Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - November 2024
President's Message
Oh, my goodness…it is November! It isn’t so much that November is scary, it is the next month, December, that comes too quickly. It is in November, that I have regrets. I realize that I should have starting quilting Christmas gifts in July…not now…it is now too late! But really who thinks of Christmas in July…. there is always next year.
Is it fair to beat ourselves up about the things we didn’t get finished? Think about all the quilts we completed this year. Just this week alone, I completed two quilts (with help from Jacquie). My nephew had a baby girl and contacted me to ask me to make a quilt for her. I don’t give quilts as shower gifts, because I don’t think that that generation appreciates the work involved in making a quilt. I was “tickled pink” when he asked me to make one for his daughter. I also completed one for my grandson. It took me two quilt retreats to complete, but it is now done and on his bed at my house. My grandson loves quilts from Grandma. He just got a tent for his room and told me that he needs Grandma to make him a new “blanket”. (he is 3) My heart is full….
I also appreciate all the work the executive and the committee chairs are doing to keep our guild meetings creative and fun. I wish to thank all of them, and all of you for supporting and participating in our activities.
-- Anne Cruickshank (and Joyce Murray), Co-Presidents
Is it fair to beat ourselves up about the things we didn’t get finished? Think about all the quilts we completed this year. Just this week alone, I completed two quilts (with help from Jacquie). My nephew had a baby girl and contacted me to ask me to make a quilt for her. I don’t give quilts as shower gifts, because I don’t think that that generation appreciates the work involved in making a quilt. I was “tickled pink” when he asked me to make one for his daughter. I also completed one for my grandson. It took me two quilt retreats to complete, but it is now done and on his bed at my house. My grandson loves quilts from Grandma. He just got a tent for his room and told me that he needs Grandma to make him a new “blanket”. (he is 3) My heart is full….
I also appreciate all the work the executive and the committee chairs are doing to keep our guild meetings creative and fun. I wish to thank all of them, and all of you for supporting and participating in our activities.
-- Anne Cruickshank (and Joyce Murray), Co-Presidents
November Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us at our upcoming guild meeting on Wednesday November 27. The meeting begins at 7 PM with doors opening at 6:30 PM Where? 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Parking is available on the nearby streets. Please do not park in the adjacent church parking lot. Win! The meeting will feature draws for door prizes, and a Guess-the-Number of Pages book sponsored by our Library. Tickets will be sold for draws of a basket of quilting goodies, and 50-50. And you can win fat quarters and Blocks of the Month (if you participate in these optional activities.) Bring
Visitors We welcome visitors to our meetings for a $5 fee payable in cash at the door. |
November Meeting Program
Guest Speaker Joan O'Malley
In 1964, then-Prime Minister Lester Pearson said he wanted flags made of the three prototype designs for the country's new standard. The last-minute job of sewing them fell to Joan O'Malley. Joan kept her involvement secret for 10 years. Come hear the story of the woman who sewed Canada's first maple leaf flag.
Guest Speaker Joan O'Malley
In 1964, then-Prime Minister Lester Pearson said he wanted flags made of the three prototype designs for the country's new standard. The last-minute job of sewing them fell to Joan O'Malley. Joan kept her involvement secret for 10 years. Come hear the story of the woman who sewed Canada's first maple leaf flag.
Fat Quarter Club
Our Fat Quarter Club debut at our October meeting was a big success with 2 participants each winning a bundle of 16 green fat quarters.
The dominant colour in this month's fat quarters is RED
The colours for upcoming meetings are:
Our Fat Quarter Club debut at our October meeting was a big success with 2 participants each winning a bundle of 16 green fat quarters.
The dominant colour in this month's fat quarters is RED
The colours for upcoming meetings are:
- December 11 2024 – Blue
- April 2025 – Yellow
- May 2025 – Purple
- June 2025 – Grey
Quilter's Recycling Table
Our Quilter's Recycling Table will be available again in this month! This is an effective way to engage in sustainable quilting practices by bringing or taking items to the Guild’s Quilter’s Recycle Table. It’s a win for everyone! A reminder that if the item you brought is not picked up, you are responsible for taking it back home with you.
