November Thimblethoughts - Oakland County Quilt Guild

Thimble Thoughts
Oakland County Quilt Guild
www.oaklandcountyquiltguild.com
November, 2015
Hi Quilting Friends,
On my way “Up North” to retreat last weekend I was so inspired by
the amazing fall colors. This year we seemed to hit it just right, as it was
the most brilliant and saturated with color I have seen so far on my travels
in Michigan. Every time I looked at the bursts of red, orange and yellow, I
couldn’t help but smile and say “Thank You” to the One who created such
beauty and allowed me to see it.
While we were at Higgins Lake, we heard that Anne Loveless had
won Art Prize again this year for her quilt. She is the only person to win
Art Prize more than once. My daughter, Kristen, who goes to Grand Valley,
sent me pictures of the quilt on my phone, which was passed around to all
of the quilters attending. Kristen was in awe, and said after seeing Anne’s
quilt, “There is no need to see anything else at Art Prize… Anne’s quilt is
so incredible.” Anne is also very inspired by nature as we can see in her
quilts.
I hope you get a chance to enjoy the lovely fall colors this season
and just maybe, they will give you some inspiration for a new quilt!
Guild Happenings in Our Area:
OCQG: Nov 5 Colleen Merte of Northwater Quilts
Nov 6-7 Lisa Burmann Workshop, “The Burmann Way of Applique”
Great Lakes Heritage: Nov 12 Barbie Brooks, Backstreet Quilt Shop Lecture and BOM workshop, “Working with Wool”
Cameo: Nov 19 – Mary Clark Lecture, “From My Past to Present”
Nov 21 – Workshop “Hexies – A New Way”
Macomb: Nov 2 – Elsie Vredenburg Lecture, “Pictorial Quilts”
Metro Detroit: Nov 17 - Anne Loveless Lecture
Happy Quilting,
Linda
Road Closures
As of Oct. 16,2015, Tienken Road continues to be closed to public traffic. According to the Rochester Hills Communications office, the soonest the road will
be open is Nov. 6th or the following week. There seems to be a problem securing enough asphalt to get the job completed any earlier. Continue to seek an alternative route.
Hamlin Road is now open for public traffic
Planning for the December Potluck!
On December 3, 2015, we’ll be having our annual, winter potluck. So you have
time to plan, we’d like you to know that the evening will feature a “getting to
know you” mixer, the meal, and a BINGO gift exchange, as well as the usual
business, show and tell, etc. For those interested in exchanging a gift, we ask
that you bring any sewing-related gift, either handmade, or purchased. Items
should be unwrapped, but have a card or tag on them showing who they are
from. Suggestions are: nice needles, note cards with sewing motif, hand sewing travel kit, an antique notion, a favorite notion, a pincushion, etc. ($5 - $9
value) If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Peggy Casing – [email protected], or 248-760-0463
Gail Bufalini -- [email protected] or 248-650-0646
“The Burmann Way of Applique”
November 6 & 7, 2015
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lisa Burmann
Red House Designs & OCQG member
Lisa will be conducting the two day seminar. Goals for the seminar include

Learning how to take images you like and turn them into your own original appliqué
designs.

Learning how to make images work for raw-edge, needle turn and wool appliqué

Learn embellishing tips, stitches and techniques

Learn how to prepare your block for quilt construction

Learn tips on quilt layout and how to use your design effectively
Learn that appliqué can be a real pleasure!!
The two day workshop cost is $85.00 (for Guild members) and includes snacks and beverages. Bring your own sack lunch. A supply list will be provided upon registration.
The workshop will be held at St. Mary of the Hills, 2675 John R Rd., Rochester.
Contact Peggy Casing at 248-760-0463 or [email protected] for any further questions and registration.
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November Speaker and Workshop
Now, you have a chance to learn how to appliqué, or a chance to “up your game!”
On November 5, 2015 Coleen Merte, from North Water Quilts, will be joining us
at our regular meeting for a great presentation, featuring cotton and appliqué tips
and techniques. The following two days, the 6th and 7th, Lisa Burmann, of Red
House Designs, will conduct a two-day seminar, called “The Burmann Way of
Appliqué.” On day one of the seminar, you’ll hone your applique skills. Whether new to applique, or already proficient, Lisa will help you to move much closer
to perfection. On day two you’ll learn how to take images you like, and turn
them into your own, original, appliqué designs. You do not have to be an artist,
or know how to draw! You’ll learn how to make the images work for raw-edge,
prepared, needle-turn, and wool appliqué!!! Then, you’ll learn how to save tons
of time using the Burmann Way of Appliqué, making appliqué a real pleasure.
