Sewing Ideas for the Post Christmas Blues

Well, it's over.  All the presents and food and guests and cooking.  Now a New Year approaches.  Are you ready for new projects?  Making lists of inspiring ideas and quilts?  Try something small to warm up your skills this season.  At Pleasant Home , you can start with Scrappy Tree Mug Rugs, appropriate at any time of the year too.  Just make with different colors, they look so cute.

What about a new clutch from NoodleHead?  Small project, lots of possibilities.

A bit more ambition is needed for the Spool Quilt, a quilt along project from Coats & Clarks.  Each block appears to be a different spool pattern, very nice.

Got a lot of sweaters that you don't wear and are tired of making mittens.  Check out this beautiful sweater throw/blanket at Yellow Suitcase Studio.

Happy New Year.  Diana

Last Minute Gifts

Now that Christmas is almost here, of course, I find some cute ideas!  They are having a wonderful tutorial contest over at Pink Chalk Studio called Countdown to Christmas.  There are some really sweet small projects and some that take a bit more time but all very nice.  I am especially fond of the owls and the fabric dollhouse and the tree quilt, well really all of them...
Go take a look and fill up those voids in your present list.  Diana

The Stockings Are Being Delivered!

As you can see the Christmas stockings are being delivered by some of the ladies.  Here you will see the staff and some of our guild members making their delivery to Langlade Memorial Hospital in Antigo.
The staff was thankful for the thoughtfulness of these wonderful gifts.  Thanks to all who helped in any way with this project! 
I am sure your thoughtfulness will put a smile on the face of a little one this holiday season.
Laurie

Presidents Christmas Message

 Merry Christmas
Hopefully all who attended the party had as nice of a time as I did.  A wonderful meal, visiting, reindeer games and just enjoying time spent with friends.  I'm sure by now most of you have Christmas contained and maybe just some wrapping of presents to go........if so good for you.  For those of you who don't, well finish strong-you've got some time left.
It's my understanding that there is some snow coming so it does look like we'll have a white Christmas.  I was having my doubts after the rain storm the night of the party.
Looking forward to sewing sessions and meetings in 2013.
It is my Christmas wish for all of you to enjoy your family and friends during the Holiday Season.  And for those of you who travel be safe.
                    Merry Christmas,
                    Your President,
                     Deanna
Just a note that 72 Christmas stockings were brought in to the party.  They will be taken to Antigo, Shawano, Oconto Falls and Rhinelander hospitals to be given out to children who are hospitalized during the holidays.  Thanks to all who participated in the wonderful project!
 

Gifts from the heart.

And the winner is.....

 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care.

Santa's little helper

A new fashion statement?

Reindeer games

X marks the spot

Strings attached

You can do it!

Good times with good friends

 

Hope you enjoyed these pictures from our Christmas Party.

Christmas Party Reminders

Just a reminder to all of you that our Christmas Party is on Monday, December 3rd!  Looking forward to a fun evening!

 

 

 

Less than a week before the Christmas party girls, so here are a few reminders.

Don't forget to bring your canned goods for the pantry

Children's stocking

Ornament exchange if you wish to participate

Bring one/receive one bag if you wish to participate

Money for the 50/25/25 cash raffle

And be READY for Reindeer games.

You can begin to arrive at 5:30 and supper will be at 6:00. I see that the forecast calls for nice temperatures so we do not have to worry about any snow. Can't wait to see everyone and have a nice evening. Deanna

NEW BLOG FEATURE

If you will look on the right hand column of our blog, you will see that I have added a new feature to the blog.  If you click on the photo of our Pine Needle Quilter Banner it should (hopefully!) take you to photos of our quilt show.  Once you get to the photos, you can make them larger by clicking on the picture.  If you want to view them a slide show there is a button for that as well.
I apologize to anyone if I missed pictures of quilts at the show, so if you have any pictures that you would like me to add to this album, please email them to me.
I hope to add more captions to pictures soon, in things like the Fashion Show, so please hang in there with me, it is a learning process, and I am not always a fast learner!
I hope you enjoy this new feature of the blog, and I think it will come in handy for other things as well. 
Sit back, relax and enjoy looking over our beautiful quilt show.
Laurie

Houston International Quilt Association Show Winners

The Houston Quilt Show was held the last weekend in October.  If you would like to see the winning quilts look here.
It's always fun to see what quilter's are doing.  Enjoy looking at these inspiring quilts from "A World of Beauty",  by the International Quilt Association.
Laurie

Treasure's of Tomorrow Quilt Show

At the recentTreasures of Tomorrow Quilt Show at Marshfield, WI, member Carol R. brought home a ribbon on her quilt Daisies In the Cabin.

