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 – May 2009

 

Clips from Chris

As I pack for my trip to the Ricky Tims seminar, I sense eyes watching me ever so closely. My black Lab follows me everywhere, including shower time.  She inspects everything I put in my bag...hmm, she is better than airport security, although, I guess she is already in the “missing her mommy mode.”   Spoiled pet that she is, she raided her special doggie treat box while I was busy with my preparations.  She even took herself on a walk in the neighborhood without her master—bad dog, but I love her, she is my girl.  This just adds to the excitement of my trip with many guild friends to attend the Ricky Tims seminar in Maryland.  I will truly miss all my guild friends at retreat…please do some sewing for me.  I will see you in May.
- Chris Candello

 

May Meeting:  May 19, 2009

Join us in the Church Sanctuary for a unique trunk show of wonderful vintage quilts.  Our own Arlene Greenwald has a treasure trove of family heirloom quilts that she’s willing to share with us.  Arlene will not only show the quilts but will also reveal some of their interesting stories. 

Refreshments

Savory                         Sweet                           Beverages

Nancy Hannum Kate Sevensky              Jeanne Dzedzy

Carole Divis                  Arlene Greenwald         Laura Chaplar

Candy Garrido               Gail Dovalovsky            Beth Quigley

Theresa Martini Ann Lister                    Carole Armstrong

Chris Candello               Beth Quigley                 Maryanne Brooke

 

Bees Bees Bees Bees Bees… 

Afternoon Bee – 2nd Tuesday    

May

May 12, 2009, 12:30 – 3:30 PM, at the home of Rosemary Geisler, 305 Tavistock Drive, Royersford, PA, 610-792-3436

June

June 9, 2009, 12:30 – 3:30 PM, at the home of Candy Garrido, 602 Landis Road, Harleysville, PA, 215-256-7989

Evening Bee – 4th Tuesday

May

May 26, 2009, 6:30 – 9:00 PM, at the home of Marge Quinn, 919 Fillmore Road, Norristown, PA, 610-941-2536

June

June 23, 2009, 6:30 – 9:00 PM, at the home of Beth Quigley, 504 Susan Drive, King of Prussia, PA, 610-292-9090

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 (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).

 

Birthdays 

May

May 2               Beth Quigley

May 5               Shirley Horning

May 6               Cynthia DiLorenzo
                        Margaret Gingerich

May 14             Ruth Heslin

May 22 Carol Dilks

May 26 Irene Pettigrew

June

June 4               Sally Rapp

June 5               Mare Beth Conard

June 8               Nancy Hannum

June 20 Candy Garrido

June 23 Joyce Stemple

June 28 Donna Raymond

 

Book Notes

A review by our own professional librarian

Jennifer Chiaverini has done it again.  Her latest books are great reads, one with excellent recipes and the newest with historical detail.  Great vacation reading, enjoy!

Chiaverini, Jennifer.  The Quilter’s Kitchen: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel with Recipes.  Simon & Schuster, 2008.

The Quilter’s Kitchen follows the story of Anna Del Maso as she becomes the head chef of Elm Creek Quilts, Waterford, Pennsylvania’s popular quilting retreat.  The story details the various areas of the retreat, especially the kitchen during its renovation.  It includes favorite characters, but the best part is the wonderful recipes in each chapter.  A great book to read but also a great gift for the chef you know whether they quilt or not.

Chiaverini, Jennifer.  The Lost Quilter: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel.  Simon & Schuster, 2009.

This is the next historical novel by Jennifer Chiaverini.  The story is introduced by our favorite characters, Sylvia Bergstrom and Sarah McClure as the discover a treasure in the newly renovated barn on the estate.  This treasure unfolds the story of Joanna, the runaway slave that the Bergstrom family befriended as she tried to escape to Canada and freedom.  It takes us back to a not so pleasant time in the history of the United States with the issues of secession and slavery.  It does have quilts, quilting, and sewing throughout the story as well as a terrific story of Joanna and her family and their attempt to be free people in a tempestuous time. 
- Cathy Fennell

 

2009 Block of the Month

2009's Block of the Month is being adapted from the Fons and Porter book, Stars*and*Stripes Sampler. May’s block is the Life block on page 21.  Check out page 23, June’s block is Pursuit of Happiness.  Please remember to bring your completed block to the guild meeting to exhibit it and take a chance to win a prize.  If you have any questions or need help with your blocks or fabric selection, please do not hesitate to call me.  
Thank you,  Beth Quigley

 

Guild Workshops

Ladies Swap Night — with Linda & Amy of Generations Quilt Shop

DATE:  June 5, 2009

TIME:  6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

PLACE:  Trinity Reformed Church, Collegeville, PA (on Main Street, right across the street from Ursinus College)

PRICE:  $15.00 (includes light dinner) – See Jean Hayden to sign up.

