I Wish I Was in New York City....

Our show is only four weeks away now- this is the last week to get your entry forms in, ladies...

Speaking of shows- don't you wish you could be in New York City today to view this show... for free!! The American Folk Art Museum in Manhattan has declared this year the "Year of the Quilt". (sounds good to me!) As a result, they are hanging two large exhibitis of quilts- part one hangs until April 24th, the other hangs May 10th through October 16th , 2011. But in between, they have hung a spectacular 6 day show- 651 quilts- all red and white (sounds very Canadian to me...). From March 25-30, one can view an amazing display of red and white quilts, all owned by the same person, 80 year old Joanna S. Rose who says she is NOT a collector. You can read more and see photos of the installation here. (I wonder if we could hire this crew to hang our show- they look like they know what they are doing... *wink)
As for the other two shows, IF they allow photo-taking, you may be in luck. It just so happens that I will be in NYC for a day in mid-April, and then again at end of June. I am certainly going to do my best to make my way to West 53rd St. with camera in hand, to try and see both of these exhibits. I'll certainly share photos with you, if I am successful. In the meantime, do check out the link above. WOW is all I can say- wish I could be there today....

Updates and Reminders...

Thanks again to The Women of the Cloth who gave our meeting program last week. Jean K., Deanna M., Marg W. and Cathy W. did a great job showing us what they had done with a combination of Sashiko and Origami-type techniques to make flowers from folded fabric. Their inspiration was the book "Folded Flowers" by Kumiko Sudo. You can see their blocks at right and below. Thanks also to Gail B who could not be at the meeting, but did send along her block as well for our viewing pleasure. Great program, ladies!







Just a few reminders - most importantly, please get your entry forms in asap for our April Show. The deadline is rapidly approaching (March 31), and we would like your info sooner rather than later...

Check the March 8th post for more info on Art Hits the Wall. The Call for Entry is now out and entries will be received during the month of May. This show runs July 8-August 31, 2011 in Liverpool N.S. Also, that same post has info on an upcoming Bus Tour to Keepsake Quilting in New Hampshire and the Vermont Quilt Festival.

Info has been received on summer fabric dyeing workshops in Cape Breton with Ann Schroeder. More info can be found on her website here. Workshops vary in duration from one day to five days.

Since our March meeting, we have received info on a Bus Tour to the World Quilt Show in Manchester New Hampshire. August 17-21. The cost is $799.00 per person for double occupancy, taxes in. This includes transportation by deluxe motorcoach, 4 nights accommodations, 3 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner and 1 icecream social, visits to Keepsake Quilting and Canterbury Shaker Village. World Quilt Show features workshops, lectures and presentations. More info is available from Tour Co-ordinator Spencer Waite at 902-368-8927 or spencer.waite@pei.sympatico.ca or from Marg Weeks, Tour Guide at 902-368-1125 or almar@islandtelecom.com

Entry forms for the Marco Polo QG show May 4-8, are available by contacting me. Entry forms must be received by April 6th.

Hearts and Hands for Sendai

Another great meeting last night! Thanks to the "Women of the Cloth" for a great program. More on that later- with photos! It seemed very timely that our program involved the Japanese arts of Sashiko and Origami. We all reflected on the terrible tragedy in Japan, and I promised info on Hearts and Hands for Sendai.
This is a project being sponsored by the Crazy Quilt International Yahoo Group, to benefit those affected by the earthquake/tsunami disaster. Hideko Isheda, a member of Crazy Quilt International and a fellow blogger, lives in Sendai, and is the inspiration for this effort. Hideko has a wonderful blog which I read often, called Wind from the East - click here to see her recent post of photos of the devastation in her area - you'll want to read further and check out her beautiful handwork as well. She is thankful to be alive but the devastation is heartbreaking. And today March 16th is her birthday....
If you think you might like to join in on this project, here are the particulars as I know them at present: to participate they are asking for a small monetary donation ($10.US per block, although I'm sure they'd be happy with more if you were so inclined) and an 8" finished quilt block, made either with crazy quilting or traditional quilting techniques. The color palette is jewel tones and the blocks will be assembled into quilts which will be exhibited in Japan, raising funds by an admission fee for viewing. It is thought that the quilts will later be auctioned, but I'm not sure that is a definite at this point.
You can see all the details for participating here at Crazy Quilt International, or on Leslie's blog here at Pinyon Creek Stitchin' - Leslie is the co-ordinator for this project. I emailed her yesterday to count me in... I think I'll throw a little challenge out to all my Guild members, and as well all my CQ buddies- c'mon girls- let's all get involved. Blocks are to be mailed to Leslie no later than June 30th (so you can finish your Show entries first, before starting this new project...) I will add more details here on the blog, as they are available.

