Note:  This text-only document is not the official graphical newsletter (which may have additional information in graphical form as well as guild photos).  You can easily make yourself capable of downloading the official version of the newsletter by going to the following web site and following the easy directions for downloading a free copy of Adobe Reader:  www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html   

 

VFHQ News – July 2007

 

Lines from Lou

During the summer, when I was growing up, my grandmother could frequently be heard singing: “In the good old summer time … you hold her hand and she hold’s yours and that’s a very good sign that she’s your tootsie wootsie in the good old summer time.”  I’ve found that I, too, have been frequently humming that song during this beautiful start to summer while reminiscing about going with Grandmother to people’s homes to quilt.  Even at that young age I remember the warm feelings that were always present around the quilt frame, and I recognize those same warm feelings when we get together at our bees, workshops, monthly meetings, etc.  I love our kind, non-judgmental camaraderie, and appreciate our discussions that are free of gossip.  So don’t be surprised if I celebrate the warmth of our friendship by belting out a hearty round of “In the Good Old Summertime” next time we’re together. 
     - Lou

 

July Meeting – July 17, 2007

Please join us for our annual Ice Cream Social AND Jeannie Campbell’s presentation on Bargello Quilts.  

Jeannie Campbell has been sewing for 40 years.  She attended Pratt Institute studying fashion design.  It wasn't until 1989 that quilting became her passion.  Her quilts have appeared in many local shows as well as Quilt Odyssey in Hershey and Lancaster Quilters' Heritage Celebration.  She particularly enjoys Bargello, landscapes, and appliqué.  She recently began creating Polymer Clay "Quilty Jewelry."

We will be hearing her lecture on Bargello, and she’ll include some practices needed for any quilt preparation, not only Bargello.  The "Two Ruler Method" for straightening the edge of your fabric will be demonstrated.  Then tips for choosing fabric for Bargello will be given.  Fabric flow in a colorwash style is Jeannie's favorite.  Members may want to have a checkbook handy after her lecture. 

We’ll also vote on our revised Bylaws (you can view a copy on web site). 

Bees Bees Bees Bees Bees

Afternoon Bee—2nd Tuesday

The Afternoon Bee will take place on July 10, 2007, 12:30 – 3:30, at the home of Rosemary Geisler, 305 Tavistock Drive, Royersford, PA 19468, 610-792-3436.  Everyone is welcome.  Bring whatever project(s) you’re working on.  We’ll sew, eat, and chat. 

Evening Bee— 4th Tuesday

Beth Quigley, 504 Susan Drive, King of Prussia, PA 19406, 610-292-9090, will host the July Evening Bee, on July 24, 2007 from 6:30 – 9:00 PM.  Work on your own projects, get help and advice and refreshments, and enjoy the company.  Hope to see you there!

 

Block of the Month

Dimensional Whimsy #8 for August is available on the website and will be presented at the July meeting.  Paper copies of Dimensional Whimsy #8 will be at the BOM table. Bring your July block, to the guild meeting and you could win one of the prizes.  Photos of the blocks can be seen in the graphical version of the newsletter and on the web site.

 

 

 

 

 

Birthdays

July                                    

July 5             Gloria Clark   
                      Paula Pettyjohn

July 8             Laura Chaplar

July13            Winnie Spoonts

July 16           Chris Peterson

July 17           Shellie Blake  

July 19           Susan Nann

July 21           Gail Dovalovsky
                     
Florence Ham
                      Judy Snook

July 28           Carole Armstrong

August

August 3        Barbara Sherman

August 9        Martha Klein

August 14       Kathy Graff

August 15       Vickie Lopresti

August 21       Linda Ulinski

August 29       Diana Richardson

 

Comfort Quilts

Thanks to everyone who took the men’s kits at the June meeting.  Don’t forget, we are collecting the 6" squares – novelty prints and bright colors at least two of each square.

On June 7, Norma Brechbiel and I made a delivery to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.  We had a car full: 23 Kids Quilts, 12 Preemie Quilts, 20 Knitted Preemie Hats, 23 Fleece Chemo Hats, 89 Beanie Babies, and 85 Children’s Books. 

On June 13, Joan Markowitz went with me to Abramson Cancer Center at HUP, where we delivered 14 Adult Quilts and 19 Fleece Chemo Hats.

Needless to say, they were all thrilled to see us and so grateful.  When you get home, you just  want to make more quilts.  Hopefully, we will deliver even more quilts in the fall.
       - Shirley Horning, Chairman

 

UFO  Tea Party

The UFO Tea party was a great success !!! & believe it or not ..... there were a number of us that actually got  things done !!!  “This may be a workshop to be repeated,” says Jean Hayden our workshop coordinator.  Everyone came with the requisite hat and gloves and a fabulous time was had by all as we added another event to our 20th anniversary celebration.

