Brrrrrr....................hope everyone is staying warm.

Yesterday several of our members participated in a workshop led by Isabel Bernier on how to make a drawstring bag. It was a wonderful day - I think everyone managed to make 2 bags! Isabel was a great instructor, and had a couple of surprises for us, which was an added treat. She brought gifts and Valentine loot bags - thanks, Isabel, for a fun day. Looking forward to Show& Tell.

Here is a photo of the day:

Loose Threads Guild - Winter Newsletter

Loose Threads has been very busy since we began meeting again in the fall – we had Bee Nights and demos, as well as full day workshops given by guild members.

Carolyn Nassi demonstrated how to make leaves – she supplied each participant with a “kit” and showed how to make a leaf with a vein down the middle.

Gloria Stermer gave a demo on Pillow Pals – you can read more about these fabulous items below. And check out the photos of the Box Bags, made during a fantastic demo by given by Randi Lenet.

“Quilts of Valor” is an ongoing project for us. Loose Threads has already donated a few and we have one still in progress.

We have the “10” Challenge due at the end of our season – this is to commemorate our 10th year since we became a formal guild. The only rule for this challenge is to have a completed, quilted, and bound piece that measures 10 inches!!!!!!! This is proving to be quite a challenge and it should be a fabulous evening of show and tell when we present our pieces.

Box Bag Fun

On a recent Sunday, many members of the guild gathered for a workshop to learn how to make box bags. Under the very patient guidance of the guild's own Randi Lenet, we each managed to complete at least one bag; many of us left with two.

As we began to construct the bags, we heard many calls for seam rippers and a few choice words every now and then, but we also heard many exclamations of pride as the bags started to come together and when the final product was produced. A few of us even put in our first zipper!!!!

Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.

A few of the completed bags

Many thanks go to Randi for teaching the workshop, to the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who participated in this fun day. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun. A wonderful side benefit of this great day was the collection of several bags of non perishable food items for a local mobile food kitchen.

Pillow Pals - Community Service Project

While we enjoy making quilted items for our community service (big surprise there, huh?), we also create in other ways, using these projects to brighten up the lives of others. This year our community service project didn't involve quilting, but it did involve something that all quilters have: fabric!

We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.

They're so easy to make. You need two 14 inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.

Before

After

Thank you to everyone who helped to make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.

At a recent December meeting, we had a representative from Yaldei, a pediatric development centre providing therapies for children with autism and other special needs. The children who are a part of this program were the recipients of these special holiday gifts.

Rag Quilts – Thanks to James and Terrence

Our guild is extremely lucky to be in the City of Cote St. Luc, where we have a wonderful meeting space and incredible city workers who look after our needs so well and are genuinely interested in the work we do. Two of our “regulars” are James and Terrence, and in appreciation for all they do for us, we made each of them a rag quilt. We invited them to our annual Holiday Dinner and presented our gift of a quilt to them- they were so thrilled and we were so happy to show them how much we appreciate all they do for us.

Holiday Dinner

Another fabulous “theme” dinner for our Holiday Celebration – this time it was Italian!! Many thanks go to Joyce Ireman for doing such a wonderful job of organizing and setting up. The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious, as always. As we do at all “special” meetings, we collected non perishable food items for MADA, a local food bank. Over the past several years our members have decided to take the money we would spend on each other for a small gift exchange within the guild and donate it to a local community organization that could benefit from this gift. Our recipient is Maison Shalom, a residence for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in our community.

Upcoming Events 

January
Movie Night – we invited 3 other guilds to join is for a screening of Superior Threads new DVD

February
Pizza Night
Drawstring pouch workshop by Isabel Bernier

March
Strip Paper Piecing demo by Marijke Vroomen Durning
International Quilting Day, an annual event for our members and invited guests to spend together sewing, sharing, laughing, learning

April
How to finish a Pillow (zipper/envelope) by Gloria Stermer
Petal Play Rose Brooch demo by Sharon Gates

Victoriana Quilt Design Bonus

Many of you are familiar with Benita Skinner of Victoriana Quilt Designs. Benita has generously given us 10 quilting designs to include in our newsletters. We included three in our last newsletter and here are three more for you, including one you may want to use for any Valentine's quilting. We hope you enjoy them.

