Weekly Notes - June 29, 2016

Eighteen ladies joined the fun today, including 2 new members.   I collected another $30 in dues, so the club is now in the black, with a treasury of a whole $7.  From now on dues collected will be held for future needs, as agreed to by a majority of members.

Show and Tell

Eileen DiSanto showed the lovely place mats she finished from last week's project.

 Donna Rissman showed a gorgeous king-sized bargello quilt she made after attending a class by Esther Mineheart. (I hope I spelled her name right, if not, someone please send me the correction)










Next she  showed the bag she made from the fractured art blocks she did after a demo  I gave about a year ago.  Maybe we might do this demo sometime in this new club.



She also showed a cute koala pillow she is completing for a friend.

 Kathy Jones showed a few more aprons that she made from shirts.
She showed a couple of shirts she got at the thrift store for mostly under $3 each.  In addition to the men's shirts, she showed an apron she made from a woman's shirt and a smaller, child-sized apron.

Kathy will be leading the group in this project on July 27th.  Plenty of time to go pick up the shirt you want to work with.

Jane Motrinec showed 2 place mats she made, one during the demo and one after.  She embellished the patriotic place mat with a beautiful eagle embroidered on the flag stripes.

Her second place mat was made with lovely modern simplicity. Nice work Jane.

Suzanne Brown came with a finished UFO project, knit hats.  She was looking for a place to donate these and several ladies suggested Busy Hands, Happy Hearts.  These hats are on their way to the right needy children.








Lastly, I showed 2 chenille fish I made as trials to remember how to do chenille.  Although I made a couple of mistakes, it was a great project to re-learn the techniques before I try to tackle a bigger project.








Next we moved on to the project of the week.  I showed my embroidered patriotic Heart Dangler and talked about how this could be done on a regular sewing machine.  Most of the ladies decided to dive into this project and I saw lots of hearts taking shape. By the end of the meeting I saw completed hearts by B.J. Herter, Marty Rhyne, Cathie Shuart, and Susan Morris.  I'm looking forward to seeing the rest come back for next week's show and tell.










I also want to thank the ladies who helped me sort through the bags of fabric and batting scraps.
I brought only half of what I have waiting, but we managed to over-stuff 4 doggie bed blanks and rescue another kitchen garbage bag full of larger, usable pieces.  I pieced together fabric to make another large dog bed when I got home and pulled enough out of the ones we filled so I could sew them closed with a level of stuffing that the dogs will find comfy.  As I mentioned at the meeting, I checked the Marion County Animal Services web site to see the dogs they have available for fostering or adoption and found they currently have 4 small dogs and 25 larger ones.  So the dog beds we make should be big enough for the larger dogs whenever possible.
I plan to bring more bags of scraps to next week's meeting, as well as fabric and embellishments I have put aside for dementia activity quilts.  I will bring these supplies in the 1st week of each month for anyone interested in making these.

The tentative project schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:

July 6 – tea caddie led by Eileen DiSanto.  Supply list will be sent out in a later email.

July 13 – Pillow Cases.  Lois will bring 3 different patterns and we will talk about each one.

July 20 – Lois can’t be at this meeting – Kathy Jones has volunteered to lead the meeting.  Project will be Neck Pillows led by Kathy Nichols

July 27 – Shirt aprons led by Kathy Jones
Aug 3rd - Iron caddie.  Donna Rissman will lead this project.
(Most of August and September are open - ideas for projects needed)
Sep. 28 - Marty Rhyne will lead a project to make neck coolers.

Weekly Notes - June 22, 2016

We had another great meeting this afternoon. 20 ladies attended,including 1 guest.  10 more members paid their dues, so we are now only $23.24 in the red against the supplies we bought last week. 3 more members and we will be in the black.  After that, new member dues will be held in reserve in case we have to purchase anything else, like replacement rotary blades, irons, etc.  Unless some unforeseen expenses come up, we may be able to stick with this one-time membership fee, but as I have said before, we will reassess our finances in January to determine whether this plan is sustainable.

Several people brought newspapers. Thank you. I brought these over to the St Vincent dePaul collection point after the meeting.  In the future, you can leave them in your car and just let me tell me you have them.  Then we can transfer them directly from your car to mine instead of carrying them in and out of the rec center. 

New club members, please look at the blog post titled "Sewing N More Kick-off Meeting" for info on the club's objectives and how we will function.