Our Quilter's Recycling Table will be available again in this month! This is an effective way to engage in sustainable quilting practices by bringing or taking items to the Guild’s Quilter’s Recycle Table. It’s a win for everyone! A reminder that if the item you brought is not picked up, you are responsible for taking it back home with you.
Two Part Show and Tell
In addition to our regular Show and Tell, we're continuing the new "show" that we started in October. We work hard on our quilts so why not show them off! This month we are asking you to bring your baby quilts which we'll put on display at the beginning of the meeting so attendees can peruse the quilts during the meeting and know who to ask if they have questions.
Let’s take pride in our quilting accomplishments and inspire others!
In addition to our regular Show and Tell, we're continuing the new "show" that we started in October. We work hard on our quilts so why not show them off! This month we are asking you to bring your baby quilts which we'll put on display at the beginning of the meeting so attendees can peruse the quilts during the meeting and know who to ask if they have questions.
Let’s take pride in our quilting accomplishments and inspire others!
-- Lucy Shorey, Programs
Block of the Month
Do bring along your Feather Leaf blocks of the month to the meeting, and enter a draw to win the blocks. The winner can choose to keep the blocks to make a quilt, or donate them to our Charity initiatives.
There's still time to make this block in fall themed colours, or colours of your choice. The instructions are available from our Block of the Month page.
Thank you Jacquie for this fun and unique October leaf block (pattern makes 2 blocks), pictured below.
Do bring along your Feather Leaf blocks of the month to the meeting, and enter a draw to win the blocks. The winner can choose to keep the blocks to make a quilt, or donate them to our Charity initiatives.
There's still time to make this block in fall themed colours, or colours of your choice. The instructions are available from our Block of the Month page.
Thank you Jacquie for this fun and unique October leaf block (pattern makes 2 blocks), pictured below.
And thank you to those of you who volunteered to lead a Block of the Month. We have a volunteer for each month's meeting!
The November block has been chosen by Debbie C and she'll introduce her block and have her sample blocks on display at the meeting.
-- Janet Brownlee, BOM co-ordinator
The November block has been chosen by Debbie C and she'll introduce her block and have her sample blocks on display at the meeting.
-- Janet Brownlee, BOM co-ordinator
Upcoming Guild Events
Sew Day
Grab your tea or coffee and join your fellow ADQG members this Sunday November 24 for our first virtual sew day from the comfort of your own sewing room! It's on from 10:00am to 3:00pm. You can join anytime throughout the day, and stay for as long or as little as you like. Registration not required. You can find the Zoom link in an email sent on November 20.
Hope to see you online!
There will be additional virtual sew days throughout the year. Stay tuned to the newsletter and guild Facebook page for announcements of future sew days.
-- Lucy Shorey, ADQG programs
Grab your tea or coffee and join your fellow ADQG members this Sunday November 24 for our first virtual sew day from the comfort of your own sewing room! It's on from 10:00am to 3:00pm. You can join anytime throughout the day, and stay for as long or as little as you like. Registration not required. You can find the Zoom link in an email sent on November 20.
Hope to see you online!
There will be additional virtual sew days throughout the year. Stay tuned to the newsletter and guild Facebook page for announcements of future sew days.
-- Lucy Shorey, ADQG programs
Winter Retreat
The date for the next retreat is January 27 to January 31, 2025. Members can sign up at the November meeting or online.
See the Retreats page for more information and for the online signup.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
The date for the next retreat is January 27 to January 31, 2025. Members can sign up at the November meeting or online.