Box Bags Fun

This past Sunday, many members of the guild gathered for a workshop to learn how to make box bags. Under the very patient guidance of the guild's own Randi Lenet, we each managed to complete at least one bag, many of us left with two. 

As we began to construct the bags, we heard many calls for seam rippers and a few choice words every now and then, but we also heard many exclamations of pride as the bags started to come together and when the final product was produced. A few quilters even put in their first ever zipper. ;-)

Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.

A few of the completed bags

Many, many thanks to Randi for the workshop, for the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who came to the workshop. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun.

Pillow Pals - Community Service Project

While we enjoy making quilted items for our community service (big surprise there, huh?), we also create in other ways, using these projects to brighten up the lives of others. This year our community service project didn't involve quilting, but it did involve something that all quilters have: fabric!

We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.

They're so easy to make. You need two 14.5-inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.

Gloria modelling the latest in Pillow Pal innards. 

 The before and after:

 Hard at work:

 Sharon introducing one of the Pillow Pals:

And a couple waiting to be sewn up at the top and then they can join their friends who are waiting for them:

Thank you to everyone who is helping make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.

Welcome to a new season

We had our first meeting of the new season last night and it was a great evening!! So much to look forward to on our Monday meeting nights!! We welcomed a new member, Isabel. And we had an out of town guest, Mattina, an exchange student from Sweden, who is staying with one of our members.
Show and Tell was inspirational, as always. We are going to try a new format for S&T this year - when we show our work, we will describe our inspiration, why we chose the fabric we did, and how we actually made the piece - this should be very educational!!
While surfing the net, I came across this great blog - check it out - http://freequiltpatterns.blogspot.ca/
Have you completed your guild name tag?? It was funny last night how some of us came with ours not complete:-)
Don't forget to work on your "Pillow Pals" to have for our Oct 15 meeting.
As always, we need volunteers to help the executive make Loose Threads the vibrant guild it is - won't you consider offering to help, whether it be doing a demo or organizing an event?? Contact me @ shemie@videotron.ca to let me know what you are interested in helping with.
Marijke will be posting the schedule and other info very soon. Be sure to check back often, and remember to leave a comment.
Sharon (shemie@videotron.ca)

A new season is about to begin

Hello to all Loose Threads members (and to future members, too!!) Although it is hard to believe that our summer schedules are winding down, it is exciting to think that our guild will be celebrating our 10th year anniversary with a special challenge and other fun happenings! Our opening meeting will take place on Monday, Aug 27 @ 7:15 P.M. in Chalet 1. Don`t forget to wear your name tag!! If you know of someone who might like to join our group, please invite them to the meeting. Remember to let Randi know of any life cycle events, so that the guild can acknowledge them. Also, collect toiletries on your travels for Auberge Shalom, and keep your soda can tabs for Roz. Our community work is always ongoing, so please keep these in mind. For any info regarding Loose Threads Quilt Guild, you can contact me at: shemie@videotron.ca

Do You Have Your Name Tag?

During one of our last Loose Threads meetings of the 2011/12 year, we had a workshop on making name tags. It was sort of like making the postcards earlier in the season, but in an even smaller scale.

It was decided that it would be nice if all LT members wore their name tags during our meetings but how to encourage this? Well, how about an incentive? Every time you wear your name tag to a meeting, you will get a chance to win some fabric. The more times you wear your tag, the more chances you'll have. And who doesn't want more fabric? (Notice, I didn't ask who *needed* more fabric!)

So, wear your name tag! Don't leave it in your drawer or in your sewing room.

What's Coming Up for Loose Threads?

A new season is always exciting, the freshness of starting new projects mingled with gathering with people we haven't seen for a few months. And what is coming up this season for Loose Threads? Its 10th anniversary - that's what!

