GUILD GLIMMERS

       Picture these:  striped umbrellas at a seaside cafe'... a shiny blue pick-up truck on a Santa Fe street... Mom waving, smiling, from her beloved convertible (c. 1956)... laundry hanging from a Provencal window... gondoliers drumming up business by a Venetian canal... a gypsy dancer eager to take her turn in the spotlight...

         San Francisco artist Marcia Stein does more than "picture" them.  An avid traveler who loves to take photographs, Marcia creates marvelous quilts from those pictures.  Her process, turning photos into quilts, was the subject of her program, slides, and trunk show at our November guild meeting.

         A self-described purist and "tragically literal," Marcia's current medium is applique' story-quilts.  She admits that her biggest challenge has been learning what to leave out, and knowing where to start.  It goes something like this:  "When you have your subject, something that makes you smile, start with the most amusing aspect, and tell the story from there" — such as the rear end of the blue pick-up, or the legs-only view of the gypsy dancer.

         Marcia's labor-intensive quilts, loaded with applique', fusible layering, and hundreds of hours of machine quilting (per quilt!) tell another story as well:  a story of one pilgrim's progress, from literalism towards freer expression, simplicity, and candor; a tale of one artist, finding her own true voice.

         Thanks to Marcia, we were able to study many of her quilts up-close, generally the highlight of any quilt artists' presentation.                                

                           Paula Osborne

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

         This time of year often finds one dealing with various kinds of stress, from shopping to menu-planning to arranging travel plans.      Sometimes a quiet hour at the sewing machine can help that busy world "go away" for a while and help our stress levels return to normal.

         Marilyn and I urge you to indulge in those moments of stolen pleasure, during which time you may reflect on all the blessings we all enjoy.  We wish you a holiday season that is full of joy, peace, and compassion.

                                    Carol Tackett

DECEMBER

GUILD HOLIDAY PARTY

Friday, December 15

12:00 noon

Gualala Arts (upstairs)

         Have we got an exciting event planned for you!  Hold onto your hats and join the fun.  We have two brand new special activities planned to supplement the usual fabulous food, big laughs and joyous camaraderie of PPQG's annual holiday party on December 15.  The party will be held in the upstairs classroom.

         For the potluck lunch bring food according to the first letter of your last name:

A - H:	Main Dish
J - O:	Appetizer or salad or bread
R - Z:	Dessert

         Everyone likes a tiny taste of everything so bring a dish to serve at least eight.  We usually have about 30 in attendance.

Kiss It Goodbye FABRIC SWAP

         Tired of looking at fabric you'll never actually use?  Well, PPQG can help soothe your "fabric pain."  At the Christmas luncheon we are going to have our first, but with any luck annual, Kiss It Goodbye Fabric Swap.

         Look in your stash, move things around, dig deep in the outer realms and find the stuff at the bottom.  Bring your unloved fabric (minimum size a quarter yard, fat or long).  We'll have a table or two set up to receive your contributions.  You can ceremoniously "Kiss your fabric goodbye" and walk away smiling. Or stick around and see what treasures hide in others' discards.  Anyone who attends the meeting can rescue any fabrics they love from the table.  There will be an upside for PPQG as well.

         If you rescue a quarter yard, the guild gets $1.00.  If you rescue any piece larger than a quarter, the guild gets $2.00.  You may "adopt" as many fabrics as you like.  Any fabric left over will be adopted by the Comfort Quilt project.  Please bring single dollar bills (lots of them!).  And remember that the minimum size is a quarter yard for the donations.

The fun continues with a new surprise game that will take place at the tables (No peeking!)  Come and enjoy the fun. 

         For questions, and reservations, which are very much appreciated but not required, email Anita, anita@anitakaplan.com.  It makes it easier for the setting up committee if we know ahead how many will attend.

         So remember:  Bring unloved fabric, bring food, bring single dollar bills to spend and bring yourself.  If will be the event to start your holidays with smiles and laughter.

THE LIBRARY CORNER

By Ann Graf

         We will have four new titles for our library collections this month.  The first two feature more contemporary works and were first published in London.

         LANDSCAPE IN CONTEMPORARY QUILTS—Design and Technique, by Ineke Berlyn (2006).  Landscape is a theme being explored more and more in contemporary quiltmaking, and Ineke Berlyn is renowned for her powerful and richly colored quilts.  You will find creative stimulation in the book’s images and practical instruction on layers and design, color and fabric, and more.

         CREATIVE QUILTS—Inspiration, Texture, and Stitch, by Sandra Meech (2006).  Take your quilts and textile art work a step further as this book helps you use art, artictecture and world textiles as a source for quilt design..  She uses new surface embellishment and mixed-media techniques plus working in three dimensions.

         DREAMING IN COLOR—10 Patterns for Traditional, Colorful Quilts, by Sonia Brown (2006).  Sonia takes traditional patterns to new heights with her color and fabric choices.  Her quilts have been juried into several large quilt shows, including Houston.  Get some jazzy new ideas!

         KALEIDOSCOPE OF QUILTS—by Kaffe Fassett (2006).  Many of you saw Mary Mashuta’s copy of this recent book (she is a featured artist).  Like Kaffe’s previous publications, this one, beautifully photographed in Malta, is a treat to the eye.  The quilts vibrate with color and energy.  There is something to inspire quilters of all skill level

         RETREAT NEWS

         The Retreat is entering its final planning stage.  We are up to 29 attendees and still counting.  Those who have signed up will receive an email soon telling you the final amount you owe.  After December 31 refunds cannot be made so stay healthy!

         We are all looking forward to the wonderful time we have together.  If you would like to make arrangements for spa treatments please call Vichy Springs directly, 707 462-9515, and tell them you are with the quilt retreat.  Think about the project you would like to bring!  A complete list of handy things to put in your suitcase will be sent to you by early January!

                                    Anita Kaplan

NO-MATH WORKSHOP

         Eleven people took my No-Math Workshop and quickly mastered 4- 5-, 7-, and 9-patch blocks plus diamonds, octagons and hexagons.  They also came up with a range of dramatically graphic fantasy blocks from their imaginations.  I'm proud  of them all, especially those who let me push them to be more creative than usual.  And special thanks to Elizabeth Langdon who contributed the no-math octagons and hexagons.

                           Iris Lorenz-Fife

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Barbara McNulty	2
Lola DeLongoria	8
Laurel Young	12
Carol Tackett	14
Mary Austin	18
Donna Blum	24
Sue Friedland	30

NEW MEMBER INFO

            Judy Castleton, 21701 Bald Hill Rd., Fort Bragg, CA, 95437, 964-2595, March 15, castleton@sbcglobal.net.

         Babs Levine, P.O. Box 354, Little River, CA 95456, 937-0629, September 20, babs@wildblue.net.

         Joan Rudman, 1651 Cameron Road, Elk, CA, 95432, 877-3335, March 16, jrudman@mcn.org.

TAKE NOTE!

            The 2007 membership dues checks are rolling in, and I encourage all members to renew as soon as possible.  Send your check for $40 made out to PPQG to Gail Spencer, P.O. Box 1489, Gualala, CA 95445.  You can also bring checks to the Christmas luncheon in December.  Thank you!

                           Gail Spencer