DRESS:  Wear your favorite loungewear!

Bed & Breakfast Quilt – Mimi Dietrich             

DATE:  June 17, 2009

TIME:  9:00 AM – 12:30 PM

PLACE: Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Trooper, PA

PRICE:  $10.00 non-refundable deposit plus $20.00 – Total $30.00 (Includes pattern).  See Jean Hayden to sign up.

Our June workshop with Mimi Dietrich, celebrated quilter whose books have sold over one half million copies, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us as quilters to learn from the master right in our own backyard.  The quilt we will be making with her is entitled "Twilight in the Garden."  This is a scrappy quilt for which you, if you have any kind of stash at all, will not have to purchase any fabric.  In the first half of the class we will machine piece blocks for the center of the quilt using a fast technique called "Mary Triangles."  In the second half of the class, we will learn to appliqué the vine, leaves, and hearts around the border.  If you prefer, you don't have to add the appliqué around the border.  It's beautiful with or without.  Mimi offers free patterns on her website: www.mimidietrich.com   While current registrations indicate that the workshop is full, you are certainly welcome to be put on the wait list.

Neo Stella — Barbara Persing

DATE:  September 26, 2009

TIME:  9:30 AM – 4:00 PM

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

PRICE:   TBD

Heart & Home — Betty Neff                                                                                             

DATE:  October 21, 2009

TIME:  9:00 Am – 12:30 PM

PLACE:  Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, Trooper, PA

PRICE:  TBD

“My husband claimed "Heart and Home"   (86" x 108") as I was making the Log Cabin blocks.  He likes these colors and he helped choose the pineapple, a favorite motif of ours, for the appliqué.  Use any 6" block design you like for the house blocks to give your quilt your own style.  Heart and Home was hand quilted by The Balls Mills Quilters.” – Betty Neff

 

More on the Mimi Dietrich Workshop

If you have signed up for the June 17th. workshop with Mimi Dietrich, you will be receiving cutting instructions for the class at our May guild meeting.  Mimi would prefer we do not sew before the class as she has her own technique for piecing the blocks we will be making.  Clue: We will be cutting only squares and rectangles, no triangles.

 

Fat Strip Quarters Raffle

The current Fat Quarter Raffle drawing will occur at June’s guild meeting.  The fabric theme for this time is floral.  To participate, simply bring Fat Strip Quarters.  The strips should be 2 ½” WOF – floral fabric.  For every 3 strips brought in (equaling approximately 7 ½” of fabric), you are eligible for one entry.  Place them in the designated basket, along with your name, and you’ll be eligible for the drawing to win them all!   The winner’s name will be pulled in June along with an extra prize.   The guidelines are simple:

1.  The strips should 2 ½” Width Of Fabric (WOF)

2.  It must keep to the announced theme

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

Any questions, contact Jean Corday.

 

50 - 50 with a Twist  

50/50 With a Twist - Progressive Pot collected $77 there was $30 remaining from March for a total of $107 (divided in half) = $80 (approximately) and the winner was Becky Weiland. The pot was divided in half plus 2/3.  In May the pot will be divided in half plus what remains from April.  Tickets are $1 eachor 6 for $5.  Good luck!
The Sisters, Kate and Nancy and their quilting friend, Sally

 

Meeting Minutes – April 21, 2009

Meeting Commenced:  7:00 pm.  Chris Candello welcomed all members including one new member, Ellen Kirkner and three guests: Betty Weiland, Regina Brown and Linda Stobeck

Comfort Quilts:  Jean Corday delivered 55 quilts, 35 to the University of Pennsylvania, 20 to St. Chris’ along with 24 surgical dolls on Good Friday.  This brings the total for dolls to 85.  The Comfort Quilt Committee met on 4/8/09 and cut 23 quilt kits and 18 doll kits.  Jean would like to deliver more quilts to the VA Hospital in Spring City around November.  Jean is requesting that if members are interested, they cut 7 ½ and/or 10 ½” blocks with a masculine theme; the quilts should be 42-44” wide for easier assembly.

