Friendship Star Quilters

Quiltline March 1998

March 2 Meeting

JoAnne Parisi will be our guest speaker. Her lecture is entitled Olde is New. [On-line Note: Speaker was unable to come due to the bankruptcy of the airline that she was scheduled to fly.]

Where

7:30 PM

Gaithersburg Church of the Nazarene

8921 Warfield Road

Directions:

1.Take Goshen Rd. east (towards Montgomery Village).
2.Make a right at the stop sign at Warfield Rd.
3.Make the 1st left into the church parking lot.

April 6 Meeting

This will be our Quilt Show Preparation meeting. Watch for more details in April's newsletter

Deadline to turn in registration forms (with photo attached) is the March 2 meeting. Photo can be of a "work in progress".

President's Message

Pitching In.

I don't know about you, but often I get into situations at work or in other volunteer organizations that I am asked to "pitch in". Sometimes I find myself doing the "pitching in" of washing dinner dishes for 30 people. Sometimes it's that I am "volunteered" to write a report, go to a meeting or make a presentation. A few times, "pitching in" is to give money towards some event or item.

I'm not always good at "pitching in". Too often, it is inconvenient, boring, extra work, or simply a job I don't like doing. But there I am, grumbling under my breath and doing it anyway. Why? If I take the time to get the big picture, I see that the immediate task at hand contributes to a larger goal with which I agree. At other times the big picture isn't one that I like, but the group has provided me with a lot of support, assistance or opportunities that I wouldn't have had on my own. If I don't like the big picture that I do see, "pitching in" gives me more credibility and opportunity to change the direction that the group is heading. My attitude about "pitching in" doesn't immediately get cheery. I still may not like doing dishes. But I am there and I'm working hard to get whatever it is done right and on time.

We are coming up on that time in the guild's two year cycle where everyone is asked to do some "pitching in". I know that I'll pretty much be living at the fairgrounds for those three days that the show takes place. I'll do whatever it is that Melinda, Rose, Lauren, Carole and others need done. The show is our opportunity to raise funds that will go towards the guild. As a past program chair, I believe in the value of our speaker program. Kitty has some great speakers lined up for next year who will be lecturing and teaching us at workshops. I know that good speakers aren't cheap. Most of the guild show proceeds will go towards ensuring that we can continue to get top quality speakers. Some of the show proceeds will go to keeping our library stocked with the latest quilt books. New ideas, creative approaches, and time saving techniques are constantly being developed and published. Much as I would love to own every interesting book on quilting that is out there, my pocketbook has to be juggled between everyday needs and my quilting desires. Do I buy batting or that new Hoffman fabric that just came out? Can I buy the Kumiko Sudo book or should I save up to get a new quilting hoop? Thankfully, I can borrow some of the books that interest me from the library. I can also borrow some of the interesting tools (like the basting gun and the fast-turn) from the tool lending library rather than buy it myself. The tool lending library is another place that our quilt show money goes. Do those goals sound like things that you can agree with too? Consider "pitching in" for some amount of time during the quilt show. Do you appreciate the speakers, workshops, and other services that the guild has offered so far? Consider "pitching in" as a measure of appreciation. Want the guild to head in a different direction than what I've articulated so far? Let me know, but please, don't let it prevent you from "pitching in" now. And you can all know that I won't be grumbling under my breath while I "pitch in" at our show. Being surrounded by beautiful quilts, with people who appreciate the work that went into them and people who are open to learning about them, and presented with lots of opportunities to get those creative juices flowing (and purchase new things) is FUN!

Margreta

Olde is New

Hurry! Hurry! We have a few spots left in this class with JoAnne Parisi. It will be held on Sunday, March 1 at the Agricultural Center from 10:00 to 4:30. When you see the "olde" tops we made you will be sorry you missed out. The class is $20. Call me, Kitty Sager to sign up.

Sequoyah Quilting News

By the time this is being read, we will have had our orientation at Sequoyah Elementary School. At our March meeting I will share with you the results of that meeting plus our first work day, March 2. Squares are being cut, needles are being bought, thread is being donated, and all is right in the quilting world.

FSQ Library Notes

Please check your bookshelves and return these books as soon as possible.

Overdue books:

New Books to look for:

• Classic Quilts with Precision Foundation Piecing by Lund and Pollard
• Impressionist Palette by Perry
• Decorate with Quilts and Collections by Martin
• Romancing Ribbons into Flowers by Sienkiewicz

More Help Needed

We need 65 more people to volunteer to staff the Quilt Show. Help is needed in all areas, but especially White Glove. Please call me after 4:00 pm or sign up at the March meeting. Time is running out. I need you to volunteer. Please help out. Thank you, Carole Weikert.

