machine quilting magazine

Alice had just commented about her new appreciation of thread after Carola’s talk. I thought I’d AGAIN mention about 2 of my favorite sources of information about thread and machine quilting.

The first of course is Patsy Thompson’s blog/website.  It’s important to bookmark it , as there is too much information to read at once. Not only can you read her extensive blog (and be sure to go back through her archived months and years) but you can enjoy her short clips from her DVD’s and print off her many PDF’s on free motion quilting patterns – all FREE!!
Patsy’s excellent teaching style shows well on all her DVDs and we’re anxious to see her soon to be published new thread painting video.

The second is a excellent , well published magazine that I discovered called Machine Quilting Unlimited. It is only available at this time through a subscription, and I wait anxiously for the next issue in the mail box.  I have been enjoying a series of articles by my friend Sarah Ann Smith. She just wrote extensively on “Design and Contrasting Lines” and includes samples useing different shades of thread to bring out the designs.

UPDATE (23 April 2009):  Patsy Thompson Designs has just released Free Motion Fun with Feathers Volume 2.  The samples she has in the write-up are phenomenal.

Fun Shopping Evening

Isn’t it nice when the quilt store comes to you!
Carola from Gibson’s brought all sorts of goodies to our guild last Thurs and I think that no one went home empty handed.
After all these years of seeing Carola’s friendly face and cheerful manner in her store and as a vendor at quilt shows, I still don’t know her last name.Opps!

But her knowledge of threads, needles ,gizmos and gadgets is always apparent, and her talk and trunk show was enjoyable. I hope that all of us got some more ideas of what can be done with a few strips and scraps from our stashes.

If you want to read more about the sewslip sheets and the grip and grip product – be sure to go to the back issues of the newsletter where I did an extensive comparison consumer report a few years ago. You’ll find it in the guild library if you no longer have your copies.

Fibre Art Exhibit – Sunshine Coast

I was bumping along the internet, when I came across this announcement by another quilting blogger from BC – In Stitches.

May 01 to June 28. 2009:   FibreArts Network (FAN) contemporary quilt exhibit – “Elements”

Exhibit Reception – Saturday, May 09 – 2-5 p.m.

FAN website: http://www.fibreartnetwork.com/

FIBREWORKS GALLERY: 12887 Sunshine Coast Hwy, Madeira Park, Pender Harbour, BC. Website: http://www.gunboatbaylodge.com/fibreworks.html

And I’ll add that the Fibreworks gallery is the Yurts collection of buildings and right across the highway from the storage rental warehouse. It’s so easy to miss, especially if there is a lot of ferry traffic on your bumper.

The Fibreart network is a group of art quilters from BC, Alberta, Sask, and Manitoba. Their membership includes a newsletter, a yearly retreat, gatherings of local quilters in your area and a chance to exhibit in a number of galleries on a regular basis.

April Demo night – CAROLA!! – Thursday April 16.

Our program committee has invited Carola of Carola’s Quilt Shop in Gibson’s to come for an evening talk and show&tell about new products.
This has been very successful in the past and it is a long time since we’ve had a guest shop owner.
I am looking forward to the evening where I don’t have to lug along any sewing supplies or check a supply list. Just bring a notebook, pen and perhaps some cash as I’m sure you’ll find something new that you will want to take home with you.

Doors will open at 6:00pm.  Trunk Show will begin at 7:30pm.

Bring your friends, and your shopping list!   Cost to non-members is $2.00

Do you miss it?

Well, I’m talking about the guild newsletter. It’s been almost a year since we have published a newsletter. We ceased publication for lack of an editor- how sad!
At tonight’s business meeting, there was a very good discussion about lack of communications in the guild.
I listened and thought that a lot of the items mentioned could have been discussed, described,elaborated upon in a newsletter and then members would have been able to have the information at their finger tips.

I don’t think a blog is a good replacement for a newsletter, but it does have a function that is useful , such as last minute changes to programs, schedules or classes.

Many years ago when I was program chairman, I published a monthly bulletin. This was one page( double sided) with all the events of the month. I can provide some samples at the May meeting .
I would like to pass on any feedback to our new executive and program committee if you wish to leave a comment.
The multi-page newsletter is a major undertaking, and the editor and contributors often felt they were just talking to themselves, with no feedback and no guest articles submitted without severe twisting of arms.

I am not optimistic that we could publish a newsletter again, but am willing to bet that there is a need for a monthly bulletin to keep people up to date on guild doings.
Now I will bring up this discussion at the May meeting,but in the meantime could you vote for:

Just scroll down and leave a message in the box below, follow the prompts.

Wanted : New Librarians

This is a great job. You get to order LOTS of books, you get to read them all first, and I will supply you with a extensive list of publishing companies, self published authors,websites with great book reviews and lots of information to give you a start in a book search.
Just a gentle reminder to all guild members that the nominations for the new year will be coming up in a few months. To enable a smooth transition for the new librarians, I’ve posted a list of duties by the New Book(corner) table, and we hope that this job appeals to you.

and here it is posted for you as well…….
1.Research publishers,authors,websites, blogs and publisher catalogs for books and DVD’s.
2.Solicite recommendations from guild members.
3.Purchase books and DVD’s for guild library, determine the budget for the purchase of the books.
4.Catalog the purchased materials as well as donated and gifted materials( check attached procedures)
5.Do a yearly inventory,
6.Monitor and document lost books yearly.
7. Monitor late return books monthly.
8.Repair books on occasion. Purchase protective plastic covers for certain materials that have separate patterns attached.
9.Check shelf organization on regular basis.
10. Shelf returned books weekly.
11. keep a list of purchased books, submit bills to treasurer, submit report at year end.
12. purchase needed office supplies such as labels and ink pads as needed ( submit bills)