 

 Fat Quarter Raffle

The current Quarter Raffle drawing will occur at this month’s guild meeting (July).  The fabric theme for this time is 1930’s Reproduction fabrics.  To participate, simply bring a fat quarter, place it in the designated basket, along with and 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 Linda Hamel

 

Are You Up to the Challenge?

Two months to go, have you started? It’s not too late!  This year’s theme is uniquely fun and intriguing and everyone is looking forward to seeing how members come up with their interpretations.  Incase you’ve forgotten, below are the rules: 

VFHQ Challenge 2006/2007The Proverbial Challenge

Choose a proverb that you enjoy or that has some meaning to you and devise a way to creatively express it in a quilt (which you will, of course, design and create).

Your interpretation of your proverb may be a literal representation, or an ironic portrayal, or a somewhat esoteric depiction, etc.

Use any construction technique and any fabric you wish.  And you may use components that are appliquéd, pieced, embroidered, cross-stitched, painted, embellished, etc., or a combination thereof. 

You must include with your submission a typed description identifying the proverb you chose and explaining the rational for your design.  Your description should be between 50 to 75 words (no more than 100 words) using 12-point type (or standard typewriter size), on a card or paper no larger than 8½ x 8½.  (If you don’t have access to a computer or typewriter, a neatly hand-printed description will be acceptable.) 

Your creation can be any quilted item (including jacket, bag, etc.).

The size of a quilted wall hanging should be no larger than 50" on any given side.

Your creation should be something made during the coming year (between 10/2006 and 9/2007).

As usual, one entry per-person will be accepted.

Completed challenge quilts will be displayed and voted on at the September guild meeting in 2007. 

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

 

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, Linda will be taking names of interested persons at the July guild meeting. 

 

Our Guild at Winterthur  

On Sunday, June 10th, Ann Lister, Gail Forster and I spent the afternoon at Winterthur and demonstrated quilting as part of their display "Quilts in a Material World."  We had lots of fun interacting with the people who wandered through the display. 
     -Becky Weiland

 

Come One and All

Time to start thinking about the next retreat…

The Fall Quilter's Retreat will be November 1-4, 2007 at Mensch Mill Retreat Center - Kline Lodge in Berks County.  The cost is $180 for the Thursday to Sunday package or $130 for the Friday to Sunday package.  This includes meals and linens.  Bring your own quilting project(s) to work on.  A deposit of $20 (non-refundable) holds your space. Interest is high and space is limited so sign up today with Sally Rapp or see her for further details.

 

Antique Sewing Machines in Need of Good Homes!

I have about a dozen antique sewing machines to give away (most were left behind by Wendy Clark when she moved to Oklahoma).  Most are just the heads, in non-working condition (a couple might work or be restorable by Steve), mostly Singer but a couple other brands.  They make very nice decorative accents for your sewing room (or doorstops!).  There is also an antique Martha Washington model cabinet available, but it's not a treadle type.  I will bring them to the July meeting in the back of my SUV so anyone can look them over before the meeting (6:15) (please come early if you’re interested).  Anything that does not go then, I will offer to quilt shops such as Generations, so if you want to bring one to a quilt shop yourself, please feel free to take one for that.  You can call me ahead of time if you want a private viewing or have any questions. 
        -Donna LeBlanc

 

Guild Workshop – Mark Your Calendars! 

Christmas in July – Beth Quigley

PROJECT:     Christmas Tree Wall hanging

DATE:           July 7, 2007

TIME:            9:30AM4:00 PM

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

PRICE:          $10.00

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

 

Meeting Minutes – June 19, 2007

Sign-up sheets were passed for: selling raffle tickets at the Hershey quilt show in July, interest survey, Christmas in July workshop.

A picnic lunch prepared by members was enjoyed by all.

Lou Chandler welcomed all including one guest, Donna LeBlanc’s mother, who is moving to the area.

BOM winner— Paula Pettijohn.  Paula showed the BOM for July.

Door Prizes:  Jean Corday, Ethel and Art Hutchinson

Evening bee, Tuesday, June 26th 6:30 – 9:00 at the home of Chris Candello.

Afternoon bee, Tuesday, July 10th 12:30-3:30   at the home of Rosemary Geisler.

We made a $550 donation to the Hospitality Center in Norristown whose mission is to provide daytime shelter and services for the empowerment of our unsheltered neighbors. 

Program—in addition to the food aspect—was fun and games.  Three games were played:  Quilto, Name that Quilt Block Scramble, and Seek the Sewing Notions.  Each game had five winners.  What fun!