See the Retreats page for more information and for the online signup.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
Recent Guild Events
Fall Retreat
A group of 21 ladies, Guild members and some friends, attended the Guild Retreat from October 28 to November 1 at Spruceholme Inn in Fort Coulonge, Quebec. We had a good time together, got a lot of sewing and quilting done and had some delicious meals. Some of us even got some pampering with a manicure and/or pedicure. It is always fun to see what everyone is working on and to get help from other quilters. Our next retreat is January 27 to 31. If you haven't been to a Guild Retreat before, give it a try; it is always a lot of fun.
-- Emma Russell
-- Emma Russell
English Paper Piecing Workshop
Our English Paper Piecing workshop was on Saturday November 2 at Sew Inspired in Arnprior from 11am - 2pm. It was ably led by Brenda Payer, a long-time guild member and an award-winning quilter.
Attendees worked with hexagon templates to create a Grandmother’s Flower Garden block. Fabric pieces were basted onto paper hexagon templates and then sewn together to create a shape.
Attendees worked with hexagon templates to create a Grandmother’s Flower Garden block. Fabric pieces were basted onto paper hexagon templates and then sewn together to create a shape.
"I just wanted to thank Lucy, Brenda Davidson Payer and the guild for offering the English Paper Piecing class. I have been quilting for about 15 years and taken a few classes over the years but never had a chance to learn this technique. I really enjoyed the class. Brenda showed us all her tips and tricks and even warned us that it could be addictive. She was right!!!
It is a lot of fun to do and maybe I will have a project finished by the next quilt show as it can be very time consuming."
-- Jacquie Lavictoire
"I just wanted to thank Lucy, Brenda Davidson Payer and the guild for offering the English Paper Piecing class. I have been quilting for about 15 years and taken a few classes over the years but never had a chance to learn this technique. I really enjoyed the class. Brenda showed us all her tips and tricks and even warned us that it could be addictive. She was right!!!
It is a lot of fun to do and maybe I will have a project finished by the next quilt show as it can be very time consuming."
-- Jacquie Lavictoire
Guild Meetings
Check out our Blog for posts (and lots of pics) about these recent guild meetings.
Check out our Blog for posts (and lots of pics) about these recent guild meetings.
* * * * * * Schedule of Guild Meetings and Activities * * * * * *
Leadership Team 2024-2025
Co-Presidents: Anne Cruickshank & Joyce Murray
Charity: Marilyn Erskine charity@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Treasurer: Sandy Beach treasurer@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Programs: Lucy Shorey programs@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Membership: Martha Palmer membership@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Library: Jacquie Lavictoire
Communications: Janet Brownlee arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
**** The Secretary position remains unfilled and we continue to look for a volunteer.
Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell
Social Media: Tina Matte
Raffle Ticket Sales: Liz Gray & Jan Smith
Programs team: Brenda Kellar, Sue Hodgins
Co-Presidents: Anne Cruickshank & Joyce Murray
Charity: Marilyn Erskine charity@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Treasurer: Sandy Beach treasurer@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Programs: Lucy Shorey programs@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Membership: Martha Palmer membership@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Library: Jacquie Lavictoire
Communications: Janet Brownlee arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
**** The Secretary position remains unfilled and we continue to look for a volunteer.
Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell
Social Media: Tina Matte
Raffle Ticket Sales: Liz Gray & Jan Smith
Programs team: Brenda Kellar, Sue Hodgins
* * * * * * * Photos from our April 2023 Quilt Show * * * * * * *
Charity
Thank you to everyone who handed in those lovely Bird Blocks for our charity raffle quilt. In the Spring, they will be made into a lovely quilt
that will be raffled off at our next quilt show in 2026.
Now, before Christmas, I have to put out feelers for Christmas placemats. These are typically given to the “Meals on Wheels “ through the Arnprior Senior Centre. And they would be needed at the December meeting.
Merry Christmas everyone,
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity 613-623-7833
that will be raffled off at our next quilt show in 2026.
