Note:  This text-only document is not the official graphical newsletter (which contains guild photos and may have additional information in graphical form).  If you’re not currently capable of downloading the official PDF version of the newsletter, you can easily remedy that situation by going to the following web site and following the easy instructions for downloading a free copy of Adobe Reader:  www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html  This completely safe download will enable you to not only download guild material that’s in PDF format, but also a variety of other graphical material not related to the guild.

 

VFHQ News – August 2008

 

Clips from Chris

Did you ever actually figure out how much binding you really use on a quilt, not in strips but in feet? Well, I spent a good part of my day cutting, folding and sewing binding on two quilts. One quilt was especially BIG, and of course to make it even bigger, I decided to do a double binding. So that makes two bindings for one “Big Quilt” and one other for a not so big quilt.  After feeling as if I had lifted weights for hours, the first part of attaching the binding to my quilts is complete.  I must say having had Shellie’s “Finishing with Finesse“ fresh on my mind definitely paid off!  THANK YOU, Shellie!  Her ending technique was almost brainless, no more twisted connections.  It is so nice when we have our members teach us some of their favorite techniques.  Now I can easily miter and finish the binding without ripping a stitch.  By the way, I used 96 feet of binding between two quilts! Happy Quilting.

- Chris

 

August Meeting – August 19, 2008

Liz Hawkins of “Lizzie B Cre8ive” will present a lecture on her original designs and quilts.  Lizzie – (Liz) resides in Pennsylvania and loves the conception and design side of LizzieB  She takes her sketchbook wherever she goes because she never knows when a quilt might pop into her head!  When she’s not sketching, she’s busy stitching.  For more information about Lizzie B Cre8ive visit http://www.lizziebcre8ive.com/about.asp

Refreshments

Sweet                           Savory                         Drinks

Mary Plewinski Martine Green               Marie Waters

Norma Brechbiel           Donna Raymond           Beth Quigley

Joan Gunder                  Beth Quigley                 Ruth Heslin

Carol Dilks                    Laura Chaplar               Cathy Fennell

 

Deadline – August 19

August 19 is the deadline for Quilt Show entry forms.  IMPORTANT: If you’re not sure if you’ll have a potential entry done in time, submit the form anyway – it’s much easier for the organizers to take-away than it is to add.  Please don’t wait until the last minute – if we can enter the information gradually, it will be so much easier.  Remember you can submit three (3) quilts and all guild activity/workshop quilts.  Registration forms are on the website and if you can send them electronically to fennell@rosemont.edu (Cathy Fennell), again it makes the entry easier (if you’re unsure about submitting your forms on-line, you’ll find easy directions on the web site).  Send your entries individually or as a group.  (If using snail mail send to Cathy Fennell, 32 Clearfield Ave., Eagleville, PA 19403).  Mark your calendar, the deadline for entries is August 19, 2008. Don’t miss out!

 

Quilt Show Committee Meeting

The next meeting of the chair people for the quilt show will be September 8, 2008 at 7:00.  We will meet at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints off Trooper Road in Trooper, PA (map available on the guild web site).  

 

Bees Bees Bees Bees Bees

August

Afternoon Bee—2nd Tuesday – August 12, 2008, 12:30-3:30 pm., at the home of Rosemary Geisler, 305 Tavistock Drive, Royersford, Pa, 610-792-3436.

Evening Bee—4th Tuesday – August 26, 2008, 6:30-9:00 pm., at the home of Lou Chandler, 4 Ferry Lane, Phoenixville, PA.

September

Afternoon Bee – 2nd Tuesday – September 9, 2008, 12:30-3:30 pm., at the home of Gloria Clark, 762 Laurel Lane, Wayne, PA, 610-687-1728.

Evening Bee – 4th Tuesday – September 23, 2008, 6:30-9:00 pm., at the home of Chris Candello, 322 Vista Drive, Phoenixville, PA, 610-948-1061.