Door Prizes:  Tonight’s theme was “Chinese Food”; the prizes were in pastel containers.  The winners were Jacqui Santangelo, Denny Shaw and Sally Lightcap. 

Bees:  Evening Bee: April 28th at 6:30 p.m. will be hosted by Laura Chaplar; additional parking on Boro Line Road – ½ block away; Afternoon Bee on May 12th at 12:30 p.m. will be hosted by Rosemary Geisler. 

Ricky Tims update:  email will be going out to those who are going. 

Sign Up Sheet for refreshments was circulated.

Library is now being run by Carol Dilks.  Please see Carol with any suggestions.

New Longarmer:  Maryanne Brooke, a Guild member. 

May 2009 Retreat:  See Vickie Lopresti for room assignments and paperwork.  There is still availability. 

Workshops:   Generations: Friday, June 5th  from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Collegeville.  Dress comfy.  Tumbler block/flower pot pattern quilt.  Suggested fabric: red, white and blue 8” WOF strips (1-12 strips).  An accu-cutting machine will be available.  The cost is $15 which includes dinner.  See Newsletter for details and fat quarter exchange.  Mimi Dietrich will be at Latter Day Saints Church in Trooper from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for a Bed and Breakfast quilt workshop on June 17th.  The cost will be $30.  Her scrappy book will be available, which is now out of print.  Visit www.mimidietrich.com.  Barbara Persing will do a strata workshop on September 26th at Good Shepherd Church.  Barbara Neff will have an appliqué workshop October 21st from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Latter Day Saints Church.  See Jean Hayden for sign-up.  Weaver Fever workshop had a very good turnout. 

Excursions:   Not discussed.  

2009 Challenge:  Judy Snook explained this year’s challenge and encourages everyone to participate.  The colors should be black and white with a zinger color.  Grays and off-whites are acceptable.  Judy has a poster with examples shown.  Keep in mind when it comes time to vote, that your decision should be based on whether the quilt meets the criteria set forth in this challenge. 

AQS:   Three books were circulated.  See Kathy Graff with questions.  Gloria Clark mentioned that the Beautiful Quilt as You Go book is available on amazon.com at a better price; Candy Garrido will be ordering from Amazon if anyone is interested. 

Tonight’s Program:  Gloria Clark introduce and gave background information on Barbara Lenox, who was invited at the suggestion of Kathy Graff.  You can visit Barbara’s website at www.barbaralenox.com.  Barbara spoke on plaids and how to work with them.  She also displayed her quilts, showing how fabric you may shy away from can be used.  Barbara strongly recommends the Fit to Be Square® ruler when working with plaids.  Barbara was informative and entertaining.  Her husband Ron, whom she affectionately refers to as the “human easel”, walked her samples around the room.  Gloria hopefully will have details for a workshop in the Fall.  Barbara is teaching four classes at Quilter’s Palette; see their newsletter for details.  Chris will check with Steve’s about ordering a supply of Fit to Be Square® rulers if anyone is interested. 

BOM:  Winner:  Gloria Clark.  Beth Quigley showed the May BOM “Life Block”.  Jacqui Santangelo showed her May block in which she used “plaids”. 

50/50 With a Twist - Progressive Pot:   $77 was collected; there was $30 remaining from March for a total of $107 (divided in half) = $80 (approximately) and the winner was Becky Weiland. 

Chester County Quilting is having a sale on quarter bundles – buy one, get one half off.  Check their newsletter or website for details. 

Trunk Show - Arlene Greenwald will speak about this at the next meeting in May.

Show and Tell:  

Meeting Adjourned:  9:17  p.m.

Respectfully Submitted:
Marge Quinn, Recording Secretary

 

Quilt Shows 

Bits and Pieces: Quilts from Scraps:  February 22 – August 22, 2009; Mennonite Heritage Center, 565 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438; 215-256-3030 or email info@mhep.org.  Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 5 PM and Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM.  Admission donation is $5.00.

