Northern Nevada Quilting Bees

January 2012 Meeting

2012-02-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

The Bees met at Starbuck's on Hwy 50 in Carson City on January 24 with Randi, Linda, Peggy, Dawn, Margie, Helen, Tricia, and Rita attending. That's all of us, including Rita, who we are very happy to welcome back!

We gathered around the coffee table, sipping our various beverages and enjoying the crepes that Dawn brought for a treat. We began the meeting by discussing goals, both those we completed in 2011 and our new goals for 2012. All accomplishments and goals are documented on the Goals page of the blog, which you can find by clicking the Goals tab along the top.

Service Project: We also discussed ideas for a service project and for a group activity. We decided to keep the service project simple this year, particularly because we (and especially Randi) are still recovering from last year's DragonLord project. We all agreed it was wonderful and worthwhile but that we'd like to keep it simple this year. We quickly and unanimously decided to make quilts for the local domestic violence shelter, Advocates to End Domestic Violence. We will make lap-sized throw quilts with the size, design, etc. being completely up to the quilter. The quilts should be finished by September and then either Dawn or Margie will contact the shelter and make arrangements to deliver the quilts.

Club Project: We also discussed the group activity or "club project" we want to do this year. Tricia brought up the idea of the "box quilt." Last year she thought that sounded like fun, and after seeing Carol's box quilt at the celebration of life, her interest was renewed. It seemed as though that thought and memories of the Bees' earlier times with Carol and other former members renewed the group's interest, and we again unanimously decided on box quilts as our club project. The concept is simple. Each quilter provides a box with fabrics she would like the other Bees to make into blocks for her. Each month, the boxes are exchanged at the meeting and brought back the following month containing another block. Block size should be 12.5 inches unfinished. We will start in February, and each Bee should bring a box to begin the exchange. It was suggested that quilters should initial their blocks inconspicuously with a permanent marker so that recipients will know who made what. Tricia has a note that she is to print something for each box, but she can't remember what she was supposed to do. If anyone else remembers, please remind her. Those of you who have box quilts from previous years are going to bring them to show the group.

Workshop: We discussed having Peggy teach a sweatshirt jacket workshop some time in September. Date and time to be discussed at a future meeting.

Next Meeting

*** Tuesday, February 21 at Helen's house ***

Margie is going to invite Anita from the DAR.

Food:

Randi: Soup
Linda: Appetizer
Peggy and Dawn: Dessert
Margie: Salad
Helen: Quiche
Rita: Bread

Show and Tell

I apologize that I don't have notes on the Show and Tell. I'll include what I remember, but please either post comments or send me details in email, and I'll add them to the blog.

For Christmas, Linda's daughter made placemats for Linda and her husband. They included drawings made by Linda's grandchildren. Randi made an "I spy" quilt, which she highly recommends as a fun quilt to make for children.

Dawn made a beautiful quilt and Margie made a cute Valentine's Day table runner for her father and stepmother.

Peggy also made a beautiful table runner that she quilted with the Jill Schumacher techniques of ditch-stitching and heavily quilting the background (in this case, microstippling, which doesn't show up in the photo) so that the primary design pops out. Peggy has also been experimenting with Zen doodling, a type of free motion quilting she learned from Paula Thompson.

Peggy also made a really cute purse using a new flexible but shape-holding material. As usual, Peggy has been a busy Bee with projects this month.

Rita, our resident art quilter, is planning to exhibit her quilts in June, and her goal is to have six finished by then. Here are three that she has completed. Rita dyes many of her fabrics and uses many techniques and materials to achieve texture and dimension.

January 2, 2012 -- Holiday Party

2012-01-26T23:39:00.000-08:00

Although we missed our Christmas celebration, we met on January 2 to welcome in the New Year with great joy and hope. Everyone was able to attend on January 2 at the First and Ten Bar and Grill in Dayton, which Margie so graciously arranged for us. It turned out that we had the back dining room all to ourselves, which was a good thing because we had so much "stuff." Everyone brought a gift exchange present as well as the traditional homemade holiday gifts we've gotten in the habit of exchanging with one another. All the gifts were wonderful, whimsical, and practical with Bee motifs abounding. Maybe the most creative of all were the custom-designed Bee notecards from Linda.

We had a wonderful lunch--the food was great, ranging from Mexican to traditional American fare. Linda's daughter Molly, along with new baby Willa Rose, attended the meeting because they were visiting Linda for the holidays. Molly's husband, Luke Chivers, surprised us all by treating us to lunch in appreciation for the DragonLord project, and his generosity only added to our festive spirits.

Something particularly special was that Carol Gardner was able to attend the gathering, and most of us hadn't seen her for over a year. It turned out to be a good day for her because Helen had been staying with her and making sure she was taking her pain medications right on schedule.

Our gift exchange was HILAROUS and just happened to start with Carol selecting a calendar from Dawn called the "Quilters' Shirtless Man with Spicy Burrito Calendar." We literally howled with laughter as Carol looked through photos in the calendar. I think all of us can probably say that "Caleb" was our favorite.

We planned to meet on January 24 with a meeting place, food, etc. to be decided later.

November 2011 Special Meeting

2011-11-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

Our regular November meeting was canceled because Helen was staying with Carol Gardner who has taken a turn for the worse. We don't know the details, but Carol either recently had or is scheduled for surgery to insert another stent. She is in a lot of pain, and Helen is taking care of her. Carol is in our thoughts and prayers constantly.

We had already planned to deliver the angel quilt to the Cancer Resource Center this month and had really hoped Carol would be able to come, but we decided to go ahead and do it anyway, hoping it would bring Carol some comfort and joy in knowing that the project, which was her idea and that we completed in her honor, had finally come to fruition.

The delivery was scheduled for the morning of November 17, and we gathered at the Starbucks on Highway 50 for a brief business meeting before the delivery. Attending were Linda, Peggy, Margie, Randi, and Tricia.

DAR Donation

It's a long story, but Margie met Anita Parker, regent of the Battle Born Chapter of the DAR, while waiting to make a presentation to the VFW in hopes of receiving a donation to defray some of the travel expenses of the Dragonlord project. Well, due to agenda overload at the VFW, Margie was never able to make the presentation, but while they were waiting, she told Anita all about our project, and Anita offered to take Margie's presentation materials to share with her chapter in the hope of raising a donataion. Apparently Anita was successful, and she was going to attend our November meeting to make a presentation on behalf of her chapter. However, even before the meeting was canceled, Anita informed Margie she would not be able to attend the meeting. She did, however, have an envelope for Margie, which Margie handed over, unopened, to Queen Bee Randi. We all waited in suspense, sipping our chai tea and lattes, as Randi slowly opened the envelope and drew out another smaller envelope and a calendar. We oohed and ahhhed over the beautiful quilt-laden calendar, even as we wondered what was in the other envelope. Finally, Randi opened it to reveal a card and a check for $100.00 from the Battle Born Chapter of the Nevada DAR. The Battle Born Chapter was formed in 2004 and is the state's first "working chapter," which adopted a one-hour, lunchtime meeting format to accommodate the busy schedules of working women. We sincerely thank Anita and her sister members for their generosity. Randi will bring a thank-you card to our next meeting for all of us to sign.

Angel Quilt

After the DAR presentation, we left Starbucks for the Carson Tahoe Cancer Center to deliver the quilt to Ann Proffitt, and it turned out that both the current and past managers of the Cancer Center were also available to receive the quilt. (I'm sorry, but I don't have their names, and I was not able to find them online.) They were thrilled and impressed to receive such a beautiful donation, and rather than being hung inside the resource center offices, the quilt will be hung in the main lobby of the Cancer Center. They said to give them a few days, and then we can stop by to see it. (Photos forthcoming next month, hopefully.) Although the quilt was made in honor of our sister bee Carol Gardner, the Cancer Resource Center has touched, and is touching, the lives of our friends and families, so delivering the quilt was a meaningful, moving experience for every one of us. We greatly missed Carol, Dawn, and Helen and wished they could have been there to make the presentation. Peggy will print out photos and send them to Carol.

Business Meeting

After delivering the angel quilt, we met in the lobby of the Cancer Center for a brief business meeting, during which we planned the Christmas party.

Christmas Party -- Tuesday, December 13 -- Hopefully at Helen's house, but Margie volunteered her home if Helen is still with Carol. Agenda for the meeting will consist of eating, laughing, Show and Tell, and the gift exchange, but no business meeting.

Menu -- A Soup and Salad Holiday

Linda: Hot buttered cider and gingerbread
Margie: Oatmeal biscuits
Peggy: Salad
Randi: Hamburger soup
Tricia: Baked potato soup
Dawn: Choice of salad or dessert
Helen: NOTHING

We will do our usual gift exchange. Please bring a $10 wrapped gift. We will draw numbers and do a round-robin gift selection with each person either choosing a wrapped gift or "stealing" from another person. Gifts may change hands twice, meaning that once it has been taken a second time, that person gets to keep it. The gift may not be taken back immediately by the person from whom it was taken. Traditionally, gifts are somewhat related to quilting or sewing.

We also discussed the donation basket we need to provide as chapter members of the Nevada Quilt Guide. This year's theme will be a Spa Basket. We will take on that project in more detail next year. Members spent quite a bit of money on last year's basket, so Tricia suggested that we use our dues to pay for our annual chapter membership and for the basket because these are recurring expenses we know will come up every year. To be discussed more thoroughly later.

