Looking for a new machine?

Diane Ramsey has a Bernina for sale, computerized model 153 QE (Quilter's Edition). It was purchased new 5 years ago and treated with TLC since. Includes all feet, all accessories, both small and large quilting extension tables, carrying case, 165 page workbook/manual, and video. Price $1500.00. Contact Diane at 455-4379 or by email at dianeramsey@arbourbrook.ca SOLD!!

What a Show!

Karen Henry put on an incredible show for us on Tuesday night. Those of you who were absent,
and there were many, really missed something! I must say I was very disappointed in the turnout of FQG members. It was almost embarassing. When we bring in someone of Karen's calibre, one would think the place would be packed. All I can say is it's a good thing we invited other Guilds to join us, and thank goodness they came!!!

The Committe worked really hard to make this wonderful extended weekend happen, to see that all ran smoothly and we owe them a big Thank You - in particular Wendy McLean, a fairly new member who jumped in full of enthusiasm, and worked her tail off all weekend to look after every tiny detail, for the workshops AND the Trunk Show. Gail Butts kindly opened her beautiful home to us for the final workshop. A big Thank You to Wendy, Gail B and Gail Mitchell who was out of town but worked hard on this since last spring to bring it all together.

Karen is an energetic and enthusiastic quilter and teacher. She is happy to share her skills and talents with others and her easy going manner makes her a joy to be with. Her classes were fun and stress free, and the skills learned can easily be transferred to other projects and applications. A student could not ask for more.....

The photos here are some of my favourites of those shown on Tuesday evening. The top photo is of "My Father's Dahlias", one of Karen's favourites. The second piece is called "Spiced Clematis" and is done in the style of Jane Sassaman, a well known American quilt artist. The third quilt is titled
"Portrait of Felix Feneon" from an 1880 painting by Paul Signac. Karen used sequins and beads as well as fabric , thread and quilting to reflect the pointillist style; the face is hand-painted in dots and the hair is done in the confetti applique technique. Below is one quilt from Karen's current series of tree quilts; it is titled "On Poor's Farm Road". Below that is "Honu" - a quilt depicting a magical encounter with sea turtles while snorkelling in Kane Ohe Bay in Hawaii. The final quilt is called "Heavenly Bodies, You and I?" It was made for a Guild Challenge in 2007 and was also on hand at Quilt Canada 2008 in St. John's. I've heard many visiting quilters enjoyed posing with their faces through the openings, even our own Val and Lois..... (below you'll see Linda G. and Wendy M. "modelling"). Don't you love a quilt with humour?

Please visit Karen's website here to see more of her work. I have several other photos on my blog here as well.


Thanks so much Karen. We sure enjoyed having you !

Oct. 20th Trunk Show... Reminders...

The days are flying by as quickly as the leaves are falling... Next Tuesday Oct. 20th is FQG meeting night! Remember, we are not at our usual location. Instead we'll be treated to a wonderful show of work by award-winning Karen Henry, CQA's 2008 Teacher of the Year. Karen is travelling from Dartmouth to spend a few days teaching workshops for us. Karen's Trunk Show will be held in the Auditorium of Marshall D'Avray Hall (Educaton building) at UNB. Start time is 7:30 p.m. and admision is $2.00. Come and bring a friend or two...

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase on the "Colours of Recovery " quilt for Kofi Ampong- see a photo below in previous post. We heard Kofi's story at our September meeting and I'm sure many of you will want to support this worthy cause- just picture that beautiful quilt on YOUR bed!!

We are hoping that Tuesday's weather will co-operate and Mary Brown (our member who travels the furthest!) will be able to join us from Grand Manan. She will be bringing the raffle quilt "Let It Shine" made by the Tidal Threads Guild of Grand Manan. (Many of you will remember donating strips of blue fabrics in response to Mary's plea last year.) This is your chance to see the results- and you won't be disappoonted! This quilt won a Red Ribbon at the KV Guild Show last month and it is a beauty! It is machine pieced, hand appliqued, embroidered and hand quilted (twice, no less!) by the Tidal Threads Guild who are just in their second year. The centre medallion features Grand Manan's Swallowtail Lighthouse which turns 150 years old next year. The Guild has donated this quilt to the Action Ministries group, to be raffled in support of their work with the Food Bank and other Island projects. Mary hopes to have some tickets with her, $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00.

There will be a small Show and Tell by our own members after the Trunk Show so bring along any recent projects, especially if you will not have them for our Nov. Meeting. Those attending the November Retreat, please attend a short meeting before the Trunk Show in Room 143 of Marshall D'Avray Hall. And lastly, Jane Gunn has new nametags ready for pickup. If you have not yet paid for yours, exact change ($6.75) will make Jane's job much easier.. thanks. (Nametags can still be ordered too, it's not too late!) See you all on Tuesday night!