National Quilting Day falls on the third Saturday in March. This year it will be March 21.

National Quilting Day was first proposed by Helen Storbeck of Winfield, Kansas to the National Quilting Association (NQA). She was a board member, and has since promoted this day very actively. In 6 years, National Quilting Day has grown beyond the bounds of NQA membership and is celebrated by quilters all over the US and beyond.

The NQA has collected signatures to send to Congress to have the day proclaimed officially, but to date, Congress has taken no action.

Helen receives reports from NQA chapters about what they do on National Quilting Day and compiles them into an article for the NQA Quilting Quarterly magazine.

You can obtain a 1999 NQ Day information packet and poster by contacting NQA National Head-quarters in Ellicott City, Maryland. You can check out WWW address <http://www.his.com/~queenb/nqa/natlquiltingday3.html> to see what guilds and bees around the country do to celebrate this day.

Membership

After several years of being our Membership Chairman, Barbara Counihan is retiring from the position. Stepping in is Georgeann Wrinkle, our new Membership Chairman. Thank you Georgeann!

Address Changes:

Bernice Huff

Peggy Kipling

Rose Madigan

Lisa Potashkin

Linda Quesenberrry

New Members

Carolyn Dockins

Martha Duff
email Duff_M@BLS.GOV

Anna Glodek
email ania@tigr.org

Betty Holme
email ejeanh@aol.com

Joanne Kostka
email jojokost@aol.com

Chris Zimmerman
email zimmermc@nigms.nih.gov

Totes, Totes and More Totes

We now have a new supply of our beautiful large tote bag. It is still available at the extraordinarily low price of $17. A fantastic bargain. This bag can easily carry our large projects and a 14" hoop. It's just the right size for carrying all those goodies we are going to buy (or win) at our show in April

Also available is our small bag at $12, which advertises our show's logo. It's great for carrying small projects when we are on the go. It also makes a neat lunch bag.

Both bags, besides their practical use, are a walking advertisement for our show. Remember, income generated from our show covers the cost of our guest speakers for the next two years.

(Friday: 3-9 pm, Saturday: 10 am -6 pm, Sunday: noon - 5 pm) Over 400 quilts, dolls and clothing displayed. "Meet the Quilter" presentations, Merchant Mall, Silent Auction, Raffle Quilt and door prize drawing.To be held at Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale Campus, Community Cultural Center Gymnasium

Admission, $5, Seniors and students $4. Group discounts, call Pat Adams (703) 569-3755 [Directions: Take I495 to exit 6W (Rt. 236 West). At 3rd signal (Wakefield Chapel Rd.) turn left. Third driveway on left to free parking.]

(Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm, Sunday: 11 am - 4 pm)

Featuring vendors, children's activities, demonstrations, Silent Auction, Raffle Quilt.To be held at the C. Elizabeth Rieg Special Center, 15542 Peach Walker Drive, Bowie MD

Admission, $4 donation requested. Call Rolinda Collinson for more info. 410-741-5036, or e-mail basketpatch@chesapeake.net [Directions: From Route 50: Go south on 301 (exit 13A), go 2 miles - turn right at Mt. Oak Rd., go 1 mile - turn left at Peach Walker Dr., go 0.4 miles - school on the left.]

Hello FSQ!

I thought that it would be fun for people to hear from our far-away members. Here is an e-mail from Veronika Krejci in Colorado. --Margreta

Hello to everyone!

I just visited your Web site and I was very impressed with the information which was available to me about the guild and the upcoming show...I am sad that I am so far away and can't coordinate my few trips to Maryland with the FSQ meetings, but I stay in touch with you all via the newsletter and your Web site.

I enjoyed reading about Margaret and her choices of restaurants amongst other things... I will try to hit few (of the restaurants) when I come back to visit Maryland (planning a trip to Lancaster, PA).Not a promise yet, but I will try to finish one of my quilts to be submitted for your show.

Happy Quilting and Hugs to all of you!

Veronika Krejci from Denver, the city of the 1998 Super Bowl winners.

Please note: my new home e-mail is vrk@uswest.net

[FYI, the restaurant list that she refers to is http://www.his.com/~mks/mks/food/]

Meeting Minutes

President Margreta Silverstone called the meeting to order and welcomed new members and visitors.

