Made in Canada – Quilting Instructional DVDs

As I was browsing the internet, checking out blogs, and a few sites I haven’t been to for awhile, I discovered that Ionne McCauley is putting together a companion DVD for her and Sharon’s book “Colour for the Terrified Quilter”.  As I was looking a little further, I discovered Nine Patch Media through Ionne’s website.

Nine Patch Media has been making and now have several DVDs available.  There are “trailers” for their DVDs.  You can view a clip approximately 6-7 minutes long, to see if the DVD is for you.  I’m thinking that these DVDs will be a great asset to add to our guild library.

I think this is so cool, that not only that the DVDs are being produced in Canada, but in fact, here in BC!

-Alice

Just a PS from Nina- I am just waiting for the funds from our successful quilt show next month, and then I have several of these DVD’s shortlisted . BUT I would love for some suggestions to be left in the comments – so that we can determine which ones are of the most interest to our group.

running short of time??

So here I am in the same pickle that I usually find myself just a few short weeks before the guild show.
I argued with myself , but I lost and here I am attempting to get too many quilts completed for the logistics committee.
So last night I took the recently completed quilt top and blessed the inventor of spray basting. I took the large wall hanging and singlehandedly managed to tape the backing to the floor and layer the batt and the top in a few short minutes. I even succeeded in not having the dog come to investigate and step all over the freshly sprayed surface.

Then I machine quilted in the ditch along the sashing and borders to stabalize and tonight I completed the binding in 2 hours.
I don’t have sore fingers because I machine sewed it both front and back, blessing Sharon Schamber’s for her binding tips.

Now I can take my time and do the free motion meandering , vines and leaves, as well as the beading and embroidery just as little extras.
five weeks to go and only one more quilt to do ,opps and the apron challenge.
Since I’m running short of time, I hope my home ec teacher’s spirit is looking over my shoulder and I remember enough of project #1 in Grade 10 to get this apron finished in a few days.

Who’s on your mind as you work away on these last stitches?

IMPORTANT! Hoax vs Virus email warnings.

Good evening fellow Quilters.

I would like to go a little off-topic from our Guild and Quilting activities.   My intent of this post is to educate how to determine if an email warning is legitimate or if it is a Hoax.

Email warnings have been circulating for more than 10 years.  They warn you from everything from potential virus’ if you click this link, or open that program, to everyday items causing cancer, to major corporations give-aways to ill or injured children requests for assitance.

Before you follow the directions at the bottom of the email, to forward it to everyone you know, please consider this:

From Symantec (Norton Anti-virus):

What is a virus hoax?
		Virus hoaxes are messages, almost always sent by email, that amount to little more than chain letters. Following are some of the common phrases that are used in these hoaxes: If you receive an email titled [email virus hoax name here], do not open it! Delete it immediately! It contains the [hoax name] virus. It will delete everything on your hard drive and [extreme and improbable danger specified here]. This virus was announced today by [reputable organization name here]. Forward this warning to everyone you know! Most virus hoax warnings do not deviate far from this pattern.

Although the email may state that it is from someone that may be a computer technician, webmaster, computer geek, guru, whatever.   Check out the following websites to see if the email warning is legitimate or a hoax.  I have found that 99% of the email warnings I receive are HOAXES!   It is quite possible the email warning you are sending out, has been emailed several times, over a span of 10-15 years.

You may have heard of SNOPES.com – This site lists hoaxes, urban legends, rumours etc. by category.  Or you can do a search.

Another site to learn about Hoaxes and such is HoaxBusters.org

The major anti-virus companies also have info  McAfee.com – a hoax list.   Although I couldn’t find a list on Symantec’s website, they did have a very good page on determining what is a virus, a hoax, and what is not a virus, and good safe computing!

With all the possible emails you could receive, how do you know what is safe or not?  What can you do to protect yourself?  The sites above do have important information, and I am including a few that may be listed already.

1. Do not open an attachment on an email, unless you are expecting it.
2. Always personalize your emails, and try to sign them all the same.
3. Do not forward emails using the TO or CC.  Use BCC.  This hides the email addresses from everyone receiving it.  You may have received email jokes and such, that seem to have pages and pages of email addresses.  Consider what would happen if that email was forwarded to someone who had malicious intent?  They now have your email address and everyone elses.  Guess where that spam email is coming from.
4. If you are sending to a group (such as our Quilt Guild) start the subject line with the initials of the group (TQG) with the subject.  Not only will guild members now that it is a guild email, but it is not a spam email.
5. Be sure that you anti-virus program is up-to-date, not only with virus definitions, but you have a current version.  Most pay for anti-virus programs only have a one year subscription.  You still have the program on your computer, but you didn’t renew your subscription, means you are not receiving the updates to ward off any current virus’.

Please, before you send that email out, no matter how official looking it is, check out the above sites to see if that warning is a hoax or not.   Believe it or not, I have probably seen the warning at least twice before.

-Alice

February Demo Night – what is in store!

For those who attended January’s workshop, I have more in store for you in February!

The second workshop on Quilting and Computers will include:

• Blogging
• Online Courses
• Forums/Communities/Groups

The venue has been changed.  Again.  Sorry about that.  After some considering space, numbers, internet connections and such, I have asked the permission of another group to use their building for the evening, and it has been granted.