Show and Tell

After our business meeting, we adjourned to have lunch together, along with Linda's husband, at Mi Casa Too. Due to the nature of the November meeting, most of us were not prepared with Show and Tell. However, Margie was carrying hers, a beautiful purse she made from fabrics collected during the Shop Hop. Margie used the same pattern Randi started at the purse workshop, and seeing how well Margie's purse turned out inspired Randi to complete hers. Can we expect to see it at the January meeting?

January 2012 Meeting

Be prepared to discuss old and new goals. We will also begin brainstorming ideas for a donation quilt project and a "club" project we can all participate in. It was fun in years past to "reveal" our work to each other at the Christmas party. Do we want to continue that tradition?

October 2011 Meeting

2011-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

The Bees met on October 18 at Helen's house. We dined sumptuously on Dawn's chili and Helen's delicious salad -- and for dessert, Peggy made her should-be-world-famous pumpkin pie, which we enjoyed with mounds of whipped cream later during the meeting.

Attending the meeting were Randi, Dawn, Peggy, Helen, Margie, and Tricia. We really missed Linda, who was in Kentucky with Molly, awaiting the birth of the grandbaby -- but we were not disappointed -- Molly's water broke during our meeting and Linda texted us that they were on their way to the hospital. Randi had predicted the birth to take place on October 20, two days away and also Randi's birthday, so it seemed as though the little tyke would come earlier than that. However, little Willa Rose held off and made her appearance on October 20, just as Randi predicted. We all look forward to hearing more from Linda at our next meeting.

***Next meeting: Tuesday, November 15 ***

Randi-main dish; Tricia-salad; Dawn-dessert; Margie-bread

Angel Quilt

The angel quilt is finished, and we discussed when/how to deliver it to the Cancer Resource Center with the hopes that Carol Gardner would be able to come. A firm day and time for the delivery has not yet been confirmed, so hopefully we'll be able to make that decision at the next meeting. Peggy is going to make a framed label to hang next to the quilt. We all agreed that the cancer colors do not need to be documented or displayed. (Click on the images for larger close-ups.)

Christmas Party

The Christmas party will be held on Tuesday, December 13. We will plan the details at the November meeting.

Treasurer's Report

Although not discussed at our meeting, Margie asked me to let everyone know that she is now accepting dues for 2012, so everyone who wants to pay in advance may do so at the November meeting (or later).

Yerington Quilt Show

Dawn put the Bees' "Mom's on the Run" quilt into this show. It is being held at the Jeanne Dini Center, 120 N. California Street, Yerington through December 17. Hours of operation are not known.

We have also been invited by Chris Hutton, president of the Nevada Quilt Guild (of which the Bees is a charter member), to the guild's General Meeting on Saturday, November 12, 2011, at the Jeanne Dini Center in Yerington. (Randi is planning to attend, and it would be fun if some of the other Bees could come, too.) After the meeting, the Yerington Theater Assoc. will be holding a special tea for the quilters and will then give a tour of their beautifully renovated building. They have done a wonderful job of displaying about fifty quilts from quilters in Northern Nevada.

Alzheimer's Study Project

Dawn brought information about making a quilt for this project. (She showed us the quilt she made at the September meeting.) Here are the specifications:

36 six-inch squares in a variety of colors and textures
All fabrics should be durable and washable in hot water
Assemble the quilt into 6 x 6 rows and columns (resulting in a square quilt)
Stitch in the ditch to quilt (so as not to obliterate the textures with quilting)
Bind or tie (although tying is probably not very durable)

Mail the quilt to Jeffree Itrich, Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study, University of California San Diego, 8950 Villa La Jolla Drive, Suite C-227, La Jolla, CA 92037. Ms. Itrich's email address is jitrich@ucsd.edu.

Show & Tell

Peggy took a quilting class from Paula Thompson at Fabrics Unlimited. Paula's free motion technique is free form without marking, something Peggy has never thought she could conquer. Well, the results were amazing, and Peggy is now a budding "art" quilter. She will be taking the advanced class from Paula in December. (Click on the image for a larger close-up of the quilting).

Helen made an adorable table topper from a panel. It really looks pieced, doesn't it?

Randi made a birthday party "big girl" quilt for her little Helen from a "Stars by Magic" quilt top. Although the quilt is gorgeous in its own right, the big deal about this quilt for Helen is the zebra Minkee backing, which Helen just adores. For some reason, we don't have a photo of it.

Randi has a great-nephew who was also having a birthday and who pointed out to her that she had never made a quilt for him. So, with only a few days before his party, Randi pulled together an amazing "Disappearing Nine Patch" in animal prints and backed it, too, with zebra Minkee. The little great-nephew was truly surprised and sagely told Randi that he had been wanting a quilt like that for years.

Agenda Items for Upcoming Meetings

January: Discuss old and new goals. Brainstorm ideas for a charity project and a "club" project for the Bees.

February is "Heart" your scraps months. Bring ideas and patterns for using up all our scraps. Does anyone know someone who collects scraps. Some of the Bees might be happy to donate them. Dawn will demonstrate the "double diamonds" tool.

March is "Tools" month. Bring your favorite tool and describe how to use it. We might want to schedule future demos for the tools shared at this meeting.

The Adventures of Geraldine

Because of her work schedule, Dawn had to leave Jerome and Geraldine unattended for many long hours, and look what happened! Little Gigi has now joined our bee mascots' family. The family was sent home with Tricia, who, hopefully, will keep a closer eye on them.

September 2011 Meeting

2011-10-10T16:38:00.000-07:00

Meeting was held on September 15, 2011 with Margie, Linda, Peggy, Randi, Helen, Tricia, and Dawn attending.

The Bees enjoyed a delicious dinner of stuffed zucchini made by Peggy and Tricia, Tennessee biscuits made by Peggy, a salad made by Linda, and a carrot cake made by Margie. It was a sumptuous and relatively healthy feast.

Next Meeting

*** Tuesday, October 18 ***

Dawn: Main dish
Helen: Salad
Peggy: Dessert

DragonLord Followup

The first order of business was a trip report by the Bees who traveled to Kentucky to deliver the DragonLord quilts. Linda distributed certificates from the commanding officer of the brigade to each person who made a quilt for the project. Linda also passed out other "memory items," including newspaper clippings as well as thank you notes from some of the children. It was very touching to read the thank you notes. One of the little girls called Tricia her "angel" and included a drawing of an angel -- so sweet. Peggy distributed goody bags of items the Bees collected on their trip, the most notable being a T-shirt from the National Quilt Museum for each Bee. It was so thoughtful for the traveling Bees to think about their stay-behind sisters while they were enjoying Molly's southern hospitality.

Click to enlarge the image.

Angel Quilt

Randi called the DragonLord project the Bees' "grand opus," but it turns out to be one of two grand opi for this year. Linda presented the finished Angel Quilt, and it is absolutely stunning -- covered with quilting in the Jill Schumacher fashion. (Linda and Peggy started marking the quilt in June while on the quilting retreat with Jill Schumacher, and then Linda took on the task of doing all the quilting.) Peggy did the center embroidery and is in the process of making a label. The quilt should be completed in time for the October meeting. The Bees decided to donate the quilt to the Cancer Resource Center as a wall-hanging, so the label will mention that the quilt was made in honor of Carol Gardner, whose idea it was to make such a quilt. We discussed the idea of having a sign or plaque made to accompany the quilt. I think that Tricia was supposed to propose some wording, but she has completely forgotten what it's supposed to say, so that can be ongoing business for the October meeting.

Queen Bee Business

No one, not a single Bee, was willing to give up our one and only Queen Randi. However, we all acknowledged how much Randi does to keep our group going and vowed to be more helpful and supportive. Next year, we will take turns organizing demos and other items of interest for the meetings. For example, Tricia volunteered to demonstrate Stitch Witchery bindings, Peggy the Twister Tool, and Dawn something to do with table runners. We also need to take leadership of various projects; for example, next year, someone other than Randi should head up whatever service project we decide to take on. Peggy volunteered to compile an agenda for each meeting and send to Randi. Margie will remain treasurer for the Bees. Every single Bee thanks and greatly appreciates the efforts of Randi and Margie, as well as the efforts and participation of each and every one of us.

This was not part of the meeting notes, but I (Tricia) have made an observation that each year we tend to do three major things: 1) a service project, which this year was DragonLords; 2) a club project, which last year was placements; I'm not sure what it is for 2011; and 3) a workshop (this year was purses by Peggy and Tricia). Those seems like a great ideas to continue, and maybe near the beginning of each year, people could volunteer to be project leaders. It seems as though that would offload a lot from Randi and would keep the fun going! What do we think?

Show and Tell

Linda brought the quilt for Dan Kaffer made from Carson River Work Day T-shirts from 1995 through 2011. Linda is the one who was in charge of ordering the T-shirts, and she told us that when she knew she was going to make a quilt, she started ordering shirts in colors that would look good in the quilt.

As usual, Peggy had a busy quilting month. The pinwheel quilt was made with the Twister tool; it's backed with Minkee, and Peggy hopes it will be the "magic quilt" for her baby grandson who is due in January. She found the ruby slippers wallhanging pattern on the shop hop at Quilting Tahoe and just had to make it for her sister. (The embroidery on it says, "Sometimes I miss my sister."