 

Here is Carol with her very striking quilt, as well as the "Pastor's Choice Ribbon"!  Congratulations to Carol, the quilt is just lovely!

 

Other news from the show is that Sheila's granddaughter Gabrielle also recieved a 1st place ribbon at the show in the Youth category. Congratulations to  Gabby as well.

 

If that wasn't enough, I am excited to tell you that member Evie K. was lucky enough to win the main raffle prize at the Marshfield show.  We were there to hear her name being called as the winner of the raffle QUILT!  We let out a loud cheer!  I am told that Evie will be bringing her wonderful prize to our next meetings Show and Tell.   Congratulations to you Evie!

Laurie

Bras for a Cause

Our guild was challenged to decorate/create bras to be displayed at our quilt show for Breast Cancer Awareness.  Following the quilt shows bras were displayed at local clinics and hospital to continue on "their mission".
Here are some of the fun bras that our group made:

 

"My Hooters"

 

"Autumn Harvest"

 

Guild members voted for their favorite bras...Sheila and Maggie display the bras that tied for guild favorites.

 

All bras were displayed at our quilt show.

 

Many of the show visitors stopped to take a peek at the bra display, and check out the information Maggie had available regarding mammograms, early breast cancer detection etc.  Thank you Maggie for heading up this great project, and to all of the ladies who participated!

Laurie

Cute Embroidered Purses

I thought I'd share these beautiful embroidered purses or totes.  Just go down the page a bit and take a look at these!  This site is in French but you can use a translator if you want to read it, visually it was just so great that I looked a  lot first and then read.

Have a great weekend!  Deanna and I are going to Marshfield today to deliver quilts for the upcoming show.  Hope a lot of you have that on your calendar.   Diana

Halloween Party Pictures

Carol sent me some photos from our Halloween meeting.  They are so nice. There was no show and tell this month!  I think that's a first, but I guess everything was shown at our show.

Here is a link for a really cute free purse pattern called the Little Betty Bag. Diana

October Meeting Details and Reminders

We had such a nice meeting this month.  It being October and Halloween is just around the corner, some of the ladies showed up in amazing and extreme costumes.  When I get some of the photos forwarded to me, I will post them.  There was great imagination shown, not sure if I will ever forget Johnny Depp, Grandma B. or the Cereal Killer.

Just some reminders of upcoming events.  We are signing up for the Christmas Party to be held on December 3.  The cost is $10.00 per member and a fun time guaranteed.  Also, we are having a Stocking Challenge held at that party.  Make a pretty sock for a child who is hospitalized for this Christmas season and put in a teddy or a cute stuffed animal and bring to the party.  Your name could be randomly selected from all participants and you could win, something.  Not sure what yet, but it will be good.  It was also mentioned that we can do the Ornament Exchange too, it is popular every year.  Just make a sweet ornament and put in bag and be prepared to exchange with a member.  It usually involves a lot of right and left movement though, just be warned.

For our November meeting, bring a canned good or nonperishable to the meeting and it will go to the food pantry.  This meeting will also be held the Second Monday of the month instead of the Third as we don't want to interfere with deer season and all that entails (or entrails, if you get a deer...). Carol R. needs volunteers to do Christmas present demos for this meeting also.  It should be fairly simple and quick and we appreciate all those who demo for us too.

Here is a really cute idea for Halloween, especially for those with grandkids.  I think I have to try them out.  Have a great evening.  Diana

Quilt Show & Raffle Quilt Winner

Raffle Quilt Winner Linda W. from Lakewood

 

Today I had the pleasure of delivering our beautiful raffle quilt "Autumn Beauty" to it's new owner.  Linda was so pleased and excited to win the quilt, and complimented the group on making such a beauty.  Thank you to Sheila for heading up the raffle quilt and for everyone who worked on it, it was a magnificent part of our show!

