Interested in next year's Sari Bari auction?

There were several members that expressed interest in working on quilts for the Sari Bari auction.  Beth P. let me know there was a post on the Sari Bari Facebook page yesterday saying that if anyone wants to participate in next year's quilt auction to email quiltauction (at) saribari (dot) com to get your name on the list.

Don't forget the Sew-In this Saturday.  Hope we have a good turnout!

Sew-In & Links For Holiday Items

Our November Sew-In is coming up in about a week (Saturday, November 16).  I think I will work on some Christmas ornaments and other holiday items.

November Sew-In

Saturday, November 16

1:00 - 5:00

Dowd YMCA

7th Floor Conference Room (larger room to right of elevator)

To help inspire us and give us great ideas, Elizabeth B. sent me the links she shared at our last meeting.

Handmade Holiday Links: 

258 Crafts for Christmas: 

http://spoonful.com/christmas/christmas-decorations

Christmas Button Tree: 

http://balzerdesigns.typepad.com/balzer_designs/2010/12/christmas-button-tree 

DIY Christmas Decorations: 

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/craft-ideas-for-christmas-decorations-1209#slide-1

Wreaths: 

http://www.marthastewart.com/359024/christmas-wreaths

Decorations and more: 

http://www.hgtv.com/handmade-holidays/package/index.html             

http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/

Kid-Friendly: 

http://www.parents.com/holiday/christmas/crafts/

Inspired Mini Quilt Swap/Challenge

At our meeting last week Xandi announced our next swap/challenge.  Get INSPIRED and bring your inspiration piece to the December party!  Here is the information sheet she shared.


December Party - Sign up and bring inspiration piece (photo, picture, fabric, color, etc.)

February Meeting - Mini quilt is due

Inspired Mini Quilt Swap/Challenge

Our next swap is one I’ve seen other MQGs doing – you bring in an inspiration picture, and someone else makes you a mini quilt (any size) inspired by your prompt. Here are some possible inspiration pieces:

·       a photo you’ve taken

·       a picture from a magazine

·       a printout from art.com of your favorite Monet

·       a picture your kid drew

·       a piece of fabric

·       a color palate

·       photos of the décor in the room where it will hang when done

…or something else. Your partner isn’t COPYING your picture (unless they just want to), they are using it as a jumping off point.

This one takes some thought, so you have a long time. Bring in your picture and this form on DEC 12^TH. The mini quilt we be due FEB 27^th. That’s 2.5 months.

Judging? I have a little fabric prize -would you like this to be a judged challenge? We would be looking at the favorite interpretation of the inspiration piece, not at your quilting skills. If not it can be a raffle for participation. Vote below, majority rules. And don’t not participate because you are afraid you will be judged – you can always say you do not want to be considered when you show your quilt.

Xandi

Name ___________________________________________________

Email ____________________________________________________

I’d like this to be a judged challenge ______

I don’t want this to be a judged challenge ______

Ideas for future swaps:

THANKSgiving

At our meeting last week I was struck by how much of the meeting centered around giving...

-  to those we love in our recent swap
-  to women oceans away in India (Sari Bari)
-  tote bags to Red Cross volunteers
-  new book for the guild library (Thanks Diane M.)
-  a quick and easy stocking pattern/demo (Thanks Elizabeth B.; pattern link below)
-  and a surprise turnaround for some donated blocks

I've always known quilters have great hearts but this fact shone brightly last week.

http://fabricworm.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-stocking-tutorial.html

SWAP FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE

We had the reveals for the items we made for our swap partners.  Here is a recap of this fun swap!

Elizabeth B. made adorable elephants for Kelleigh's twin godchildren.
Free pattern and tutorial at Birch Fabrics

Kelleigh, our resident bag EXPERT with a capital "E", made a beautiful Aeroplane bag for Kim's mother.     Pattern for sale here - SewSweetness blog

Kim made the most "amazing amazing amazing" (my son's description) Yoda/Darth Vader pillowcase and a matching bedside book caddy for my son.  I wish I had recorded his reaction when I gave the items to him, priceless.  He has told me several times since then how much he LOVES his items!! Thank you Kim!
Free Star Wars blocks from QuietPlay blog & Craftsy store
Free bed book caddy pattern at Sew4Home site

Yoda

Or flip it over to the "dark side"

I (Karen) made a pink Buttercup Bag for Beth P's granddaughter.
Free pattern at Made-By-Rae blog

Beth made a beautiful wall hanging from Indian fabrics for Sue's sister that has been battling an illness.