You’ll also learn some embellishing tips, stitches, and techniques, how to prepare
your block for quilt construction, and you’ll pick up tips on quilt layout settings,
and how to use your new design effectively. –ALL in this two-day workshop!
$85.00 covers your class fee for both days, snacks and beverages. Feel free to invite your friends! We have room! The workshop will be held at St. Mary of the
Hills, 2675 John R Rd., Rochester Hills, MI, from 10 AM-3PM BOTH days.
Please email Peggy Casing at [email protected], or call 248-760-0463 to
register.
AN OAKLAND COUNTY QUILT GUILD LIBRARY BOOK REVIEW OF
FLIP YOUR WAY TO FABULOUS QUILTS
by Donna Lynn Thomas
Would you like to create a shimmer of blurred edge Maple Leaves that dance across the top of your quilt
or a dramatic shimmy of Stars whose glow seems to emanate out to the borders? Then, explore FLIP YOUR
WAY TO FABULOUS QUILTS. It’s a 2008 publication and likely old hat to some guild members, but it may
be new to you. Certainly the techniques are worth learning and/or reviewing by those, like me, who want to improve their technical skills.
The shimmering effect is achieved by carefully controlled gradations of each color family against a neutral
background. Donna is an excellent innovator of quilt designs and methods. Her detailed instructions guide you
clearly through the Add-an-Inch method of precise half-square triangle blocks. That shimmying blend of color is
taught expertly with each design. Fourteen quilt patterns are offered and in many color ways. A 6” Bias Square
Ruler is necessary and can be obtained at many places locally or also online. Reading the entire first chapter on
Donna’s methods? Absolutely necessary.
Her offerings are so wonderfully pleasing! I’m especially enamored with the blue wall quilt by Linda
Harker shown on the dedication page.
So, my creative juices want to dig right in…. however, I am in Breckenridge, CO visiting family and did
not pack my sewing studio. Dang! When I do get back, I will try this with Donna ’s book close at hand.
- Book review by Jean Pajot Forrester
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OCQG General Meeting
October 1, 2015
President Linda Guilbert called the meeting to order at 7:02pm. She reminded
everyone that the THIMBLETHOUGHTS email goes out to everyone and if you
reply to the message, it also goes to everyone. Linda announced that Mary Asmus will coordinate the March Quilt Away. Next, the National Quilt Museum,
Paducah, KY is looking for donations to its’ annual fundraiser—mini, regular or
antique quilts. More information available online at https://
www.thequiltshow.com/daily-blog/142-newsletter/23799-national-quilt-museum
-s-2016-quilts-for-quilting-campaign. Finally, Linda asked for corrections or additions to the September meeting minutes and a motion to accept the September
minutes. Motion made by Pat Wojciechowski, seconded by Gail Bufalini.
Treasurer Maria MacDonald reported Net Income of $7,013.71 as of 9/23/15,
checking acct balance $12,497.38 with a transfer from checking to Money Market of $6,000 for new Money Market balance $18,158.88 totaling $30,656.26
Cash On Hand. Copy of report on table by podium for anyone to look at.
Programs Peggy Case and Gail Bufalini introduced Kathleen Andrews, tonight’s
speaker, who had items for sale. Lisa Burmann displayed her applique technique
sampler for day 1 and 8x10 picture into a quilt for day 2 workshops in November. November’s speaker is Coleen Merte of Northwater Quilts with cotton and
wool applique tips and techniques.
Quilt Away Mary Asmus announced the Quilt Away 3/10-13, 2016 at Transformation Spirituality Center, Kalamazoo. Included are 9 meals buffet style, 3
nights lodging, large commons room, and sewing tables. Cost $230/shared room,
$280/private. $35/deposit holds your spot.
Getting to Know You Gloria Sirosky introduced six new members and recognized last month’s new members.
Charity Marlee Smearing spoke about October 24th charity sew day at Abiding
Presence Church, Walton Blvd. from 9:30-3pm. Soup, bread, beverages provided. Bring a salad or dessert to pass.
Fall Retreat
Communications Nancy Swinerton noted that everyone can use the OCQG Facebook page or forward items of interest to Nancy or Yvonne Shannon.
Community Education Pat Wojciechowski received 4 silent auction quilts tonight. They can be any theme, approx. size 18 x 24 for sale at the Quilt Show.
The quilt needs a bit of a sleeve and a registration form attached (available from
the OCQG
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website). They will serve as advertisement at the Oxford Public Library until the
show.
Raffle Quilt Marlee Smearing thanked all members who worked last weekend at
the Quilt Showcase in Birch Run. The raffle quilt was on display and the group
sold 282 tickets. Nancy Swinerton filled in for Carolyn Smith on raffle ticket sales.