Canada Eh! Contest voting...

The entries in CQA's Canada Eh! contest are now up on the CQA/ACC website. Check it out here and be sure to vote. Just scroll down to the bottom and vote for your favourite! Take note of #24 by our own Kathy Tidswell. As well there are several other Maritime entries: some of you know Karen Neary of Amherst (#22) and Anne Morrell Robinson (#5) of Margaree, Cape Breton. They are all so incredible - it's not easy to choose just one!
Voting closes next Saturday, March 19th. Anyone can vote, you need not be a CQA member.

Reminders and Updates

Hello gals! Just a few reminders and "updates" for you. If you are planning to make (or have already made) a Leaf bowl for CQA's Quilt Ontario in London ON, we need them turned in at the March meeting as they must be quickly sent off to London. Thanks to all who have participated already - look at the lovely ones shown here. Very nice indeed. We know the Local Organizing Committee in London will be very pleased and grateful to receive our bowls. They will be given to each attendee at the Closing Banquet.

We are hoping many of you will take an hour or two to do a Spring placemat or two as well- we will use these in our Spring "decor" at the April Show, then they will be donated to Meals on Wheels. We are suggesting a cut size of 12" x 16" to finish at 11.5" x 15.5". Just have fun- use up some fabric, make it cheerful and "spring-y" and know that it will brighten someone's day...





We have received info on an upcoming Bus Tour (originating in Moncton) to Keepsake Quilts and the Vermont Quilt Festival. The dates are June 22-25, 2011. Cost per person is $515. for a twin room, $465. for a triple and $415. for a quad. This includes 3 nights lodging, all breakfasts, 1 brunch and 1 dinner, admission to the Vermont Festival and tip for bus driver. There is a $100. non-refundable deposit and full payment is due by May 15. We will have more details at the March meeting but if you are interested and want further info before then, contact me and I can email it to you.

The Call for Entry is out for Art Hits the Wall in Liverpool NS. Art Hits the Wall is a non-juried exhibit of quilts and hooked rugs, made by permanent residents of Atlantic Canada. The show is held at the Rossignol Centre in Liverpool, July 8-August 28, 2011. This years' theme is Tides of Time and pieces must be created specifically for this exhibit and this theme, not having been previously exhibited elsewhere. Applications will be accepted May 1-31 and each artist may submit up to 2 entries. Entry fee is $10.00 per submission. Again, details will be available at our March meeting, but if you would like the form before then, get in touch and I'll email it to you.

We hope you are getting your entries ready for OUR show in April. I'd be happy to receive your entry forms as soon as possible, by mail, by hand at our meeting, or preferably by email. An e-form, which you can type on and return by email is on it's way to you today.

Directions to our Quilt Show

Our quilt show "Thoughts of Spring" will be held at the New Maryland Centre at 754 New Maryland Highway on April 29th and 30th. The times are 10a.m. - 8p.m. on Friday the 29th, and 10a.m. - 4p.m. on Saturday the 30th. New Maryland is a residential community located to the south of Fredericton.

If you are approaching Fredericton from the east (Moncton or Saint John) on TCH #2, after passing Oromocto do NOT take exit# 294 (to Fredericton, Miramichi and Mactaquac), but stay on TCH (#2) towards Edmundston, and take EXIT 285A. Turn right at Stop sign and continue straight through the village of New Maryland. After 4.1 km. the road takes a sharp curve to the left towards Fredericton Junction or you can go straight towards Charters Settlement. Keep straight and the New Maryland Centre is immediately on your right, in behind the Ball Field. Watch for our signs. Distance from stop sign at Exit to the NM Centre driveway is 4.25km.