Our President, Deanna wants to say a big "Thank You"! to all of you who worked so hard to make our Autumn Harvest Quilt Show so wonderful.  She would also like you to please pass on a big thank you to all of your family members and friends who helped in anyway with our show.  It is nice to have so many hands helping to do all of that work. 

 

The following is a list of Viewer's Choice and Vendor's Choice recipients at out show.  I had wanted to post them with pictures, but am still waiting for some of those, so I thought I would just do the listing for now.  Hopefully I will be able to gather the rest of the pictures and I am still missing one of the Vendor's Choice Ribbon recipients, if anybody knows??

Laurie

 

2012 Autumn Harvest Quilt Show Awards

Bed Quilts - Viewer's Choice

Best of Show-Laurie S. (Amethyst Fanflowers)

1^st Place-Leah G. (Cristy Brook Log Cabin)

2^nd Place-Janet R. (Experiment With Applique)

2^nd Place-Karen V. (Blue Sky & Sunshine In Amish Country)

3^rd Place-Kathy S. (Hexagon Magic)

H.M.-Kathy S.(Bethlehem Star)

H.M.-Deb B.(Autumn Trails)

Wall Hangings/Table Runners/Apparel-Viewer's Choice

1^st Place-Ruth K. (Bird Sanctuary)

2^nd Place-Carole H. (Over the River & Through the Woods)

3^rd Place-Deb B. (Mexican Star)

3^rd Place-Kathy K. (Tisket A Tasket)

H.M.-Joann S. (Northwood's Memories)

H.M.-Deanna T. (Autumn Kept)

Vendor's Choice Ribbons

Kathy S.-Bethlehem Star

Kathy S.-Amy's Stars

Kathy S.-Hexagon Magic

Laurie S.-Amethyst Fanflowers

Laurie S. -Kaleidoscope

Deb B.-Mexican Star

Deb B.-Jewels of Autumn

Sheila H.-Cathedral Windows

Laurel D.-Barns Quilt

Carol R.-Daisies In the Cabin

Donna L.-Mexican Stars

Sheila H.-Kaleidoscope

August Show and Tell

Here are the photos from our August Show and Tell.  I am still running behind on my postings.  Maybe after the quilt show things will slow down, and I can catch up???

 

Here Leah shows the Mystery quilt "It's a Square Deal".

 

This quilt is "One Block Wonder" by Sheila.

 

Deb has made a family tree banner.

 

I wonder how many pinwheels are in Ruth's " Fly Me a Pinwheel Flag" quilt?

 

Here Ruth shows "Bird Sanctuary".

 

Judy shows a Thimbleberrie Fat Quarter Challenge, Stars and Crowns.

 

Laurie

MONDAY MEETING REMINDERS

Monday is drawing near, and here are a few reminders for our September meeting. 

Our quilt show is coming fast.  The quilt show planning committees will be meeting at 5:30 on Monday.  This is the last planning meeting before our show, so please try to be there if you are helping with the planning process.

Bring in your quilt show entry forms to be turned in to Diana.

Remember to bring your bras, if you have decorated one.  If your bra has a name, please attach it to the bra, and bring it concealed (naturally...you would conceal a bra wouldn't you?) in some way please.  We will be voting on our favorite at the meeting.

If you have any autumn items you would have to use for decorating at the quilt show, please let Carole and Toni know at the meeting what you have, so they know what is available for their planning purposes.

If you have agreed to put together a basket for our basket raffle at the quilt show, please confirm this with Deb, so she knows  what is available.

Also, if you are donating any additional prizes for our quilt raffle, please let us know.

The hamburger will be handed out to those of you who have signed up to make Sloppy Joe's, so please bring a bag or cooler to take it home in.

Submitted by Deanna...our fearless leader.

Jo-Ann Fabric VIP Program

 

I know that many of you are already participating in the Jo-Ann Fabrics VIP program, where you can get 10% off your total purchase.  If you do not yet have a Jo-Ann Fabric VIP card, you can go here to sign up for this program.  Once you get to the site, just click on Enroll Now to get started, and your card will be mailed to you.  The first time you use your Jo-Ann VIP card, you will need to have your Pine Needle Quilters membership card with you to activate your card at the store. 
Laurie

July (yes, I'm a bit behind!) Show and Tell

Where does the time go?  The summer has been a busy one, and I guess I am a bit behind of the posting of our Show & Tell photos.