Kathy Franklin brought in 4 dog beds and a bag full of cat hammocks.  I also found some shampoo and soap for the Ocala Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Shelter. They are currently most in need of bottled water, juice boxes, kitchen bags and laundry pods for the shelter. Whatever anyone can bring, I will deliver. I sent out their wish lists in a prior email, but have posted the lists on the blog so you can easily reference it.

We had 5 show and tell entries today, but they were great. 

Pap Pipa and Eileen DiSanto both showed the fractured art blocks they created during a demo I gave Tuesday afternoon at the Alamanda Quilt chapter.  I was happy to see that they both were able to finish these in time to show them today.

Kathy Jones showed an apron she made from a man's shirt. Kathy has made lots of these and the group agreed that they would like to do this project, so we are adding this to the schedule.

Jane Swafford brought a set of pretty place mats for a round table.

I showed a patriotic Heart "dangler" that I made in an embroidery club.  This project can easily be made with a regular sewing machine, so the group asked for this to be a project before July 4th.   I will create a pattern and send out a supply list for us to do this next week.

I also showed a little "holster" I designed and made for my husband to keep a small tube of sun lotion hooked to his belt when he is out in the sun for long periods of time.  As I mentioned, he volunteers to mow the grass at Silver Springs State Park on Wednesdays.  Today he was out on the riding mower for almost 7 hours in the hot sun, and I want to be sure he does not burn!  This was a challenging project for me because it has 2 layers of fabric, a plastic inside lining, and is open at the bottom so the lotion can be dispensed without taking the tube out of the holster.  It took me 3 tries to get it right!
 

After Show & Tell we went on to talk about putting binding on a project.  Today's project was to make a place mat, but the binding processes we talked about could be applied to any size project.   There are at least 4 different methods to bind a project.  I was prepared to talk about 3, but was very happy that, when we began the discussion, several other members chimed in with their variations and hints.  Donna RIssman talked about how she sets the corners and joins the binding ends; Kathy Nichols demonstrated how to use the binding tool, and Diane Placek brought a set of instructions on McCalls method of joining the ends. Everyone joined in the discussion, either with questions or hints.  It was a wonderful sharing.

Once we had answered all the questions, everyone set to work making their place mats. Throughout the afternoon I saw lots of evidence of the more experienced sewers helping the rest.  I am really proud of all of you! You are making this club what I hoped it would be.

We have a few changes to the project schedule.  Here is the revised schedule:

The tentative project schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:

June 29 – Patriotic Heart Dangler, led by Lois. Supply list and pattern will be sent out in a few days once I convert the embroidery pattern to a regular sewing machine project.

July 6 – tea caddy led by Eileen DiSanto

July 13 – Pillow Cases.  Lois will bring 3 different patterns and we will talk about each one.

July 20 – Lois can’t be at this meeting – Kathy Jones has volunteered to lead the meeting.  Project will be Neck Pillows led by Kathy Nichols

July 27 – Man's shirt aprons led by Kathy Jones
Aug 3rd - iron caddy – TBD

For more great tutorials on binding, here are web links for 4 articles describing the binding process for the McCalls method, and a YouTube video from Missouri Star Quilters that shows the whole process from cutting the binding to finishing.
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/Quilt_Binding___Joining_the_Strips
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/Quilt_Binding___Turning_and_Handstitching
http://www.mccallsquilting.com/mccallsquilting/articles/Quilt_Binding___Joining_the_Ends

The Ultimate Quilt Binding Tutorial, Missouri Star Quilt Company

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vCWpxBRs20

Have a great week everyone!

Wish List for the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center

The Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center is a charity we can support without taking time out of our busy scheduled to make things.  If you can add any of these items into your shopping list or if you can bring travel soaps and shampoos, I will deliver them to the shelter office.  Coupons for the items below are also appreciated.
If you want to donate directly to this organization or want more info, their web address is http://www.ocaladvshelter.org/

Regular Critical Items Wish List for the Ocala Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Center

CLEANING
Laundry detergent
Large garbage bags
Tall kitchen bags

HEALTH
Antibiotic ointment
lbuprophen
Children's meds
Band Aids

HYGIENE
Hair Brushes
Tampon/pads
 Bar Soap

SUPPLIES
Toilet paper
Paper towels
Tissues
Zip Loc bags
Alarm Clocks

CHILDREN
Diapers (sizes 4-6)
Baby Wipes
 Pull-Ups

LINENS
 New pillows
 Twin sheets
 Pillow cases

FOOD
Canned soup
Bottled Water


Hurricane season supplies 
⁃   Canned meat
⁃   Nonperishable food
⁃  Juices
⁃  Batteries (AA, C, and D)
⁃  Flashlights
⁃  Hand can opener
⁃  Paper plates
⁃  Plastic utensils
⁃  Trash bags
⁃  Bleach
⁃  Lysol wipes
⁃  Paper towels
⁃  Non latex gloves
⁃  Blankets
⁃  Towels
⁃  First aid kit

