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Hello all, Mary Ellen here. I’m hoping our notification issues with blog posts have been resolved. If a few of you comment on this post today, that will help me and Shez ( our web guy ) know whether or not the problem is now solved. Last night’s guild meeting was enjoyable. The ruler demos were great; I always learn something new from our resident experts. Congratulations to Annette M-G who won our guild’s spring challenge. We were each given a postcard which we were to interpret in any manner we chose in quilt form. Annette’s block printing of drift wood found along Lake Erie ( I believe, correct me Annette if I’m incorrect) was a perfect interpretation of the Japanese print on her postcard. It also was a perfect complement to Betty L’s early bird special on printing from nature. She demoed using vegetables and air brush paint in […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.Some of our most basic tools in quilting, after our rotary cutters and rulers, are our scissors. If you’re like me you have several (lots?) pairs, and one or two favorites. I thought I knew most of what there was to know about scissors, but I’ve discovered that I did not know some important tips after watching this video. I enjoy this woman’s channel; try some of her other videos too. Click here for everything you need to know about scissors. We still have not resolved the blog notifications issue. Keep checking back now and then to see if I have posted anything new. When the issue is resolved I’ll send out something to all of you.

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. 1) We finally finished and posted our first guild quilt showcase. Have you visited our guild YouTube channel to see it? We’ve had around 100 views to date, which is more than the number of members we have. Not exactly going viral, but encouraging. 2) We’re having issues with notifications not being sent for blog postings. You must have come around another way to read this today. Our web host is working with the software designer to try to resolve the problem(s). It will be obvious when it’s fixed, because you’ll get an e-mail notification. Please keep visiting us via our guild web page, choosing blog in the drop down menu. 3) How’s your guild challenge project coming? Judging is next week at our guild meeting. Read Betty L’s article in the monthly newsletter for details. It’s a beautiful May morning today, going out to […]

Hello all, I hope you enjoyed our showcase of quilts-some new and some seen before. There will be a second showcase early in 2022 to show more of the talent our guild members have. The details of the quilts in our first showcase are in the pdf attached here. The showcase will premiere on our guild’s YouTube page on Saturday May 8, 2021. quilt showcase 1 commentary

We’re having trouble with this posting. Please let me know if you receive this, or if you had also received the first attempt.   Hello all, Mary Ellen here. How does your garden grow? I think Mother Nature is a bit confused as to the correct weather for the month of April. I’ve been working on weeds more than anything else so far. I’ve been tempted a few times by the annuals I see some of my neighbors putting out, but I think I’ll wait on those. I’ve been fooled before. I’ve also been working on the quilt showcase that has been put off a few times because of Covid restrictions. My sister, who was to be our techie tutor, is immune compromised and did not want to get together to work on the project until things settled down. We have done some things on the phone but that only […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.So…have you gone on any road trips lately? Now that I am fully vaccinated, I’m feeling a bit braver and am venturing further afield. (Don’t you hate it that nearly everyone starts their sentences with the word “so” these days?) Last weekend a friend and I drove out to the Iroquois Wildlife Preserve (Alabama swamps) to eagle watch. We were quite lucky to see about 5 bald eagles and 2 nesting sites. There are having “eagle watches” at the Cayuga overlook each Saturday through April. Volunteers have spotting scopes out and are very friendly in answering questions. Nice relaxing day. Another nice road trip for some of you might be a drive to the Material Rewards quilt shop outside of Dansville NY. I used to pass by it on the way to visit my mom. And since I was going right by it, of course I […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.There was a very nice article about our beloved Jackie Groszkowski in yesterday’s Buffalo News (Thursday, April 1, 2021). She contributed so much to the community–she will be missed by so many. Perhaps since she was our community service shepherd we could all remember her by contributing a block or two to the community service block lotto this month. Here is this month’s pattern. While you’re stitching think about one of your happy memories of Jackie. Perhaps you could share one of those memories in the comments after this post.

Hello all, Mary Ellen here.I have terribly sad news to share today. Our much beloved Jackie Groszkowski, past president of our guild, died last evening from COVID. She had been in the hospital for a bit. I do not have any details to share; will do so as I learn any. I’m sure all of us who knew her have memories of her caring ways, her hearty laugh, and will greatly miss her. Send up a prayer for Jackie and her family. We have lost a precious soul.  

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. It’s our holiday today! And it’s the first day of spring! What a great coincidence. Are you doing something quilty or springy to celebrate? In the discussion at our guild meeting on Thursday night questions came up about using old thread. Several ladies mentioned being given loads of thread by friends who are cleaning out houses or closets. I too have been the recipient of lots of old thread. I have a lamp that has a base which can be filled with whatever you wish. I put a bunch of the spools, completely randomly, into the base. It sits near my favorite reading spot. (Bought the lamp at HomeGoods.) I hate to throw away things that I could use down the road for “something”. I’m sure if you enjoy crafting you also know that feeling of not throwing things away because “I could use that […]

Hello all, Mary Ellen here. Before I get to the sewing bits, a reminder for the past winners of blog prizes. If you have not yet picked up your prize, I will have them at tomorrow night’s guild meeting. If you do not plan to attend in person tomorrow, perhaps a friend of yours could pick up your prize for you. Shh! Don’t jinx it but I think spring is approaching. In the sunnier parts of the yard the tulips and daffodils are starting to show. That always puts me in the mood to sew something bright and cute. I found a few freebie patterns from Lazy Girl designs that fit the bill. Maybe you’d like to try one of these. I think my favorite is the candy wrapper key chain. See what you think.  Click here. And here are 18 free bunny patterns: click here. comment prompt: Who taught […]