February 2013 – Amherst Quilters Guild

February 28, 2013

It’s me again! (deadline here!)

Hi again everyone, twice in one day – can you believe it? 🙂 I am popping-in just to show you something I found out just now – you maybe already know it, but there is a very popular voting contest going on one of the also very popular blogs – Sew Cal Gal – called Golden Quilter Award. Well I wouldn’t think it was something so important to share here, but there are several reasons I am: 1. Both of our future national teachers for Seminar, Pat Sloan (this year) and Bonnie Hunter (2014) are among nominees! However, what I found amazing is that next year’s teacher, Bonnie Hunt is not only nominated in FIVE different categories, but she is winning in ALL of them! Including the Lifetime Achievement Award! How about that! That surely says something about Bonnie – good for us next year! 🙂 2. The categories, nominees […]

February 28, 2013

Few more wanderings…

Good Thursday to all, hope you are all having a great day! A bit “slushy” outside and it could be a perfect sewing weather too, if you are free to do it. Me – not so much, so here is another quick lunch-break blurb, just to pass along few of my finds… We all make those quick but beautiful, personalized pillow cases and I thought THIS tutorial offers a bit of a different way to do it – pillow case has a flap to prevent the pillow from falling out! Interesting, don’t you think? Few posts ago Mary Ellen talked about scraps and organizing them all – just about that time a blog update came into my Inbox, with guess what – yet another advice on how to “tame” your scraps and have them ready to be used! HERE is what Gayle Bong has to say about it – I […]

February 27, 2013

Wednesday’s wanderings

Hi everyone, and happy Wednesday to you! Woke up early today (still dark outside) and starting my day with a good coffee and chatting with all of you – good way that start the day! 🙂 It has been a busy weekend and start of the week and I am still to go through all the pictures from our Guild meeting and send them to our web-master to be published on the web-site. Sorry about the delay! But what a great meeting that was! I loved seeing all the original collection quilts and their replicas – completely amazing! Here is just a few photos I took that show original and replica quilts side by side: I especially like this one above that shows some of the members who worked on this half-square quilt, Ricky, Joyce and Betty together with our wonderful Historic Homes committee chair person and great champion of […]

February 25, 2013

cut the (s)crap!

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I’ve written a bit about my scraps lately (and have found homes for some of them!) so I thought I’d look around today for some good ideas for using them. I’m sitting around waiting for my new washing machine to be delivered, killing time on the computer. How did we waste time before computers were invented? My dearly departed machine (23 years old, RIP) died on Saturday. Made the most god-awful noises and wouldn’t shift gears in the cycles. The whole thing was clanking and shaking. I guess at that age it doesn’t owe me anything. Is it strange that I’m a bit excited about a new washing machine?! Robi sent me a photo of one of her current scrap projects which is great; I might put one like it on my list. It’s basically mile–a–minute squares, with black and white triple sashings and black […]

February 25, 2013

quilt blitz

Hello all. Mary Ellen here. For those of you who are interested in exploring some modern quilts, visit Pat Sloan’s blog today. She writes about a new book by Amy Ellis on modern quilting, and has links to a list of modern quilters-a blog hop so to speak. BTW you all know ( I hope!) that Pat is this fall’s seminar national teacher. Look around at all the things she has at her blog to get an idea of what you could expect if you take a class from her. We have signed the contract for 4 classes and a lecture. You can read all about those, including the supply lists (we have those already from Pat, with color copies!), at her class and event link.

February 24, 2013

jelly roll 1600 variations

Hello all, Mary Ellen again. I’m going to be doing a demo on making a super quick quilt top soon (the jelly roll 1600) and have been looking around on Pinterest and other websites to see what quilters have done with the idea. (If you don’t know what the jelly roll 1600 is, go back to my blog entry called “odd bits again” on Feb. 19, 2013 for a quick explanation.) I’ve found some very intriguing ideas–I’ll definitely by making more of these. I think they will really help eat a chunk out of my stash. Here’s what I have found so far-and I’m still on the search. If you have any more ideas, please send them to me or add them in the comments. I think this could be a good resource for members looking for a fast charity, shower, or baby quilt. Here’s what I’ve found so far, […]

February 23, 2013

critical mass

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. It has finally happened. I can not get the lid on the med/dark scrap bin no matter what I do. I don’t think there is any open space. It already looks like a space bag after it has been sucked out by the vacuum. So I must divest a bit. Anybody want some scraps? I’ll give away 2 or 3 grocery bags full to whomever lets me know they’d like some. Come on somebody-offer a good home to some lovely scraps. I can’t bear the thought of throwing them out (gasp!). Just finished reading a piece on another quilter’s blog about scraps. What is your definition of a scrap? Is it based on a particular size of the piece? Let’s say, smaller than a fat quarter, for example? (in my world that could be considered huge!) Or is it any piece leftover after a project […]

February 22, 2013

scraps from my inbox

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. All of these little bits were in my inbox this morning! what a day! modern quilt example: I follow this blog each day and I think Victoria’s work fits my personal definition of modern quilting. Lots of white, modern fabrics with traditional blocks. What would you think about having her as a seminar teacher? Would there be enough interest? Hmm..? How many of our members have an interest in modern quilting? Or would like to explore it? McCall’s Quilting University video portal: click here and/or here. Free tutorials on many topics free e-book of pillow covering patterns– some modern, some not: click here. new (somewhat) technique and book I will definitely be trying!: click here. spent the morning with the little guys at the Explore and More museum in East Aurora. The place was swarming with little people. Had a great time, but boy am […]

February 20, 2013

kick it up a stitch

Hello all, Mary Ellen again. I’ve been a viewer of Sewing with Nancy on PBS for many years. Now I tend to watch it on the computer instead; today I found a very humorous episode of Nancy and Mary Mulari doing a special for Wisconsin Public Television. The two of them are quite a bit more relaxed and silly than I’ve ever seen on the regular episodes. The premise is a cooking show and they do actually share some recipes, but the sewing projects are what gets kicked up. If you are a fan of Nancy’s, you’ll enjoy this. Be sure to read Anita Grossman Solomon’s comment on the previous post!

February 20, 2013

craftsy class

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I just finished taking an online class via Craftsy where I learned all the tips that Anita Grossman Solomon gave to her classes at our seminar last fall. I was only able to take one of her classes-the pineapple one-and had wanted to take her others as well. Her tricks just really click with my learning style. Well guess what! Beth Ferrier is now giving a class via Craftsy on her Hand Applique by Machine that she taught at seminar as well. I wonder if she learned about Craftsy from Anita. I know Anita mentioned working with Craftsy in some conversation I had with her at seminar. The price for Beth’s class is reduced right now, so if you are so inclined this would be a good time to sign up. You can watch the classes forever once you are given your access, so if […]