Saturday, January 23, 2010

Can you believe...

...this is the last week of January already! I don't know about you but I'm sure hoping the rest of 2010 does not go by as quickly...
Thought we would give you all a little "poke" to remind you of some upcoming deadlines (sigh, we all have them).


Don't forget to leave a comment this month - the more the better - and repeat offenders are welcome! If your name gets drawn at our February meeting you will win Carol's FABULOUS handmade prize.

I'm looking forward to getting my Secret Valentine next month to! Fifteen people signed up to participate in the exchange and it should be A LOT of fun - remember, it does not have to be anything fancy - but it MUST be something you made and incorporate a "heart".

Finally, the clock is ticking towards having your Storytime Challenge Quilt done - I've got mine figured out (in my head of course, but nothing started). All the instructions are on the right side of our blog. We will bring copies of the original handout to our next meeting as well for the rest of the slackers like me (LOL).

Enjoy these last days of the New Year - Cheers - Jewels

Sunday, January 17, 2010

See You at Sit & Sew?

Just a reminder that Tuesday, January 19th, is Sit & Sew Day for Q2. Check to the right in the sidebar for the place and time. This is a great way to get to spend some time with and get to know your fellow quilters. Bring your machine, handwork, anything you wish - and you can either bring along a lunch or, if you would rather not, there are always gals going out to have lunch or bringing something in. We each pitch in a donation to the church to help with the heating and cooling of the building. For some of you newer Q2 members, this is a great way for all of us to get acquainted. The meetings are always busy and it's hard to do much socializing - but it's really easy and fun at Sit & Sew. Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

January Q2 Meeting

Waiting for the meeting to start, Q2 members get caught up with what has been going on with their quilting buddies. It was a full agenda last night - business meeting, fat quarter drawing, door prize (lucky Deb B to win the just beautiful pin cushion in a teacup that Julie made - you can see it on her blog by clicking on it in the lefthand sidebar), round robins and a great show and tell that you can catch by going to the top of the right sidebar and watching the slideshow.

Then Linda M gave us a great demonstration of the way she designs her quilts on Electric Quilt 6. The above picture of her playing card for last year's challenge was designed on that program. Linda is absolutely amazing with her designing and carrying her designs through to completion. Her work is awesome!This little wallhanging that was in our show - as well as the gorgeous quilt that won Viewer's Choice - were also designed on EQ6. It is software that has many facets - it would also be great for those of us who adore applique and I am sure embroiderer's could even find patterns therein. I have EQ5 but have never done much more than "play" with it and it's wonderful for that, also. I did find out how to import fabric and have designed some simple things. I have contemplated updating to 6 and would if I were younger. I keep wondering how old you have to be to quit wanting to do everything you see!
Thank you, Linda, for a great presentation. We look forward to seeing your next amazing piece.
(Click to enlarge)

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

A Reminder and a Great Picture

Hoping to see you at the meeting tonight - and a reminder to those doing the Round Robins to be sure and bring them along!

Now here's a great picture of Debby P. in Shanghai that I found in my e-mail this morning. Isn't it wonderful and it is just exactly Debby's kind of place. I am hoping she purchased some pretty stuff and will bring some to show and tell. Do you suppose she did? Will be anxious to hear about her wonderful trip, too.

Hoping to find some comments!

Thursday, January 7, 2010

January Newsletter


Following is a copy of the January Newsletter that went out by e-mail today. There were four address failures and three members who do not have e-mail addresses so seven did not get this message and we are sorry this happened. Hopefully, there will be a new secretary by the time the Newsletter is due out in February.

Happy New Year! I hope each of you had a wonderful Holiday with friends and family.
A big Thank You to Carol B for getting this newsletter out. She
has done an excellent job in putting it together for us.

I will have printouts that show the Proposed Bylaws with a note of
the current Bylaws for comparison you may pick the at the
meeting. There are no big changes except for term limits.
I think we can vote that night after discussion. The Proposed
Bylaws had been sent to you earlier.



Nancy Stanley
President




Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Social Time: 6:30 p.m.
Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m.

Where: Our Redeemer Church, 889 S. Poseyville Rd., Midland, MI 48640 (next to Randy's Green Thumb)

Membership dues: $15.00 per year (New members are always welcome!! If you quilt, or love quilts, please come and join us)


This is an abbreviated newsletter for the month of January until we have a replacement for Carrie who has served as our secretary.