You still go up to the Timberlane Park, but instead of driving all the way to the back to the Guild Hall (Soccer Club), make an immediate left as you come into the parking lot.   We will be using the Sea Cadet Administration building.  As you park facing the building, follow the walkway to the left, and there will be a flight of stairs, with a huge anchor to the left.  Go up the stairs and come in through the door.  We’ll be there to greet you!

-Alice

challenge review

Shawn had just asked if the guild challenge was open to anyone who had not received a challenge package in Sept.
Yeh! come on and jump right in!!
Jennie R. had given us the show theme of Retro Kitchens, which will be displayed in small groupings around the hall.
She wants us to make an apron useing old fashion gingham in all or a portion of the apron, with some lace trim and some embroidered chicken scratch stitches.
Now some of us are making several aprons, one to go with the guidelines, but ones to wear and show our innovative interpretation. Is that called Artist’s license??

And of course there are those who are rumored to be their usual rebellious selves and choose to interpret the size of the apron, or the idea, and the theme in a innovative unique way.

Recycling is also good, and I’ve already found some good servicable remnants by taking apart a pair of culottes that my mom made back in the 70’s……think hot pink with cute calico posies.

And of course there are a few of us who did not like our poly cotton gingham and lace and have chosen to search for some other solutions.

Quilter’s are such good problem solvers and I’m looking forward to seeing projects that may or maynot be viewed as a quilted wall hanging.

P.S. there are some quilters who abhor challenges, but there are those of us who adore a “challenge” and the brain exercise. Anyone joining in this challenge willl have a chance to have their name drawn to host next year’s challenge.

You can wear your creation but the challenge registration forms must be in by tomorrow if you want them hung with the official challenge.

Spirit of BC Day

I’d like to thank the crew of quilters who came out to help at the complex on Sat. To the ladies who set-up, took-down or helped to hostess, you were the mostest!
Photos of the fun day can be seen at the PR arts council website.

These community events are so valuble and I had so many interesting people to chat with. We were able to publicize the guild, our quilt show as well as our raffle quilts and sell lots of tickets!
It was certainly a good warm up to the 2 full days of our quilt show in a few weeks.I met many people who had never attended our shows at Dwight Hall, so perhaps this will change the attendance now that they see quilts off the bed.

aprons, boring?-NOT

A person or 2 are not going to participate in our guild apron challenge. What!! can’t believe it – this is going to be so much fun .

There’s lots to view on etsy ,and googling just the word brings up all sorts of inspiration.
There’s different types of aprons…… carpenter’s, butcher’s,coveralls or smock-like traditional garb from Japan, Grandma’s bib aprons, gathered aprons that just cover the lap, and servicable pretty ones with BIG pockets to carry all those essentials.
I,of course need to cover myself from the neck down as I’m always having something spit at me at the stove or the sink. I especially am in danger when I’m whipping cream and the butter fat leaves a very nice oil spot that I don’t see right away and then it’s set.
It’s time that we brought the apron back into vogue. So join in and have some fun.
*hint* the size of your gingham is just graph paper and you can make your chicken scratch embroidery any size you wish , so if you want it to be an inch high and only put a row of 6 on a pocket, then you’re still following the guildlines.

I have been lucky to inherit both my Mom’s and Gram’s sewing supplies this winter, so have discovered so many lovely embellishments to use. Alice left us with some great links on January 22nd for further ideas and just in case you lost your instructions like me!

Boutique Inventory Sheets

Are you finished all your projects for the quilt show?   I’m not, but I’m getting there… one stitch at a time.

Now for something else to think about, and prepare if you are inclined.

At our Quilt Show we have an area set-up as the “Guilds’ Boutique”.  This is an opportunity for all guild members to sell items.  I am attaching the Boutique Inventory and Price sheets.  The Guild will take 10% to help cover costs.

timberlane-large-price-sheet

boutiqueinventory

timberlane-small-price-sheet

I’m looking forward to see all the items in the Boutique.  I’m sure there will be a lot of neat items!

-Alice

new blog feature

blogs that I read on a regular basis are getting so sophistocated, and then Alice , my blog buddy and mentor has set up a new feature on our own blog.
On the side bar to the right and at the very bottom, you can see where our most recent visitors are located.
It’s interesting to see where you’re all from – but we’d also love to have some comments left to tell us why you dropped in. Especially I’d like to know if the Powell River visitors are guild members or might be finding us through the Arts Council links.

quilt show countdown-update

Well, it is lightly snowing this morn at my elevation – but hope that doesn’t stop the planned activities today.
Shirley reported that about 6 people took advantage of the open door at the guild and worked on their projects yesterday.
The quilt show committee is also meeting to check for the road signs condition and alterations needed. We will need a volunteer(s) with a large vehicle and tools to install them around town in our planned locations.

Our stage display with community groups and charity quilts is only a success if we have all those quilt tops completed. If you have a charity/donation quilt top or almost completed quilt and you’ve got it on the “roundtoit” pile, then let us know or bring it for the next show and tell.

RAFFLE TICKETS= we’d really appreciate if you would bring completely sold ticket books and the cash to the next business meeting. Remember to carry them in your purse and just a mention that the guild is supporting the Catscan fundraising, gained me ticket sales last week.
The Catscan committee is most appreciative of our efforts and plan on attending our show. There will be someone to accept our cheque and have a photo op at the awards.