Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Natalie made her grand-daughters prom dress and her dates vest .


july newsletter 2009

July 2009 Newsletter

Sorry to be so slow. I took 4 days off and went to Duluth with a grandson. Since he is from AZ I wanted to show him something totally different. We took a harbor cruise and saw several cargo ships come into the port. We also toured a retired ore carrier. It was a great trip. Now if I can just get back to quilting. Although I have not done much quilting, I have started a quilt for the new grand-daughter due in Oct. Having a job, a part-time 12 year grandson, family wedding and I now have a new puppy. Those of you with computers may have seen face book. I have seen some of your names on my screen. I too am trying to learn how the darn thing works.

Phyllis tells me that she and her DH are putting a manufactured home on a foundation in Shelley, ID., 7 mi S of ID Falls. I Hope they don’t stay there too late this fall. She is practicing her appliqué and learning to do seed beads. Way to go Phyllis!! We have a lot of “beaders” in our group now. Will there be more beaded quilts at the show this year??

Natalie has been sewing prom clothing again. I will have a photo on the internet if I can get it to work. The rest of you will have to see her pictures in Q.

Janice, I have not heard from you. So I have not gotten a schedule for our winter classes. It should be ready for the Sept newsletter. Hint, hint. Peggy B. has a new stack and whack for us to try. They are always fun and easy. (Unless your like me and do things backwards) If you have any other ideas be sure to get with Janice.

I plan to have my paint sticks with me and more painting with thread. Hope you bring yourpaint stiks if you have them or even color crayons. Paint sticks were on the TV program Quilting Arts last spring. I picked up several new ideas. Did anyone else see it? I don’t have cable or anything like that so I enjoy visiting people that do. I also have a paint stick video to share. Well I will after my Birthday next month. My mom has bought it for me. It’s great when some one asks you what you want. BUT, It is so hard to wait!

Quilting TIP………
How to Choose the right batting, from “All People Quilt” July 2009
Batting is the soft layer between the quilt top and the backing. It gives the quilt dimension and definition as well as offering warmth. Because it comes in various thicknesses, it can make a quilt flat or puffy, stiff or drapable. It is available by the yard or packaged to fit standard bed sizes.

Historically, quiltmakers used whatever natural fibers were on hand for the quilt’s middle layer. Today’s quilter can choose from natural and synthetic products that have a variety of characteristics.The batting you choose should complement the nature and use of your finished quilt. The following pages will help you compare batting products and choose the one that will work best for your project.

Batting Qualities
These terms will help you compare the various types and features of batting products.

Drapability: The density or sparseness of the quilting and the loft of the batting will affect the drape, or relative stiffness or softness, of the finished quilt.

Grain line: The lengthwise grain is stable and doesn’t have much give; the crosswise grain will be stretchy.

Loft: This term describes the thickness of the batting. Different loft levels result in different appearances in a finished quilt.

Resiliency: This is the batting’s ability to regain its original shape--how quickly it can spring back when unfolded and how it resists creasing.

Warmth: Cotton battings absorb moisture, making them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Wool battings provide warmth with little weight.

Washability and shrinkage: Polyester and wool battings resist shrinking, while cotton can shrink from 3 to 5 percent. Some quilters prefer the puckered, antique look that results when batting shrinks.

You have to Compare the pros and cons of each type of batting and make the best choice for your needs.

Alice A. sent me this recipe to share:
TRY THIS AS A SUMMER DIP.....UMMMMMMMMMM LOVE ALICEThis is an excellent dip and you can use canned shrimp “men love it....”
Shrimp in Hollowed out Pineapple
8 oz. pkg cream cheese - soft
1/2 pt. sour cream (1 cup)
1 can cream of shrimp soup
#2 1/2 can crushed drained pineapple
1/2 lb small cooked shrimp (Or more)
Grated onion to taste
Tabasco sauce to taste
Combine and serve in a hollowed out pineapple Make several hours ahead for flavor to be the best.
Keep refrigerated. Serve with crackers. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I have an email from Connecting Threads.

They remind us that their material is raised in the U.S. and woven and printed in North America. That may be as good as we can get these days with every thing being imported.

Reminders:
Happy Birthday to all the summer birthdays.

.Have you started your charity quilt??
. Have you finished your block for Louise’s challenge?
. Louise are you going to teach us how to make quilted post cards??I’m ready to learn… maybe I’ll paint you one!
. Is your round robin block in the mail if you signed up??
. Have you started your quilt for the quilt show?
. Have you entered a quilt in your local county fair?
.Have you sent Barb your ideas for show ribbons? I saw a picture of the ribbons from the Paducah show. Wow were they great!
. Do you have news for the next newsletter??
. Have you cleaned and oiled your sewing machine?

The people that do not have email received a copy of Cathy's letter and pictures here that you have below on the blog.
That's all
Barbara W

Monday, July 13, 2009




Hi Barb:
Just thought some of the group would be interested in seeing the Western quilt I was working on just before the end of the season. Some of them helped me lay it out & pin it for quilting. I finished it while we were travelling home and gave it to my daughter-in-law for her birthday. I did another Western quilt for my step-daughter's birthday in May but forgot to get a picture of it!
Also wanted to show off one of the Fairy panels I bought at the show in Phoenix. After I got home, I ordered the co-ordinating patterned fabric and found a couple of solid blue fabrics to match in my stash. I just finished it in time to give to my granddaughter for her 9th birthday this past weekend. I surprised myself and got it done in less than a week. Quite an accomplishment considering I'm working full time this summer and could only work on it in the evenings. I thought it would be quicker if I machine quilted it and everything went fairly well except my machine jammed a couple of times and I almost ran out of thread almost causing a panic attack! I was still sewing the binding on the way to the birthday party but I got it done! I have 2 more fairy panels and 2 more granddaughters. Thank goodness their birthdays aren't until September & December!
I was going to do quilts for a couple more daughters birthdays in July but I'm having 2nd thoughts about that now! I still have some kids quilts to finish up for the Family Motor Coach Assoc. convention in July. Hope I can find the time!
Hope your summer is going good. Other than having to work, I'm having a good one!
Kathy Chesher