Dawn was busy, too. She made a Route 66 quilt for one of her car club friends, and when her father saw it, he thought it was for him. Very cleverly, she was able to find some more fabric and make another similar quilt for her father -- he'll never know the difference. The quilt with the squares is a special quilt for an Alzheimer's project. It's made of fabrics with bright colors and lots of different textures.

Tricia has been very busy with the start of a new semester, so she is keeping herself happy with little projects. The table runner was made from a charm pack.

Randi's "I spy" quilt is fun and cheerful! Randi also found an adorable baby doll Bee, which she purchased for Linda's daughter Molly. It will be sent to her as a replacement for Jerome and Geraldine, those wayward traveling Bees she's sure to be missing!

August 2011 Meeting

2011-08-17T07:48:00.000-07:00

This month, we met at Randi's house on August 9 for a "packing party" of the quilts that will travel to the Dragonlord children in Fort Campbell Kentucky. Randi had all the quilts sorted alphabetically and stacked on her couch in the living room. It was quite a sight!

We set up an assembly line and began packing the quilts. First, both the quilt and the label were photographed and the name of the child was logged on a "packing list" for each suitcase. Then the quilt was folded and packed. As each suitcase was filled, it was weighed, with most of the suitcases weighing in at around 35-40 lbs.

Some of the quilts needed to mailed because the recipients were not living on base. Those quilts were boxed and labeled. Thanks to Randi's amazing record keeping, the entire process only took a couple of hours. During that time, a reporter, Betty Aleck from the Leader-Courier, came to interview us about the project. She asked each of us what we got out of the project. Some Bees said they gained empathy for the children; others said they felt more involved with the military and the sacrifices they make for our country; one Bee said she felt as though this project was a bit of atonement for the behavior of our generation during the Vietnam war when soldiers were treated so disrespectfully. It was an eye-opener to reflect and discover that we are all probably getting back more than we gave as a result of this project.

After packing was complete, with all the quilts fitting into seven suitcases, we went out for a celebratory dinner at La Fiesta Mexican Restaurant in Fernley. The food was great and we briefly discussed a few items of Bees' business.

Next Meeting

*** Tuesday, September 20 at Helen's house ***

Food: Tricia will bring a main dish; Linda will bring a salad; Margie will bring dessert.

Business: At that meeting, Randi would like to discuss the possibility of rotating the responsibility of "Queen Bee." We also need to figure out how to identify the various angels on the cancer quilt.

Trip to Kentucky

Linda, Peggy, and Helen left on August 17 to deliver the quilts. (Unfortunately, at the last minute, Randi was not able to make the trip due to an illness in the family. ) A full report with lots of photos will be forthcoming when they return.

July 2011 Meeting

2011-07-22T07:33:00.001-07:00

We met at Helen's house and shared a delicious dinner of Helen's taco salad, Linda's stuffed jalapenos, and Randi's strawberry shortcake with homemade biscuits. Yum! Former member Rachael (Linda's daughter) also joined us for this meeting. She is visiting with her children from Washington.

Next Meeting

Our next meeting will be a "packing party" at Randi's house. Note the change in day and time as well.

Tuesday, August 9 at 4:00 PM at Randi's

As discussed at the meeting, please bring your LARGE suitcases -- at least 26 inches. Here is the suitcase count from the meeting: Margie - 2, Rachael - 2, Linda - 1, Helen -2, Peggy - 1, Randi - 1. That should be enough, but there was uncertainty about whether some of the suitcases would be big enough, so extra large suitcases would be welcome in case they are needed.

After the hard work of packing up all the quilts, the Bees will treat themselves to going out to dinner.

DragonLord Business

Final Count: 73 military children will receive quilts made with love by quilters from across Northern Nevada. Randi has been collecting the quilts, and her house is overflowing. Although a lot of work, this project has been a privilege and a blessing, and we learned many things from the experience. Although Randi is the first one to say she didn't know what she was getting us into, all of us are proud of this major accomplishment and are particularly grateful to Randi for her unflagging leadership and for our wonderful group of Bees who are giving our all to finishing up the project.

Here are just a few of the quilts that will be donated to the DragonLord children.

Quilt Packing and Delivery: As mentioned in the "Next Meeting" section of this month's blog, the quilts will be packed into large suitcases and hand-carried to Nashville by Randi, Linda, Peggy, and Helen where they will be distributed to the children. Southwest Airlines has generously donated four round-trip tickets, and their free, two-suitcase baggage policy is making the trip possible. The journey will begin on August 17 and last through August 22. Linda's daughter Molly, who has been an integral part of the project, will be opening her home to the quilters and has planned some fabulous activities for the quilters to experience Nashville and the surrounding area during their trip.

Purse Workshop

Here are the cute "mini-messenger bags" made by some of the Bees at the June purse workshop. This pattern can be easily made in less than a day. It has lots of pockets and ends up being a very practical as well as attractive purse. The strap hardware gives this bag a particularly professional, finished look. More purses to come next month!

June 2011 Meeting/Workshop

2011-07-12T22:42:00.001-07:00

In June, rather than a regular meeting, we had a purse workshop instead with Randi, Linda, Helen, Margie, Peggy, and Tricia attending. Dawn and Carol were not able to come, and we all missed them.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, July 19, usual time and place with food volunteers as follows:

Helen: Taco salad
Linda: Stuffed jalapenos
Dessert: Randi

Workshop

With all the time spent at the previous meeting selecting patterns, everyone to a person, chose a different pattern. Peggy, Tricia, Margie, and Helen all made the "mini messenger bag," and Linda and Randi both made zipper bags, each from a different pattern. Everyone made good progress with Peggy and Helen finishing their mini-messengers. By our July meeting, hopefully everyone will bring their finished bags so we can take photos.

Tricia shared some deviled eggs as an afternoon snack. The recipe is available on the blog's recipe page.

Dragonlord Business

Many of us brought our finished Dragonlord quilts. Several are still in the works, and some that were collected from other groups are being finished by Bees members. A new deadline will be discussed at our next meeting. Still pending is a method for shipping all the quilts. Peggy suggested that volunteers could take on shipping and paying for 5-7 quilts each. Apparently UPS will give us an 80% discount if we ship over 150 pounds. We're not sure how much the finished quilts will weigh or of the criteria for packaging to take advantage of that possibility.

Peggy and Tricia made quilts for sisters. Peggy's girls are 2 and 5; Tricia's are 6 and 8.

Helen really outdid herself! What a lucky little boy!

Randi also shared with us a beautiful prize-winning quilt she made for her son.

May 2011 Meeting

2011-05-26T09:27:00.001-07:00

The meeting was held on May 24 at Helen's house. (We are grateful to Helen for being such a gracious hostess!)

Attending: Peggy, Linda, Dawn, Helen, Margie, Randi, Tricia

Margie brought a delicious Southwest salad that reminded her of a tostada salad from her childhood. It was served over blue corn tortilla chips with a spicy dressing. Tricia brought home-baked beer bread, and Dawn served delicious chocolate chip cookies (homemade) and brownies for dessert.

Next Meeting

*** June meeting is canceled ***

Purse Workshop

Instead of the June meeting, we will meet for the purse workshop on Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 AM at the Cooperative Extension meeting room in Carson City.

*** Bring finished DragonLord quilts ***

Supplies: Bring your own supplies for the purse of your choice as listed on the pattern. Peggy and Tricia will bring assorted miscellaneous supplies, such as grommets, buttons, magnetic snaps, and various stabilizers and batting for those "just in case" moments.

Ironing stations: Most purses use fusible batting, so everyone will need to do quite a bit of ironing, so multiple small ironing stations would be helpful.

Food: To maximize sewing time, we will all bring our own bag lunches. Snacks and goodies to share are optional.

Business

Project DragonLord

Randi distributed the quilt labels, including those for the Ditch Stitchers, which Dawn will deliver to Donna. All quilt labels have now been delivered. The deadline for the Bee's quilts is June 25 to be delivered to Linda at the purse workshop. Linda and her daughter are currently exploring options for shipping the quilts.

Our group will also be making pillowcases for the deployed mothers of the DragonLord children. We didn't do "sign ups" for who would be making the pillowcases, other than Linda, so please contact Linda if you want to help. About six pillowcases will be needed.

Angel Quilt

The quilt top is finished. It is finished and awesome! Much thanks to Linda, Helen, and Peggy for their hard work on this project. Linda has volunteered to do the quilting; she will take the quilt to the Jill Schumacher workshop she is attending in June to get some ideas. Thank you, Linda!

Show & Tell

Randi took two workshops from Janet Fogg, a well-known "art" quilter, and she highly recommends them. Janet gives the following advice for free-motion quilting: "Do what you're good at." Janet has mastered 7 patterns and combines those in different ways on her quilts. Randi continues with her free-motion quilting class with very impressive results!

Peggy is working on a cute "Art to Heart" calendar set. She has currently completed all the numbers and the months of May and June.

Peggy has new "toy" called a cutwork tool. It fits into where the needle goes on the machine, and it cuts out appliques or heirloom cutouts in the hoop. Peggy is becoming the master of all kinds of machine techniques and complicated software.

Linda made an adorable dress and hat for her 1-year old granddaughter. She also made some cheerful placemats for Margie.

Helen gave a table-runner to Randi. This is a complicated story, but I think it goes something like this. Helen originally gave the table runner to Carol, but then Carol returned it because the colors didn't work in her house. Helen already had made one from the same fabric for herself, so she gave it to Randi, who had always admired the fabric.