The executive came up with a great idea to help commemorate the 10th year of Loose Threads, but you'll have to get on your thinking cap. Or maybe not. Maybe if you go with your instincts, your gut reaction, you may end up with something even better.

The idea is a challenge, but not an ordinary one. Most challenges involve having specific fabrics or techniques within certain specifications. This challenge is 10. That's it. The project should be 10 inches by 10 inches complete - but what you decide to do with 10 is entirely up to you and your imagination.

You'll all get more information when the we meet up again, but it's never too early to start letting your imagination run wild. It will be fun to see the various interpretations.

If you're planning ahead and want to put the upcoming meeting dates in your agenda, here are the dates listed so far, up to the end of January, when we'll be meeting for the 2012/13 season:

Opening meeting: August 27, 2012. Remember, if you have a friend who would like to join, membership is open to new people.

September: 

10

October:

15

29

November:

5

19

December:

3

17 (Holiday dinner)

January:

7

21

Welcome Blog Mistress Marijke

Just a quick note to say thanks to Marijke for taking on the job of blog mistress :-) She is already doing a great job!! I will continue to write on my own sometimes, as I have done for the past few years, but Marijke is the official LT blogger now. This weekend was the Vermont Quilt Festival. I was lucky enough to be able to go with Roz and Ruth on Friday. What a wonderful display of artistry. And for us Montrealers, what a fantastic chance to shop at vendors who we don't have easy accesss to. It was a great day spent with two friends. I hope everyone is enjoying the gorgeous summer we are having. Stay safe and happy sewing.

Who's Who at Loose Threads ?

Yes, the Loose Threads season is over but planning for our 10th year is going strong. It takes a good bit of work to run a group, even a small, community group like Loose Threads. There's planning of logistics (where, how, when), managing registration, relationships with other community groups, and so on. Volunteers do so much but because it's behind the scenes, it's not obvious. 

If you want to help out to keep LT going, don't be shy! You don't have to volunteer for a big job, start small if you don't know what you can commit to. 
So, who's who for the upcoming year? Here is the proposed slate for 2012/13:

EXECUTIVE

Co-Presidents

Roz Agulnik, Sharon Gates

Immediate Past President

Barbara Amihod

Corresponding Secretary

Randi Lenet

Treasurer

Ruth Rosenblum

Member-at-Large

Joyce Ireman
Gloria Stermer

CHAIRWOMEN

Membership Chair

Roz Agulnik, Ruth Rosenblum

Programming Chair

Gloria Stermer, Carolyn Nassi

Hospitality Chair Special Dinners 

Joyce Ireman

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATORS

Community Works Committee

Ronit Jacobson, Gloria Stermer 

Communication

Sharon Gates 

International Quilting Day

Roz Agulnik, Randi Lenet, Ruth Rosenblum

Name Tags

Roz Agulnik

Webmaster/mistress(?) 
Marijke Vroomen Durning

If you are interested in joining Loose Threads - you don't need to be a quilter (yet!), but having basic sewing skills is helpful. You can contact Sharon Gates at shemie@videotron.ca or call her at 514-485-0718 for more information.

Another season is over but...

...that doesn't mean Loose Threads members won't be crafting and coming up with ideas for our next - our 10th year as a guild.

Our final pot luck meal/meeting is always a bit bittersweet. It's a fun evening because we get to relax among like-minded friends and enjoy dishes made by others, clamouring for recipes and wondering what secret ingredients have made a certain food taste so good. But it's also a bit sad because another year has passed - and don't they seem to pass more quickly every year?

Some members have had wonderful news to share with the guild, others have had sadder, life-changing issues touch their lives. That being said, we all have something in common and that is what brings us all together the first and third Monday from September to June.

http://cqq.ca/salon_en/

At this year's closing dinner, our show-and-tell was in a large part a sharing of what some of us learned and did during the Quebec Quilt Salon, that was held here in Montreal in May.

