Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - June 2022
President's Message
President's Message
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I can't wait to celebrate our Guild's 20th Anniversary with everyone in the park at our June meeting, and to see all of our beautiful quilts hanging there! My word of advice, don't forget your chair. As I recall, I did at the last outdoor meeting, and it was a long time standing for me.
This season has gone by so fast! I hope you have enjoyed the interesting speakers from across Canada, Zoom workshops, a garage sale, a new ADQG Facebook group, an inspiring charity night, and new charity organizations and projects, great newsletters each month, door prizes gift certificates, and Library prizes! I have learned so much from: tips and tricks shared by the keynote speakers, the newsletter, and Facebook group, and getting to know some of our members better through the great newsletter interviews.
Did you know that the Zoom workshop was lots of fun and a great way to meet up with other friends, while learning something new? Hopefully next year we can have quilt retreats again, they are sure the best way to learn a lot of quilting tips, and enjoy quilting time and get to know many members better at meals and wine time.
Did you know that the Zoom workshop was lots of fun and a great way to meet up with other friends, while learning something new? Hopefully next year we can have quilt retreats again, they are sure the best way to learn a lot of quilting tips, and enjoy quilting time and get to know many members better at meals and wine time.
We should all be proud to be part of a great guild that has been around for twenty years with fellowship and giving back to the community. Have you had a chance to sign up for our early bird draw to win one of two free memberships? I have, and it was a breeze to do so online.
As you may already know, we didn't have any volunteers sign up for the Programs group. The May AGM meeting had just under 30 people attend, which didn't give anyone much of a chance to get together with other members, to form a Program volunteer group. Don't be afraid to sign up as one of the members of this program group, it is a great way to make new quilting friends and ensuring that we have great meetings. I had a few people say they would sign up, but didn't want to be the first one and only one. If you think you can help us out for one or two meetings, but can't commit for the full season, feel free to speak to one of the executives, and let us know. Some help is always appreciated.
Remember we only have two meetings with pre-booked guest speakers for next season! That is 8 meetings that need your assistance, 3 of which are Zoom, and 5 in person meetings. Another interesting season can only be planned with some help!!! There is loads of program information available from the inter-guild survey, and online. It really isn't that hard, it just takes a little of your time to help make each meeting an interesting, learning experience as we are accustomed to.
Please remember that the sign up sheets for our 2023 Spring quilt show, and the Arnprior Agricultural Fair (July 29,30,31) will be at the June meeting. We are still in need of volunteers to make theses events a success.
If you aren't able to make it to the June meeting and are able to help out at any of these en-devours please send me an email to Vickie MacNabb. I can give you more information, and sign you up.
Since this is our last newsletter for the season, I hope that you all have a wonderful summer and hope to see you soon!
Happy quilting...
Vickie MacNabb
President
As you may already know, we didn't have any volunteers sign up for the Programs group. The May AGM meeting had just under 30 people attend, which didn't give anyone much of a chance to get together with other members, to form a Program volunteer group. Don't be afraid to sign up as one of the members of this program group, it is a great way to make new quilting friends and ensuring that we have great meetings. I had a few people say they would sign up, but didn't want to be the first one and only one. If you think you can help us out for one or two meetings, but can't commit for the full season, feel free to speak to one of the executives, and let us know. Some help is always appreciated.
Remember we only have two meetings with pre-booked guest speakers for next season! That is 8 meetings that need your assistance, 3 of which are Zoom, and 5 in person meetings. Another interesting season can only be planned with some help!!! There is loads of program information available from the inter-guild survey, and online. It really isn't that hard, it just takes a little of your time to help make each meeting an interesting, learning experience as we are accustomed to.
Please remember that the sign up sheets for our 2023 Spring quilt show, and the Arnprior Agricultural Fair (July 29,30,31) will be at the June meeting. We are still in need of volunteers to make theses events a success.
If you aren't able to make it to the June meeting and are able to help out at any of these en-devours please send me an email to Vickie MacNabb. I can give you more information, and sign you up.
Since this is our last newsletter for the season, I hope that you all have a wonderful summer and hope to see you soon!
Happy quilting...
Vickie MacNabb
President
June Meeting
Bring!