During May, Peggy traveled to the Big Island of Hawaii. While there, she visited Kimura's Fabrics, an old, funky fabric shop, and she brought back fat quarters for the Bees.

Geraldine

Our mascot bee, Geraldine, is going to travel with Margie to Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. She is the Bees' version of "Flat Stanley." Margie will compile the saga of Geraldine's adventures when she returns home. Geraldine attends our meetings and travels home with a quilter each month to be part of the action.

April 2011 Meeting

2011-05-23T11:03:00.000-07:00

Attending: Peggy, Dawn, Helen, Linda, Margie, Randi, Tricia

We had Dawn's delicious tortellini soup and Peggy's yummy spinach salad with strawberries and her own homemade dressing. Peggy also brought homemade bread. For dessert, we had delicious chocolate/raspberry ice cream bars, courtesy of Linda. Dawn brought her soup recipe, and it will be sent out to the group shortly.

Flat Stanley attended our Bees' meeting this month courtesy of Randi. He has gotten around a bit in Northern Nevada and will soon be on his way back to California.

Business

Our basket for the quilt show is due soon, and Randi is taking on the responsibility of collecting the items and making the basket. Everyone made their own arrangements for getting items to Randi by the following week. Of particular note are the Longaberger basket and star shaped pottery donated by Peggy.

Randi passed around a handy sewing aid called "Quilt Your Heart Out." She is going to make 6 copies to bring to the next meeting.

The angel quilt will have the "Cancer Cannot" poem in the center. It will also be embellished with crystals on the halos. We discussed the idea of putting "in honor of Carol" on it somewhere.

Our 2011 Goals are now available on a separate tab at the top of the blog page. That should give quick, easy access to help us keep track of them.

Next Meeting

Tuesday, May 24 at Helen's (note change to the 4th Tuesday)

Main dish: Margie
Dessert: Dawn
Bread: Tricia

Peggy and Tricia will bring purse patterns and and samples of interfacing, batting, and notions needed to complete a purse. The purse workshop will be on Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 AM at the cooperative extension meeting room in Carson City.

Show and Tell

Dawn's son found an old, discarded quilt that was pretty badly damaged, shown in the photo on the left. Dawn made a copy of the quilt, which she is holding in the photo and called it "Almost Lost."

Randi and Dawn showed their challenge quilts from one of their other quilting groups. Randi's is called "Remember the Price of Freedom"; Dawn's is "Ahh, to Be Free."

Peggy completed one of her Project Dragonlord quilts.

Other miscellaneous projects. I apologize for not having better notes, ladies. I will try to write down more details in my minutes at future meetings.

Respectfully submitted,
Tricia

March 2011 Meeting

2011-04-11T08:09:00.000-07:00

We met at Helen's house as usual and enjoyed delicious albondigas (meatball) soup made by Helen.

Attending: Randi, Helen, Linda, Margie, Dawn, Peggy, Tricia

Next meeting: **IMPORTANT ** Wednesday, April 20 (note change from Tue to Wed)

Dawn - main dish
Tricia - salad
Linda - dessert
Peggy - bread

Nothern Nevada Quilt Guild

After dinner, we held our business meeting. Randi registered the Bees as a charter group with the Northern Nevada Quilt Guild. Our group's responsibilities as members includes:

$40 membership fee (paid by Randi and reimbursed from Bees' dues)
A representative to attend meetings
A donated door prize basket for the quilt show
Donated items to sell in the Country Store at the quilt show

Dawn had the idea of doing a patriotic themed gift basket, and other members thought it would be fun to do red wine, white chocolate, and blue fabric. Sounds like winner! We have many creative ideas for Country Store items, including coasters, placemats, and purses.

Dues

Dues remain $2.00/month to be paid whether or not the member attends (with the exception of Carol). Dues payment will be on the honor system with Margie no longer collecting from each member monthly. Margie will remain treasurer; however, members will be responsible for putting money in the envelope and marking the payment records for themselves.

Quilts for the Dragonlords' Children

We discussed the procedure for selecting children and for making the photo inserts. However, this became a moot point when Linda's daughter volunteered to make all the photo labels. After the meeting, Linda emailed a spreadsheet so that we could all select our children. Goal for finishing the quilts is by June 25 or at the June meeting so that Linda can take them when she visits her daughter in July.

Show and Tell

Randi's mother's "block of the month" quilt is shown below. It will be displayed in memory of Randi's mother,who recently passed away. May she rest in peace. Her loved ones, as well as future generations, will surely appreciate her beautiful quilt legacy.

Later in the meeting, Randi demonstrated the special ruler she used to make the pinwheel quilt on the right below.

Peggy will donate this quilt to Nevada Greyhounds Unlimited to be auctioned at their summer picnic during Carson Valley Days.

More great quilts, including Margie's bug quilt in the center.

Upcoming Event - Purse Workshop

Saturday, June 25, 10:00 AM

To be held at Margie's meeting room in Carson City. Peggy and Tricia will bring patterns and sample supplies to the May meeting.

Randi's Demos

After the business meeting, Randi demonstrated how to create a "10 minute block" that looks like three-dimensional curved piecing, similar to the Cathedral Window pattern. She also demonstrated a special ruler she used for making one of her quilts. (I'm sorry, Randi; I didn't write down the name of the ruler -- I was too busy watching.) It's always fun to see how to use the specialized tools of our trade. Thank you, Randi.

Respectfully submitted,
Tricia

February 2011 Meeting

2011-02-20T08:38:00.000-08:00

The meeting was held on Tuesday, February 15 at Helen's house.

Attending: Randi, Helen, Margie, Peggy, Dawn, Linda, Tricia

Despite the blustering wind and looming snow storm, we all managed the drive to Helen's house and arrived there safely. For dinner, Margie made a delicious Israeli stew, which was warm and hearty, and Linda made a light and yummy couscous salad. For dessert, we had Peggy's "reduced guilt" brownies, which, despite being made with nonfat yogurt, were surprisingly gooey and choclately.

Business

We briefly discussed the status of the angel quilt that will be donated to the Cancer Resource Center in Carson City. Only one block is still being completed by Linda, and Helen is the keeper of the squares. Helen, Linda, and Peggy will put the quilt together. It is not clear whether there is an anticipated date of completion for this project.

We discussed whether the Bees as a group should join the Nevada Quilt Guild as a "chartered chapter" at a cost of $40 to be paid anually from our dues. The benefit to group members is that individual memberships are reduced in cost from $25 to $20, but we decided the main reason to join is to support quilting in Northern Nevada. There may also be some competitions and other activities we can participate in as a group. The group voted Yes; Randi and Margie will followup with application and payment.

We also discussed the quilting project for military families (I don't remember the name of the project or organization). Interested families are in the process of applying, and Linda will bring more information when it is available.

Randi was honored by the Nevada Quilt Guide by being considered for a position on the board, and she was also asked to submit three quilts to be photographed for an article that will appear in the Spring issue of Quilter's Quarterly magazine. What an accomplishment!

Show & Tell

Dawn's quilting was awesome, as usual, on both these projects.

Helen completed her placemats as well as a project made from charm squares.

Tricia is enjoying small projects these days.

Peggy had a busy month with both small seasonal projects and finishing a quilt top.

Upcoming Quilt Shows

May 18-20: Nevada Quilt Guild's annual show in Fallon. Complete information, including and entry packet, is available at http://www.nvquiltguild.org/.

July 16: Fabrics Unlimited. This is a free show for exhibit only (no judging) hosted by the Fabrics Unlimited quilt shop at Lake Tahoe. They will hang quilts among the trees on their beautiful property, and it should be a fun day to gather and enjoy the day.

Next meeting: Tuesday, March 15 at Helen's house

Food:

Helen -- main dish
Randi -- salad
Linda -- dessert

Respectfully submitted -- Tricia

December 2010 -- Holiday Party

2010-12-30T09:40:00.000-08:00

We met on December 7 at Helen's house for an early celebration of the holiday season. Our potluck theme was "International" and we had excellent representation with tamales, lasagne, German potato salad, Thai green salad, and Indian naan bread -- among other delicious side dishes and deserts.

Attending were Helen, Margie, Peggy, Randi, Linda, Dawn, Tricia, and Ellie.

Business: After a festive dinner, during which we shared many hilarious and touching family stories, we held a short business meeting with Randi presiding. She presented some "food for thought" about service projects we might like to take on in the coming year, specifically the idea of making quilts for our military personnel. One organization to consider is Quilts of Valor (http://www.qovf.org/).

Ellie volunteered to make fleece dog pillows to donate to the shelter from any scraps or "overstocks" of fleece we might have, so please start bringing those to our meetings for Ellie.

Show and Tell: Margie brought her placemats for the 2010 challenge project. Even though we extended the deadline for this project until January 2011, Margie completed hers and is giving them for a Christmas present, so they will be gone by our next meeting.

Tricia showed a Christmas stocking she made for her grandson, which she planned to drop off for him immediately after the meeting.

Peggy made a cute wallhanging showing trucks for her grandson, Jackson, who loves all kinds of trucks and construction equipment. (Footnote: I got to see Jackson, 20 months old, open this present, and his reaction was everything a grandma could ever hope for. His face lit up and he started pointing at it and saying, "Dump truck." He then laid down on the quilt and started snuggling with it. Grandma "P" was beaming.)