From all accounts from LT members, as well as quilters at the event, the show was a huge hit. The teachers were fantastic and the exhibition stunning. Some of those quilts were beyond description as quilters and non-quilters admired them.

Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting information about the guild's upcoming year and projects. If people send me photos of their work, I can post them too.

Why not share our work and let others see what we have accomplished? It's not bragging by any means - it's sharing in the joy of what we have learned and accomplished. Maybe some others who were thinking that they "can't" do this may see what we have been able to do and decide to give it a try.

I've volunteered to take over this blog, so if you ever would like to have something recognized or written about here, please feel free to email me. Also, leave comments! The best way to get a blog going is by having conversations that result from the posts. Share our blog with people in other guilds - it's always fun to have exchanges from people who share our passion but who live in other parts of the country or world. Quilters are everywhere!

So, that's it for today's post. I hope you all have a great St. Jean Baptiste weekeend and happy stitching!

Marijke
(mareyeka at gmail dot com)

It's a New Year

Can it be almost 1 year since I last posted on our blog????
Well, I am back and have lots to report.
Our guild has been very busy - we had:
-A Bee Night where Gloria showed us how to make place mats. Thank you to Gloria and Ronit for all their hard work in making the kits for us and assembling the beautifully wrapped packages of placemats and pillowcases for residents at Maison Shalom.These packages were donated to a member of the executive of Maison Shalom at our Holiday dinner. We were priveleged to view a video about the residents and it was a very moving experience for those of us at the meeting. It was wonderful to see photos of the residents receiving their gifts at their Chanukah party.
This year the monies we collected went to JWIC, and they were very appreciative of our donation. The non perishable food items were picked up by MADA. Thanks to all of our members for their participation in our Community works.
-We had demo by me on Trapunto by hand, by Gloria on Celtic quilting, and by me on needle turn applique.
-We had a Bee Night where we "played" with our Bingo game blocks and cut them down to size to assemble into a quilt for Quilts of Valor, an organization that collects for, and distributes quilts to, returning military personnel. The blue sashing fabric offsets the scrappy blocks beautifully (thanks to Roz for choosing the sashing fabric).

The rest of this year looks like it is filled with some great activities!! We have a Pizza Dinner on Jan 30. During this meeting we will be discussing fabric postcards, and we will be seeing some from members who have received and made these little works of art. A full day workshop on fabric PC's will follow on Feb 4, at the ACC.
We have a meeting planned for Mar 5 entitled "Gab Fest" - here we will share tips, horror stories, learn how to make bias stems, ruched flowers, and give and receive help with UFO's.
On March 17 it is IQD, a day filled with lots of fun, friendship, and food. Participants will share more than just quilting, I am sure.
May 24-27/12 is CQQ's Salon 2012. There are some incredible teachers giving fabulous workshops. Here is a link to the workshops being offered: http://cqq.ca/workshop/
For general info about the salon: email:salon2012info@cqq.ca website:http://cqq.ca/salon_en/
I guess that's it for now.
Please leave a comment, share this with your quilting friends, send me anything you would like to post on the blog related to Loose Threads, etc.
Stay warm and safe.
Sharon

Game Night

Tonight was our guild's Game Night, and thanks to Randi for some inventive thinking, a great time was had by all. Lots of great prizes - everyone went home a winner! Thank you Randi, for the fun games, and thanks to Joyce Ireman, our new bingo caller :-)

Our Community Project, being co-chaired by Gloria and Ronit, is underway. We will be making pillowcases for Maison Shalom, which has approximately 20 full time residents, and several respite care residents, at any given time. At our next meeting, we will have another demo for those who may have missed it the last time. Several members have already made pillowcases for donation - thank you!! And after the demo, there will be a Bee Night in the early fall, so that we will have the pillowcases for Chanukah.

At this time, Tuesday quilting is on hold, due to a commitment Roz and I have.
If someone else would like to take over the responsibility for organizing the Tuesday get togethers, please email me privately.