 

Toni shows a very pretty Pin Wheels in the Garden.

 

A second Mystery Quilt for Kris.

 

Carole has completed "At the Lake".

 

A very summery "Florida Gulf Wave" for Barb.

 

Shirley shows a patriotic banner.

 

Another patriotic wall hanging, this one made by Toni.

 

Toni shows two Eye Spy quilts, above and below.

 

Again, some very wonderful quilts made by some very wonderful ladies!

Laurie

AQS Grand Rapids Show

This past week was the first ever American Quilter's Society quilt show in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  Several guild members went down to the show, and I think all are in agreement that the show was a great success!
You can check out the prize winning quilts here if you like.
As if all of the wonderful competition quilts weren't enough, there were of course a lot a vendors and I thought some exceptional exhibits.
The Grand Rapids show was the premiere showing of the "Quilt Like an Egyptian" exhibit which featured a couple tent makers from Cairo, who did a lot of intricate hand applique work...all I can say is that their needles sure could fly!   I  found a neat video from Bonnie McCaffery on the Tent makers of Cairo on Youtube.  I think you will enjoy seeing their beautiful work, and find it quite informative as well.
Also featured were quilts from Japan, as well as a very moving exhibit of The Alzheimer Initiative quilts.  So many wonderful quilts and moving stories about loved ones faced with Alzheimer's.
A very nice show, in a very lovley location.
Laurie

Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail

Who doesn't love quilts?  Who doesn't love barns? Combine the two, and it is wonderful!  I am sure most of you have seen the lovely quilt blocks that are painted on plywood, and then put up on a barn.  In the Shawano area, you may take a little tour to see all of the quilt block adorned barns. More information, and a printable map to the Shawano County barn quilts can be found here.
Check out this blog, Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail, which will take you on a virtual tour of many barn quilts across the country.  You can spend a lot of time looking!  Be sure to check back in all of the archives as well.
Also, if you would like to learn about the history of this project you can go to The American Quilt Trail.  This site even has an interactive map, where if you click on the state, and then county, it will show you the barn quilts there!
So, if you have a little time you can go on a barn quilt tour without ever leaving the farm!  (or house)
Laurie

Mountain Historical Society Talk

July 17 we gathered with the Mountain Historical Society for a talk on “The History of Quilts”. I was the moderator and began with old worn out quilts one of which was the Swastika design which you all will remember. It was originally called ‘Fly Foot’ and was an ancient symbol of good luck which Hitler took as his sign and will be in the annals of negativism for our lifetimes. It is rarely seen since WW II but I have one my Grandma Bartz made many years ago – 20’s or early 30’s I would say.

I was going to explain how a quilt is made but so many people in the audience were our quilt guild members so that would have been redundant. I talked about HOBO quilts and Underground Railroad quilts but no hard evidence to date that Underground RR quilts truly existed.

Then I showed Grandmother Suemnicht’s ‘Grandmother’s Flower Garden’ quilt which she started in the 30’s ( she passed in 1935) and I finished and it is longarm quilted so combines the Old and the New.

Two signature quilts – one from Grandmother Adra Ebersole made in 1930 with her Ladies Aid names on it and one I made in Mason City in the 1980’s

Following that were some more of Adra’s quilts and my quilts including some new techniques with batik fabrics and photos printed on fabric.

Quilt guild members brought quilts we admired - Joann, Peg, Donna, Leah, Carol, Marge, Mary, Lois's daughter, and others in the audience including Dolly who brought a framed piece from a very old quilt that I would say was a Civil War era quilt. It was awe inspiring to admire and appreciate all the work put into these items.

Highlight for the event was the quilts Joan and Sheila Hixon brought of their mother Velma's,  which she made from age 30 to age 96. She passed last year and July 17 would have been her 97^th birthday.

A big “Thank you” to everyone that contributed to the event.

Finally Marge has a quilt frame available from a friend if you would like one.

The friend also donated quilts that will be the middles for the Tabor quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

I am moderating another session with the Suring Historical Society on August 21 at the meeting room in the Library on Main Street.  All are welcome to attend.