Dawn showed us placemats she made with the tool featured by Fabrics Unlimited on the shop hop, which really showed off the technique that yields a three-dimensional pattern. She also showed her yard sale quilt.

Then, everyone exchanged cards and gifts. I'm sorry I didn't take notes on them all, but a big hit was the rotary cutter blade from Randi, which is actually a carpet cutter from Harbor Freight. This could be a huge money save for all of us!

We then ended with our Round Robin gift exchange followed by dessert. Again, I didn't write down the details, but the gift of the season was Peggy's tree-topper angel made from freestanding lace on her embroidery machine.

Food for January

Dawn will bring a salad
Randi will bring chicken casserole

GOALS, GOALS GOALS! We will discuss our goals for 2010 and 2011 at the January meeting. You can review the goals for 2010 in this blog in the month of January 2010. (Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page, and then click Older Posts.)

November Meeting 2010

2010-11-20T12:53:00.000-08:00

Attending: Helen, Peggy, Linda, Randi, Dawn, Margie, and Tricia. We miss you, Carol!
We started our meeting as usual with delicious food: chorizo soup (recipe pending), corn muffins, salad, and angel food cake. Let's just say we all had seconds.
Our Christmas Party meeting will be on Tuesday, December 7. Please bring a $10 gift for the gift exchange.

Christmas Party Food: We decided on an international theme.

Peggy: Appetizer

Tricia: Thai green salad

Helen: Tamales, bread

Linda: Lasagne swirls

Dawn: German potato salad

Margie: Garlic bread
Randi: Dessert

November Show and Tell

Randi showed her final penguin quilt birthday wallhanging. It is very, very cute with the penguin applique, and it's a big relief to all that Randi was able to camoflauge the unsightly crooked penguin neck by strategically positioning an penguin wing over it.

Margie knitted an adorable pink hat and booties for Linda's newest granddaughter Olivia Belle. It is so sweet of Margie to do that for our grandbabies.

Dawn showed us a lap quilt she made for her 84-year old friend, and, not to leave out her friend's "best friend," Dawn also made a cute throw for her friend's dog.

Tricia has been having fun taking classes and playing with new equipment. She showed an assortment of small projects: a purse, a cosmetic bag, a Kindle cover (made on her serger), an embroidered pillow case, and a ruffle quilt.

Helen showed completed "box quilts" from 2005 and 2006, and Dawn, Randi, and Linda recognized the quilts and some of the fabrics. A box quilt project is under consideration as a club project for 2011.

Peggy showed an applique'd "Give Thanks" wall hanging for Thanksgiving, a Christmas pillow decorated with cookie cutter and gingerbread buttons, and an "Up on the Housetop..." wallhanging.

Linda shared her Linus quilt.

That's all I have (I might have been distracted later in the meeting). I hope everyone had a joyous Thanksgiving. Onward now to Christmas!

Respectfully submitted, Tricia

September Meeting 2010

2010-10-04T16:09:00.000-07:00

The August Meeting was cancelled.

Hi Everyone!

Well it’s finally September and fall is here. Don’t know about summer, I think it was eight weeks long. Not much more than that. Ah well, fall is here and that should be good for one and all.

And now it’s October. I believe I saw snow on Job’s Peak this morning. It rained like crazy last night. So I guess it’s safe to say summer is over and fall is here for sure.

Not that I’ve done anything wonderful lately. I can’t seem to get the energy together to finish anything and I’ve started a bunch. Hey, wasn’t the Shop Hop great? Speaking of starting stuff, I think I got a few more to start. I guess I really am sick huh? Can’t get enough to do!

Ok enough of that. . . Our meeting on September 21, 2010 started off with wonderful food as usual. Thank you all who participated. Oooh the dessert. Mmmm.

In attendance were Randi, Linda, Tricia, Margie, Helen, Dawn, Peggy and Carol. Ellie showed up for a couple of minutes but had to leave.

Next meeting food people are:
Randy – entree
Tricia – salad
Carol – dessert

There is a quilt show coming in May of 2011. We are asked to save a few of our quilts for that. Also when you place your quilt in a show put it in more than one category so you have a greater chance of winning. Just a thought.

We turned in several of our angel squares. We still need a keeper of the angels – Helen will do that. Then we will see about putting them together.

Dues . We pay $2.00 per meeting, per person. If we do not meet because we have, as a group, decided not to meet, we do not need to pay. However, if for any other reason you are not in attendance, you should pay. Paying at the first of the year $24.00, is probably the easiest and the best way but it’s up to the individual.

Show ‘n Tell: Dawn showed her Linus quilt. And the table topper she finished for her friend that was done in all Japanese fabric turned out beautiful!

Margie – Her convergence quilt. Beautiful.

Tricia – Linus quilt – Glows in the dark. Squirly Q’s quilt. Flying geese – done while waiting surgery on her cancer also turned out very beautiful. It just needs a label.

Helen – finished her Linus quilt and a wall hanging, very nicely done.

Linda – showed her Noah’s Ark so adorable.

Randy – quilt for her daughter in-laws mother – Sunrise –Sunset. Her Linus quilt- beautifully quilted from lessons learned in her quilting class she is taking at Windy Moon in Reno. Her leaves are beautiful.

Peggy – showed her finished Linus quilt in red…beautiful. She also did a “card holder”

for Christmas. She had to rip it out and start again as she had sewn it together wrong. Oh such fun!!!

Please send recipes to Tricia she would prefer them EMAILED. I believe her e-mail is tricia@silverpen.com.

Our next meeting will be October 19th, then November 17th. nothing in December and then in 2011 our January meeting is the 18th. Don’t forget to mark these dates in your calendars ladies.

See you next meeting. Keep b z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z sewing it’s almost Christmas!!!

Love you all.

Carol G.

P.S. Thank you all for you wonderful cards, notes and visits. You have no idea the joy you bring to my life. You are all angels to me. Ok yellow with black stripes and you have a buzz to you, but I love you all.

July 2010 Meeting

2010-07-23T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone, Well our meeting started off with the usual gathering around the kitchen counter with plates filled to capacity, the sounds slowly diminished to low crunches and murmurs. We were enjoying salads. yummmmmmm Caesars with shrimp and a fruit salad. Boy were they good. According to my husband it's been 102 degrees so salad was nice. Desserts...there were many choices. I want to say Holy Cow but nope, that's not right. Some kind of ice cream sandwich with the name of cow in it. (Skinny Cow) Then chocolate pudding with bananas and strawberries and my choice ended up Root-beer Float. mmmmmm

While we ate we all got caught up on our lives. It's been 2 months I guess since we saw each other. No meeting in June. Children got married, new sewing machines were purchased, children going to get married, babies born, others now expecting. Oh my lots of happenings.

When we finally got out of the kitchen into the living-room for the actual meeting we were given some patterns if you wanted for pillows. Really cute. Linda went to Seattle WA for a trip and came back with fat quarters for each of us. That was neat. Love those fat quarters! Thank you Linda. While in Seattle she went to the Fremont Fair. It was really FREE. I mean people wore NO clothes, but were painted. Does that hit your imagination like it hit mine. It is Xrated!!! I can't believe they do that, but Linda isputting up pictures to show. You decide. WOW!

Show 'N'Tell time. Linda brought two table runners she made, very pretty. Same pattern but so different.

Peggy was busy- she did a Thimble Berries Quilt, - I love those colors. Then with her new machine a beautiful silk of Rose Topiaries. With a chocolate background, truly a WOW! Also a July 4th quilt and disappearing 9 patch and a piece; embroidered and quilted in her hoop a kind of flip'n'sew. Tricia, her sister, did one too. Peggy called hers "Cosmic Shipwreck" (wasn't quite perfect) and Tricia called hers "Perfect Light." They were outstanding!!!

Dawn brought in her T-shirt from her parents 60th wedding anniversary we talked about some time back, really cute with the parents wedding photo on front. Also a beautiful Japanese table runner for a friend. She was so afraid the friend wouldn't like it but she told Dawn she felt like those people on the TV shows that redo your house and they get all excited to see how it was done. She loved everything about it and Dawn was worried. With your talents Dawn it was never anything to worry about.

Carol brought in a quilt her grand daughter Rain didn't think she had shown before. It was of a dragon, when she was much younger she loved dragons and so she made a dragon quilt for her. Also she had two women in her life that are having baby girls so she made two quilts similar, tho not exact and one is in sage green and the other pinks. Also kitty quilt of 30's-40's fabrics. Its kinda cute and her other grand daughter, Winter, asked for it, so its "Winter's Kitty's". Also, she showed off her new book Material Obsession. It is great and has several quilts she want to make, one she's already started; flowers in 30's -40's prints on white background. She decided to make it 25 squares and so it amounts to 500 petals and 100 leaves to applique and yes she does it by hand, she loves it. As Carol sees it, she GETS to do it, not has to do it. Her down time. Also the cutest circus quilt is in there and she's been collecting fabrics for that. Never quit quilting. Carol will be quilting in heaven, she knows she will.

Randi is now taking a class, having been encouraged by Dawn, our expert quilter, to take a year long quilting class. She showed us her start and it is awesome. It's with Windy Moon, too far for me. I think I'll check around here and see if we can't get something closer to home. She showed us also her "Hawaiian Sunrise, Sunset" quilt and a really cute Artic quilt for a baby shower.

