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The Pieceful Times Vienna Quilters Unlimited March 2016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lorie McCown
Tuesday, March 15 – 7pm
All my work is based on stories and storytelling, whether it is evident, or not, I
leave that to the viewer. My work is faith based, using biblical, historical and
folktale sources. I work on multiple pieces at once, referencing ancient history, old
masters and folk art. Layers, both in media and meaning are important to me.
Lorie McCown, Artist’s Statement
We can look forward to a great program at our March meeting! Thank you, Joni, for making
this happen!
Save Your Memories!
The VQU has not had an Historian this year, so a team has saved some members works and
guild events through the newsletter. The newsletter is our new vehicle to store memories.
The board has discussed what to do with all the photos that have been collected over the years.
One thought was to display the albums at the April-May meetings. People can take the photos
that they would like to save. There will be someone at the table to assist if needed.
Come and revisit the fun and friendship at VQU! Laura Fraser
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President’s Letter This is a time when gardeners are looking through catalogues at all the beautiful flowers you can plant. I hope everyone is inspired to create a “spring” flower for the Retreat in March. My husband and I visited Costa Rica in early February where there were many colorful birds and flowers. I hope I can be inspired from a very real experience, not just a catalogue… Did anyone happen to see the article about “Sweet Nightmares” in the Washington Post last week? Donna DeSoto made the quilt as part of a challenge issued by Quilters Unlimited. Members were asked to create quilts on the theme of “Virginia’s beautiful waters.” “People are doing lovely quilts of the Chesapeake and quilts of various rivers and other bodies of water,” Donna said. She was inspired by the streams and brooks in the woods around Clifton.
The Quilt College had a great array of choices at the February meeting! I chose to learn something new at the fabric painting and dyeing tables. Very nice what you can make to use in a quilt. Susan also gave an inspiring talk on her inspiration and process of dyeing fabric. She often dyes fabric with a particular design in mind. Thank you Anna Willard and Susan Lapham! Louise Sutara and Judy Beach had a full table each demonstration! They shared two different shapes and methods in using English paper piecing. They created a wonderful display of each technique. Thank you Louise and Judy! Janet Marney’s discussion was well attended each session. I heard people say that they learned a lot about organizing their space! Thank you, Janet! VQU has put an ad in the QU Show program. Check it out!
Happy Spring….Almost Bloom where you are planted. Laura Fraser
Donna is part of Playgroup. The Playgroup
is a subset of the Fairfax chapter of
Quilters Unlimited, a Northern Virginia
organization for the quilt-obsessed. The
point of the Playgroup is to get away from
the commonplace quilt and push the fabric
envelope. Check out the “Legend of the
Bunnyman in Clifton”.
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Pictures from Quilt College
Anna Willard demonstrating Derwent Inktense Pencils to Lorraine Heady and Diane Kirkhart
Susan Lapham sharing with Karen Cook & Carol Kramp
Louise Sutara and Judy Beach all ready for their class!
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Virginia’s Beautiful Waters - QU Quilt Show 2016
QU Show Volunteers Needed
Calling all VQU Chapter Members! Our QU Quilt Show continues to be a success because of
your commitment as volunteers. There are lots of opportunities to help during the five days of
truck loading, set-up, show time and take-down. Most assignments are not strenuous and some
are even seated. This year you can even invite your non-member friends to volunteer with you.
To sign up for one or more shifts please click here to go to VolunteerSpot. This is an easy to
use recruitment tool. No password needed. If you encounter any problems with the sign up
process please contact me, the Quilt Show Volunteer Coordinator, Darlene Howke.
*****I still need volunteers to assist me during the show on Thursday 10:30am - 3:30pm,
Friday 1pm - 6pm and Saturday all day. Please let me know if you are interested in
volunteering. Thanks and looking forward to a great show!
Darlene Howke, Quilt Show Volunteer Coordinator
March 19, 2016 is Worldwide Quilting Day. It celebrates quilts and those who make them
annually on the third Saturday in March. The National Quilting Association started National
Quilting Day in 1991, and now it's celebrated all over the world. This would be a great
opportunity to hang a quilt out from your window, introduce a friend or neighbor to quilting, or
work on quilts with friends.