Our Bees are open to all members of the Valley Forge Homestead Quilters Guild.  They offer an opportunity to share quilting information and renew friendships.  We work on our own hand projects (as there’s not usually room for sewing machines); we assist each other by suggesting ways to layout quilt blocks, work with colors, etc.; and we enjoy each others company in a smaller venue.  Please check your calendar and see if you are able to join one or both of the Bees this month.  If you would like to host one of the Bees, please contact Jean Hayden (Afternoon Bee) or Beth Quigley (Evening Bee).

 

Guild Workshops Mark Your Calendars! 

“Shabby Chic” Original wall hanging design - Liz Hawkins

DATE:    August 23, 2008

TIME:     9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

PLACE:  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, King of Prussia, PA

COST:     $20.00

BRING:   Supply list will be provided upon payment to Jean Hayden

 

UFO Workshop – bring your unfinished projects to complete in time for the Quilt Show.

DATE:    September 13, 2008

TIME:     9:30 – 4:00 PM

PLACE:  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, King of Prussia, PA

COST:     $5.00

BRING:   Unfinished Objects, whatever it takes to finish them.

 

Giant Fabric & Quilting Book Sale

September 16, 2008

Clear out your unwanted fabric from your stash – fabrics you liked when purchased, but that you now know they are probably not going to get used. Included in the sale this year are any quilting books you may want to part with or duplicates you may have.  Why not sell them at our September 18th meeting?  All monies realized would go directly back to you so that you can buy more new fabric to replace what you just sold.  And remember – one quilter’s stash-trash is another quilter’s treasure.  So whether you’re bringing fabric to sell or not, come prepared with cash for those treasures you’re sure to find!

Here are the guidelines:

1.  You set the price

2.  Each piece of fabric, “package” of fabrics or quilting books must be clearly labeled with:

- your name

- price you are asking

- yardage or size of fabric (not for books)

Put all this information on a removable label or tag so when the buyer goes to pay at the cashier table it can be recorded on the “sellers” sheet.

You may also sell kits, completed tops or orphan blocks.  (PLEASE no U.F.O.s”.)  All items or packages must be labeled like above.

Pre-register your name with Sally Rapp (610-489-6892) by Friday, September 14 if you plan to sell fabric.  Since we have to plan the set-up in advance, only names registered will be given table space at the September meeting.

Buyers need to pay in cash, so come prepared.

Bring your own shopping bag to take home your purchases.

We hope this will give members an opportunity to earn some money for themselves while cleaning out your fabric stash or quilting books to make room for more.

If you have questions, please call Sally Rapp or Gloria Clark.  Members who wish to participate must notify Sally before Saturday, September 13, 2008.  Members who don’t sign up or notify Sally will not have a space.

 

 “Cash for Stash” aka 50-50 with a Twist

Look for this new game to start at the August guild meeting!  The first three months of Cash for Stash is played like 50-50; 50% of the cash for the winner and 50% for the guild.  We’re planning new and exciting twists of this game as the year progresses.  Let’s have fun while some lucky member gets more cash for their stash.  You can purchase your tickets ($1 each) before the meeting and during the break.  The winning ticket will be drawn following the break.  See the sisters for your chance to get Cash for Stash.
-The Sisters, Nancy Hannum and Kate Sevensky

 

Challenge Ideas Requested!

As we near the end of this year’s challenge, it’s time to consider the challenge for the up-coming year.  If you have any ideas, please submit them to Linda Hammel ASAP either in person at the meeting or by e-mail or by phone.

And if you’d like to participate on a committee to determine and outline the upcoming challenge, e-mail Linda ASAP.   

 

Fat Quarter Raffle

The current Quarter Raffle drawing will occur at September’s guild meeting.  The fabric theme for this time is Thimbleberries.  To participate, simply bring a fat quarter, place it in the designated basket, along with your name, and you’ll be eligible for the drawing to win them all!   You will receive one chance to win for each fat quarter you contribute.  The guidelines are simple:

1.  The fabric must be a fat quarter measuring 18" X 22".

2.  It should be washed and ironed

3.  It must keep to the announced theme

4.  It should be “quilt-shop-quality” fabric

Any questions, contact Jean Corday.

