April 2006 Jeri Taylor, Editor Volume 11 Issue 4

GUILD GLIMMERS

It was truly a night to remember. It began with the opening reception for the 2006 Challenge Show, “A Perfect Ten.” And that pretty much summed up the show, which featured over forty quilts which showed imagination and ingenuity in fulfilling the requirement of using a “10” somewhere in the quilt. Who would have dreamed there were so many ways to incorporate a number? The quilts were stunning in their color, design, and originality.

Then it was on to the 10th Anniversary Celebration held in the auditorium. Lynne Atkins and Carol Tackett presided over the festivities, which included a brief history of the Guild by Jeri Taylor, a champagne toast, a hilarious reading of spouses statements of “How Quilting Has Changed My Life” read by Charlie Hitt, Phil Atkins, and Steve Kaplan, and a preview of the Cabaret show featuring Phil Atkins, Sita Milchev, and Don Krieger. And of course there was the splendid dinner prepared by Gualala Arts’ Culinary Guild, which was truly delicious. Following dinner, members danced into the night to music provided by Liz Redfield of local radio station KTDE. It was a celebration worthy of our 10th anniversary!

PLAYING WITH THE BEST

Iris Lorenz-Fife wears many hats, most of them in the world of “arts and letters.” We are indeed fortunate to have this multi-talented woman wielding her art among us on a regular basis. On April 21 Iris will done the hat of SAQA, Studio Art Quilt Associates, soon to become a household name among PPGQ members. Founded in 1989 by Yvonne Porcella with the vision and purpose to promote and educate the public about art quilts, SAQA also serves as a forum for professional art quilters, and a resource for those who curate, deal, consult, teach, and collect quality textiles.

Both Iris Lorenz-Fife and Janet Windsor belong to this organization, and will further educate us as to its ever expanding presence in today’s art world. Iris’ program entitled “Playing with the Best” will include a narrated slide show featuring the best of the best: 75 spectacular art quilts by the most accomplished art quilters to be found anywhere. For our active and diverse guild, this program is sure to be a source of inspiration and a spark to each of us in our creative journeys.

That’s April 21 at Gualala Art Center, where we’ll have social time and snacks at 12:30, followed by the business meeting and program at 1:00 p.m.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Spring is a time of renewal of life. Celebrate the culmination of a wonderful challenge month with the celebration of new ideas for spring time. Get out the new fabrics and luxuriate in new ideas and new challenges for the coming year.

Thanks to all who made the challenge so successful.

Celebrate on!!!!!

Carol Tackett

MAY WORKSHOP

Don’t forget Judy Mathieson’s workshop, Shadowed Circles, on May 18. Judy is a terrific teacher, and anything she teaches is worth your time and $$. This one’s a one-day workshop with piecing and appliqué with interesting shadowed effects for a 3-D quality, for only $85. Call Janet Windsor to sign up: 785-93324.

CHECK THE ROSTER!

Please check the roster, included with this month’s newsletter, for accuracy in your information. If there are any corrections, contact Gail Spencer (gbs88@yahoo.com) or Bonnie Toy (toyvin@amadorca.com.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Frances Buentjen 3

Marva Jacobs 7

Ruth Hayflick 11

Linda Warnock 15

THE LIBRARY CORNER

By Ann Graff

As our recent show again proved, quilting has come a long way from its utilitarian roots in scrap-bag fabrics and bed quilts. This month we have some additions to our shelves to help keep those creative juices flowing.

CONTEMPORARY QUILTING: Exciting Techniques and Quilts from Award-Winning Quilters, by Cindy Walter and Stevli Graves. This book is about the evolution of contemporary quilting and contains lots of information on techniques and tools, step by step instructions, as well as a gallery of quilts by many artists.

DIAMOND QUILTS & BEYOND: From the Basics to Dazzling Designs, by Jan Krentz. Let Impressionist painting inspire you to try a colorwash look — with diamonds! But this book is not just about colorwash quilts, but where you can go from there. Jan features some wonderful quilts that will definitely inspire.

CASTING SHADOWS: Creating Visual Dimension in Your Quilts, by Colleen Wise. We live in a world of three dimensions, and as quilt artists, we create in a world of two dimensions. This book introduces the possibility of another dimension. The author creates effects with color value, piecing, discharge, paint, and oil sticks.

Mary Suhr has given us a interesting quilt-related book titled PASSING ON THE COMFORT, which is about the war, quilts, and women who made a difference. Two women find each other in Holland, brought together improbably by a set of worn quilts, made by groups of women half-a-world away who simply used what they had. Very readable. By A.Keunint-Tichelaar and L. Kaplanian-Butler.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

Lynne Atkins and Kathye Hitt want to thank everyone who participated in, and contributed to, the fantastic anniversary celebration! The challenge show, the retrospective, the president’s quilts, the dinner — all were made possible by dedicated and talented workers. Now— on to the next ten years!