Here's a link to more info about National Quilting Day, with suggestions on how to spend the
day. http://www.nqaquilts.org/nqdideas/
From Your Nominating Chair
Hello great VQU members. It's time to look for nominations (or volunteers) to step up and
serve on our VQU Executive Board for next year (2016-2017). The board consists of 6
positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Newsletter and
Nominating. Our current secretary, Diana Sinclair, has graciously accepted to continue for one
more year and we have someone who is willing to do the Newsletter. If you are interested in
serving in one of the other positions, please let me know and I can forward the various job
responsibilities.
We've had some wonderful past board members serve and it’s time for some new
candidates. Won't you consider filling one of these spots? It's nice to have a say in what we
want from our guild and you can be assured that you'll have the retiring board's support. Thank
you for considering stepping up. Let me know if you have any questions, or, feel free to reach
out to any of the current incumbents.
Thank you,
Sharon Gokey
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Librarian’s Nook
Our special collection for this month, (back by popular demand) is: Books Pertaining to Stash
Quilts. Next month I will bring books pertaining to using your “pre-cuts.”
Here are the new books for 2016.
Smash Your Precut Stash
Learn to Quilt As You Go
Amazingly Simple Triangle Stars
Animal Parade 2
Itty Bitty Quilts
Stash Lab
The New Hexagon
To see our holdings, go to: http://www.librarything.com/catalog/viennaquLibrary. Once, there,
you may sort by title, author, date published, and entry date added to “librarything.” You may
also search for a technique, i.e. “applique.”
Karla Vernon
VQU's Upcycle Challenge
Hope there are quilters out there working on an Upcycle Quilt Challenge - so many
possibilities. Perhaps we'll see a few being worked on at the retreat. Thank you for your
participation. Sharon Gokey
Community Service
At the Community Service table you will see a notebook with the date. When you donate an
item, please sign your name so we can thank you. Last month we know Carol Strong, Madaline
Stutes, Yvonne Frank and others contributed. Thank you.
Please check the table for new kits.
Barb Ross and Diane Lovejoy
VQU Retreat “50 Shades of Spring”
The VQU Annual Retreat to be held March 18-20/21,
2016 is just days away. The Retreat is held at Rhodes
Grove Conference Center in Chambersburg, PA, less
than an hour and a half away. If you are interested in
joining this fun filled event, please contact Diana
Sinclair or Stacie Northrup. For those who are attending
retreat please review your email dated March 2, 2016
for a review of the retreat packet and important
information in the email.
Stacie Northrup and Diana Sinclair,
Retreat Chairs.
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Quilt Collector
I will collect the registered quilts at the May 17th
Vienna Quilters Unlimited meeting. Please let
me know if for some reason you cannot bring your quilt/s to that meeting. Please be sure your
quilt/s have the following:
LABEL: The label required for the QU Quilt Show is one that contains four pieces of
information: the quilt's name (title), the entrant's name, phone number and chapter. The label
must be placed in the LOWER RIGHT hand corner of the BACK of the quilt, when viewed
from the back.
CARRYING BAG: You will need a fabric (not plastic) bag with a secure closure. Each quilt
you enter must have its own bag. A pillow cover, with zipper, works well, or a pillowcase with
a drawstring encased at the top. The bag needs to be labeled with the quilt’s name (title), the
entrant’s name, phone number and chapter—JUST LIKE THE LABEL on the back of
the quilt.
I will be available Sunday afternoon at the end of the show to return your quilt/s to you. I can
also return it/them to you at the June meeting. If neither of those times is possible for you, I am
happy to make other arrangements with you.
Willa Downes
Sunshine & March Hospitality
Is there someone that could use a little sunshine? Please let me know –
A special thank you to everyone who brought a food item to the February meeting!
The following quilters signed up to bring snacks to the March meeting: Leslie Berens, Sharon
Gokey, Caletha Gould, Darlene Howke, Stacie Northrup, Susan Sladek and Michiyo
Vangellow.