She had ticket packets to disburse to every member as well as additional packets
available. Volunteers are needed to transport the raffle quilt to shops, guilds and
public locations for display/ticket sales. If you are on FB, please send the show invite to your friend list.
Quilt In Shirley Buckmaster mentioned January 23rd from 9:30-4pm at First Congregational Church on Pine Street. Sign up starts next month. Cost $10 includes a
table, cutting grid/tables and ironing stations with lunch provided. Rochester Pride,
a youth service group, will be on hand to bring your equipment from the parking
lot. Donations appreciated.
2016 Challenge Diane Licholat Surati /Ruth McCormick brought a delightful assortment of “Tree” inspiration to share. The new sizing is 40” or longer by 30-32”
wide. Finished panels are needed for the February 2016 meeting so membership
can vote.
Corresponding Secretary Rita Weitendorf sent meeting information to Community
Lifestyles and Rochester Post. She received Great Lakes Heritage Quilters program information and sent ours to them. She sent 4 cards in September. Contact
Rita in person, by phone or email when a member needs a card.
Product Sales Kathy Beguin displayed the new ¾ length sleeve polo and fleece
jacket which has a zipper garage, inside pockets and a price reduction from $40 to
$35. Show your guild pride with our guild logo on a shirt, polo or fleece jacket.
Library Amy Stricker is collecting magazines and books for the Quilt show to sell.
If you can put your donations in a manageable size box, it’d be greatly appreciated.
Membership Lisa Cole Welby reminds us to pick up the new membership book.
Quilt Show Maria MacDonald brought the Quilt show sign up board. It has new
categories and everyone can participate. Set up day is 3/31. Show days are 4/1-2,
2016.
Door Prizes were distributed and BREAK called at 7:49pm.
Kathleen Andrews talked and gave a great trunk show. Show and Tell came next.
Linda adjourned the meeting at 9:16pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Barb DeVilbiss
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The OCQG newsletter is published every month for guild members and fellow quilters.
Articles or other information must be submitted to Evelyn Phillips by the 18th of each
month. Please submit your articles to [email protected] If you have any questions,
please feel free to contact Evelyn Phillips 248-693-2708
Lisa Welby-Cole will continue to help .
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OCQG February 2016 Tree Challenge
We hope that you have started to think about a Tree Challenge quilt for the February 2016 meeting.
We received feedback about the challenge quilt length, and changed the
length. We listened! And, hope that many more members will enter a quilt with
these new rules. (Ruth might make a panel 30" x 72", Diane's might be 32" x
60", but yours could be as small as 30” x 40”.)
Co-Chairs: Ruth McCormick 248-375-1882 and Diane Licholat – Surati 931216-1503
***** NEW RULES *****
The quilt must be: Width 30”-32” x Length 40” or longer.
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Quilt Celebration 2016
At September’s meeting Maria and I discussed the changes for our show. Let me reiterate in the newsletter.
New Venue!
Community Education Resource Center (CERC)
455 E. Scripps Road
Lake Orion, MI 48360
It is just a little further east than our previous location. It has a much larger gymnasium which will allow our vendors to occupy the same space as our beautiful quilts (vendors tell us they like that). The gym has windows allowing natural light into the space. The venue is all on one level with plenty of room for our library sales, the mini
quilt auction and an area for the serving of box-lunches (there is seating available).
Non-judged Show
This decision was a difficult one to make. We discussed at great length the pros and cons. One pro is we will save
money, having a judge is very expensive. A con, people like to have their quilts judged. Another determining factor was cost of the new venue and the timing of our show. Our show is April 1 & 2, 2016. Lake Orion Community
Schools are in session which means we had limited access to space in this facility. The venue is rented on a room/
hour basis, meaning that for every hour we occupy the gym we will be paying an hourly fee. These points do not
even add in the logistical issues we will have with just having our show in a new location. Oakland County Quilt
Guild has always done an incredible job of running our show. We have it down, right? Well a new space brings on
the added tier of space planning, where do we store quilts until they are hung?, how do we facilitate vendors setting up and quilts racks being built at the same time in the same space? All of this to say the decision was made to
not have a judged show this year. 2018 will be a time to consider a judged show after all the bugs have been rooted out in the new venue.
What does this mean for Oakland County Quilt Guild?
Involvement! This new location will require many volunteers helping with signage, set-up, directing traffic both
inside and outside, tear-down and many other tasks that pop up! Talk it up with your stitch group, plan how your
stitch group can help make this show the best yet. We would love to hear how your group plans to make Quilt
Celebration 2016 the best. Please email questions or thoughts to either Lisa or Maria.