Layers: Unfolding the Stories of Chester County Quilts: February 27 – August 1, 2009.  An exciting new exhibit of quilts never publicly shown before reveals the many stories of Chester County, PA quilts, their makers and their owners.  For more information contact the Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High Street, West Chester, PA 19380, 610-692-4800 or www.chestercohistorical.org.

Vermont Quilt Festival: June 19 – 21, 2009, Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Jct., VT.  Friday – Saturday, 9 AM – 6:00 PM, Sunday, 9: AM – 3 PM; Admission: $12, seniors and groups $10, children under 14 free; Champagne & Chocolate Preview – Thursday, June 18, 7:30 - 9:30 PM, $12.  For more information visit the website at 222.vqf.org.

Muncy Historical Society presents it 5th Annual Quilt show featuring the 2009 Challenge: Where Play Becomes Reality, July 17 – 19 at Muncy School, 200 W. Penn Street, Muncy, PA.  Check website for more information and area B & Bs: www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org or contact MuncyHistorical@aol.com or (570) 546-5917.

Quilt Odyssey 2009, Hershey, PA: July 30 – August 2, 2009.  For more information: 717-423-5148 or quiltodyssey @embarqmail.com or quiltodyssey.com.

Pennsylvania Quilts:  Studies in Color; A century of antique quilts from the Packwood House Museum Quilt Collection: August 21 – 23, 2009.  The show opens June 9 and runs until October 24, 2009 but Quilt weekend features Jeannette Lasansky and Donna Brian Ruppert.  For details please check out their website at www.packwoodhousemuseum.com.

PA National Quilt Extravaganza:  The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, September 17 – 20, 2009.

Keystone Quilters of Quakertown presents “Relish the Moment” Quilt Show 2009: Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, 10 AM – 6 PM; Saturday, October 17, 2009, 10 AM – 5 PM.  Held at Quakertown Christian School, 50 #. Paletown Road, Quakertown, PA.  Admission is $6.00 and children 12 and under are free.  For more information or a quilt entry registration form visit their website: www.keystonequilters.org or call 215-529-4591.  Pre-=registration required:  Deadline: September 7, 2009.

 

Hinkletown presents Nancy Johnson-Srebro

“Big One-Star Quilts by Magic” workshop sponsored by Hinkletown Sewing Machine Shop

Hinkletown Sewing Machine Shop and Bernina of America invite you to experience “Big One-Star Quilts by Magic” presented by Nancy Johnson-Srebro on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.  They will offer two programs that day, 9:00 – 11:00 AM and 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Shady Maple Banquet Center.  Admission for each session is $15.00, but they would like to extend a special group price of $12.00 to groups of 20 or more.  Group tickets may be divided b between the two sessions (i.e. 15 morning and 5 afternoon, etc.).  Please let them know if you would like to take advantage of this special group offer.  There is a limit to these specially priced tickets and they will be allocated in order of the request date.  For more information call 717-786-3771 or email jogroff@epix.net. Or send your ticket request, with a check payable to “Hinkletown Sewing” to John Groff, 307 S. Summit Ave., Quarryville, PA 17566.

 

Steve’s Sew and Vac presents Libby Lehman

We are so lucky to be able to bring you world famous quilt artist Libby Lehman.  Join us on May 12 for a day of fun.  See Class Descriptions below.

Class 466A 10:00-11:00 $ 25.00
Evolution of an Art Quilter:  Come and see how Libby became a studio art quiltmaker with no art training.  Visit her studio for a look at different techniques and methods of construction and embellishment.  The lecture includes tips any quilter can use for organization, storage, photography, and how to block quilts.

Class 466B 1:00-6:00    $ 125.00
Threadyplay I: The Basics (hands-on workshop): Learn the techniques that have made Libby the artist she is today!  These techniques can be created on any sewing machine to create special effects on your quilts and wearables.  Techniques will include sheer ribbon illusions, thread painting and potluck appliqué.  Register at www.stevessewandvac.com today!

