December 2013 – Amherst Quilters Guild

December 23, 2013

2014 color of the year

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Well, it looks like I have to buy some fabric. Such a hardship, but I have nothing in this shade in my stash. Can’t have that! How about you-do you own any “Radiant Orchid”? (click here) We’ll be seeing this everywhere–just watch. What will appear first at your house? A sweater, a tee-shirt, or some packaging, or towels, or nail polish, or … even a quilt! Or are you ahead of the curve and already have some of this color living at your house?

December 22, 2013

Christmas cake frill

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I hope you’re all set for the upcoming holiday–all projects completed and wrapped under the tree. Yah, right she says with tongue in cheek. If you have to bring a dessert to the next party and have little time to prepare, here’s a way to dress up a store-bought cake. (click here) The one in the photo looks like a fruitcake. I don’t suggest bringing a fruitcake though, unless you can take the teasing in good graces. I hope you all have a safe, happy and healthy holiday. I’ll be traveling this week so probably won’t be checking in with you. Safe travels to all of you who also will be on the road!

December 11, 2013

How far we’ve come…

Hello all, Mary Ellen again. At last month’s guild meeting I picked up one of the freebie magazines that are always donated. It’s a copy of an early Quilter’s Newsletter Magazine from Feb. of 1982. Two things of note: There were profuse congratulations and excitement over the first Jinny Beyer line of fabric to be produced by V.I.P. fabrics. In the photo accompanying the article Jinny is wearing one of those quilted vests that all quilters wore back in the day. Hers features Mariner’s Compass quarters on the front. Remember those vests, girls? Come on now, fess up. You know you had one, if you’ve been at this long enough. Secondly a four page article raved about a new technique taking quilting by storm. Let me quote the introduction to you and see if you can guess what technique they are lauding. Remember now, February of 1982. ” … is […]

December 10, 2013

Christmas crafting

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. How have you been? I’ve been AWOL for a while-busy with Christmas preparations. I’m sure you all understand. One of the things I’ve been up to involves Mod Podge. Yes that goopy stuff from the old decoupage crafting craze is still around and going strong. It’s quite amazing what you can get to stick with it. Did you know there is a Mod Podge made especially for fabric? Me either. I found this review (click here) by accident at the site for Craft Test Dummies. After reading what it has to say about the improvement in the fabric texture, I think I will check out whether any of our local big box stores, with my 40% off coupon, have any of the fabric Mod Podge in stock. I do quite a bit of crafting with fabric–making fabric flowers and embellishments in particular—and if it performs […]

December 5, 2013

Busy, busy, busy

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Christmas is coming. It’s on the 25th. Every year, same date, right? Then why do I always find I’m playing catch up when December 1 rolls around? I should have my Christmas projects done by now! Does this happen to you too? Not too much time playing in the blogosphere these days for obvious reasons, but here is a great site I ran across for inspiration. I love the border on this “Christmas at the Hoffmans” quilt (click here). Going to put that into the idea file. TTFN friends.