Hands Across the Water 2008 – Sechelt, BC

The day started off meeting at Eleanor’s to pick up my passengers. We were quickly off to the ferry. The weather was looking promising, as we headed out to the ferry, all chatting with what the day may bring.

We decided we would stop and check out the Yurts, near Gunboat Cove. A Yurt is a tent type dwelling, and in this case they have been made into a gallery and a studio for fibre arts. Most galleries and/or artists dissuade you from touching the exhibits. In this gallery, touching is encouraged, and they will not allow you to leave, unless you have touched at least three items. They currently have an exhibit of Els van Baarle of the Netherlands, and her batik works are phenomenal. There were also items made from Ponderosa Pine Needles, very impressive baskets, as wells as baskets made from Bull Kelp.

We then made our way to HAW. We were travelling along through Wakefield, when I noticed a brightly orange coloured piece of paper. As I got closer, and to far to turn up the road, I noticed it said Hands Water. I was sure the road we were looking for was further up ahead, but saw the sign, and turned around, to follow them. In fact the road I was looking for, was further South, but this was another route. We found our way to the event. What a beautiful venue.

The three of us, who had hats, donned them, and in we went to register. After dropping off our fat quarters and blocks, we made our way around the room, stopping to chat with those we knew, and to admire the Merchant Mall, as well as all the beautiful quilts on display. Eleanor, Shauna and I dropped off the magnets and business cards on each plate to promote our Quilt Show in March 2009. Then before we knew it, it was time for lunch. What a wonderful meal, and the desserts were very delicious.

Several members of our guild won (I hope I got everyone’s name):

• Christine N.
• Lo J. (twice)
• Gail W. (twice)
• Genette F. (Best Hat – widest brim)
• Susan S. (Raffle)
• Janet B. (raffle)
• Peggy G. (FQs)
• Sandra J. (blocks)
• Kathy P. (door prize)
• Rieke S. (door prize)
• Gwen F. (door prize)
• Norma F. (door prize)
• Alice M. (Best Hat – Quilter’s Poem)
• Wanda S. (door prize)
• Darlene (door prize)
• Jennie R. (door prize)
• Sherrill S. (door prize)
• Joan W. (door prize)
• Eleanor S. (door prize).

Judy Farrow was the guest speaker. Although with the room set-up it was difficult to hear her at times, I was impressed and intrigued by her speech and her work. I believe her message to us was that sometimes when things do not seem to be going the way you expected with a quilt, follow it, and it will lead you to places you have not been before.

The guilds were well represented:

• Port Hardy
• Campbell River
• Quadra Island
• Texada Island
• Comox/Courtenay
• Powell River
• Sechelt Peninsula

Upcoming events (there are more events and quilt shows in BC, and across Canada):

Powell River:

Fine Arts Show – November 28-30, 2008

Quilt Show – March 21-22, 2009

Campbell River:

Quilt Show 2010

Workshops – April 2009 (Check website for more information)

Hands Across the Water:

Comox – 2009

Campbell River – 2010

Sunshine Coast:

Quilt Show – May 1-3, 2009

Port Hardy:

Quilt Show – September 2009 – Green Challenge

Before we knew it, it was time to go. Shauna had a hallowe’en party, so we left to catch the 4:30 ferry home. We made it in good time.

On the ferry there was a quick “show and tell” of what people won, or purchased. From all the chatter, it sounded like everyone had had a good day.

Thank you to the Sunshine Coast Quilters’ Guild for a wonderful afternoon.

Submitted by: Alice

Newcomer’s social at the complex

Leslie , Suzanne and I had a rather interesting chat with all sorts of interesting people tonight.

I hope that I can add a photo soon……….forgot my camera , but the complex organizer will be sending a photo. The Newcomer’s event is well worth attending even if you have been in the community for some years. The 3 of us had a good time, networking, learning and sharing.

Alice has new business cards with the quilt show information that she will be sharing with us. It will be an opportunity for us to carry these in our pockets or purses and hand them out to whom ever we bump into at the the store or the bank lineup.

Hope everyone has a good time at Hands Across The Water and brings back lots of photos.Emailed reports would be appreciated.

October Demo night – great success

Did you miss the binding class tonight?

Maybe you’d already viewed the online video?……….Hope so!

BUT if you thought that you already knew how to do a mitered corner binding AND you stayed home because you assumed that there was nothing you could learn at tonight’s demo and video……….well you are WRONG!!! 