Now, before Christmas, I have to put out feelers for Christmas placemats. These are typically given to the “Meals on Wheels “ through the Arnprior Senior Centre. And they would be needed at the December meeting.
Merry Christmas everyone,
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity 613-623-7833
Library
I bought a new book for the library, Crumb Quilts - Scrap Quilting the Zero Waste Way by Emily Bailey. This is the book that Debbie Cauvier had at her demonstration station at the October meeting.
-- Jacquie Lavictoire
Journal Cover Workshop
Our Monday Stitchers group has done it again! We have been getting together the first and third Monday of each month at Bethel-St. Andrew’s United Church in Fitzroy Harbour for quite a few years now. We have about 17 gals who come out and quilt, knit, crochet and weave.
Gwen Pennings, one of our stitchers (and an ADQG member) was telling us about these cute Journal Covers that she has made and she brought a couple of them in to show us. That’s all it took…….now everyone wanted to make one! Gwen generously advised that she would do a workshop for us. She provided the fabric cutting instructions ahead of time so that we could do all of our preparations at home before the workshop.
On Monday, November 4th 13 gals brought sewing machines, power bars and extension cords along with our prepared fabric and we were off to the races. We were so excited it was like the first day of school.
The hall in our Church is quite big and we all fit in quite nicely. The level of chatter in the hall was almost deafening as we started our project. Gwen, being a retired teacher, was excellent, giving us a few instructions at a time so that we wouldn’t forget what we were doing. Along the way we had a couple of gals who wanted to keep sewing even though Gwen had not completed all of the next steps but she was able to reel everyone back in. Another interesting thing happened. I was sewing and could hear someone saying “where are my pussycats”? This gal had lost some of her material but it was eventually found across the hall from where she was sewing.
Almost everyone completed their Journal Covers and those that didn’t were able to take their project home to complete.
We had a wonderful, productive afternoon full of laughter, sewing and fellowship. What more can a gal ask for?
-- Eleanor Leben
Gwen Pennings, one of our stitchers (and an ADQG member) was telling us about these cute Journal Covers that she has made and she brought a couple of them in to show us. That’s all it took…….now everyone wanted to make one! Gwen generously advised that she would do a workshop for us. She provided the fabric cutting instructions ahead of time so that we could do all of our preparations at home before the workshop.
On Monday, November 4th 13 gals brought sewing machines, power bars and extension cords along with our prepared fabric and we were off to the races. We were so excited it was like the first day of school.
The hall in our Church is quite big and we all fit in quite nicely. The level of chatter in the hall was almost deafening as we started our project. Gwen, being a retired teacher, was excellent, giving us a few instructions at a time so that we wouldn’t forget what we were doing. Along the way we had a couple of gals who wanted to keep sewing even though Gwen had not completed all of the next steps but she was able to reel everyone back in. Another interesting thing happened. I was sewing and could hear someone saying “where are my pussycats”? This gal had lost some of her material but it was eventually found across the hall from where she was sewing.
Almost everyone completed their Journal Covers and those that didn’t were able to take their project home to complete.
We had a wonderful, productive afternoon full of laughter, sewing and fellowship. What more can a gal ask for?
-- Eleanor Leben
Editor's Note
Gwen has previously taught this project to some of our ADQG members. See the Sew Day November 2022 blog post for photos and more info.
Gwen has previously taught this project to some of our ADQG members. See the Sew Day November 2022 blog post for photos and more info.
A Quilter in Space & a Lunar Quilt Block Challenge
This interesting information recently magically appeared in my InBox and I think you might enjoy it too. Click the links to various websites where you'll see photos and find more interesting information.
-- Janet Brownlee
-- Janet Brownlee
Dr. Karen Nyberg is an engineer, astronaut, and artist who, through nearly thirty years of experience in human spaceflight, has gained an appreciation for the value of working within and across diverse political ideologies, cultural values, and world views to advance critical missions. Recently retired from NASA, Karen is currently pursuing interests in the areas of conservation and sustainability, fully appreciating the responsibility for innovation and technology to strive to meet those needs. During her last mission in space, Karen showcased her artistry by sewing while living on the International Space Station and sparked a worldwide quilting project to commemorate the effort.