Mark your calendar:
Setup- Thursday, March 31, 2016. Show dates- April 1&2, 2016.
I cannot say whether things will get better if we change; what I can say is they must change if they are to get better. -Georg C. Lichtenberg
Change is inevitable--except from a vending machine. -Robert C. Gallagher
Lisa Cole-Welby
Maria MacDonald
Co-Chairs, Quilt Celebration 2016
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Temple
Cynthia
November
1
Stricker
Amy
November
7
Beguin
Kathy
November
10
Quail
Kris
November
10
Paradowski
Colleen
November
13
Forrester
Jean
November
14
Tudrick
Sherry
November
18
Rieser
Pat
November
29
Heemsoth
Cathy
November
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Silent Auction Quilts for April, 2016 Show
At the November meeting, I would appreciate receiving all quilts for the Silent
Auction which are completed so far. These will become part of the group to be
displayed at the Oxford Library in upcoming months if they have hanging
sleeves.
I will be collecting small quilts at all guild meetings from now through the
March meeting. Suggested maximum size is 18 x 24 inches. Prior to turning in
your quilt, print off the Silent Auction registration form on our website and print
your information on it. This will greatly aid in my keeping track of things.
Thanks to all who are participating! Pat Wojciechowski
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CHARITY Marlee Smearing, Lesa Reynolds
We cannot thank you enough for the great support of our projects
this year. All of the items that were brought, either for cutting out,
kits, quilts to bind or to quilt were all taken to be done at the September meeting.
CHARITY SEWING DAY SATURDAY OCTOBER 24 9:30 TO
3:00 P.M.
BRING YOUR SEWING MACHINE, NEUTRAL THREAD AND
SEWING SUPPLIES. ALSO A SALAD OR DESSERT TO SHARE,
WE WILL PROVIDE SOUP, BREAD AND DRINKS ABIDING
PRESENCE CHURCH, WALTON BLVD
Sharron Ede will have patters and yarn for preemie hats on the sign
in table. Their group also does prayer shawls for anyone who is experiencing difficulties. They can be knitted or crocheted. The patterns can be as simple or hard as you want. If you have flannel, we
also provide flannel blankets for children who are in the hospital. 40
x 43. We continue to supply bereavement blankets for the hospital.
They are 23 x 27 long.
Donation of yarn for shawls will be taken also.
I will start having kits available to do rows of either braids or tumbler blocks. They are easy and fun to do and then we will put rows
together. Please watch the charity table for things to help with.
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OCQG Challenge 2015 – 2016
TREES
Make a quilt with a tree or trees as the main theme.
Challenge Rules
Challenge quilts must be made by one individual OCQG member, including the
quilting and binding.
The entry must be a completed quilt (three layers).
The challenge quilt should be a new quilt made from June 2015 – February
2016.
The quilt must be: Width 30”-32” x Length 40” or longer.
(Longer than width, or a long panel.) *NOTE: The 30”-32” must be the top.
Baste a piece of fabric over any identifying names that appear on the back, front,
or label before dropping off for the February 2016 OCQG Guild meeting.
Wholecloth quilts will be accepted. Preprinted Wholecloth fabrics are not permitted.
The top 8 winning quilts will be entered into the AQS-Grand Rapids Ultimate
Guild Challenge, with the hope of being juried into the 2016 August quilt show.
Hanging sleeves will need to comply with the AQS rules for hanging, and may
be added after this Challenge.
Co-Chairs: Ruth McCormick 248-375-1882 and Diane Licholat – Surati 248236-9464
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CHARITY
Marlee Smearing, Lesa Reynolds
By the time you get this newsletter, our charity sewing day will be past. I will
give a report at the meeting. We will have made sanitary pads for the girls in
Haiti and personal bags for the Days for Girls that get sent to Africa. I thank
all who helped.
I continue to get more cotton batting scraps and flannel and will ask for help
drawing patterns on the fabrics and cutting them. Then members can take instructions and continue to work on the sanitary pads and the bags as I get them
ready.
I also will be making packets of tumblers to put together rows and then quilt
tops. I will also start braid kits for those who want to help us.
I have received a donation of squares and will make up kits to make into tops
also.
Many thanks to those who continue to take quilts for binding and quilting.
Without many hands we would not be able to continue our charity mission.
We are open to any ideas for our charity to make quilts for, so if you have
something in mind, please see either Lesa or myself.
Thanks, Marlee
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Oakland County Quilt Guild
P.O. Box 81096
Rochester, MI 48308-1096
Our next meeting
November, 5,, 2015
at 7:00 PM at the
First Congregational Church
1315 North Pine Street
Rochester, Michigan
48307
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