Raffle Quilt for Kofi

The queen sized quilt pictured here is "Colours of Recovery " and measures 95" by 111". Wouldn't it look great on YOUR bed? It could be yours! It was made by the "Friends of Kofi" otherwise known as The Women of the Cloth. This group is comprised of five FQG members : Gail Butts, Jean Ketch, Deanna McAllister, Cathy White and Marg Wood. They have made this quilt to raffle, in hopes of providing Kofi Ampong with some much needed financial help. Here is the story:

Kofi Ampong is a young man from London England, originally from Ghana, who was invited to do a degree on full scholarship from St. Thomas University. He completed his degree in Economics while maintaining his full scholarship, as well as being on the Student Council.
After graduation he moved to Moncton. He was accepted into University in Philadelphia to do his Masters degree, but postponed it for a year to start work and get some "real life experience" in the banking industry.
Unfortunately, while in Moncton he was attacked, pepper sprayed and stabbed repeatedly in the neck and chest, by a group of young men, an unprovoked attack. His spinal cord was partially severed leaving him without the use of his legs and only partial use of his right hand.
He was in the Moncton City Hospital for 9 months and then the Stan Cassidy Rehabilitation Center for 2 months. This month he will be moving into an assisted living center in Moncton.
Because his immigration status was still in progress, any financial support he has received has been hard won.
His dream is to get to China where he would be able to have stem cell injections to regenerate the growth of the nerves in his spinal cord to regain his mobility.
The proceeds of this "Colours of Recovery" quilt raffle will be used by Kofi for some of his day to day personal expenses, as well as a portion of the monies raised going towards fulfilling his dream.
More information can be obtained from Kofi's website at http://www.donatetocure.com/
Raffle tickets on this stunning quilt will be on sale at our October meeting for $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. I'm sure we will all want to support this worthy cause and help Kofi fulfill his dream of mobility.
God bless you Kofi!

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Show and Tell...

Gail and I are slowly working away at changes and additions to this Blog. Thanks for being patient with us and our busy schedules!

Our newest addition "in the works" is a "Show and Tell Gallery" on the sidebar which will feature our members work. Our plan is to change the photo you see there, every few days. When it is changed, the previous one will go into the Gallery. So as the year progresses, the Gallery will grow and you will be able to "review" all the wonderful projects you have seen during Show and Tell at our monthly meetings. We think this will be a wonderful resource. I don't know about you, but I often forget who made what, or just what did that border look like..I remember I liked it, but can't recall just how it was done... etc. So this will be an easy way to go back and have a longer look at what you only perhaps got a fleeting glance of, at the meeting.

We are still pondering how we can get good pics at our meetings with minimum fuss and "without holding up the line", so to speak... We are thinking of possibly setting up our telescopic rack at the back or side of room somewhere, and using it to help us get good straight photos. We would like to include the maker in the photo as well- at least your face, so this would become another easy way to "get to know each other". Let us know what you think... and watch for the new Gallery...Coming Soon...

Oct. 1 reminders

It's October 1st. Summer is behind us and Fall is definitely in the air. No doubt like me, you are looking forward to spending the coming cooler days snuggled up to your sewing machine. Just thought I would remind you that you can now order your Trend Tex Challenge kits for the 2010 Challenge. This year's theme is "The Sky's the Limit" and you can have a preview of the fabrics if you wish, by clicking here. Kits are $20.00 and are available from Kathy Strawson, Vice President CQA/ACC, 14312 106B Ave., Edmonton, AB T5N 1E9

If you are not familiar with this Challenge, here's how it works, briefly: You purchase the kit which contains one fat quarter each of 5 different fabrics. All 5 fabrics must be visible on the front of the wall quilt, and you may add up to 3 others of your own choice. Perimeter of the finished piece must not exceed 120", there is no minimum size restriction. Design may be original or traditional, and any combination of hand and/or machine piecing, applique or quilting is permitted. Further guidelines and entry deadlines can be found in the Autumn issue of The Canadian Quilter, or click here.

CQA/ACCC hopes you will return your piece to them to be included in the Auction. All pieces will be displayed at the Quilt Canada Conference in Calgary, and will then be sold by Silent Auction on May 1st. Visit the CQA/ACC website here to see some entries from previous years.

October 1st is also the opening day for Registration for Quilt Canada 2010 in Calgary, if you are a CQA/ACC member. (Non-members can register beginning November 2, 2009.) Info on the conference is available here, and more info will be added to the CQA/ACC website in the coming months. This annual conference provides quilters from across Canada with an opportunity to see the best in quilts and wearable art from across Canada (13 Shows all under the same roof!), take workshops with a wonderful variety of Canadian and International teachers, shop the largest Merchant Mall yet (86 merchants!), enjoy lectures and other evening events, take advantage of local tours to Banff and Lake Louise, the Badlands, and/or the City of Calgary and Canada Olympic Park, not to mention the fun of meeting old and new friends alike. The conference is being held in the Calgary Telus Convention Center and the official conference hotel is the Hyatt Regency - all connected under one roof. If the weather is bad, you need never set foot outside. I hope to see some of you there...