 

Birthdays 

August

August 3           Barbara Sherman

August 9           Martha Klein

August 11         Erin Holvoet

August 14         Kathy Graff

August 15         Vickie Lopresti

August 18         Linda Weimar

August 19         Susan Yayac

August 20         Eileen Almeida

August 21         Linda Ulinski

August 29         Diana Richardson

September

September 2      Linda Hamel

September 5      Deb Graves

September 12    Cathy Radcliffe

September 13    Laura Sypniewski

September 15    Jacqui Santangelo

September 22    Jean Hayden

September 27    Sherlee Hilberg

September 28    Maryanne Brooke

September 30    Lori Wilson Memmen

 

Meeting Minutes – July 15, 2008

Meeting Commenced:  7:02 pm

Chris Candello welcomed all including two guests, Marie Trexler and her daughter.

Door Prizes: Marge Quinn, Winnie Spoontz and Mary Plewinski.

Ice Cream social (7:05 – 7:40)

Bees:  Ally Howell will host the evening bee on Tuesday, July 22nd at 6:30 p.m.;
Gloria Clark will host the afternoon bee on Tuesday, August 12th at 12:30 p.m.

BOM (Eagle) winner:  MareBeth Conrad.  Next month’s block is an owl.  

Fat Quarters:  Jean Corday reminded all that this quarter (July/August/September) the fabric is Thimbleberries. 

Fall Retreat – Sally Rapp advised that there are a few openings left.  The dates are Nov. 6th – 9th. 

Raffle Quilt Tickets:  Donna Raymond was not able to be at the meeting due to medical tests. 

Medical Updates:  Joan Markowitz is doing well after her knee replacement; Gloria Clark was scheduled for testing on Friday (update: testing postponed until 8/11).

Workshops:  Jean Hayden thanked Shellie Blake for the July 12th workshop on how to square-up a quilt, measure for and apply borders; Jean now expects/wants all quilts to be finished and displayed in the Quilt Show.   August 23 - Liz Hawkins at Good Shepherd Church.  The cost is $20.00; a supply list will be available upon payment.  Liz will be the speaker at the August meeting. 

Quilt Show News:  Jean Hayden reminded members that Registration forms for showing your quilts and miscellaneous items are available on the internet.  These forms should be submitted via e-mail or at the next meeting; e-mailing these forms is much preferred.  If in doubt as to whether a quilt will be done, submit a form anyway (it’s much easier to remove entries than to add them).  Quilt Show Meeting for chairmen is scheduled for Monday, September 8th at 7:00 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, off of Trooper Road.

Miscellaneous:  Sign-up sheet for the Hershey Quilt Show was passed around. 

Tonight’s Program: Jackie Gaucker, owner of Quilter’s Palette spoke about felted wool and showed her quilts and accomplishments.  Jackie was very entertaining and gave many suggestions about wool. She had wool fabric as well as wool kits to sell.

Show and Tell 

Meeting Adjourned:  9:22 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted:
Marge Quinn, Recording Secretary

 

Membership Renewal Time

Time to re-up!  Membership renewal will start in August (at the August meeting) and run through September.  Annual dues are $25.  Please plan accordingly and be ready to give your check or cash to the Membership Committee at the August or September meeting OR mail your check to Linda Hamel, 334 Avon Avenue, Collegeville, PA 19426.  The Executive Board and your Membership Committee appreciate your help in expediting renewal – ours is a very active guild and we need everyone’s prompt action to accomplish this by the October deadline.  Thanks!

 

Quilter’s Retreat

The fall Quilter’s Retreat weekend will be November 6, 7, 8, and 9.  For more information or to put down your $20.00 deposit, contact Sally Rapp.  For those who have deposited, the balance of the cost is due to Sally by our September Meeting, September 16, 2008.

 

Are You Up to the Challenge?

The culmination of our challenge 2007-2008 – Pennsylvania Challenge – is rapidly approaching.  By way of review, please see the rules on the website.  Good luck to all who are working to complete their projects.