Win! The meeting will feature draws for 2 free memberships for next year, door prizes, a prize provided by Nancy on behalf of the Library, and a gift basket, and 50-50 draws. You must have submitted your online Membership Form and $30 membership fee in order to be eligible for the free membership draw. Register for next year now Covid-19 Precautions Please be respectful of distancing when you are in close proximity to other guild members. Since we'll be outside face masks are optional. Please prescreen for any Covid-19 symptoms, and cold or flu type symptoms prior to the meeting, and attend only if you are symptom-free. No refreshments will be served but you are welcome to bring your own. (Note that alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the park.) Guests We welcome guests to our meeting for a $5 fee which can be paid at the meeting, or in advance by e-transfer details here. |
Program Notes
A night in the Park - June 15th with rain date June 21 if needed
ADQG in the park, September 2020
We started these crazy times with a show and tell of our challenge quilts in Robert Simpson Park and thought we would cap off our 20th year celebrations with another social night in the same location. It will be low key, we have decided that it’s going to be all about being social, enjoying each other’s company and looking at quilts. We are not going to have food or drink available, but feel free to bring a coffee, tea or water along with you. Don’t forget a lawn chair, and bring an additional lawn chair for your quilts to hang on. That way, if it’s too windy to set them up in the gazebo, we can have them draped on chairs.
Don’t forget, there will also be BIG BIG Prizes for the challenge quilts … it’s going to be loads of fun.
Bring your best Covid Challenge quilts, President’s Challenge, any finished Block of the Month quilts, tops or maybe just blocks that you want to donate… let’s do a huge Show and Tell of what we’ve been up to in the last few years.
--Brigid Whitnall, Programs
Block of the Month
To round out our 20th anniversary celebration of blocks from past years, two blocks were drawn at the May meeting - one for May and one for June. Instructions
Thank you Johanne and Amanda for the lovely block samples and the fun spinning draw wheel this year!
May BOM
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June BOM
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Charity
Heading quickly towards our goal of 100+ Preemies, we already have 28! They’re gorgeous, thank you and please keep them coming.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity
Preemies
and more preemies!
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Library
Where does the time go? It’s already time for our last meeting of the year! I’ve been faithfully making all the Blocks of the Month with a friend – I’m more apt to finish them when working with a sewing partner – and now, we’re looking at them all and wondering how to put them together!! It will be a fun challenge! I am hoping it will be ready for our September meeting.
As I mentioned in my last Newsletter piece, I’ll be working on the reorganization of our Library books over the summer. If you still have any Library books on your shelves please bring them to the meeting or contact me through the Guild so we can arrange for their return. Don’t be shy!!
I’m looking forward to see many of you at the “Park” for our last meeting and seeing the Show and Tell quilts that have piled up over the last couple of years. We’ll have our Library Door Prize, too!
-- Nancy Hayley, Librarian
As I mentioned in my last Newsletter piece, I’ll be working on the reorganization of our Library books over the summer. If you still have any Library books on your shelves please bring them to the meeting or contact me through the Guild so we can arrange for their return. Don’t be shy!!
I’m looking forward to see many of you at the “Park” for our last meeting and seeing the Show and Tell quilts that have piled up over the last couple of years. We’ll have our Library Door Prize, too!
-- Nancy Hayley, Librarian
Membership
Membership registration for the 2022-2023 year is now in full swing and so far we have 20 completed memberships.
For those who are about to register, it is an easy two step process:
- complete the online membership form
- e-Transfer $30 or bring a cheque to the meeting in June
Your interests are also being considered for workshops and speakers.
Early Bird Draw is on June 15th!!
Thanks for registering as soon as possible!
Register Now
-- Martha Palmer, Membership
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Get to Know Your Guild Member - Ann Poll
We hope you are enjoying this feature to help us better connect with each other, especially while we are not meeting in person.
In this month's Get to Know Your Guild Member feature, we're hearing from Ann Poll
One of my first big quilts that I had quilted by Michèle Gagne
Q: How long have you been making quilts? Would you describe your learning process?
A: I have been quilting for over 20 years and it has been a constant learning process. Belonging to The Common Thread Quilt Guild as well as a group of ladies with whom I quilt every Tuesday gives me the opportunity to pick up a lot of little tricks in all aspects of quilting. Being a member of the Arnprior Guild has allowed me to participate in the retreats to Providence Point which are a wonderful experience of camaraderie and of course learning from other quilters. Several years ago I joined Craftsy which allows me to access hundreds of classes taught by worldwide teachers. I also go on Pinterest and watch a lot of YouTube videos where the information is endless.
Q: Were there special people or circumstances that encouraged you to begin to quilt?