Next month we will have our ice cream social and a speaker, Jeanie Campbell on the topic of Bargello quilts.

Bylaws are being revised.  See a copy on the web.  If you are not on the web see a copy on the information table.

Gloria spoke with Cynthia DiLorenzo.  She is requesting to talk to anyone who can give her some suggestions for how to go about hand quilting after breast cancer surgery. 

Through our website, we received a request for someone to “talk” about quilts at the Senior Suites Assisted Living in East Norriton during the week of Sept. 9-15.  Those interested were to contact Nancy Hannum.

Jean talked about workshops.

UFO tea June 23—See Jean to sign-up or just stop in.  Wear bonnets and gloves.  You will not need to bring lunch because there will be quiches, sandwiches, and other goodies provided by our members.  Bring your favorite teacup.  $10 fee.  

Christmas in July – Beth Quigley showed the tree quilt which will be made at the workshop.  There will also be other variations.   Good Shepherd Church - $10.  July 7th 9:30-4. 

Comfort quilts – Marie Traxler distributed comfort quilt kits.  Shirley Horning is collecting 6” squares for I spy quilts for kids.  Please cut 2 or more 6” squares from fabric for this project.  Quilts were recently delivered to St. Christopher’s and the Abramson Cancer Center.

Directions for KAPS FOR KIDS are available on the back table.  Bring in your finished KAPS and JoAnn Thomas will transport them to CHOP for distribution.

Nancy Deitch says “hello”.  She has had numerous operations on her esophagus but she is now able to talk on the phone.

Steve is having a sale and we are invited to take advantage of 25% off everything that we can fit into the gift tote bag from Fri. – Sun., June 22nd –June 24th.  Steve has extended this sale for our members.

Show & Tell

Respectfully submitted
Nancy Hannum, Recording Secretary

 

August Meeting Preview – August 21, 2007

Betty Lou Cassidy will join us in August to share “Crazy Quilts: Then and Now.”  She will show us numerous examples of antique and modern crazy quilt examples.  We will learn the history and characteristics of this Victorian fad that is still popular today.  Quilts by Betty Lou Cassidy of Egg Harbor Township, NJ.

 

A NOTE

Dear VFHQ Members,

Thank you for the many cards and calls I received during my illness.  Your get-well wishes and prayers helped me during a difficult time.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again, miss all the fun!
          - Nancy Dietch

 

Quilt Shows

"A Quilt Sampler" at the Chester County Historical Society located at 225 N. High St. in West Chester - March 29 through Sept 16, 2007.  For more information visit their website: www.chestercohistorical.org. 

Quilts in a Material World:  Selections from the Winterthur Collection.  March 10 – September 16, 2007 at the Winterthur Museum and Country Estate, Route 52, Kennet Pike, Winterthur, Delaware, 19753.  Discover Winterthur’s outstanding collection of quilts – some considered to be icons in the field.  Ranging in dates from the 17th to the 19th century, more than 40 quilts will be on view – many for the first time.

Quilting Traditions: Old and New sponsored by the Chambersburg Quilt Guild.  Friday, July 20, 2007 from 12:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday, July 21, 2007 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the Family Life Center, Falling Spring Presbyterian Chruch, 221 North Main Street, Chambersburg, PA.  For information contact Judie Svoboda at (717) 262-2174 or email judieandward@aol.com.  Show held in conjunction with ChambersFest.

July 26-29 - Quilt Odyssey 2007, Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania. (QO 2007, 15004 Burnt Mill Rd., Shippensburg, PA 17257; phone/fax 717-423-5148; quiltodyssey@supernet.com; quiltodyssey.com)

September 6 – 9, 2007 – Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XIV, Expo Hall PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg, PA, Thurs-Sat: 10 AM6 PM; Sunday 10 AM4 PM, for more information visit: www.quiltfest.com.

October 12 & 13, 2007 - How Sweet It Is quilt show, presented by Keystone Quilters, Inc., at Quakertown Christian School (new location !), 50 E. Paletown Road, Quakertown, PA.  Friday 10-6, Saturday 10-5.  Contact topothehillfarm@hotmail.com or www.keystonequilters.org

 

Recipes from Guild Events

Toffee Crackers 
from Marge Quinn

1 pkg       Saltine crackers

1 stick     Butter

½ c         Sugar

1 pkg       Toffee chips

1 pkg       Chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 F.

Line a cookie sheet (with edges) or some other type of pan such as a jellyroll pan with foil.

Line pan with crackers (salt side up) in a single layer.

Stir butter and sugar together in a saucepan over medium heat until butter has melted, sugar is dissolved and mixture is blended.