If you have an interest in being the new secretary please call or email Nancy Stanley
indicating you interest.


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Remember we will be discussing and voting on the ByLaws. Pick up your copy of the Proposed
Bylaws and the highlighted existing bylaws for discussion at the meeting.

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At the January meeting, Linda McGibbon is going to demonstrate the software program, Electric Quilt - EQ6 that she used to design her quilt. Among the aspects of this program she will be introducing us to--The Block Library - over 20,000 to choose fromEasy Draw Blocks - creating your own blockImporting fabrics - know what your quilt will look like before buying fabricWholecloth Design Quilts - Hundreds of stencils to choose fromPaper Piecing Patterns - can be printed and numbered from the design you createI am sure this is a program that will be enjoyed by all whether or not you have the EQ software or not. It may even inspire you to invest in this popular software.
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There will be a drawing for the door prize. The contributor is Julie Oman.

Don't forget the fat quarter drawing - you are entitled to put your name in the drawing once for every fat quarter you bring. Theme is Valentines.

Julie Oman will explain the Valentines challenge and signup.

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Inclement Weather/Cancellation Information

Call 989-687-7599 to see if meeting has been canceled. A notice will be left on the answering machine no later than 3:00 p.m. the day of the monthly meeting.


Sit and Sew: Next meeting will be January 19th at Chapel Lane Church from 10 to 3. Come join us for a day of fun and sharing and work on some of your projects with your friends. A small donation is collected to cover the costs of heating and cooling.


Pass The Tiara Blog Keep checking our blog http://passthetiara.blogspot.com/ for the latest information and any changes that might need to be made. And, don't forget Funoldhag's FABULOUS GIVE AWAY for the February meeting.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

How Did She Do This?

Here is a segment of Linda McGibbon's beautiful quilt that won Viewer's Choice in our 2009 quilt show. At the January meeting, Linda is going to demonstrate the software program, Electric Quilt - EQ6 that she used to design her quilt. Among the aspects of this program she will be introducing us to--

The Block Library - over 20,000 to choose from
Easy Draw Blocks - creating your own block
Importing fabrics - know what your quilt will look like before buying fabric
Wholecloth Design Quilts - Hundreds of stencils to choose from
Paper Piecing Patterns - can be printed and numbered from the design you create

I am sure this is a program that will be enjoyed by all whether you have the EQ software or not. I have EQ5 and have done a little bit with it but would love to learn more. Others might be inspired to give this a try. It is fun to play with, too!!

Monday, January 4, 2010

A Giveaway

How would you like to have a couple of potholders -maybe just a bit "free form" but charming nonetheless? And they will have a brass ring sewn on the corner in case you would like to hang them someplace. To have your name in the drawing, simply leave some comments on Pass the Tiara - and it would be really great if you would join as a follower and put up a picture of yourself or an icon to represent you. If you can figure no other way to comment, it can be done as "Anonymous" and just indicate at the end of the comment who you are - such as Carol B. I think the routine is that you will have your name in the drawing for every comment you leave.
When will the potholders be given away? How about at the February meeting. And when should you start commenting? How about right now! And to the first one to comment on this post, I will give a lovely dark red and hot pink batik fat quarter. Start talking, girlfriends! (Click to enlarge)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Secret Valentine!

Yes, the holidays are over and 2009 is now in the past. FOH and I hope you had a safe and wonderful holiday. Time to start thinking about all our 2010 activities - including our GREAT Quilt Show (see our new Countdown Clock!). I think FOH has a blog Give Away in mind to! Meanwhile, we thought we would try something fun for our February meeting. Please consider signing up to be a "Secret Valentine". It's real easy - during our January meeting there will be a sign up sheet as well as a basket to drop your name in. By the end of the meeting we will draw names and that is the person you will be the Secret Valentine for. All you have to do is make a small item (operative word - MAKE) from your stash that includes the shape of a heart - it can be a pincushion, a mini quilt, a pillow, a decoration, a fabric postcard....whatever you can think of. We will provide you with a paper bag to put your lovely valentine in. All we ask is that for the February meeting you bring your item in the bag with the name of the person you picked on the bag. Simple, don't you think? We hope lots of folks sign up - the more the better!

See you soon.