Pacific Piecemakers Quilt Guild
Bits & Pieces
May 2003 -- Volume 8, Issue 5
Jeri Taylor, Editor

MAY

Friday, May 16

12:30 p.m.

Gualala Arts

 

            Have you ever felt a machine can take on a personality of its own — complete with mood swings?  Have you yelled at a recalcitrant computer, “What error?  I didn’t make an error, you did!”  And the most frustrating conversation for a quilter is one that involves her sewing machine.  It goes something like this, “Who changed your tension?  You worked just fine yesterday!  Now I have threads ALL over the place!

            While PPQG can’t improve your relationship with your computer, you won’t want to miss the May meeting that has been especially designed to enhance your friendship with your sewing machine.  Jim Wylie, the warm and witty proprietor of Parkside Sewing Center will lecture on “Your Sewing Machine and You.”  He’ll answer our questions on tension, cleaning and maintenance, specialty threads, and the ins and outs of getting the very best from your machine.  And as a special added treat, he’ll show us his foot-long needle!

 

 

GUILD GLIMMERS

By Jeri Taylor

 

            A whirlwind blew in from Beaver Island, Michigan, last month, “liberating” a sizeable group of PPQG seamstresses. Gwen Marston, a combination  world-class quilter and standup comedienne, presented a two-day workshop which was certainly aptly named.  “Don’t measure,” she exhorted.  “Don’t plan.  Just cut and go!”  And the amazing thing is — it works!  The participants learned to piece liberated log cabins, houses, stars, and trees, and then how to arrange them into a cohesive whole (“If it’s too big, cut it off; if it’s too small, add something.”  It was two days of creative inspiration and almost non-stop laughter.

            At Friday’s meeting, Gwen entertained us still more as she discussed her history as a folk art quilter, showed us many of her remarkable and colorful quilts, and left us helpless with laughter.

            We can’t wait for her to come back!

 

 

PRESIDENT’S CORNER

 

                2003 is off to a good start with the smashing Challenge show -- my thanks to the committee chairpersons and volunteers who made it happen.   The guild continues to attract new members as we provide diverse and interesting workshops and lectures. And the Ways and Means Committee is providing guidance to the Steering Committee on future budget and fund-raising direction. 

 

            Since I missed my first meeting as president, I want to take this opportunity to thank Paula Osborne, past president, for the great job she did in 2002.  The momentum and direction she helped create allows for a great beginning in 2003. Thanks!               Linda Warnock

 

VOLUNTEER NEEDED!

 

            Pin sales will likely be our main money-raiser this year.  We need someone to step up to the plate and find places who would handle the $5 “donations” — like The Dolphin, The Loft, etc.  This is a lot easier than chairing Art in the Redwoods!  Call Linda!

 

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

 

June 19:  Kathy Sandbach’s  intermediate machine quilting workshop, 9:30—3:30 p.m.

            Just because the workshop has “intermediate in the title doesn’t mean that you must be an “experienced” machine quilter!  The class is designed for students who are comfortable using the darning foot, but all levels will benefit from Kathy’s friendly techniques.  Sign up now while there are still openings!  The cost is $50, with cancellations made after May 5 subject to a charge.  Call Laurie Mueller at 785-9533 to reserve your spot!

June 20:  Kathy Sandbach’s lecture, “Quilts I Have Quilted.”

July 18:  Picnic at Naida Mauthe’s!  Fun!  Food!  Family!

August 27:  Liza Pryor Lucy’s lecture, 7:00 p.m..

August 28:  Liza Pryor Lucy workshop, Suzani Quilt, 9:30—3:30.

September 19:  Special member event:  bring a project to complete; sell your sewing studio white elephants; learn from demonstrations of techniques and new products throughout the day.

October 14-16:  Kate Pasquini Masopust workshop:  Ghost Layers and Color Washes, 9:30—3:30.

November 21:  Stack and Slash Comfort Quilt workshop.

December 12:  Holiday luncheon.

            This is a rich, varied, and tantalizing array of events, so mark your calendars and sign up now!

