Dry Hands? Try this homemade Quilters Handcream

Are your hands rough and dry dry dry this time of year? I'm sure it's a combination of the cold weather, the wood stove being on and of course, sewing with/handling your dry fabric. You also find that using regular hand cream lasts about 5 minutes. Why not give this formula a try?

This recipe comes from the 1999 Spring CQA Newsletter, to make a quilters' hand cream. It calls for Shoppers Drug Mart brands, but just use your local drug store brand.

1 jar (400 ml) of Life Brand (Shoppers Drug Mart) Vitamin A cream (14 oz)
1 jar (400 ml) of Life Brand Vitamin E cream (14 oz)
1 bottle (60ml) of baby oil (just over 2 oz)
1 50 gram jar of Vaseline (just under 2 oz)

Whisk all together and put into decorative jars. Let us know if you like it. (Makes a great little gift too!)

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

If you are feeling the Christmas Spirit and you have bits of Christmas fabric scraps you're wondering what to do with, why not make up a placemat or two, for Meals on Wheels? We donate placemats to this great cause every year; in the past any "leftovers" went to the Veterans Unit where they were truly appreciated as well. Here are a few at the left to inspire you!
Today's workday was a great success. As the first snowfall drifted down and we watched our cars in the parking lot get their first coating of the white stuff, we merrily sewed the day away...About 20 members showed up to get a good start on their Christmas projects.
Many were assembling their Mystery Quilts, others worked on placemats, tablerunners, Skinny Santas, Snowmen and/or Angels, and numerous other projects. Thanks to Lois and Valerie for organizing the Mystery Quilt - it was good fun!! Also thanks for the "skinny patterns" for the Santa, Angel and Snowman - they are so cute!! It's always a good day when you can sit and sew- and even better when you can do it with friends :)
We hope you are busily sewing up Christmasy things to bring to our Christmas Party on Dec. 8th - let's have a great big ole Show and Tell....

Floss for Pippa's work in Africa

Thank you to all the guild members who brought in embroidery floss to be shipped to Pippa Moore.  Pippa is starting the planning for her work with African women soon, and this floss will be a big help.  We have listed Pippa Moore's blog on our sidebar.  Go have a look at some of her inspiring work.

It's That Time Again...

Yes, our meeting night is right around the corner- next Tuesday night the 16th. Hope you'll be there. Remember your nametag, mug, something for Show and Tell, return any Library books you have borrowed, and if you have any unwanted embroidery floss, bring it along to donate to Pippa Moore's teaching in Africa. We look forward to seeing lots of interesting projects from the recent Retreat, and maybe even hearing a few stories - although you know what they say.. what happens at Retreat, stays at Retreat...

We will find out more about our upcoming Quilt Show, scheduled for next April 29 and 30th. I've heard it will have a Spring theme, and there will be a Spring Challenge! Let's hope many of our members will participate - as the cold weather sets in this month, you can start dreaming of warmer "springy" thoughts!! What comes to your mind when you think of Spring??

See you Tuesday night.... 7:30.. be there!!

NQA Show, Ohio

It seems that all the local or "close to local" Quilt Shows are now over for this year. Nothing upcoming on the Maritime horizon until Spring 2011. Plans are slowly underway for our own show which will be held at the end of April, Friday and Saturday the 29th and 30th. Start thinking now about what you will enter... We will have some details for you at our next Guild meeting on Nov. 16th.
In case you are looking for some inspiration, check out this recent NQA show held in Columbus Ohio. Lots of eye candy and incredible work to admire here!! You can look at individual images or click in the upper lefthand corner to view a Slideshow. Enjoy! Thanks to Sandi M for passing on this link...

Notices and Updates

1. Just a reminder that Diane Bunker of Country Crafts and Curtains is selling off a large selection of fabric sample books this Saturday, Oct. 23 beginning at 9 a.m. They are not at the shop but at her home at 427 Canada St. in Marysville. You pass the Irving at Crockett St. intersection, continue on till you go through the flashing light, then it is about the 6th(?) driveway on your left. It is a long driveway- you cannot see her home from the street. The light colored 1 1/2 storey house just before her driveway is #425 and there is a fire hydrant on the other side of her driveway. The books are selling for $2.00 each.


2. In case you were planning to put items into the Quilt and Rug Sale in conjunction with the Christmas Craft Village at Exhibition Park, Halifax, Nov. 12-14th, the entry deadline has been extended till Oct. 30th. More details are available at www.christmascraftvillage.com

October Reminders

The days are flying by as swiftly as leaves are flying by my window in today's wind and rain. Tomorrow is our first Guild workday. Hope you'll be there- come and work on your own project or join in the fun with Carole and Jean making funky pillowcases. There'll be other things going on too- something for everyone. If you are having a problem with a project, bring it along and Sandi will offer help or advice.

Remember this coming Tuesday, Oct. 19th is meeting night. We have an excellent program planned- we guarantee everyone will learn something new as we go through 5 learning stations. The last time we tried this it was a big hit. We think this one will be too! Don't forget to bring something for Show and Tell- a recent project or anything Fall or Hallowe'en themed. Guests and new members are welcome.

And if you'd like to take one more "virtual tour" of a Quilt Show, click here to fly over the Bay of Fundy to Nova Scotia and beautiful Mahone Bay. The Guild there held a Show recently and this is a slideshow from it. Once the Kodak Gallery opens, click on the photo at right to advance them.

Quilted Floors

Have a quick look here at some photos of floors that I took at the Vatican.  These floors are from the Raphael Signature Room of the Vatican Museum.  I'm so glad they allowed photography in this room.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all the quilters out there! We hope you share a wonderful weekend with loved ones. Maybe you'll even find a few quiet moments to spend at your sewing machine, or doing handwork- whatever makes you happy.... If you have a few hours to spare and feel like going for a drive to admire nature's autumn glory, you might want to take a drive down river towards Gagetown- see the recently added info in the sidebar under "Coming Events" in our area. The Upper Gagetown W.I. are putting on their annual Quilt Show and Craft Sale.

We have so much to be thankful for- great friends in our Guild, the varied talents and skills which so many are willing to share, our Executive who do such an awesome job, the beautiful fabrics and threads with which we create... I could go on and on.. We are so blessed.

If you would like to sit back and enjoy yet another Quilt Show in the comfort of your own armchair, both Gail M. and I visited the Sussex Guild's Show last weekend. You can go here, here and here to view some of their show. Enjoy!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend, and don't eat too much turkey!!