At tonight's meeting, I again put out the call to you to consider stepping forward to assume a position on the executive, as life has thrown some of us a few curves we were not expecting. Please think about how you would like to help us out and keep the guild the vibrant group it is.

I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Barbara, Roz, and myself, to wish everyone a healthy and joyous holiday, whether it be Pesach or Easter. May your family gatherings be filled with wonderful times, great food, and the making of wonderful memories.

International Quilting Day 2011

Today was International Quilting Day and Loose Threads once again did a great job of hosting this fun-filled day of quilting, sewing, knitting, chatting, and noshing :D
Ably co- chaired by Randi and Vikki, the day saw aproximately 35 participants from our guild and 2 others, West End Quilters and Cuilte Montreal, enjoy themselves immensely. The room was set up with a cutting station, ironing stations, a fabric sale table, and a seemingly endless snack table.
All of us left with a loot bag filled with goodies such as fabrics and threads. Six lucky participants each won a fantastic raffle basket.
Everyone brought non perishable food items for our guild to donate to MADA.
Wendy Foster, a quilter from Ottawa, was the guest speaker. Wendy sells threads and brought a vast selection for us to purchase........so many gorgeous colors to choose from!
After talking about the different types of theads for machine use, Wendy gave a splendid trunk show, highlights of which were her art pieces, fish purses and quilted clothing. She is a very talented woman!!
A big thank you to Randi and Vikki for their organizing of this day, and to the many other Loose Threads members who helped make it such a success.

Pillowcase Demo

Last night at our guild meeting, Gloria demonstrated how to make a pillowcase, using the "sausage" method. It was a great evening. Gloria provided a comprehensive demo, complete with a detailed handout and step by step samples. Gloria, thank you for a wonderful project demo. The guild will be putting to good use your hints when we get together over the next season for our Community Project. And speaking of our Community Project for next year, Ronit and Gloria have graciously volunteered to be co-chairs. We will be making pillowcases for Maison Shalom, which is actually 2 group homes in the community, for Jewish adults who are developmentally challenged. Details of this project will be discussed at a later date.
Our next Tuesday get together, which had been scheduled for Feb. 15th, is CANCELLED, due to renovations taking place in the chalet. Please be sure to check the emails we send you re: meeting reminders and updates, as sometimes we may have to relocate or cancel a meeting.
If you have not as yet signed up for International Quilting Day, to be held March 19th, in Chalet 1, please contact Randi or Vikki to let them know you want to participate. And remember the special guest they have lined up - Wendy Foster, a "threadologist" from Ottawa, who is a rep for Superior Threads. There are a few spots still available, and if you have a friend who you think might like to come along with you, let Randi or Vikki know. As always, IQD promises to be a fun filled day of comaraderie, sewing, sharing and snacking!!!! Look for emails regarding the day as we get closer - Randi and Vikki will be asking for volunteers who will bake or bring goodies.
I have been thinking it might be a nice idea to reintroduce the coffee break - last week's pizza dinner was a real success, and last night people seemed to enjoy the danish, and some people even made tea!!! So, if you like this idea, please respond as such and we will reinstitute the practice.
As a special request, to those members who knit and would like to make hats for the Israeli soldiers, we have black wool available. Several members have generously helped out in the past, and unfortunately, there is an ongoing need, as the situation in the Middle East escalates. Betty Goldenberg would be the best person to be in touch with re: this project.
After last week's donation of quilts to Auberge Shalom, and in conversation with Roz, I thought it might be a nice idea to make a quilt for James, our incredible chalet attendant. This idea was well received by the members at last night's meeting. More details will follow as Roz and I discuss various ideas.
Joyce Ireman reported on the latest CQQ meeting. Salon 2012 needs volunteers.......please speak to Joyce if you think you can fill a need for this wonderful event.
If anyone has thought of a position they might like to have on the "executive" of the guild, please let me know. It is a lot of fun planning the meetings and activities and special projects we do. I am sure many of you have ideas - help Loose Threads be the best guild we can be, by getting more involved in the running of the guild.
Please remember I love to read your comments of the postings.
Stay safe and keep warm.
Happy sewing.
Sharon

Auberge Shalom Donation

What a wonderful meeting we had for our Loose Threads Quilt Guild this evening.