A: It was actually my good friend and former colleague, Gwen Pennings, who encouraged me to give quilting a try. She got me started by sending me instructions for a mystery quilt. The quilt turned out lovely and I was hooked.
A: I have been quilting for over 20 years and it has been a constant learning process. Belonging to The Common Thread Quilt Guild as well as a group of ladies with whom I quilt every Tuesday gives me the opportunity to pick up a lot of little tricks in all aspects of quilting. Being a member of the Arnprior Guild has allowed me to participate in the retreats to Providence Point which are a wonderful experience of camaraderie and of course learning from other quilters. Several years ago I joined Craftsy which allows me to access hundreds of classes taught by worldwide teachers. I also go on Pinterest and watch a lot of YouTube videos where the information is endless.
Q: Were there special people or circumstances that encouraged you to begin to quilt?
A: It was actually my good friend and former colleague, Gwen Pennings, who encouraged me to give quilting a try. She got me started by sending me instructions for a mystery quilt. The quilt turned out lovely and I was hooked.
Mystery quilt that got me hooked on quilting - I quilted it on my sewing machine
Q: What are your feelings about quilt making compared with other household activities?
A: There is so much joy and gratification that I get from quilting compared to other mundane household activities which are chores that need to be done. For me quilting is a time where I can lose myself, relax, enjoy, create, and best of all forget the housework.
Q: How do you decide on the colors and fabrics that go into your quilts? Do you ever use the colors recommended on patterns that you buy or see in books?
A: I mostly choose colors and fabrics that appeal to me but do also pick colors I see in patterns that I like. When making gifts for friends and family I always choose what’s in their particular pallet and decor.
Q: What are your feelings about quilt making compared with other household activities?
A: There is so much joy and gratification that I get from quilting compared to other mundane household activities which are chores that need to be done. For me quilting is a time where I can lose myself, relax, enjoy, create, and best of all forget the housework.
Q: How do you decide on the colors and fabrics that go into your quilts? Do you ever use the colors recommended on patterns that you buy or see in books?
A: I mostly choose colors and fabrics that appeal to me but do also pick colors I see in patterns that I like. When making gifts for friends and family I always choose what’s in their particular pallet and decor.
Q: Would you rather create your own pattern and color combinations or have a pattern to go by?
A: I must admit I have never created my own pattern always follow a pattern, except when the pattern allows you to create various layouts by rotation and placing of blocks.
Q: What part of the quilting process do you like the best? For example, piecing, appliquéing, hand quilting, machine quilting, etc.
A: I enjoy most aspects of the quilting process though my preference leans towards appliqué. I have fun with appliqué as it is very creative. My passion lies in smaller projects such as purses, zipper bags, tote bags, pillows, table runners and toppers and wall hangings. Anything that I can make and give away as gifts.
Wall hangings
A chair full of bags. The two tote bags that are hanging are two I kept of 21 I made and gave away.
Three table toppers I made.
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A little table runner I made with my embroidery machine
A class I took at Quilty Pleasures
Q: Do you put quilt labels on all of your quilts?
A: I have learned from my friend Gwen that you should always label your quilts.
Q: Do you keep all your quilts? If so, how do you use quilts in your home?
A: As I mentioned I like making things to give away, so most of my quilts have been made for family. I also have made baby quilts for friends and cuddle quilts for the preemies. Some quilts I have kept for myself and in future I will quilt for charity.
Four crib quilts:
A: I have learned from my friend Gwen that you should always label your quilts.
Q: Do you keep all your quilts? If so, how do you use quilts in your home?
A: As I mentioned I like making things to give away, so most of my quilts have been made for family. I also have made baby quilts for friends and cuddle quilts for the preemies. Some quilts I have kept for myself and in future I will quilt for charity.
Four crib quilts:
I quilted this one on my sewing machine
Quilt tops - works in progress and need finishing
Jane Stickle Quilt
I was intrigued at our April meeting when our guest speaker Marie-Claire Charette (http://www.laquiltingcoach.ca) put up this photo and proceeded to tell us its interesting story.
This quilt was made in 1863 during the American Civil War by Jane Stickle, an invalid living in Vermont. This stunning and very unique quilt is comprised of 169 five-inch blocks, each in different patterns, containing a remarkable total of 5,602 pieces surrounded by a unique scalloped border.
The quilt is displayed each fall for a short time at the Bennington Museum in Vermont.