All questions regarding this challenge should be directed to Linda Hamel at 610.454-1283 or dhamel1283@aol.com

 

Looking for Artists/Quilters

The YWCA Tri-County Area is celebrating its 100th Anniversary, as well as holding its 19th annual Women’s Festival of Art to showcase the talented women artists in our area on Friday, October 10th and Saturday, October 11th.  The exhibit will be held at the Montgomery County Community College West Campus, 101 Campus Drive, Pottstown, in conjunction with the Schuylkill River Festival.  On Friday, October 10th, there will be an opening reception for artists, guests, and visitors with a preview show and sale.  This provides visitors a chance to get to know the artist and to purchase artwork in advance.

This is one of the YWCA’s major annual fund raisers.  For artists, there is a $25.00 registration fee to apply to the show, and ad sales commission of 30%.  All art is welcome!  We are even adding a Quilt Show, something new to the festival this year!  For quilters, there is a $10.00/quilt entry fee to exhibit for the entire 2-day festival.  For those who wish to sell their quilts (optional) there is a 30% sales commission.  Women artists and quilters are all encouraged to join this event and expose the community to the arts while supporting the YWCA and its mission.

With your involvement and wonderful talent, we are able to make a difference in women’s lives and the lives of their families through support, education, and nurturing.  If you have any questions, or would like an application/sponsor form, please feel free to contact Mary Fisher – mfisher@ywcatricountyarea.org.

 

Two Quilt Exhibits at the Philadelphia Museum of Art

Gee’s Bend: The Architecture of the Quilt:  September 16 – December 14, 2008.  This exhibition takes a fresh look at the quilting tradition in Gee’s Bend, Alabama, introducing new artists and new motifs in works ranging from the early twentieth century through 2005.  Nearly 65 quilts, all of which are being shown for the first time will be presented.  See generations of quilt making as it takes on the highest form of expression and innovation.

African-American Quilts from the Ella King Torrey Collection:  Fall 2008.  The collection was formed between 1981 and 1983 and includes thirteen examples by leading southern quilt makers.  Among its highlights are an appliquéd “word quilt” by the Mississippi artist Sarah Mary Taylor (born 1916) and one of her “hand” quilts, a version commissioned for the film The Color Purple.

 

Quilt Shows 

Patchwork Politics: From George to George W: June 6 – December 31, 2008 at the Heritage Center Museum, 5 West King Street, Lancaster.  An outstanding exhibition of quilts, clothing and memorabilia made to commemorate America’s Presidential campaigns.  For more information visit www.lancasterheritage.com.

Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XV:  September 4 – 7, 2008; Expo Hall PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA.  For more information: www.quiltfest.com.

Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild Exhibit 2008:  September 6 – 28, 2008; Gmeiner Art & Cultural Center, 134 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901; 2-5 PM daily.  For more information call 570-724-7680 or email hillscreekquilter@yahoo.com

Quilts in the Mill: Prallsville Mills, Rt. 29, Stockton, NJ; October 3 – 5, 2008; for information contact delager@verizon.net or call 215-801-4565 or visit Courthousequilters.com.

The Quilt Crafters of NEPA are hosting the Harvest of the Quilts IX on October 4th and 5th from 9:00am-4:00pm. For information please email us at quiltcrafters@hotmail.com.  Information to enter a quilt will be available at the Information Table at our Guild meeting.

 

Reflecting on Conceptions of "women’s work"

Two exhibitions focusing on the material manifestations of women's identity will open at the Philip and Muriel Berman Museum of Art at Ursinus College this fall. Women's Work: Two Exhibitions Looking at Women's Bodies of/as Work will bring together 19th century quilts from the collection of well-known collector Judy Roche, with the textile and body-based works of contemporary artists Tamar Stone and Christine LoFaso.

The exhibitions are scheduled to open Sept. 14 and run through Dec. 7 in both the Main and Upper galleries in the museum.   The museum is open 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesday through Friday; noon to 4:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday, and closed Mondays and college holidays.  Admission is free.  For group tour information call 610-409-3500.

 Working Women: Quilts from the Judy Roche Collection will showcase the exuberant and often virtuosic intricacies of what we think of traditionally as mundane icons of women's work. Accounts such as Alice Walker's story "Everyday Use" remind us that quilts have come to serve as metaphors or visual vehicles for the histories of women's lives, their habitation in the domestic sphere, their creativity and sense of community. Many of the quilts in the exhibit were sewn in Pennsylvania.