Submitted by Rhoda 

You're Invited To Attend

Suring Historical Society

The public is invited to attend and encouraged to bring their own quilts to “The History of Quilting” talk on August 21 for the Suring Historical Society meeting at 7 p.m. in the Library meeting room.

Rhoda E. of the Pineneedle Quilters will be the moderator. Quilts made over the last 100 years will be displayed. Present-day quilts and modern techniques will be shown. Rhoda’s Grandma Adra was an expert Kansas quilter and her quilts will be a part of the display 56 years after she passed on in 1956.

This program was presented to the Mountain Historical Society in July and a wide variety of quilts were on display. Attendees brought their family quilts and stories too. Sheila  and Joan showed their mother, Velma's  quilts, made over her lifetime from age 30 until age 96.

Meeting Reminders & June Show and Tell

From President Deanna we have a few reminders for our Monday, July 16th meeting:

Quilt Planning Committees will meet at 5:30 prior to the regular meeting.

Sew Much More will be our guest speaker.

Rhoda will also run her Historical Society Talk by the guild at the meeting....just a little practise run!  If you are not able to attend Rhoda's talk on Tuesday night at Tabor Lutheran Church in Mountain, and you have an antique quilt for her to show at the talk, please remember to bring your quilts to Rhoda at the Monday meeting, along with a write up about the quilt.

And now, for the June Show and Tell beauties!

Joann shows "Northwoods Memories".

Barb shows her Mystery Quilt #2.

Some lucky baby will receive this cute quilt.

Chris shows "Minnesota Chain" is lovely soft colors.

Peg reads off list of block makers for the BOM quilt.

Carol's "In the Pink" quilt is fun and vibrant.

This "Grandson's Memory Quilt" made by Carol features family photos.

Laurie

QUILTING TALK

You are invited to a short explanation of quilting followed by examples of quilts belonging to Pine Needle Quilters members. This is the topic for the Mountain Historical Society Meeting on Tuesday, July 17, 7 pm, at Tabor Lutheran Church in Mountain. Quilts made in the early part of the last century will be shown up to present day quilts with modern techniques. Velma’s quilts and quilt blocks made from age 30 to age 96 will be presented by her daughters Joan and Sheila on this date which would have been her 97^th birthday. Rhoda will be the moderator.

Submitted by,

Rhoda

Happy Fourth to You and Directions for the Hanging Sleeve

I hope everyone is having a great 4th and staying cool.  Quite the heat wave we're having but the gardens are loving it especially with the rain last night.

I have posted directions for making the hanging sleeve for our quilts for the show on the Quilt Show Page.  If you have any questions, I can bring a sleeve in for a demonstration to our July meeting.

Have a safe Holiday.
Diana

The Last of May Show and Tell

I think finally I just might be getting to the end of all of the May Show and Tell.  We had so many beauties come in for our May meeting....so exciting to see so many wonderful quilts!

Above Kathy has made a striped quilt.

Here Kathy shows a 10 Minute block quilt.

Leah shows a pretty log cabin quilt.

Leah also shows a Mile A Minute.

Judy shows a pair of neat quilts in Patriotic colors.

Here above, and below Judy shows two more Patriotic quilts.

It is neat that everyone of the quilts in this posting were all donated to soldiers!  Thank again to all of you ladies who so generously made quilts for soldiers this year.  It is just so inspiring.

Laurie

And, Still More May Show and Tell

It sure is taking me a long time to get all of our May show and tell pictures up for you all to see!  I hope you enjoy these lovely quilts!

Carol made this "Dog In the Hunt" quilt using a very sweet panel.

This Mystery Quilt made by Carol has a very neat lay out.

What a striking Floral Quilt Carol has made.

Rhoda has been very busy with a jelly roll quilt above, and a small scrappy one below.

Above Rhoda has made another jelly roll quilt, and below is a quilt that was presented to Rhoda as a gift.

The above quilt was made for a soldier, by Rhoda.  I am sure someone will be really pleased with this quilt!

Above and below are 2 soldier quilts made by Kathy.  They are both really striking, don't you think?

I think I will be able to get the rest of May's Show and Tell done in one more posting....thanks for your patience.

Laurie