On the agenda was the handover of the 35 quilts we made for the children at Auberge Shalom, as well as a few crocheted afghans and knitted hats, mitts, and scarves.

We started the evening with a pizza dinner, rounded out with a delicious salad made by Moishe, and wonderful baked goods from Gloria and Joyce Ireman. Also, thanks to Debby for the soft drinks, and Ethel and Joyce Yedid for the cookies. And of course, thanks to James, our incredible chalet attendant, for all his help - he is invaluable to us!!!

Diane Sasson came from Auberge Shalom and she was visibly touched by the quilts we were donating, made by Loose Threads members. The quilts were packed into backpacks, generously donated by Bentley Leather. Diane gave us a bit of an idea of the services Auberge Shalom provides to women and children in need of shelter from an abusive family situation - certainly an eye opener!!

We also gave Diane 2 large bags of the hotel toiletries we collect on our travels. Please keep collecting - Vikki is happy to deliver the articles we give her.

Thank you, again, to all the members of Loose Threads for their devotion to fulfilling our mandate of doing community work for our community. And a very big thank you to Barbara and Vikki for preparing the fabrics and making the kits for the quilts we made.

We were also treated to some wonderful Show & Tell, and Show As You Go :-) Keep bringing your work in to share with all of us - it is inspirational.

Again, we ask you to consider volunteering for an executive position. Feel free to call me if you have questions or an idea of what you might like to do.

Looking forward to our meeting next Monday, Feb 7, when Gloria will demonstrate how to make a pillowcase......

In the meantime, stay warm. And happy quilting!!

Sharon

'tis the season

Well, as winter seems to be settling in (ugh!!) it is a good time to get busy sewing!! I, for one, have just begun to redo my sewing room. I had been planning this for some time, but was pushed into doing it NOW because of 2 burst pipes behind a wall in the room I call my own.
I finally got a quilt to a longarm quilter!! Why do I love putting the top together only to have it languish for YEARS because I don't want to have to layer and baste and quilt it myself :-(
What are all your projects for the winter sewing season??
The exec of Loose Threads is hard at work planning the second part of our schedule. We will send out the meeting dates and any special notes over the holidays. Remember we are always open to ideas for programmes, speakers, volunteers for the executive, and of course, welcoming new members.
For those members celebrating Chanukah, I hope it has been a joyous time with family and friends and celebration. For our members celebrating Christmas, we wish you the same wonderous times. And for all of us, let us hope 2011 brings all of our hopes and dreams to fruition.
Now I am off to the sewing room to reorganize and do some appliqueing.
Sharon

Quilting the Quilt

Well, who would have thought a whole evening could go by so quickly listening to a talk on "Quilting the Quilt" ?? Tonight Loose Threads welcomed Phyllis Moody, a longarm quilter, to our guild. As well, we invited members of West End Quilters to the program. It was a pleasure to welcome these women to our meeting.
Phyllis spoke about how to prep a quilt top for the longarm quilter, how she chooses a pattern for the quilt she is working on, and what batting and thread she likes best. She also reminded us how to best measure for our borders!! It was most informative. And thank you to the volunteer bakers - delish, as always!! And to those who brought other goodies, much appreciated.
Our next meeting is our Holiday Dinner, on Monday, Dec.13th. As always, if you need to heat your dish, please come for 6:30. Remember to bring serving pieces should they be required for your dish. Also, NON PERISHABLE food items for Mada, toiletries for Auberge Shalom, and your anonymous financial donation for Mitzvah Meals (the suggested amount is $15, what we used to spend to buy each other gifts).
I am adding a link to Leah Day's site - she is the woman who demos machine quilting designs - a new one for every day in the year!!!!!It is on the links list, but here it is , also: http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/
Some of our members have already left for the warmer climates - we wish you a wonderful winter away.
That's it for tonight.
Last thing - Tuesday quilting, on December 7th, from 9:30-3:30. Bring lunch, indoor footwear, and whatever you are working on. The coffee and tea will be ready for you :-).
Until next time,
happy sewing!!
Sharon