There were at least 12 innovative hints that we learned and all of us felt humbled , but eager to incorporate this new set of ideas into our bindings. This was a extremely inportant class to have just as we are all finishing projects for the quilt show.

 

I can assure you that I will keep my can of starch in a much more convenient spot, the elmer’s school glue will also be close at hand, and I will be setting up a much better pressing station on my sewing table so that I can handle the larger projects.

 

I will put Sharon Schamber’s links in the right hand side bar for quick reference. Remember that Alice will be presenting 2 evenings ( Jan &Feb 2009) to talk about the internet, and I’m sure that she will explain at that time the types of websites like Sharon’s 2nd one that is a subscription or membership. I belong to several different types of these subscription only websites and find them very worthwhile. I get a lot for my money. In the case of sharon’s website, there are short films with informative topics offered on a regular basis.

raffle quilt tues workbee

I sandwiched the small wallhanging today and gave it back to Gay. Notice that I did not offer to quilt it (grin) , as I hoped that someone will offer to assist with that. This prize is a Attic windows setting with the scenic background a lovely pattern of leaves and butterflies. There is a curious cat sitting in one of the larger windows.

There were machines whirling away getting a lot of production completed  for the French Braid. The blue shades are soothing.

There was a nice turnout for our Tues Morn, with several people doing handwork. I was sandwiching 2 very old WIPs( works in progress). One was a collection of Ohio Stars set on point and since it’s one of my class samples form the last century , I found that there was a glaring problem in one corner with the bias. There’s also a pieced border – so there will be improvisation in making the warped corner lay flat – see if i get it fixed for the quilt show and check it out.

a few more boutique ideas

How about adding:

baby bibs – jennie is making some really sweet practical ones.

baby organizers and accessories

lapel pins-Felt, stitchery,angelica,glitz and beads. Look in your Quilting Arts Magazine for inspiration.

There’s also some new magazines on the newstand that are for hip , young , beginner sewers. Have a look and see if anything inspires you.

Remember anything that is fiber or fabric so get out the embroidery threads as well as the wool felt, decorator fabrics for collage and silks for glitz.

boutique items

How about a little competitive spirit and see how many we can list. Please feel free to suggest additions. and remember when making these items, the display looks really neat when there are multiples of items – like a whole basket of Cell phone holders so that someone will want to buy one in every print or color.

Placemats,pot holders, coasters,hot pot holders/trivets, tea cosies and of course Aprons are coming back into style.

table centers, table runners

tote bags,beach bags, gym bags, back packs, shopping bags, purses,change purses,cosmetic bags,jewellery rolls,wallets,business card holders, coupon holders, cheque book covers.

Eye glass cases, cell phone holders, back of door organizers for college students,or just anyone who needs organizing.

Covered trinket boxes, fabric covered picture frames,

baby quilts, lap quilts, doll’s quilts, wall hangings, artquilts,

Christmas ornaments, beaded ( on fabric)  ornaments.tree skirts, dolls( for the child and the adult)

Alice adds:Microwave potato (cooking) bags,cup holders(bands around the starbucks paper cups??) mini baskets,makeup bags(petal pouches)

wine bottle (hostess) gift bags.

pin cushions, sewing kits.

I’m sure there’s dozens of more ideas and what about those websites-Let’s go exploring.

PS…….    pillows, covered journal books,lunch sacks,luggage tags.

quilt show preparation

Our show chairperson for the upcoming quilt show voiced some disappointment at our last meeting and every single person who attended agreed with her.

I decided to state the problem in plain language in hopes that we can give Val a lot more support.

Looking around the table, we saw the same faces who have done the same jobs over and over and  for show after show………………..it was disappointing that we saw so few in attendance and so few who would offer to make the load lighter for those who are taking on a committee single handed, or taking on several positions because there were so few to volunteer.

 

Now we all know that every guild member who can attend the show , will put in several hours on set up day and will be in attendance to greet the public when they come through our doors , BUT what about the 6 months yet to come. Can you step forward NOW!!??

There’s lots to do:

1. plan the doorprize area and get all the members excited about making some small item for a doorprize.

2. help with the props committee in their search for neat items that could enhance our display. They are particularly looking for Depression era items for a kitchen scene or a Tea Party display, to go with our Apron Challenge

3.The Kitchen food area needs more than just the coordinator, it would be nice to have 3-4 people here to make sure that our wonderful chef and her helpers from Texada have everything they need to make our guests feel welcome.