Tamar Stone and Christine LoFaso: Women's Bodies of/as Work may prompt viewers to recontextualize what they see in the quilt exhibition by reconsidering the implications of women's association with the artifacts of domesticity. Tamar Stone's bed projects will ask: When is a bed not a place of rest, but a platform of confinement? When do the routines of women's work and the fashionable manipulations of women's bodies act as restraints of identity, rather than constructively shaping that identity? Both artists focus on the intersections of fabric, fabrication and the body in their work, reflecting on historical material and conventions as a way of reforming our perceptions of them.
-Women's Work art exhibitions/Wendy Greenberg/Director of Media Relations, 610-409-3300

 

Interested in Art Quilts ?

Like to bead – add embellishments – use unusual techniques – think out of the box, let us know if you are interested in getting together to learn these things and discuss art quilts and quilting.  Perhaps there are enough of us to form a mini art quilt group?  If interested, there will be a sign-up sheet available at the Information Table at the next guild meeting.  Nothing formal, just lots of fun and experimentation!

 


Ricky Tims’ Seminar

 

Quilter Needed

I am looking for someone to make five (5) memorial quilts. Is there someone in your group that would take on this type of request? If so, please forward my contact info in this email.

Much appreciation,
Cynthia Miller, Resource Manager, Hemsley Fraser, Inc., Hm. Ofc. 484 973 6030, Mobile: 610 209 9858

 

September Meeting Preview – September 16, 2008

Our challenge quilts will be displayed, voted upon, and ribbons presented.  (You have about a month remaining to finish your projects.)  It’s important that you notify Linda Hamel now, 610-454-1283, if you plan to bring a challenge quilt (even if you’re not yet positive that you’ll get it done, notify Linda) so we can gauge how many quilt stands to set up for the evening.  (As usual, only one entry per member).  Next year’s challenge will be revealed.  And we will also have our “3rd” giant fabric sale.  Please see more information about the sale in this newsletter.

 

Thank You

Thanks to those members who volunteered to sell tickets at the Hershey Quilt Show.  It was a great three days of sales and we sold close to $350.00 of raffle tickets.  Your sales ability and friendliness was what helped us achieve this and I truly appreciate you taking the time to do this.
-Cathy Fennell

 

                      

Guild Officers

President – Chris Candello

Vice President – Jean Hayden

Treasurer – Gail Dovalovsky

Recording Secretary – Marge Quinn

Corresponding Sec – Linda Hamel

Immediate Past President – Lou Chandler

                Committee Chairs

Program Chair – Gloria Clark

Workshops – Jean Hayden

Newsletter – Cathy Fennell
                & Lou Chandler

Web Master – Lou Chandler

Refreshments – Paula Pettyjohn

Set-up – Cathy Fennell

Hostess/ Door Prizes – Patti McLain, Marebeth Conard

Hospitality – Donna LeBlanc, Joan Gunder, Lisa Hudock

Block of the Month –Rosemary Geisler

Quilt Show – Jean Hayden

Quilt Bees – Jean Hayden (day)  
                             Beth Quigley (night) 

Retreats – Sally Rapp

Excursions – Susan Glaser

Comfort Quilts – Shirley Horning

Publicity – Nancy Hannum

Historian – Nancy Hannum, Lisa Hudock

Library – Art & Ethel Hutchison

AQS book sales – Kathy Graff

Member Comfort – Judy Snook, Rosemary Geisler

Sunshine – Norma Brechbiel





Newsletter Submissions

Inclusions for the next newsletter must be received by the first of the month.  (If e-mailing your article, an MS Word file is preferred, articles embedded in e-mails are acceptable, of course, but require more work on our end.)

Cathy Fennell
fennell@rosemont.edu (preferred)
32 Clearfield Avenue
Eagleville, PA 19430
610-630-8645 (home)
610-526-2973 (work)

 

 

Guild Meetings

   DATE: Third Tuesday of each month

   TIME:   7 p.m.

   PLACE:  Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, King of Prussia, PA