 

Keystone Quilters sponsors Susan Carlson
A three-day Workshop

Join the Keystone Quilters on July 13, 14, and 15, 2009 in Quakertown, PA for Susan’s newest class (Cutting Loose).  It combines aspects of her earlier classes with her evolving techniques of fabric collage.  In this class, she demonstrates a looser approach to the piecing and assembly of a wall quilt.  Emphasis will be placed on the collage piecing process.  Patterns or templates will not be used.  Instead, students will sketch their design onto a foundation fabric and proceed to fill in the design with fabrics of their choice.  Due to time constraints, students need to choose simple whimsical designs such as fish, butterflies or other bugs, lizards, suns and moons (with or without faces).  Realistic portraits, however, are too intense for this class.  You can check out samples and class information at www.susancarlson.com or her book “Freestyle Quilts: A No Rules Approach”.  If interested, please contact: Kay Bachkai (610-845-2781 or jkbachka@dejazzd.com as soon as possible to reserve a place.

 

June Meeting Preview – June 16, 2009

Our Traditional Guild Picnic occurs in June.  Don't forget that our picnic begins at 6:00 p.m.  And please note the food assignments shown below. 

Refreshment assignments for all:

 - If your last name begins with A—F, bring a main dish

 - If your last name begins with G—L, bring a dessert

 - If your last name begins with M—Z, bring a salad or hors d’oeuvre

To make this a successful picnic, we do rely on all our members to bring one of the above.

Our Special guest speaker after our annual picnic will be Mimi Dietrich.  Her presentation is entitles “A Quarter Century of Quilts”.  Mimi Dietrich is a nationally known teacher and the author of 15 popular quilting books, including Martingale & Company's all-time bestseller, Happy Endings. Her books have sold over a half million copies to date.  A quilter since 1974, Mimi is one of the "Founding Mothers" of The Village Quilters in Catonsville, Maryland and the Baltimore Appliqué Society. She teaches quilting classes in the Maryland area as well as nationally.  For free patterns and more information about Mimi visit http://www.mimidietrich.com/home/.

 

Commission for Quilt

I have a friend Terri Kunda who is looking for someone to finish a Bed Quilt that she started years ago.  It is a Queen/King Size and she has all material and batting to complete.  Many blocks are complete and quilted and the blocks need to be put together, have the bed drop added and bound and then quilted.  This was from a class at Country Quiltworks – Block at a time.  She can be reached at tenluv17@aol.com.  She lives in Malvern.  Please contact her if you are interested.
Thanks, Dottie Dolgash

 

Chris’ Cheesy Dip Recipe

4c. grated extra sharp cheddar cheese (1 sm. wedge)

1 c. grated mozzarella cheese (1 (1/2 in. chunk)

2 c. Hellman’s mayonnaise = 16 oz. jar

Grate to taste onion medium size

Worcestershire sauce – 8 squirts (no less)

Mix and place in sourdough round bread/bagels/pumpernickel pieces for dipping.  Place foil under the bottom, around the top, and around the edge only of the bread (not the center).  Bake @ 350 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes until cheese is melted.  Top with crumbled bacon and bake – optional.  Poke cheese with a knife to test for heat on the center.

 

For Sale

Singer Model 221 Featherweight Sewing Machine - Centennial Model - $550.00

The Centennial version is the regular black color machine with a special brass medallion on its arm that has a blue trim ring.  The machine is in excellent condition.  Black sewing surface is smooth and shinny with almost perfect gold trim.  It comes in the original black box carrying case including foot pedal, four attachments and a key to lock the case.

Call Sally Rapp to inspect this "little black beauty".  It could be yours for $550.

 

 

 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 – Mary Ann Brooke, Cheryl    McGuire

Set-up – Cathy Fennell

Hostess/ Door Prizes – Patti McLain, Marebeth Conard

Hospitality – Donna LeBlanc, Joan Gunder, Lisa Hudock

Block of the Month –Beth Quigley

Quilt Show – Jean Hayden

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

Retreats – Sally Rapp

Excursions – Susan Glaser

Comfort Quilts – Jean Corday

Publicity – Nancy Hannum

Historian – Nancy Hannum, Lisa Hudock

Library – Carol Divis

AQS book sales – Kathy Graff

Member Comfort – Judy Snook, Rosemary Geisler

Raffle Quilt – JoAnn Thomas

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