To see a photo of the complete quilt and learn more about this remarkable quilt and its maker, you can start here on the museum web site Museum info about the quilt.
From there you can see detailed images and read detailed quilt information by clicking/tapping on the respective buttons.
You can find out a lot more about this quilt (there are even books about it), with a simple web search, for example "dear jane quilt". It's a fascinating story and a beautiful quilt. Here's one example which I highly recommend as it delves into the design and fabrics in this quilt.
One of the first things I noticed about this quilt is the number of different Drunkard's Path blocks in it. I've been somewhat obsessed with this block while I was planning and making my President's Challenge Drunkard's Path project, so those blocks just jumped out at me. I'm finding them everywhere! There were multiple examples at the recent Ottawa quilt show on Mother's Day weekend, and they seemingly randomly appear in my email and on my screens! Just now as I was adding the link to free Moda patterns earlier in this newsletter, I had a quick look around there and I very soon spotted this cute Jelly Bean Trees pattern!
-- Janet Brownlee
-- Janet Brownlee
How Can You Help?
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Quilt Canada 2022
National Juried Show (NJS)
The CQA announced the names of the quilt makers whose works have been accepted into the National Juried Show 2022. For more information about the NJS, including the list of names of the successful entrants, click/tap here.
International Plowing Match Quilt Competition
This year's International Plowing Match will be held September 20-24 near Kemptville. The show is holding a quilt competition with a variety of categories of interest to quilters, fabric artists and sewers, and cash prizes.
Click/tap here for information about entering the competition.
The competition quilts will be on display in August and again at the plowing match in September - more info in the Quilt Shows section below.
There will also be opportunities to purchase tickets for a lovely farm themed raffle quilt.
Quilt Shows
In person quilt shows are starting again!!!
You can browse quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date In the CQA Events Calendar.
I try to track down any upcoming shows in eastern Ontario and when requested, I publish information about shows that are further afield.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of at this time. See the Upcoming Quilt Shows page for more detailed information on each of these shows.
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Guild |
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Vancouver BC |
June 15-18 |
CQA Quilt Canada |
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Kemptville ON |
August 19-20 |
International Plowing Match Quilt Committee |
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Kemptville ON |
September 20-24 |
International Plowing Match Quilt Committee |
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Canmore AB |
September 24-25 |
Mountain Cabin Quilters Guild |
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Brantford ON |
Sept 30 – Oct 1 |
Brant Heritage Quilters Guild |
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Hudson QC |
October 1-2 |
Hudson Village Quilters |
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Toronto ON |
November 11-12 |
York Heritage Quilters Guild |
You can refer any time to our guild web site More... --> Resources --> Upcoming Quilt Shows page for an up-to-date list with detailed information. If you know of any upcoming local shows that are not listed there, please let us know.
-- Janet Brownlee
Guild Facebook Group
Have you joined our members only Facebook Group yet? If not you are missing out on all the fun. The group now has 43 members and is a great way to get to know your fellow guild members, to ask questions, learn a new block, a new tip or trick. We've seen some lovely photos of the Charity Pick Up Sticks quilts being assembled and finished off, Blocks of the month, completed mini-maker cases from the recent workshop, and much more. Tina is doing a fantastic job of keeping monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group. Thank you Tina for this wonderful new initiative!
Hope to see you there soon.
Join the group now!
-- Janet Brownlee
Contacting Guild Members
If you would like to get in contact with any fellow guild members - perhaps to ask about a pattern of a Show-and-Tell quilt, or follow up on something you hear at a guild meeting, or read in a newsletter, you can now do that through the members-only Facebook group, or you can send an email message to the guild and we'll ask that guild member to contact you by email. You can reach us at the guild email address arnpriorquilters@gmail.com or with the Contact Form
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We ALL extend a huge T H A N K Y O U to Brigid for the amazing speakers, workshops, challenges and more that you brought us this year. It's been an amazing year and we really appreciate what you've done for us! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Advertisers
Thank you to our 2021-2022 advertisers! Your support funds our Communications budget which includes the hosting of this web site. We are very grateful for this financial support. To our guild members, please support our advertisers. You can click/tap on any of the advertisements in this newsletter to access the vendor's web site. These vendors are also listed on the Links page. -- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor |
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THANK YOU to Ann Poll for sharing her quilting journey and photos, and Brigid, Marilyn, Nancy, Martha, and Vickie for their guild updates and other news this month.
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Have a wonderful summer and we hope to see YOU on September 28th