After all of this Linda gave a demo on doing paper piecing for the Angel quilt we are doing this year to donate to Carson-Tahoe Cancer Resource Center. It will be beautiful. All the angels in certain colors represent a type of cancer. We all took an angel or two and will work on them either separately or together depends. Linda gave a great demo, looks like fun. Really Linda, fun.

There will be NO MEETING for August. Not enough of us around town. Will meet again in September, the third Tuesday, the 21st, 2010.

Food makers will be : Linda - quiche; Peggy - salad; and Margie - dessert.

Meeting over at 8:15PM.

See you then, in the mean time keep cool, enjoy the summer (it finally showed up) and keep Bzzzzzzzzzz!

Carol

Quilting Bees May 2010 Meeting

2010-06-13T22:46:00.000-07:00

Attending: Peggy, Randi, Helen, Ellie, Margie, Linda, Tricia (Dawn was at the Fallon Quilt Show)

Attention: No meeting during June. At least five members will be traveling, so we decided to cancel the meeting.

Dinner: Randi brought a delicious main dish for dinner made from Israeli coucous. Dinner was rounded out with bread from Tricia, brie from Helen, and homemade scones with strawberries for dessert from Margie. Just a reminder, ladies -- bring your recipes so that Tricia can start compiling a cookbook.

Food for July: Tricia will bring Indonesian rice as the main dish. Helen will make a cantaloupe and grape salad. We did not decide on dessert, but Tricia is volunteering Peggy.

Meeting: We're all missing Carol, and we talked briefly about how we can let her know we're thinking about her and how much we care, both as individuals and as a group. Margie mentioned that she thought about calling Carol during the week but then just got busy and didn't do it -- and that seems to happen to all of us. Linda brought up how important it is to let others know when we think about them. We are all going to try to reach out beyond our thoughts and prayers to let Carol know that we are actively loving her every day.

Randi showed a "picnic" quilt she made as a wedding present for Linda's daughter. It looks so picnicky in red, white, and blue with checks, and Randi was able to use stash fabrics for almost the entire quilt! Randi showed a really cool insulated picnic bag (rather than basket) she found at World Market, which she will put the quilt in to complete the ensemble.

Live Update: At 6:50 PM, Dawn called in with a report from the Fallon Quilt Show. She said the quilts are displayed really nicely, but it's a small show -- smaller than the one in Silver Springs. She then reported on the judging -- drummmm rrrrroll -- Randi won "Best in Show" for her Garden Fantasy quilt. As she heard the news, Randi became a bit emotional (tears), and she told us that's her favorite quilt ever. And the good news didn't stop there. Randi also won a 1st place ribbon for her Two of a Kind quilt and a white ribbon for her Serenity quilt, and Dawn won 2nd place for her rag rug. Congratulations and way to go, Randi and Dawn!

Show and tell was scant this meeting. Peggy and Tricia showed the purses and wallets they, made and Randi showed her Linus quilt top. Tricia and Randi challenged each other to have their Linus quilts finished by the July meeting.

Then, what we all were waiting for -- Randi demonstrated how to make a pillowcase using the "roll and turn" technique. She provided printed instructions for everyone and then walked us through how to do it step by step. This is an amazing technique that requires only three seams and ends up with no raw edges. While she was at it, Randi made a pair of pillowcases to go with a quilt she made for her son and was able to cross that item off her "to do" list. If anyone is interested in making pillowcases for the "One Million Pillowcase Challenge," Randi will collect them at our meetings and deliver to Windy Moon. The "One Million Pillowcase Challenge" is sponsored by Better Homes and Gardens "American Patchwork and Quilting" magazine. When you donate a pillowcase, visit their website to enter your name and update the pillowcase counter.
http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/millionpillowcases/index.html

We ended the meeting with a discussion of the Angel Quilt for the Cancer Resource Center. Next meeting, Linda will demo the paper-pieced block. Please bring fabrics in pinks, purples, and turquoise with some yellow accents to the July meeting, and we'll plan how to proceed with the project.

Minutes submitted by Tricia

April 2010 Bees' Meeting

2010-05-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Bees' Meeting, April 20

In attendance: Helen, Dawn, Margie, Peggy, Tricia, Randi, Linda

We spent a long time eating and enjoying a wonderful salad made by Dawn using fresh vegetables she bought at a farmers' market on her way home from visitng her parents in Southern California. Margie made a heavenly orange marmalade cake from scratch that everyone thoroughly enjoyed! Peggy shared about the Honor Flight trip to Washington DC with her father to visit the WW II and other war memorials. That got us all to reminicsing both about experiences in Washington DC and about our parents and other WW II vet relatives.

During the meeting, we clarified that members need to pay dues for missed meetings, except for Ellie, Rita, and Carol. Ellie and Rita -- we welcome you with open arms whenever you're able to make it. Carol, everyone is praying for you and hoping you'll be able to return to our meetings again soon.
Helen is recovering from shoulder surgery and doing well. We are all praying for her full and speedy recovery, and we're grateful for her generosity in opening her home for our meetings.

The Fallon Quilt Show is May 19-23. On Saturday, May 22, it will include a car show and and outdoor quilt show. Dawn has 5 quilts entered in the show. Randi is still figuring out how many quilts she will enter. I'm sure they will represent the Bee's well.

Food for May meeting: Randi will bring a main course -- it will be a surprise. Margie will make another delicious cake, and Tricia will again bring bread of some sort.

The Quilter's Rendevous at the Susanville Armory will be on June 26-27. We also discussed the Nevada Quilt Guild based in Fallon trying to hold meetings in outlying areas to attract more membership. It will be interesting to see how that works out and whether a meeting might come to Carson City.

Show and tell:

Randi made some pillowcases for the Million Pillowcases Project. They were absolutely beautiful both in fabric and design. Randi shared with us a pattern that involves stacking and turning, which she says is a very easy way to make a pillowcase. That method requires 3/4 yard for the main pillowcase, 10 inches for the hem, and 2 inches for the narrow border between the pillowcase and the hem. Randi is going to demonstrate the technique at the May meeting.

Randi then modeled one of the tutus she made for her granddaughter's spring dance recital. The little girls will be dancing to "Over the Rainbow," so what better for that than a rainbow tutu. It was very impressive that her ingenious tutu construction using headbands from Walmart as the waistband allowed for a "one size fits all" tutu for girls from ages 5 on up to adulthood!

Randi and Helen showed their Project Linus quilt tops and Peggy and Dawn showed their FINISHED Linus quilts. That was fast! All of them are truly beautiful, and it was interesting to see the variations in sashing and borders and how those elements were able to tie together all the scrappy fabrics.

Margie showed her first machine quilting projects -- "Noah's Shakeup." Great start on machine quilting, Margie! Margie also gave Linda and Tricia each a set of hat and booties for the grandbabies they're expecting soon -- pink for Linda's granddaughter and blue for Tricia's grandson. Just a sidenote -- Tricia's grandson was born on April 27, and the family is healthy and doing well.

Note from Linda: There are no pictures for this blog because my camera was run over by a car (it may have actually been mine but we'll never know)! If you want to bring items back to the next meeting, we can add them to this blog. I have a new camera so I'm set to click.

March Meeting Minutes

2010-03-30T18:31:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

Randi, Dawn, Linda, Peggy, Tricia and Carol were in attendance.

Our hostess, with the mostess, was out on a date with her hubby to the Symphony so Carol filled in. We hope you had a great evening Helen. Even in her absence Helen had a quilted wall handing to share. How sweet!

Our main objective this evening was to pick the squares we are going to use in the quilts we are doing this Saturday. Please bring everything you think you will need to finish as much as possible as we’d like to get as close to completion as possible. There will be 3 irons and boards and a couple cutting tables set up. Bring whatever you think you will need. We each are doing our own, sashing if you choose to use, binding, batting and backing this time. Our treasury is NOT going to buy these. Try to use fabric from your stash. We are meeting on Saturday at 10AM and, thanks to Margie, you may stay till 4 PM. Saturday please remember to bring a LUNCH.

We played Quilt Bingo what a cute game! Peggy won and we all got a bracelet and a heart - mine said "Wild Thing"! I love it.

Show n Tell was as always very neat. Not too many though. Margie showed us her knitted booties and hat for a friend having a baby. Margie and Linda were each doing a quilt for the baby, Margie forgot hers but Linda brought hers in, really cute.

Also, Linda's daughter Kyna is expecting a baby girl the beginning of June and she brought her quilt, very sweet and purple....just what mom wanted for her new baby.

Linda also brought the quilt her daughter, Rachael made when she was in labor with her youngest child. Rachael sewed away, pausing to breath through contractions. The result of hours of labor was a beautiful baby son, Ivan Joseph, and a quilt that is now finished. Linda had great fun quilting it and adding flowers and bees for it is all about pollination, right?
Dawn is working on a couple quilts. A couple of years ago, Dave purchased the Shop Hop quilt kit for Dawn to make. It is simply beautiful and Dawn really fell in love with it. Dave worked out a fair trade, if she made him a hand-tied, scrappy quilt reminiscent of the quilts his mother made to keep her children warm on cold winter nights, he would gladly give her the Shop Hop quilt. Well, look at how lovely scrappy quilts can be. Thanks for sharing it with us Dawn.