RED CROSS BAGS

This program wrapped up this month with 4 more bags being turned in.  We will be donating 20 bags to the Red Cross for their volunteers.  Way to go CMQG!

A SURPRISE TURNAROUND

OK, I hope I get this story right because it is a GOOD one.

Back in September there was a stack of units on the counter with a note that said something like "Free- take if desired".  They were quite lovely and I wondered who brought them and why the person had donated them.  Well, at the end of the meeting the blocks were still on the counter back with the library books, so Elaine N. (our librarian) packed them up with the books and took them home.

This month Elaine brought the blocks back...   in the form of a FANTASTIC BABY QUILT for Elizabeth B.!  You see Elizabeth was the person that originally donated the blocks.  She said she had stared at the blocks for so long and did not know what in the world to do with them.  Now she can use the quilt to cuddle up with her baby.  How sweet!

Thanks Elizabeth, thanks Elaine... this made me SMILE!  

Have a great week,

Karen E.

Ideas and links for ornament swap

Hi CLT MQG! 

Here are some free tutorials you might like to use for our ornament swap in December. Remember your ornament can be anything crafty – knitting, beading, papercraft, etc. You only see sewing represented below because that is all I am familiar with, but do whatever makes you happy!

Can’t wait to see them!

Xandi

 

http://www.elsiemarley.com/pattern-for-a-half-eaten-gingerbread-man.html

http://myfantastictoys.blogspot.com/2009/11/felt-christmas-ornament-tutorial.html

http://www.favequilts.com/Quilted-Ornaments/Scrappy-Christmas-Tree-Ornaments/ml/1

                                  

 http://www.favequilts.com/Quilted-Ornaments/Fabric-House-Ornament/ct/1

 http://www.favequilts.com/Quilted-Ornaments/Vintage-Baubles-Felt-Christmas-Ornaments/ct/1

  http://heatherkojan.blogspot.com/2012/10/christmas-bunting-ornament.html

http://juicy-bits.typepad.com/juicy_bits/2009/12/131-give-a-hoot-for-the-holidays.html

http://mysparkle.blogspot.com/2010/11/matryoshka-doll-ornament.html

       http://www.stayathomeartist.com/2011/12/mistletoe-pomander-ornament.html

Look who is on Sew Mama Sew today!

CMQG member Beth P., Sari Bari and the gorgeous quilts are featured on Sew Mama Sew today!!

There is a great slideshow featuring the quilts that will be auctioned starting November 1.

Check it out here:
http://www.sewmamasew.com/2013/10/2013-sari-bari-quilt-auction-raffle/

Beth showing her gorgeous Sari Bari quilt at our past meeting.

Upcoming Programs & Dates

I have SO MUCH to share from the meeting last night that I will need to break it out into several posts.

I'll start with some key dates and upcoming events.

November Sew-In
Saturday, November 16
1:00 - 5:00
Dowd YMCA
7th Floor Conference Room (larger room to right of elevator)

Bring your machines or a hand project or just come and socialize.  This is a great way to meet new people and get to know members.


December Party
Thursday, December 12
6:00
Dowd YMCA
Bring a dish, dessert, or appetizer to share

There will be NO meeting in November due to the Thanksgiving holiday and our next meeting will be our potluck get together on Thursday, December 12.


December Block-of-the-Month
Join in the fun of the monthly BOM.  For each block you turn in you get a chance to win them all.

Block:  Magic Hourglass
Tutorial:  http://thehappyzombie.com/blog/?p=457
Color Scheme:  Yellow, Rusty/Orange With White Background
Due:  December Party

Congrats to Beth P. for winning the lovely assortment of aqua and gray blocks from October's BOM.


December Ornament(s) Swap
We will be swapping ornaments at the December party.  Anything handmade...  fabric, fiber, yarn, clay, paper, anything!  For each ornament you bring you will get to swap for another handmade ornament.

I love to hang handmade ornaments on my tree, and it's even better when I know they are made by friends!

Xandi has put together a list of fun ornament ideas and tutorials.  I will post that on the blog in the next day or so.


OK, that is it for now.  More to come in the next few days about our other meeting topics and the Swap For Someone You Love items and pictures.  

Boy oh boy you should have seen my son's reaction to his swap items from Kim.  He L-O-V-E-D them!!!

Happy Weekend,
Karen E.