Two reminders –one -- please use the large trash barrels only -- NOT the small wastebaskets at
the ends of tables – per instructions from the Vienna Fire Department. Second, remember to
bring something to drink.
Thanks and we look forward to seeing you at the March meeting.
Gloria Thompson, Hospitality & Sunshine, [email protected]
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QUILT SHOW CLASSES
EASY ON-LINE REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE
Need some inspiration or new techniques (…well, who doesn’t)? Want easy, no-pattern design
ideas? Learn how to use your current stash to create your own fabric for an exciting new look.
Color questions? Get them answered - bring a current or finished project to class for some
gentle suggestions. Don’t want to bring your machine? Not a problem - several classes do not
require one.
Quilters Unlimited will host world class teachers to guide you through this exciting learning
experience. With small classes, you will be given the individual attention you have come to
appreciate. You will leave the classroom with valuable lessons you can adapt in your next
project…or perhaps use to finish one of those UFOs resting on the shelf!
Join this exceptional group of instructors:
Susan Carlson: author of “Serendipity Quilts”, specializing in fabric collage that is amazing.
Simple subject figure will give you a complete overview of the techniques which can then be
used for more complex projects. Featured speaker at the QU Annual Meeting on Saturday, June
4th.
Vikki Pignatelli: Nationally known lecturer, teacher, author and founder of Sacred Threads
Quilt Exhibition. Basic concepts of flexible “no rules - no fear”. Discover the “play as you go”
method. Color questions answered here.
Cheryl See: AQS Hand Workmanship Award Winner in 2012. Lecturer and teacher; known as
the “hexpert”. English Paper Piecing made easy with applications for gifts and ornaments.
Pat Sloan: Author of numerous books, radio and podcast show host, fabric designer for Moda.
Fun and informative in a lively setting - using scraps in innovative ways.
Detail on classes, fees, instructors and registration - go to: quiltersunlimited.org and go to
the Quilt Show section
Register now - don’t wait - these classes are small and will fill quickly.
All classes will be held in the North Hall of the Expo Center, adjacent to the quilt show.
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For anyone who doesn’t know about the QU website and the QU Digest
Quilters Unlimited has a website at www.quiltersunlimited.org with much information about
the organization, and its show and chapters. To get to your chapter’s private page, click on
Login on the main screen. Then enter your user id and password. If you don’t have a user id or
if you have forgotten your password, just click on the appropriate link.
This is what the login screen looks like:
Member Login
Username:
Password:
If you do not have an account, please click here.
If you do not remember your password, please click here to have it reset.
The QU Digest is an informal newsletter that is published for the benefit of members and
friends of Quilters Unlimited. There are over 1,200 subscribers. However, it is not an *official*
QU publication. It's an informal way to network and share information (quilt related or not)
between monthly QU newsletters.
Include your full name, chapter and e-mail address when you submit information to the editor
for publication. Send it to Digest editor Cindy Grisdela at [email protected] The Digest
avoids publishing jokes, "e-lint," recipes, e-mail hoaxes, chain letters, etc. QU Digest readers
never criticize, "flame" or spam.
To join as a new member, send an email to [email protected] . In the
comment section, please include your full name and the QU chapter you belong to. Yahoo will
send you an email asking to confirm that you want to join the Digest. Once you confirm the
request, Cindy can approve it and you'll be all set to receive the Digest. If you have questions,
email Cindy at [email protected]
Community Help
Thanks for your many gifts to CHO. The need is great. Please bring contributions of canned
food items or diapers to the February meeting. If you have questions call me.
Kathy MacNabb
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Vienna Quilters Unlimited
Board Meeting Minutes
February 29, 2016, Patrick Henry Library
Board & Chairs Present:
Laura Fraser
Mary Lyttle
Sharon Gokey
Polly Dombroski
Darlene Howke
Gloria Thompson
Karla Vernon
Susan Lapham
Barbara Ross
Willa Downes
Joni Seidenstein
Betty Ladd
Need Volunteers for: Trash to Treasure Table & Historian
The Meeting was called to order:
Laura Fraser, President – Discussion on what to keep for history purposes and wants to bring topic to the
chapter meeting. Asking that information about how to access the QU website and our chapter library be added
in the newsletter; Both Laura and Mary Lyttle, Vice President talked on ideas and suggestions for helping the
newcomers to feel welcomed. This was a topic of concern that Diane Lovejoy, Community Service emailed to
Laura.