Randi picked out some colors for a quilt with a friend and wanted our "valued" opinion on colors to blend. Think we did well - as always :)

Peggy and Tricia showed us their technique for curing T-shirts with spills down the front. Try embroidering a beautiful design OVER it and for a hole in your jeans you can do the same. It is beautiful, creative and gives recycling a new definition!

Seems that we've been celebrating the advent of grandbabies and now it is Tricia's turn. Aunt Peggy made a

rag quilt and

designed a baby bib for the new

little guy who will make his

appearance later this year. Such a lucky fellow to have a talented grandmother and aunt!

Next month's dinner will be: Dawn - shrimp salad, Tricia – Breads, Margie – dessert,

Helen - cheese 'n' crackers and hot artichoke dip

PLEASE BRING RECIPES WITH YOU for whatever you bring. Tricia can not make a book without recipes!!!

Don't forget your $2.00 dues. Have a great month and keep b z-z-z-z-z-.
Carol

February 2010 Meeting Notes

2010-02-23T19:47:00.000-08:00

February Meeting 2/16/10

Carol, Randi, Helen, Margie, Ellie, Tricia, Dawn & Linda in attendance.
I think the food has us all showing up. Thanks to Helen and Ellie for a wonderful fiesta! Everything was soooo gooood!!!! Rita where are you?

Everyone paid dues. Remember $2.00 each month.

We are meeting March 20 at 10AM to work on donation quilts for the Linus Project. We are concentrating on making quilts for boys. We'll meet at the Cooperative Extension office, 2621 North Gate Lane , Ste 12 Behind the old Carson City Theater. Need to bring the 6" squares and any other stash you may want to use. for pattern, Disappearing 9 Patch, aka Twist and Shout.
Sash will be 1" you'll need 1/2 yard, Black for binding or Red, Green 1 yard.
You'll need a total 1 1/2 yds of fabric to finish front.
PLEASE bring your squares to the next meeting and we can pick the colors we want to work with and then you will be able to pick from your stash or purchase what you will need to do the quilt.

Don't forget Fallon quilt show in May and the classes they will offer on Thurs, Fri., Sat. and Sun go to their web site.

The Gees Bend quilt show is in Reno until 4/11/10. They have a free day, on 2/25/10. Remember they are closed Monday and Tuesdays. Ask for senior discount if you go other than the free day.

Reminder for Carol to bring Plumeria pattern for Margie.

We decided to do placemats for our challenge this next Christmas meeting. Should be fun.

Linda made an attic window with trucks with a minke background, it was so cute. It is for her grandson, Noah, to take to daycare and use for his nap blanket.

The little rail fence quilt with quilted flowers was beautiful. Linda made it for her grandniece, Tori, who lives in Texas.

Helen did red and white wall hanging and table runner for Valentines so cute.

Randi Finished her Windy Moon Quilt - Stars it was beautiful.

Margie is working on her "Buggie" quilt.

Linda borrowed Carol's place mat pattern. Bet she gets started early for Christmas.

Dinner next month:
Peggy - Black Bean Chorizo Soup; Margie will bring Salad; Tricia will bring Corn bread and Carol will bring dessert - Chocolate Pots.

Bring recipes...

See you all March 16th.
Keep bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

January 2010 Meeting Notes

2010-02-23T19:09:00.000-08:00

January Meeting
Randi, Margie, Tricia, Peggy, Ellie, Helen, Carol were present.

Dinner was well received. Carol made Boef Bourgon . It really is easy and oh so wonderfully tender and delicious. Ok we need to start collecting recipes for these good meals. Maybe we can end up with a cook book by the Bees. Tricia will be in charge of this. So ladies bring your recipes to the meetings for her to collect or email them to her or Linda.

We are changing our meetings to the 3rd THIRD Tuesday of the month. The fourth doesn't seem to fit.Next meeting will be the 16th of February.

With that in mind - Ellie and Helen will be doing the dinner. HOMEMADE Tamales, refried beans, rice and flan. M-m-m-m-m-m-m.

Remember the stamps for Gees Bend Quilts? Well they are coming to Reno. They will be here 2/6 thru 4/11/10 at the Reno Art Museum 160 W. Liberty St. Reno, NV 89501

NV Quilt Guild is having a quilt show in May. They have classes you need to sign up for same Thursday thru Sunday. Check their web site. They will be at the convention center in Fallon.

Goals for the year:
Ellie - to make the meetings. do baby quilt with raw edges.
Group: We need to take our6" squares and go to Margies to set up a place to sew. We will then use the Twist & Shout pattern to make quilts for boys. They will be 15 1/2" square with 1" sashing and 3" border.
Also do paper piecing Angel Quilt for Cancer Resource Center.

Also Ellie's quilt that she donated to the Cancer Resource Center received over $300. and the lady that won was thrilled.
Helen said she would find out about a fabric discount from fabric stores if we are donating the finished product.

Helen's nine patch quilts are pictured in the left column. She says that she never makes a pattern twice but she found one that has captured her creativity. Aren't they beautiful?!

Dawn continues her prolific, creative quilting and created the table runner, butterfly wall hanging and a placemat for little Helen and table runner for Randi. Thanks for sharing, Dawn1

Randi has been keeping bzzy making an apron for Linda, a bug jar quilt and a daisy quilt. Aren't her colors great? She even used minkee fabric, such a challenge. What is her secret? We always enjoy seeing what she brings to the meeting.

Carol continues her fine handwork with embroidered and appliqued tea towels. She certainly uses her time well, creating heirloom quality art!

We are going to start a donation program in our group again. This will be $2.00 per meeting, you can pay each meeting or all at once. This money will be used for the donated quilts for backings and battings as we will usually use our stash as we can.

Margie is to be the treasurer. Carol gave the monies left over from before to her to start us off once again.

Everyone bring ideas next month for our personal challenge.

Last Goals;
Dawn- Did all her goals and should Spring, Butterlfly Feathers

For next year: to complete 2008 Shop Hop Quilt, Quilt for neice Kellsy for applique Wall hanging, 6" square scrappy quilt, Premie Quilt, Linus Quilt, Lap quilt.

Helen - Completed Pumpkin Quilt, Little quilts and redid sewing room.
2010 to finish 3 full size and several small quilts.

Tricia 2009 - didn't do so swell. Improve on machine quilting for 2010, do seasonal table runner, flying geese, Butterfly quilt, baby Gabe stuff, crazy compass quilt and embroidered Wall Hanging.

Peggy 2009 Didn't finish placemats, 2010 need to improve machine quilting, do a larger size crazy compass quilt and many quilt tops.

Margie: 2009 one goal do a quilting project - Wall hanging.
2010- do one whole quilt, baby quilt by this summer.

Carol did alot of 2009 quilts, didn't finish them all. 2010 Finish what I've started and try to not start too many new ones. If people wouldn't have babies and get married or have birthdays it would help. :)

Linda's 2010 - has 4 tops to quilt. Would like to donate one day a month towards Christmas projects. 6 new small, 3 new large and 7 unfinished

Randi - 2010 Use orphan blocks. Go thru quilt magazines and get rid of rest. Set aside time for Christmas projects once a month.

Can bring pattern for placemat??

Next meeting 2/16/10. Good night, it's yuky out everyone go home early.

The Last Meeting in 2009

2009-12-28T16:25:00.001-08:00

12/28/2009

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Almost all Bees were present and accounted for. Trish Tallon and her daughter Lacey Ramirez were the only two not there.

What a fun evening. It is so awesome to get together with friends. Seriously, with people you care about and those who care about you. Acquaintances are fine and fun too, but there is something different – magical – wonderful about friends.

As usual food was no problem. We had lasagna (2 kinds) salads, breads, Italian Sausage Rotini. Oh my, the desserts, I’m getting full just remembering.

After the feast, Randi brought the meeting to order about 7PM.

Mentioning again, our meetings will be held the fourth (4TH) Tuesday of the month, so our first meeting for 2010 will be January 26th. I (Carol) am bringing the main dish and Randi is doing the salad.

We then discussed our challenges for next year – no decisions were made. Bring ideas with you for next meeting. This is our personal challenge. Like the “Two of a Kind." Anyone up for a “Churn Dash”?

As a group we discussed doing something neat again, like the Linus project. They really need blankets for teens, boys in particular. Randi apparently overheard that our group makes really nice donated quilts, not just two pieces of cloth and batting and then tied together. Let’s face it, utility quilts are great and handy, but if you're going give something, I think its nice to know that whoever gets it knows they are cared about. They are important and they are loved. A well done quilt says all that don’t you think? Also, I think it’s a great reputation for our group. We have special God given talents so we should use them to glorify God by giving the best we can do.

Also, please bring in recipes that you have made during the year that were particularly well received and Linda said something about making a Bees Book for cooking? Anyone interested in volunteering to get that project started?

Okay to our show’n’tell of this year's challenge. (Linda will send us our own Resolution about this year to see if we can complete it by next meeting.)

Margie finished a beautiful wall hanging that she started in Rita’s class. The oriental feel was done beautifully and the center character stands for Buddah. The oriental “jewelry” was perfect.

Helen did an adorable blue, red and white 40’s table cloth. The fabric was stunning. She also made 2 quillows; one in black and white with a splash of red for her daughter for Christmas, and another for her daughter’s boyfriend, both were beautiful and the backs are soft pile. How cozy! She thought these were a great idea to put in the car in case one needed to be there for a while, you at least could keep somewhat warm. Good idea!