Sewing N More Fun Stuff from June 15th Meeting

Our First Show and Tell :

Kathy Jones showed a beautiful quilt designed with 12 fabrics.  The idea was to stack the fabrics, cut them all the same way, and then swap them around so that each block in the quilt has the same pattern but different fabric in each portion of the block. Beautiful!   Kathy said she would bring us the pattern so maybe this might be a future project.

Carol Riggs showed a beautiful twin size Hospice quilt she made.    For those who haven’t heard, Hospice is asking for quilts using a 12 inch block they provide as the centerpiece.  These quilts should be at least 40 inches square, but larger ones are also accepted. They give these to the families of 20 yr veterans who are cared for at the end of their lives at Hospice. 

 (If anyone would like to make one of these, let me know and I will bring you the required center block.  For the crocheters out there, families of veterans who served under 20 years are given red, white and blue afghans, so these are also needed.)

Eileen DiSanto brought in her sampler quilt to show.  She took Micki MacCumbee’s sampler quilt class a number of years ago, and now she has finally finished the quilt. She called this her happy quilt, because of the lovely bright colors.   This quilt consists of 12 different blocks.  As you make each one you learn some different lessons on how to put a quilt block together.

She also showed a tea bag holder,which she will be demoing on Jun 29^th.

Kathy Nichols showed a neck pillow she made.  Although I didn’t get a picture of this, Kathy will be leading a demo on how to make this on July 6^th, so we will get photos then.

Lois Rose showed 2 items.   First, a bed runner which she got from an estate sale.  It was pieced and pinned to the backing, but she used machine embroidery quilting patterns to quilt each block, and then added the binding.  This item will go into the Quilt Guild sale and the proceeds will go to charity.

The second item was a machine embroidered wall hanging shaped like an American Flag, but with each block depicting an American Landmark.

After Show and Tell we began our inaugural project.  I made “Charter Member” name tags for everyone who said they wanted to join the new club by the first meeting date.  The project of the day was for each member to select a jelly roll strip and make their own lanyard for the name tag. (Don’t worry snowbirds, we have name tags for you when you get back.)   “Charter Member” name tags will be provided for anyone who joins before the end of June, 2016.

The project schedule for the next few weeks is as follows:

June 22 – Place Mats led by Lois Rose.  This will be a lesson on quilt binding, using a small item.   Material list will be sent out later. Our theme will be patriotic place mats, but if you don't want to do that, you can choose any other fabric theme that fits your decor.

June 29 – tea caddy led by Eileen DiSanto

July 6 – Neck Pillows led by Kathy Nichols

July 13 – Pillow Cases.  Lois will bring 3 different patterns and we will talk about each one.

July 20 – Lois can’t be at this meeting – Kathy Jones has volunteered to lead the meeting.

July 27 – iron caddy – TBD

Hope to see you all next week!

Lois

Sewing N More Kick-off Meeting

We had a good first meeting of our new club.  12 ladies joined me at El Santiago. We started with a discussion of how the club will function.  Once we got the business done, we had Show and Tell and our inaugural project.  Here are the details on how we agreed the club will operate:

1.      Meeting will start about 12:30 PM every Wednesday.  The Rec Center will be checking IDs at the beginning once we get our sewing machines in, so the official meeting won’t start until they are done.
2.      Agenda will consist of announcements, Show and Tell, demo, and project time.
3.      Dues will be $10 for the first 6 months.  This will be to cover purchase of items to be stored at the rec center so we don’t have to carry large items in each week.  Everyone will either supply their own supplies for projects or pay for a kit the coordinator puts together when that is more appropriate.  In January we will review our financial status and determine whether any additional funds are required.
4.      We have a small area for storage.   So far, the Alamanda Quilting Chapter has given us an ironing board and Donna Rissman has donated an iron.  I had a message from a woman offering to donate other sewing items, but I must have gotten back to her too late yesterday and another club beat me to it.  Eileen DiSanto and I went shopping after the meeting and bought some of the other items we deemed essential to the club.   An accounting will be sent out in a separate email.
5.      Everyone will be expected to bring ideas for projects to the club.  This can be either something you can demonstrate or something you want to learn.  If you bring an idea and no one can teach it, we will schedule a video demo day.
6.      On video demo days we will find a YouTube or other class that shows what we need. I will bring my laptop and a projector.  The rec center has internet, so I will be able to project the video large enough for everyone to see.  We will watch the video as many times as needed and then try the project ourselves.
7.      We will continue to support Charities as follows:

a.      Dog Beds and Cat Hammocks – we will accept fabric donations to make these.   I will deliver them to animal shelters in Marion, Sumter, and Lake counties.   I will send the cat hammock pattern in a separate email. Linda  Lynch has offered to donate a roll of the fabric required for the tabs on the cat hammocks.