 

HAPPY MAY BIRTHDAY

 

            Patricia Royle  —  1

            Linda Brodie   —  11

            Joyce Gaudet —   17

            Leanne Liston —  17

            Nita Green      —  25

            Lynne Atkins   —  30

           

 

             MEMBER INFO

 

We have 91 members!  This is fantastic!  The newest:

Cathe Marshall, P.O.B. 605, Pt. Arena.  881-2918, October 22

Susanna Matthay, P.O.B. 1686, Gualala.  884-9030, June 28.

Patricia J. Royle, P.O. Box 2482, Mendocino. 962-9242, pjroyle@mcn.org

 

GREAT CHALLENGE SHOW!             

            Naida Mauthe and Elizabeth Beckett deserve a huge round of applause for the terrific job they did on this year’s Challenge Show!  Every year we say, “This was the best one yet,” and that’s what’s being said about “It’s the Little Things.”  Kudos to all the quilters who shared their talent and creativity with such amazing quilts.

            The “Viewer’s Favorite” award went to Anita Kaplan for her quilt, “(A Touch of) Jungle Fever.”  The prize was given at the opening night reception.

            Naida and Elizabeth want to thank everyone who contributed to making the show such a success:  first, to everyone who brought food, helped with cleanup, served as docents, and performed all the various tasks that must be done.  Specifically:

            Publicity and Design:  Kathye Hitt, Lynne Atkins, Jackie Morse

            Food Chairperson:  Claire McPherson

            Wine servers:  Doug Blum, Bob and Sue Lease

            Document Chairperson:  Polly Dakin

            Hanging the Show:  Annie Beckett and Jerry Immel, Jo Dillon, Snap Binker.

            Receiving Quilts:  Theresa Kohlmesiter, Bev Sloan, Diane Cunningham.

            Plants:  Susan and Tony Ventrella of the Gualala Nursery and Trading Co.

            IMPORTANT MESSAGE:  The show will be taken down on Thursday morning, May 8th.  Please pick up your quilts on that day between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon.  Thank you!

 

          LIBRARY CORNER

                            by Ann Graf

           

      This month, look for our Guild’s new copy of Gee’s Bend, The Women and Their Quilts.  It’s a large volume so you might want to plan time to look at it in our library area.

            Other titles that will be going on our shelves:

            Art and Inspirations, Yvonne Porcella  

            Surfaces for Stitch: Plastic, Films, Fabric, Hedley

            Quilting Motifs, Vol. 2, Capp

            Complete Book of Quiltmaking, Walker

            Batik Beauties, Shifrin.

 

            At our next meeting, check our silent auction table and, if you can, bring something to add to it!  Thanks!

 

 

Here’s a great way to welcome spring and benefit Gualala Arts!  Tour Copia, the American Center for Wine, Food, and the Arts on Thursday, May 29.  The gardens will be in spring bloom and exhibits will include “Icing on the Cake,” showcasing cake artists; “Wheatfields,” a series of sculptures of what covered woods; the botanical sculptures of Ming Gay; and “Wit and Wine,” an exhibit of ancient hugs, jars, beakers, and vessels that date before 100 B.C.

            The bus will depart Gualala Arts at 8:00 a.m. and will arrive at Copia at 11:00.  There will be free time to browse the museum shop or first floor galleries.  Lunch will be at Julia’s Kitchen, with the garden and exhibit tour from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.  The bus will depart at 3:00 and should arrive back at Gualala Arts around 6:00 p.m.

            The cost is $85.00 per person, which includes the bus trip, Copia’s entrance fee, and a prix fixe luncheon.  All taxes and gratuities are included.  A portion of the costs will benefit Gualala Arts.

            Reservations will be accepted until May 10, 2003.  Space is limited.  For information call Susan Grenwelge at 785-9317 (email: www.sgrenwelge@msn.com) or Susan Pollard at 785-3733.

 

THINKING AHEAD

           

            The highlight of the Holiday Luncheon was surely Anita’s devious “strip game.”  Many have responded to her challenge and created beautiful quilts from a motley assortment of fabric. 

            Have an idea for a equally entertaining game for this year’s luncheon?  Contact Marilyn Limbaugh.