Carol Weikert announced that she needs more volunteers to sign up for the many jobs available at the Quilt Show. She will have the sign up boards available in the church lobby.

Margreta announced that the Quilt Studio in Ellicott City is closing.

The Quilters Unlimited Show will be March 20-22 in Northern Virginia.

Claire Ginther asked for volunteer helpers and donations of fabric for the Sequoia Elementary School quilting project. The program will be February 18 - Overview, History of Quilting, and Demonstration of the Running Stitch; March 2, 9, and 16 - Sewing and Completing the Quilts. Please call Claire if you can donate fabric or help out at the school.

Kitty Sager showed two quilts that she had received from Joanne Parisi who will be presenting the March program and workshop. One quilt was very old and one was a new quilt with the look of a much older quilt. The program and workshop will be about how to achieve the look of an older quilt.

Sandy Staples asked for volunteers for the Meadowside Nature Center Spring Festival on May 3.

She needs people who are willing to demonstrate any type of handwork. She also announced a fabric swap that will occur at the Agriculture Farm on the first weekend in May. The swap will be 2-inch squares suitable for watercolor or color wash work. She asked that anyone interested in a class on marbleizing on fabric call her or the Nature Center.

Susan Mertins announced that fabric is still available for the fabric challenge. She showed her entry, "Ode to Ben and Jerry's."

Rene Ewing reported on the very successful weekend retreat at Harpers Ferry. She wants to know if members are interested in a similar retreat in October. More sign ups are needed for the Williamsburg trip. Interested members should contact Rene immediately.

Rene has quilt raffle tickets available for anyone who needs them. She discussed plans for a "nickel scrap basket" to be available at meetings for members.

Melinda Lowy showed the newly-printed Quilt Show brochure and thanked Linda Paine for her help with preparing it. She announced that the Quilt Show Committee and the Executive Committee will meet on February 9.

Registration forms for quilts are due at the March meeting. Melinda has extra forms if needed and Cathy Poland will be available to take photos of quilts being registered for the show. The registration forms must be accompanied by a photo.

Suzanne Brown has a few members registered for the Boutique. Anyone interested can register with Suzanne.

Borders Books has provided space for a quilt on a frame at the Gaithersburg store. Members or small quilting groups that can help with the quilting should contact Suzanne for scheduling. Proceeds from the sale of the finished quilt will benefit Wells-Robertson House.

Heather Heller asked for members to sell tickets for the Singer featherweight machine that will be raffled at the Quilt Show.

Katherine Genung has forms available for quilts for the Silent Auction at the Quilt Show. She needs helpers who will work with members in basic quilt making skills classes.

Margaret Thorpe won the block raffle.

Door prizes were won by Elizabeth Waltrip, Ann Plunkett, Jean Crabtree, Kathy Ruffo, Susan Mertins, Mary Ann Kalinowski, and Margaret Natof.

Many beautiful and creative quilts were shown at Show and Tell.

The program for the evening was mini-workshops presented by Guild members.

Respectfully submitted,

Margaret Natof, Secretary

Information Please

Margreta forwarded this odd, but interesting, request.

From: RESchwalb@aol.com

Subject: Baltimore-area quilt guilds and "Homicide"

I realize this is an odd request, but I am curious if your guild has ever made any quilts inspired by the TV show "Homicide: Life on the Street". Do you know of any quilt guilds or individuals who have? Can you direct me to any Baltimore-based guilds? I include my snail mail address for those who aren't on-line. Many thanks for your help!

Robin Schwalb

It was decided at the last Quilt Show Committee/Executive Board meeting that everyone will be charged admission to the quilt show this year. Everyone, that is, EXCEPT people who sign up to work! This means that if you are signed up to be a white glove person, help at the admission table, help set-up the show, etc., you will NOT have to pay to get into the show. If you are unable to help out, then you will be asked to pay the admittance fee.

So, if you have not already signed up to work, you need to either see Carole Weikert (for assignments during the show) or Lauren Kingsland (for set-up and take-down) at the next meeting or give them a call and volunteer to help out at the show. There are lots of slots that still need to be filled in all categories.

The guild officers and quilt show committee chairs feel that it is very important for this quilt show to be OUR quilt show. In order for that to be the case, everyone is urged to submit a quilt for the show and volunteer to work a shift at the show. If we all do our share, then this will be the best quilt show ever!