If you are approaching Fredericton from the west (Woodstock and upriver) do NOT take exit 280 (to Fredericton and Miramichi) where the highway splits but keep to the right following signs towards Moncton and Saint John. Continue on TCH#2 and take EXIT 285A/B. Turn right at stop sign and proceed straight through the village of New Maryland. In 3.8 km. the road takes a sharp curve to the left (towards Fredericton Junction) or you can go straight towards Charters Settlement. Keep straight and the New Maryland Centre is immediately on your right, in behind the Ball Field. Watch for our signs. Distance from stop sign at Exit to the NM Centre driveway is 3.9km.

If you are already in the city of Fredericton, proceed "up the hill" on Regent Street, passing over the highway, and passing the Fredericton Inn and Regent Mall on your right, continuing straight through three sets of lights. Continue straight and after several kms. of forest, you will enter New Maryland (just after passing under the new highway). Continue straight through the village. The distance from the light at the main entrance to Regent Mall (the first light, with Mall on your right and Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre entrance on left) to New Maryland Centre driveway is exactly 7 kms.

If you wish to find a bite to eat in New Maryland, the Wetmore Street Pub is at 530 New Maryland Highway. Other choices nearby would be Montanas or East Side Marios off Knowledge Park Drive, the food court at Regent Mall, the dining room at the Fredericton Inn (1315 Regent Street), or the many fast food choices on Prospect Street.

Tip Time Continues

Are you ready for a few more helpful tips from our February meeting program?
Donna who has made many wallhangings through the years shared her secret for getting a wall quilt to hang flat without rippling - she inserts drapery weight into the binding along the bottom edge of the quilt. It adds enough weight to prevent the piece from rippling. If your piece needs a little more than that, you can add a sleeve or rod pocket to the bottom of quilt back and place a narrow slat or thin dowel in the rod pocket to weight it. Often this can be removed after a month or so.
Jean reminded us when using freezer paper, that it will adhere better to fabric that has been prewashed (sizing removed). If you need a wider piece of freezer paper, you can extend the width by overlapping two lengths and fuse a separate strip over the butted edges with your iron.
Lee showed us a Rainbow Thread Braid, made by Collins. It contains an assortment of 29 different colors of thread precut in 27" lengths: you simply pull out the one you need. Handy for sewing on the go - great for a portable sewing project, a workshop, travel, or a small sewing kit. Also perfect for a student living in a dorm - just add a few hand-sewing needles in a needlecase! (Note: this thread is polyester, not cotton.)
Jane reminded us to clean the rollers on the bottom of our office/sewingroom chairs by removing the ball-rollers with vice grips. Over time, they get clogged with bits of thread, fiber and maybe even some dust! They roll better if kept cleaned out.
Barb shared with us two very useful magnetic tools - a telescopic magnetic wand - great for picking up spilled or hiding pins/needles (@ Home Depot for $2.99), and a magnetic bowl- great for holding pins - just keep it away from your computerized machine (also @ Home Depot, for $9.99). Who says these are only for hubby's garage or workshop? Barb must be a great shopper- she also told us of a set of Sharpie permanent markers, 25 colors, at Costco for ~$16.00. They are great for careful little touchups of thread color, etc. Markers are also great for "coloring" the tip of nylon or poly monofilament thread to make it easier to see when trying to thread the needle.
When trying to press out a fold line in fabric, dampen and press on the wrong side - you will have greater success.
Be very careful when handling a wet quilt. Don't attempt to pick it up by one end or the middle. Rather, lift under it to support it when lifting from sink or tub. When a quilt is wet, it weighs so much more and the added weight of the water can break stitches and/or stretch fibers out of shape.
These were all great tips- we all learned something new, and had some good reminders as well. Well done girls!!