Brush hot mixture over crackers, spreading to cover them completely.

Bake 8 minutes (no longer). Remove from oven.

Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over crackers to melt; you can put the crackers back into the over (which has been turned off) for a few minutes to help melt the chocolate.  Spread the chocolate evenly over the crackers.

Then sprinkle the toffee chips evenly. 

Cut the crackers before the chocolate completely hardens. 

Raspberry Almond Coffee Cake
Recipe taken from the Better Homes and Gardens Cooking for Today Muffins and Breads cookbook, and prepared by Nancy Hannum at the June tea workshop of VFHQ

One of our recipe testers called this a simply lovely coffee cake. It's moist, tender, too, and pretty as a picture.

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼   cup sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼  teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 beaten egg

*½  cup dairy sour cream

¼  cup butter or margarine, melted

 1 cup fresh or frozen lightly sweetened       raspberries

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/3  cup sliced almonds

       Almond Icing *(I use yogurt instead of sour cream)

Grease bottom and sides of an 8”x l ½” inch round baking pan.

In a large mixing bowl stir together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Make a well in center of dry mixture.

In another bowl beat together egg, sour cream, and butter or mar­garine. Add egg mixture all at once to dry mixture. Stir just till moistened (and batter is lumpy).

Spread two-thirds of batter into prepared baking pan. Sprinkle with raspberries and brown sugar. Drop remaining batter by spoonfuls on top. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake in a 350˚ oven for 30 to 35 min­utes or till a wooden toothpick inserted near center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan, if desired. Cool about 20 minutes more. Drizzle with Almond Icing. Serve warm or at room temperature. Makes 1 coffee cake (8 servings).

Almond Icing: In a small mixing bowl combine ½ cup sifted pow­dered sugar, 1 teaspoon milk, and ¼  teaspoon almond flavoring. Stir till smooth. Add additional milk (½ to 1 teaspoon) to make drizzling consistency.

Nutrition facts per serving: 235 calories, 12 g total fat (6 g saturated fat), 48 mg cholesterol 227 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein.

Daily value: 10% vitamin A, 6% vitamin C, 7% calcium, 8% iron.

 

Melt in Your Mouth Blueberry Cake 
From Kathryn Doyle, provided by Nancy Hannum, Made for the June meeting of VFHQ

½ c. butter or margarine

1 c. + 1 Tbsp. sugar

¼ tsp. salt

1 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs, separated

1 ½ c. + 1 Tbsp. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/3 c. milk

1 ½ c. fresh blueberries

Preheat oven to 350˚ F.  Grease 8” square pan.  Cream butter, add ¾ c. sugar.  Add salt and vanilla.  Add egg yolks, beat till creamy.  Combine 1 ½ c. flour and baking powder, add alternately with milk and egg yolk mixture.  Beat egg whites till soft, adding ¼ c. sugar, 1 Tbsp. at a time, beat till stiff.  Coat berries with 1 Tbsp. flour and add to batter.  Fold in egg whites.  Pour into prepared pan.  Sprinkle top with the remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar (I usually use cinnamon sugar).  Bake 50 min.

 

Chester County Quilting Information

Christmas in July: For one week only, July 17th through July 22nd, a special selection of special fabrics and patterns will be on sale for a special price.

Anniversary Sale:  September 19th is the big day, their first anniversary.  Please check the website or the store for more details about the celebration.   www.ChesterCountyQuilting.com

2007 Shop Hop Info.:  Chester County Quilting is thrilled to be a part of the 2007 Shop Hop Adventure & Fall Fabric Frenzy, being held this year from November 9th through the 12th.

Stone House Quilting:  Lisa, Calle, professional machine quilter, will be available at CCQ for consultations on the second Sunday of the month.  Please phone Lisa at 610-495-8762 to schedule your appointment.

 

Guild Officers

President – Lou Chandler

Vice President – Cathy Fennell

Treasurer – Linda Hamel

Recording Secretary – Nancy Hannum

Corresponding Sec – Chris Candello

Immediate Past President – Gloria Clark

                Committee Chairs

Program Chair – Gloria Clark

Workshops – Jean Hayden

Newsletter – Cathy Fennell
                   & Lou Chandler

Web Master – Lou Chandler

Refreshments – Paula Pettyjohn

Set-up – (open)

Hostess/ Door Prizes – Susan Glaser
                              & Vickie Lopresti

Hospitality – Donna LeBlanc

Block of the Month – Shellie Blake

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 – Patti Fulton

Library – Art & Ethel Hutchison

AQS book sales – Kathy Graff

Sunshine – Norma Brechbiel


Newsletter Submissions

Inclusions for the next newsletter must be received by August 1, 2007.  (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