Quilt Show Publicity

Does your church, synagogue, neighborhood or condo association have a newsletter that would print an advertisement about our quilt show? If so, please submit the following for printing in area newsletters:

Quilt Show April 24 through 26, 1998

The Year of the Quilt Quilt Show will exhibit a large number of quilts, some of which will be for sale. The quilt Feathered Star, selected as Grand Champion Best of Show at the Montgomery County Fair 1997, will be raffled, as well as several baskets filled with fabric and notions, and a Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine. Sponsored by Friendship Star Quilters of Gaithersburg, the show is at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds in the Home Arts Building on Friday, April 24 from 3 pm to 9 pm, Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 6 pm, Sunday, April 26 from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is $4 for adults, $2 for Seniors and Students 12-18 years old, free for children under 12 years old. Food Service is available. Call: (put your name and phone number) for directions and or more information.

If you want a copy of the logo, or would like me to prepare a small camera ready ad, call me.

I also have brochures or posters for distribution.

SHOW SET UP

Please sign up to help with setting up the show. If you sign up ahead of time it will be easier to give you credit towards your free admission. To help set up the poles come between 4 - 7 pm on Thursday. We will start hanging quilts at 8 am on Friday morning . Husbands and sons would be very welcome.

Call Lauren Kingsland to sign up, or see her at the March meeting.

• If you haven't already sewed the label on your quilt, would you please place it on the bottom left as you face the back of the quilt.
• Don't forget to put a 4 1/2 inch wide sleeve at the top your quilt. If you do not, your quilt will be pinned over the top of the quilt poles. This will obscure the top of your quilt and may stress the quilt if it is very large. Wall hangings will also need a 4 1/2 inch wide sleeve. Miniature quilts will be pinned to a sheet for display.
• Remember to submit a photo with your quilt registration form. I have received several without an attached picture.
• DEADLINE for submitting quilt registrations is the March meeting.
• The Staging Committee needs some seasonal props to go along with the theme The Year of the Quilt. If you have any props that suggest winter, spring, summer or fall, please call Lauren Kingsland (301-926-6784) and let her know.
• Please remember to place a dollar value on your quilt and fill it on the quilt registration form. We need this information to know how much insurance to purchase for the show. If no value is given we will assign values according to the quilt's size.

IMPORTANT: TURNING IN YOUR QUILT

You may turn in your quilts at the April meeting or on Saturday, April 18 from 1:30 - 4:00 pm in the all purpose room at the Church of the Nazarene. NOTE: this is a change from the date mentioned in the February newsletter. If you cannot turn in your quilt at one of the above times, please ask a friend to submit it, or contact me (Barbara Kahla) to make other arrangements.

A Colorado Travelogue

I'd like to tell you about our vacation this past September. My husband and I went to Colorado to see the different State Parks, but we also stopped at a few quilt shops on our camping trip. Before going on this trip I purchased the Quilters' Travel Companion (the North America edition) and xeroxed the pages for Colorado. Louie, my husband, and I went over the names and addresses of the different shops and checked our route on the map. Louie was just as excited as I about this trip. The shops we visited all were great and friendly. Here are a few that we visited and their locations:

Ruth's Stitchery, Colorado Springs
Animas Quilts, Durango
Hi Fashion Fabrics, Inc., Grand Junction
Glenwood Sewing Center, Glenwood Springs
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Golden (museum also has a quilt shop)

All the shops had a great selection of fabric and patterns for quilts, but best of all is when your husband says "You have your charge card with you. Have fun." When we would stop at a shop Louie would either nap in the car or come in with me. He learned quickly to ask for a "husband chair" instead of standing and waiting for me.

When we visited Durango, the first evening we walked around town to see the stores and stopped at Animas Quilts. The shop was closed for the night. There was another quilter looking in the window at the same time. We started talking and exchanged quilt show information which was great. For more information about their Quilt Show, please write:

Sharon Brooks
Eastern Long Island Quilters Guild
255 Knollwood La.
Mattituck, NY 11952
Show dates June 13 - 14, 1998

Before you go on your next vacation, please check to see where the quilt shops will be. It is great to see the different material and meet other quilters. Have fun quilting on your next vacation. Also, I would love to thank my husband, Louie for being there while I shopped. Before leaving a shop he would always ask if I got what I needed.

Nominations for Officers for 98-99

Yes, it is that time of year again. If you are interested in joining the nominating committee or in serving as a Guild officer for '98-'99, please contact Pat Lefevre. Two 97-98 officers have indicated their willingness to serve for a second year -- Margaret Natof as Secretary and Kitty Sager as Vice President (for programs). Yea Margaret and Kitty!

Serving as an officer in the Guild is fun and rewarding. Besides that, you meet lots of Guild members.