of a 7x7 grid, but that was no obstacle as we felt that an empty block was symbolic of the loss of Caitlyn.  Beth embroidered her name and three butterflies in the space so that it wasn’t entirely empty, just as we are sure that while there is a huge hole in Leandra’s heart we also know that it is filled with so much love at the same time. 

I want to take a moment to publicly thank Leandra and the opportunity to work on this quilt.  Caitlyn’s death touched me deeply and it has helped to create a friendship with Leandra that I cherish.  Nothing will ever make up for Caitlyn’s loss but I know that many beautiful things have resulted from it. 

Caitlyn, may you spread your wings and fly with nothing holding you back!  

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December Block of Month

Improv Christmas Trees

This month's BOM is an improv Christmas tree block! I saw a blog post by Wombat Quilt's that inspired me. Her guild made improv tree blocks for a donation quilt, and I decided that would be perfect for us for a Christmas quilt!

Her blog post link:

Wombat Quilt's Wonky Tree Instructions

Once you read that post, just kind of use it as your inspiration and do your own thing! The only "rules" to this month's BOM are as follows:

Colors:  Green, triangle tree. Can be solid or prints, its up to you, just needs to be green and a triangle. Can be one whole piece as the triangle, but I think improv pieced triangles would look best, it's up to you.  White/cream/low volume background. Any and/or all for the background pieces, all one or mix it up, it's up to you. Brown, solid or pieced for the trunk piece, it's up to you.

Size: 7"-12", it's up to you. Does NOT need to be square, can also be a rectangle, it's up to you. Also, the tree can be large or small, but please leave at least a 1/4" from the top of the tree to the top of the block so we can attach the blocks together :)

Below are two photos, one of My improv piecing right after I cut it into a triangle, and one of the block finished. Let's get to tree making!! I want to see short trees and tall trees and skinny trees and fat trees!! Its up to you! (See a theme??!!) Merry Christmas y'all :)

 Happy Sewing!

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Meeting minutes Nov 4, 2015

MEETING MINUTES
November 4, 2015
Maitland, FL

Meeting was called to order by President Yanick.  37 members and 5 guests were present.

Vice-President Debra conducted an ice-breaker asking members to come up with a hashtag for this weekend's quilting retreat.  The winning suggestion was #backthatstitchup retreat.

TREASURER'S REPORT
Marge reported that our current balance is $9460.43. (Total reflects income for upcoming retreat; expenses for retreat have not yet been paid.)

The national Modern Quilt Guild is looking for a treasurer.  They are looking for a CPA with previous experience.  Please contact them by November 13 if you are interested.

RAFFLE BASKET

.....was won by Love.

BLOG POST WINNER
....was Ellen.  Don't forget to read our blog and leave a comment for a chance to win our monthly prize!

UFO PROJECTS
The deadline to get this year's UFO projects done is rapidly approaching.  Last day to update Kelly is December 10.  Kelly asked that, if you post a picture of one of your completed projects on social media as a way of showing that is has been completed, please include its title so she knows which item to check off your list.

MAITLAND LIBRARY EXHIBIT
....was a huge success, and they have already asked if we would be willing to do the same next year.  Again, many thanks to Karol and her team for organizing and hanging the quilts. NOTE:  Linda C, Ede has your quilt from the exhibit, and will bring it to the Dec meeting.

UPCOMING SEW DAYS
All of the 2016 dates for Maitland Library Sew Days have been confirmed, as have the first six months of 2016 for the Dr Phillips Library Sew Days.  Please consult the blog to update your calendars.

QUILTING RETREAT
This year's retreat takes place Nov 6-8 at Kenilworth Lodge.  If you aren't able to attend this year, clear your calendar for next November.  Retreat usually takes place around the first of November.

UPCOMING CLASS
Lee Monroe (aka May Chappell online) will conducting a class on Monday, January 25, from 12:30-6 at the Dr Phillips Library.  Details to follow ASAP.

DEMO
Debra A conducted a demo on how to make a small tote for notions and other tools.  These would make great Christmas gifts!  Instructions for the project can be found here.

NOTE:  Both the demo and today's show and tell were made available on Periscope.  These videos are only available for 24 hours, so watch social media for notification that OMQG happenings are appearing on Periscope!

QUILTCON CHARITY QUILT
All of the "sticks and stones" blocks for the Quiltcon quilt were due at today's meeting.  If you did not turn yours in, make sure you get them to Yanick ASAP.

DECEMBER MEETING AND SEW DAY CHRISTMAS PARTY
Our guild Christmas party will take place at the Dr Phillips Library Sew Day on December 19.  A voluntary gift exchange will take place; if you want to participate, bring a handmade quilty object (i.e., mug rug, potholder, mini-quilt, pincushion, etc.) that will fit into a small brown grocery bag, and don't forget your Christmas goodies for the potluck.  Please feel free to bring some Christmas goodies to our December 2 meeting as well, so that we can have some festivities for those who will not be able to attend the Sew Day.  (You can never have too many Christmas goodies.)

FESTIVAL OF TREES QUILT
This year's Festival of Trees quilt was displayed, and it is spectacular!

Many thanks to all who participated, with special gratitude due to the following: Debra J (design), Alissa (piecing), Frank (quilting), and Mary W (binding).  Make sure you attend the FOT at Orlando Museum of Art Nov 14-22 to see our quilt!