4. Are you working on boutique sales items? The ladies will be making a small presentation about forms, lists, and tickets for each item. And they always hope that there are lots of selection for our visitors.

5. Can you help with the stage display of community quilts……..not by making a quilt ( although that would be nice as well) , but with taking names of people making quilts, planning a display system ( maybe ladders and poles) and offering to do bindings, labels , signs and photos for a educational display.

6. Have you volunteered for the raffle quilts construction? There will be a workbee at the guild on Tues Oct 14. We are sandwiching the smaller wall hanging and I’m sure there is sewing and pressing to be done on the French Braid Double bed size quilt. As soon as the 3 prizes are completed, we will begin to plan selling of tickets. The committee would welcome some help with printing of tickets, cutting and stapleing, distribution to all guild members and of course manning the sales table in the mall .Where can we use your talents?

At the monthly quilt show meeting, there was more than one person who muttered that this would be their last year. Does this mean that this is our last quilt show? Possibly……..?

I’ll leave you to think about it and hope to see you at the Binding demo. I’ve tried several of Alice’s hints and already , my binding looks many times improved. I am looking forward to perfecting this and ending forever all my hand finishing on those blasted huge quilts. This is so timely just as we are rushing to complete all our entries.

Binding Class – October 16, 2008

Hello everyone! Here is the information for the Binding Class on October 16.

Using Sharon Schamber’s Binding Technique and Glue Basting Bottle

Instructor: J. Alice McCallum
Date:October 16, 2008 – 6:30pm (note change of time)
Class Cost: no charge
Kit cost: $5.00

Although this is Sharon Schamber’s “award-winning” binding technique you can use it to create a wonderfully finished binding. No pins or clips required! The evening will begin with the making of your own glue basting bottle, and then we’ll bind a small project that you bring with you. The binding portion of the evening will include:
• Making the binding
• Attaching the binding
• Turning the binding and securing

Participant Supply List:

Squared Quilt – placemat size – Minimum Size 12”x12” Maximum Size 20” x 20”

Binding fabric

Thread

Rotary cutter, ruler and mat

Spray starch

Sewing machine

Elmer’s School Glue & Tip

Masking tape

Pre Class Instructions:

spray binding fabric lightly with spray starch, press, and then precut into desired width (typically 2¼”)

Hope to see you there!

-Alice

raffle workbee success

Today, Gay,Lois and Eleanor managed to cut all the strips for the French Braid design.They did a lot of work (4 quilt shops,3 guild members’ stashes) but all the fabrics that they had made a lovely “run of blended color”. It is mostly blues with a touch of purple,lavender and light green……..The batiks are gorgeous.

Yvonne and I made quick work of sandwiching the Bricks and Stepping Stones quilt top with all the bright jewel tones. I really like the basteing method with the basteing spray.So nice not to pin and close hundreds of pins, and so nice not to have to remove them as I sew along.

I have completed about 2/3rds of the double diagonal lines and hope to be able to bring the quilt to the quiltshow meeting on Thurs. I used a different brand of spray this time and it works just as well , but leaves a little gummy residue on the machine needle. I’ll report back – but too tired to walk downstairs and find the brand name.

It would be nice if we could show all 3 of the quilts/quilttops at HAW in 2 weeks time, and publicize the show.

Must get off to bed – but must brush to girl guide cookie crumb evidence from my teeth first.Bought 2 boxes- the little girl guide was a bit surprised as I pried the second box from her clutches.

Nina

vancouver island workshops to note.

There are 2 different workshops planned on Vancouver island next April and May. They are both 4 days of assorted subjects with some outstanding guest teachers.

Registration has already started , but you might be lucky to snag a spot with a teacher that you have been interested in for some time and now they’ve been brought right here to BC.

The first is planned for after the Parksville Quilt show, so that all the organizers of the quilt show can also enjoy a class. The show is May 29-31,2009 and the 4 days of workshops are planned for June 1-4, 2009. All the info is online with a PDF registration form, as well as phone numbers to call if you are interested. The PDF is 2 pages of both show and class info.(scroll down)

The show committee hasn’t sent this information out to neighbouring guilds yet, but a few brochures are floating around.

The second opportunity is sponsored by the Campbell River Friendship Quilters and is called Island Quilting Seminar on April 23-26, 2009.We got the information via Barb Round, the CQA rep, and I will post a copy on the bulletin board. But all information is available here , and space is likely at a premium, so sign up soon.