Karen is being featured in one of Craft in America’s newest episodes, SCIENCE, that will air on PBS stations in December.
View a preview of the Karen Nyberg episode here.
More info and photos of Karen and her quilts
Karen Nyberg, the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, and NASA collaborated to create a new quilt block challenge to celebrate the space program's return to the moon. The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Challenge was launched as a STEM program to 7–12 graders in the United States last month. Due to the overwhelming, positive response from quilters around the country who learned about the program, applications are now open to all USA individual quilters, artists, and crafters. Information, guidelines, and application forms can be found on the Kennedy Center website.
This initiative was launched in conjunction with the Kennedy Center's upcoming EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky festival in March and April of 2025. A judging panel of astronauts and NASA and Kennedy Center executives will pick the best lunar block entry from each state. The 50 winning panels will be sewn into an official Lunar Quilt designed by Karen Nyberg.
Karen is being featured in one of Craft in America’s newest episodes, SCIENCE, that will air on PBS stations in December.
View a preview of the Karen Nyberg episode here.
More info and photos of Karen and her quilts
Karen Nyberg, the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts, and NASA collaborated to create a new quilt block challenge to celebrate the space program's return to the moon. The Next Giant Leap: Lunar Quilt Block Challenge was launched as a STEM program to 7–12 graders in the United States last month. Due to the overwhelming, positive response from quilters around the country who learned about the program, applications are now open to all USA individual quilters, artists, and crafters. Information, guidelines, and application forms can be found on the Kennedy Center website.
This initiative was launched in conjunction with the Kennedy Center's upcoming EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky festival in March and April of 2025. A judging panel of astronauts and NASA and Kennedy Center executives will pick the best lunar block entry from each state. The 50 winning panels will be sewn into an official Lunar Quilt designed by Karen Nyberg.
CQA Activities
Photos of the award winning projects from Quilt Canada 2024 can be found here.
Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2025 here.
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Dates are June 18-21 2025. More info on our website here.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2025 here.
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Dates are June 18-21 2025. More info on our website here.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
Are you interested in this bus trip to Quilt Canada next June?
Upcoming Quilt Shows
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.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of.
Location |
Dates |
Guild |
Mississauga ON |
June 18-21 |
Canadian Quilters Association Quilt Canada |
See the Upcoming Quilt Shows page on our website for detailed information about the shows listed above.
Tips:
Tips:
- You can find the up-to-date quilt show information at any time on our web site More... --> Resources --> Upcoming Quilt Shows
- If you know of any upcoming local shows that are not listed on our web site, please let us know so we can share that information with all of our guild members. We are often asked by quilt guilds from both near and far to advertise their shows and we are always happy to do that.
- Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
Communications
Guild Facebook Group
Have you joined our guild members-only Facebook Group yet? If not you are missing out on all the fun. This is a great way to get to know your fellow guild members, to ask questions, learn a new block, a new tip or trick. Last year we saw some lovely photos of the Block of the Month quilts being assembled and finished off, and much more.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Advertisers
Thank you to our newsletter advertisers! Your support funds our Communications budget which includes the hosting of this web site. We are very grateful for this financial support. Our advertisers for this year are:
- Bytowne Threads
- Happy Wife Quilting in Carleton Place ON
- Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp ON
- Quilters Curve quilt shop in Combermere ON
- Sew Inspired quilt shop in Arnprior ON
- Watergirl Quilt Co quilt shop in Prescott ON
THANK YOU to Anne, Lucy, Sue H, Marilyn, Jacquie, Emma, and Eleanor for their guild updates, photos, and other news this month.
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Our next meeting is on December 11