Welcome to a new season of quilting

Hi Everyone! It has been way too long since I have posted, and as long since I have quilted. Family issues, good and not so good, have kept me from my needle and thread, but now I am back!!!!
Loose Thread's Guild meetings are also back in full swing after our summer hiatus and the High Holidays.
We have a couple of new members and continue to welcome any quilter who might like to join our group.
Last meeting we had Phyllis Moody come and give a demo on the Accuquilt cutting system - I know she has whet some appetites in our membership to purchase one of these systems :-)
Phyllis will be back on the 29th of October to talk about "Quilting the Quilt" - it should be a most informative evening.
Please remember to post your comments and ideas here. I am always eager to hear back from you.
Just one more thing - Roz received this from someone she contacted re: gifts for IQD. Please take the time to visit this site - thanks.
creativeoptionscrafts.com and also their blogspot: creativeoptionscrafts.blogspot.com

Until next time, happy quilting
Sharon

International Quilting Day

Yesterday was IQD and Loose Threads hosted its annual event for the 6th year. It was another wonderful day of being with friends, laughing, and sharing.
34 quilters were in attendance and everyone was busy chatting and sewing and visiting from 9-4.
Andrea Torrens was our featured guest this year and she demonstrated how to make a "Hidden Wells" table runner from striped or border fabric - it is such a cool technique. And Andrea is a great instructor!
The rest of the day people worked on their projects, visited with one another, and helped fellow quilters with their work. There was a sale table with wonderful fabrics!
Thanks to the generosity of companies contacted, everyone went home with a door prize and a loot bag - I have so wanted a bobbin tower for the longest time!!
The food table was laden with lots of yummy home baked goodies, as well as lots of other good eats :-)
Thank you to those who brought in non perishable food items for us to donate, and a big thanks to that generous person who donated money in lieu of canned goods.
Here is an email I received from a first time attendee, Marijke:

International Quilt Day with the Loose Threads gang is an experience I enjoyed more than I realized I would. As I left the house before 9 a.m., my husband asked me when I’d be home. My response was “it depends on how much fun I’m having.” Since I didn’t get home until well after 3 p.m., it’s probably safe to say I had fun.
As a quilter who didn’t know a single person who quilted when I began over 20 years ago, getting together with women who share the same passion is a delight. Spending the day with these women is a blessing, a breath of fresh air.
Despite our hectic lives and the time we need to spend on every day things, to see the beautiful pieces of work that we all manage to put together is awesome, in the true sense of the world. You can’t rush a quilt, because it will show that it’s rushed, so quilting is a great way to force yourself to slow down.
For the day, I shared a table with Joyce, Denise, Betty, Debbie and Flora (I hope I got the names right!) and the conversation flowed, ideas were shared and laughter was not far away. I also have something for my birthday list now – a needle threader. I’d never tried one before but once Flora showed me how to use hers, I wanted to walk away with it.
As I wandered around the tables and saw the different projects, I was taken with a desire to try so many different things I’d not tried before – in particular, turning a photograph into a quilt. Our guest speaker inspired me to try new designs for table runners and the door prizes that those around me won showed me new gadgets that I’d not tried before. But seeing them used made me realize that some of these gadgets are pretty cool. Of course, I won a super prize myself that will be used well.
Thank you Roz for contacting me time after time to remind me of the guild. Thank you to everyone for being so welcoming and kind, and you’ve all gotten me hooked on International Quilting Day. See you next year!

Look for photos and other comments about IQD in the very near future.

And at this time, I would like to take the opportunity, on behalf of Barbara, Roz, and myself, to wish everyone a very happy Pesach and Easter. May your holiday be filled with family and friends and peace.
Sharon