b.      Any other fabric donated will be sorted for usefulness.

c.      If any members want to make Activity (Fidget) quilts, I will continue to make deliveries to nursing homes and individuals who request these.   I will bring the supplies I have for these to the club on the first Wednesday of each month.  Unless a majority of members vote to have a special sew day for these, we will not use a meeting day to make these. Members can make these at home and bring them to meetings.

d.      A few of the nursing homes have requested wheelchair/walker bags for their patients. If anyone would like to make these, they would be greatly appreciated.  I have a sample of one that I will try to remember to bring next week and will send a pattern for one in a separate email.

e.      Pillow Cases – Carol Riggs will try to reestablish her contacts with ConKerr pillowcases for children with cancer.  Anyone who wants to make pillowcases can bring them to the club.   Adult pillowcases will be given to the Ocala Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Shelter.  Children’s pillowcase may be given there or to ConKerr.  We will have a pillowcase demo. (See demo Schedule).

f.       For anyone who would like to support local charities, but who doesn’t have time to make any of the above, or who would like to contribute in addition to their craft time, we will support the following:

                 i.     Aluminum can pop tops:    Lady Lake Elementary School collects these. Once a year they weigh the aluminum for recycling.  The money raised goes to Ronald McDonald house.   Bring your pop tops to the club each week and when we get enough, Linda Lynch has volunteered to bring them to the school.

                  ii.     Newspapers:  Saint Vincent DePaul Society collects newspapers for recycling.  The money raised goes to pay for groceries and utility payments for needy area families.   If you are just throwing away your newspapers or putting them out for the recycling pick-up, bring them to the meeting instead and I will get them to Saint Vincent DePaul.

                  iii.     Ocala Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse Shelter – This group has a long list of items they need.  I will send these lists out in a separate email.    If you can pick up any of these items in your regular shopping trips, bring them to the meeting.   A shopping bag will be set up for you to drop items into and I will deliver them to the shelter.

First Meeting Notice

Thank you all for supporting this new club.  Our first meeting will be next Wednesday, June 15th, 12:30PM in the Hula Room at El Santiago Recreation Center.  For those who are unfamiliar with this recently rebuilt recreation center, it is located in the Village of Santo Domingo, 2373 Enrique Dr.  If you are coming from Buena Vista, turn onto El Camino Real and then turn right into the gate at the light onto Enrique.  The rec center will be on your left. If you pass a lake, you've gone too far. 

I hope everyone who can will be at this meeting, since we will be making plans for how the club will operate and I would like everyone's input.

Our first meeting will primarily be a business meeting to discuss how the club will function, but I do have a quick project planned.  Please bring your sewing machine and, if you have them, a small iron (like the clover or a travel iron) and an ironing mat.  I will bring mine to share for those who don't have their own.

Meeting Agenda

1.  Introductions

2.  Discussion of club logistics:

• equipment needed (ironing board, cutting mat, etc).
• dues or no dues
• frequency of show & tell
• projects (if you have ideas for things you can demo or things you would like to learn, please bring them)
• charities

3. Show & Tell - If you have something to show, please bring it.

4. Project - I will supply the fabric, you just need to bring your sewing machine and thread.  A little ironing is required, so if you have a mini iron and/or ironing mat, please bring it. The club doesn't have any supplies yet, only what we can bring.

Email or call me if you have any questions.  My contact information is in the Recreation News.

New Villages Club - Sewing 'N More

The purpose of this club is to give members an opportunity to learn crafts from each other and to share what they know. Most crafts will involve sewing, but other do-it-yourself project ideas will be welcome. Meetings will consist of a Show-and Tell, followed by a project or demonstration. We also support some local charities, as agreed upon by the members.

Sewing ’N More meets Wednesdays from 12:30-3:50PM at El Santiago Recreation Center.

The first meeting will be held on June 15, 2016.  Contact information will be listed in the Villages Recreation News.