ONGOING CHALLENGES
Sharleen will still collect pillowcases for an Army National Guard battalion at our December meeting.  Please see October's minutes for instructions.  We have collected almost 50 pillowcases so far!

If you picked up someone's unwanted UFO project as last month's meeting, remember that December's meeting is the time to show your completed project using that UFO in any way you wish.

SHOW AND TELL

BLOCK OF THE MONTH
Alissa showed an example for next month's "wonky tree" block. (Apologies--gremlins ate the photograph.) See the blog for instructions.

UPCOMING BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS
Our election committee will be forming prior to the December meeting, so please get ready to throw your hat in the ring!  All board positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer) will be open.  Committee chairs (i.e., charity, education, challenges, etc.), are not elected by the membership, but are appointed by the Board.  If you are interested in chairing a committee next year, please contact one of the current Board members so that they may pass your name on to the incoming Board.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:30.  Lunch followed at T.R. Fire Grill.

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Did You Know?....From The MQG

Members, did you see the MQG survey link emailed to you?  Please take a quick moment to participate.  It doesn't take long to complete the survey, and Orlando is being considered as an option for future QuiltCon East location.

Don't forget the deadline is approaching to submit your quilt entry for 2016 QuiltCon.  I have seen some fabulous quilts at Show and Tell so take those quilt photographs and fill out the entry form!

Did you know one of the benefits of OrlandoMQG membership is a free quilt pattern each month from The MQG?  These quilt patterns are designed by MQG members and are unique.  You can find October's and past months on the Community site.

Don't forget to leave a comment on this post to be entered into our monthly door prize drawing.  A winner will be selected midnight Tuesday, November 3rd.

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MEETING MINUTES
October 7, 2015
Maitland, FL

President Yanick called the meeting to order.  3 guests were present, along with about 30 members.

TREASURER'S REPORT
Marge reported that our balance as of the end of September is $8052.04.

RAFFLE BASKET
.....was won by Beth.

BLOG POST WINNER
......was Caroline!

ONGOING UFO PROJECTS
Remember to email Kelly if you have completed any of the projects on the UFO list you submitted to her.  Final deadline for the year coming soon!

PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE EVENTS
Maker Faire Orlando was a huge success.  Over 300 signed blocks were made at our OMQG booth. These will all be used to make pet quilts for shelters; Beth suggested we send them to shelters in South Carolina, for pets of flood victims.  Over 10,000 people attended Maker Faire--great publicity for OMQG!

Deposits are due NOW for our November quilt retreat at Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring.  More than 20 members have currently signed up; if you are a newer member, and feel that you don't know a lot of people in the guild, this is a great way to establish some new friendships. If you weren't at the meeting but plan to go, please contact Marge ASAP as our deposit is due now.  Emails will follow about carpooling, food and supplies to bring, etc. Attendees may arrive in Sebring starting at noon on Friday, Nov 6.

Don't forget to visit the ongoing (until Oct 31) exhibit of OMQG quilts at the Maitland Library. Many thanks to Karol and her team for hanging all the quilts; the librarian told Karol they have never had such an enthusiastic response to an art display before.

DEMOS
Karol gave a demonstration of how to make your own extra-large ironing board, using plywood covered with batting and denim weight fabric.  (Marge mentioned that her husband would be happy to make these for members for a fee.)

Karol also showed how to make your own foam core display wall for your home.

Sharleen demonstrated how to make pillowcases using the "burrito" method.  This will be the next charity Sew Day project in Maitland, on October 12.  We will be making masculine themed pillowcases for an Army National Guard battalion that is awaiting deployment orders.  Please note that Sharleen will not be providing supplies for this project.  You will need to bring prewashed fabric cut as follows: 

main fabric - 27" by WOF
Cuff - 9" by WOF
Optional flange - 2.5" by WOF

Sharleen challenged guild members who are not attending the Maitland Sew Day to also make pillowcases.  She will accept them through our December meeting.  Some tutorials can be found here and here, and the "burrito method" is explained here.

CHARITY AND CHALLENGE PROJECTS
Linda announced that the wheelchair cover challenge is now ended.  If you have completed covers that you have not turned in, please contact her immediately.

This will be our last charity project of the year, due to our other ongoing projects.

All Festival of Trees blocks are due now.  If you have not turned yours in, please get them to Alissa immediately so that she can begin piecing.

Fabrics were distributed for our "Improv With Intent" quilt for the Quiltcon 2016 charity challenge.  These must be completed and returned by our November meeting.  We are making "sticks and stones" (see the blog post below for extensive directions and suggestions.) Fabric may still be available for use at our quilt retreat if you would like to make blocks there.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH
....was won by Kate!

Instructions for November's blocks are shown in the blog post below.

UPCOMING OFFICER ELECTIONS
All current officers will be stepping down when their terms end.  A nominating committee will be formed soon, so start thinking about volunteering to be an officer for the guild.

SHOW AND TELL
The first quilt shown was made for our dear friend Leandra, who is coping with the tragic death of her daughter.  It was given to her in hope that she might find comfort in wrapping herself in the love and best wishes of her fellow OMQG members.

The last quilt shown was one that a member picked up at a yard sale, and is made largely from double-knit polyester.  It's a real "find"!

The meeting ended with a UFO challenge swap.  All of the uncompleted projects brought in by our members found new homes--now we can't wait to see what becomes of them.  Remember to bring your finished projects to our December meeting!

Meeting adjourned at 11:45, followed by lunch at Orlando Ale House.

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