Sharon Gokey, Challenge & Nominating – Seeking past Presidents and their board members including, job
descriptions as she has been working on Nominations for next year.
Gloria Thompson, Hospitality and Sunshine – requesting that folks make an effort to sign up to bring snacks to
the meeting
Karla Vernon, Librarian – Just a reminder that books that were requested for the library have been purchased
but no one has come by to review and/or signed any of them out
Willa Downes, Quilt Collector – Blake Vernon, Karla Vernon’s son, did the photography for the quilts that will
be entered in the Quilt Show in June. Willa requested that the amount of donation made to Blake be increased
because Blake not only photographed the quilts, he edited and resized as needed. The motion was made and
approved for a $100 donation that will be given to Blake.
Jodi Seidenstein, Programs – suggested the next person who is doing Programs recruit another person to mentor
because you need a minimum of six (6) months to a year for program planning.
Darlene Howke, Quilt Show Representative – Volunteers are needed and now non-members can volunteer to
help at the Quilt show and you can sign up on the website. An ad will be placed in the QU Quilt show
magazine, email blasts and announcements as well will be placed in the next few month’s newsletters.
Polly Dombroski, Membership - To date we have 109 members; membership for new members is half off
between now and when renewal begins.
Stacie Northrup & Diana Sinclair, Retreat – an email blast will be sent to retreat participants that included the
retreat packet, medical information form and retreat evaluation form along with some friendly reminders.
The meeting was adjourned.
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Pictures from the February Meeting
Karen Cook and her Farmer’s Wife quilt
Karla Vernon &
Lorraine Heady
with their entry
for the
“Virginia
Waters” section
of the QU
Show. Also
made by Susan
Lapham, Joni
Seidenstein,
Polly
Dombroski &
Anna Willard.
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Yvonne Frank (above & below) with 3 quilts made by
Madaline Stutes and herself
Lottie Zielinski and her quilt
Susan Lapham (above & below) with her 2 quilts
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Diane Kirkhart and her Calliope quilt
Polly Dombroski and her 2 quilts
Patty Kearns and her 3 quilts
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The Charm
Swap theme
for March is
stripes.
Remember…we are meeting at
the Vienna Firehouse!
7pm – March 15.
Please choose a month & sign up
to bring something for the snack
table.
Are you working on
your Challenge quilt?
Bring your recently finished quilts for
Show & Tell!
June 3-5 - QU Quilt Show – Dulles Expo
Center
Hot Spots
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Birthday Gifts
We all like to receive birthday gifts! If your birthday is this month, please come to the
membership table and pick up a small gift to help you celebrate!
March 4 - Michiyo Vangellow
March 10 - Kate Untiedt
March 11 – Mary Lyttle
March 12 - Yvonne Frank
March 21 – Carole Farrell, Joni
Seidenstein & Elizabeth Veomett
March 25 – Susan Sladek
March 27 – Connie Sherrill
VQU CALENDAR
Vienna Quilters Unlimited
Monthly – Third Tuesday
September through June
(except when changed)
Vienna Firehouse
400 Center Street South
Vienna, Virginia
Second Floor Community Hall
Visit our chapter page at
http://www.quiltersunlimited.org/Vienna.htm
March 15 - VQU Meeting
Lorie McCown
http://www.loriemccown.com
March 28 7 p.m. - Board Meeting
Oakton Library
May 17 – VQU Meeting
LeeAnna Paylor
http://lapaylor.blogspot.com/
May 23 – Board Meeting
Patrick Henry Library, Vienna
April 19 – VQU Meeting
Jean Ann Wright
http://www.jeanannquilts.blogspot.com/
http://www.jeanannquilts.com/
April 25 – 7p.m. - Board Meeting
Patrick Henry Library, Vienna
June 3-5 – QU Quilt Show
Dulles Expo Center
June 14 – VQU Meeting
June Dinner