Dawn made a quilt for her boyfriend's nephew from the movie Cars, so cute and the #3 car from Dale Ernhardt fabric for sashing and border. She also made a stunning quilt for her parents, it is a quilt of “Hidden Stars”. It is beautiful.

Ellie made several quillows for grandchildren – the youngest received the cutest Jack in Beanstalk panel made into a quilt. It was adorable. She had been bzzzzzzzz!

Carol made a quilt for her grandson with a pattern that Helen said came from Randi at the last meeting. Nope – wherever it came from, the pattern is so versatile – 9 patch cut in half and in half again you can then sash the “slashes” and put back together or rearrange the squares. It's lots of fun and very easy. I did a yellow submarine quilt for a friend who is into the Beatles of course. Everyone thought I had sewn on the subs. Nope it came like that. Talk about an easy blanket to do. Helen lent me her machine and we sewed “fishes” in the windows of the subs to hold it in place instead of quilting or tying. Thank you again. Helen.

Linda did the cutest quilt for her grandson with jars of “bugs”. Her quilting was awesome, you should see the dragon flies on the border. Good thing we enjoy doing this stuff, I don’t think the kids appreciate all the work as much as we do. She also made a table runner for her daughter, Molly, as a Christmas present.

Randi did the cutest apron for her granddaughter Haley. It was a premade apron, but how she decorated it was really cute. Cut time where we can, good job!

Now for our challenge quilts: the Two of a Kind challenge

Trish did a beautiful table runner from her stash. Her sister Peggy also reached into her stash and created a child sized quilt called “Quackers” from 30’s fabric. I didn’t understand the title until I saw the border and all the little ducks!
Dawn did a beautiful quilt called in the Breeze.
Helens table topper was Spring.
Margie’s was a creative beginning of a purse, but not yet finished.
Randi’s was “Geometric Grace” and beautiful. Largest one done and she’s keeping it.
Kathy in Alaska did placemats that were very pretty.
Linda did a cute table topper for “Family Celebrations” Cute idea.
Carol did a 30’s table topper.
Ellie did a really cute July 4th table topper.
Kathy, our Alaska quilter, made a set of four placemats, pictured below.

After all was shown and told about we set up for group shots. Should be available by now as I am very late getting these “minutes” in. I can’t help it I started a new quilt. Appliquéing of course, I was making so many dish towels with embroidery, then I got a bright idea and started appliquéing. I said if I’m going to appliqué I might as well be doing a quilt. So here goes…

Sew keep bzz and have a great and happy, healthy New Year 2010. Where did all these years go? 2010???

Carol G.

Russian Ramblings

2009-12-11T15:39:00.002-08:00

December 11, 2009

Hello and goodbye from Russian dear ones,

My from Russian with love ramblings will cease to exist after I sign off this e-mail. Someone asked me what I would remember most about this adventure and there really is so much. I think if I had to choose only one fond memory it would be of all the people I have met here both Russian, non-Russian, young and old. Everyone has their own story, their own lives, their own joys and sorrows but their friendliness, open hearts, and laughter made my stay here such a lasting blessing in my life. They will remain in my heart forever.

I learned that I can live simply with few things, have meaningful work and be appreciative of each new moment. I have found being present in the here and now brings true happiness. I learned that I need to walk more in my daily life. I found that my walks to and from school most days, plus my journeys around town were reflective, prayerful times for me. I learned that I can be silent and not have NPR on constantly (sorry KTOO!). I learned that I love writing and reading even more and filled my evenings with good books before I nodded off to sleep. I learned to value much more all the blessings in my life that I often take for granted. I brought along to Russia my gratitude stone that a friend gave me and tucked it in the pocket of my coat. On my walks I often rubbed the smoothness of the stone and reflected on each day's gifts. So, my Russian exile has been very contemplative, almost retreat like, for me. My everyday distractions were few which
allowed me to BREATHE. My students of course were the highlight and I could write at length about each one but I'll spare you that for now. And YES, I learned that I can still teach and really do love this profession!

Lindsey and Kat surprised me Saturday night by taking me for a walk and then into a beautiful hotel that was all decorated for Christmas, though they call it New Year's here. As we entered the candlelit lobby we were seated at a table and offered mulled wine and Christmas cookies while a children's choir performed. It was magical. There was a young boy of about 7 who sang several solos who had such an angelic voice and had such composure. He looked like a young Andrea Bocelli. After the concert we went up to the top floor of the hotel which overlooks the whole city and sipped champagne. A lovely evening!

I attended one last ballet on Sunday afternoon which was lovely. Who knows if I'll ever grace the Mariinsky Theater again. It was wonderful to seep in all the culture while I was here. As Peggy said, "It's back to the Grumsickle for you!" (A little Juneau humor!) The stop by a nearby bakery for quiche and hot chocolate on my way home as a light snow fell capped off a lovely Sunday afternoon.

I endured one last metro ride on my way to the porcelain factory to look for a tea cup for my Mom. You have to look at a map and count the stops until your exit since the signs and announcements are in Russian. The problem is that the speed and jostling of the metro lulls you off to sleep. As I was nodding off I glanced up and the man standing in front of me was sketching this sleeping babushka (me!) I only had a glimpse of my portrait as I exited the car at the right stop. Thank God! It's so sweet to see men and women give up their seats and stand for older people. Hmmm! That must be why I got a seat!

A few funnies from this week:

Isabella my six your old grand daughter told Amy Jo that I am not allowed to go on anymore trips. It will be so wonderful to spend lots of time with those three urchins to make up for all my time away. I'm looking forward to that.
One of my students shared that he would miss me "like a bucket of beans!' I think it was a compliment but it somehow got lost in translation.
Another student, that little red-haired American girl, told me ,"Mrs. Hanna, you are the best grandma I NEVER had!" Such treasures these children!!!

My last three days of teaching this week went by in a blur. The staff presented me with a beautiful plate and a bouquet of flowers at the staff meeting. I read Miss Rumphius to my class on my last day and when I got to the part that says, "You will always remain in my heart", I teared up as did the kids. We promised to be e-mail pals and write and I told them we will meet again and they know where to find me. Eventually, everyone makes it to Alaska don't they? One boy was worried I might be dead by the time he made it up there. There are no guarantees. As one little girl said, "But, you'll be in the sky so you'll still be with us!" You betcha!!! The last day with the kids was on Wednesday and was bitter sweet. They were so sweet making me goodbye cards, giving me hugs etc. The REAL teacher will return tomorrow so we made her a welcome back sign. At the end of the day they surprised me with a farewell party. I couldn't hold back my emotions. The families presented me with a book of letters and drawings and photos from my class and a photo book of St. Petersburg. My last walk home from school was refreshing and now it's time to do some laundry and begin to pack for home.

I spent the past three days talking long walks around the city absorbing the cityscape and canals that have etched their mark upon me these past 2 1/2 months. The streets are always bustling with people walking, work men going about their construction work on the old buildings, cars honking as the traffic stalls and the church bells ringing every hour. It's such a stark contrast to where I call home where I can take a walk and not see another soul, or car, and may only hear geese honking, eagles screeching etc. The air quality here is very different as well. I look forward to taking a breath of fresh Alaskan air. I managed to find a lovely Russian porcelain tea set that I'll be carrying on the plane. I'd ship it back but the shipping costs more than all the tea in China!

Snow is now falling and I just returned from another long walk. As I sipped my latte at Garcon, my favorite French Bakery, they were playing in French, "These boots were made for walking" and "I Want to go Home." How timely! I lit a candle for my Mom at the Kazan Cathedral. She's in the hospital with flu like symptoms. Fortunately, my sister Theresa is there to take care of her and handle this crisis. Tom is now back in Juneau and happy to be home. Soon, it will be my turn! Tonight I'm going to the British Consulate for a Christmas Program with friends from school and then to bed for my last sleep here.

I'm wondering if there's a 12 step support group called Substitutes Anonymous since disconnecting with those 15 children is going to take time. Such a wonderful experience for me. Thanks to all of you who encouraged me and said ," Yes you can!" Especially a heartfelt thanks to you Laurie who let me know they were looking for someone to do this. The last lesson learned: Never pass up an opportunity to broaden your world. It can be life changing!

Until I ramble again from who knows where...
Love and thanks for reading all these missives!

Kathy (Katya!)

Russian Ramblings

2009-12-11T15:39:00.001-08:00

December 7, 2009

Tis the season isn't it?

I'm REALLY looking forward to coming HOME and celebrating the holidays with family and friends. We just found out our daughter Suzanne will be joining us for Christmas so it will be double the pleasure and double the fun. I'll leave St. Petersburg on December 12 ,ovenighting in Amsterdam, and will be in Juneau the night of December 13. Yahoo!!! Meanwhile, the long winter days are settling in here. By the time the children go out to recess at 10 it's getting light but when I walk home at 3:30 it's getting dark...so much like Juneau in December. I need my SAD lamp!

Tom's now in Gilroy traveling between his Dad in the rehab. facility and his Mom in the hospital. He doesn't have access to a computer so I try to Skype him every other day or so to stay abreast of their progress. Right now they may be doing surgery on his Mom since she appears to be having heart problems. They may end up going up to Stanford to do this. His Dad seems to be improving with his kidney infection but is still running a fever. Tom and his brother Roy are talking to the doctors and dealing with all of this. It's so important to have advocates for elderly parents in these situations. I'm glad he is able to be there.

Some wisdom from the week:

I was out on yard duty before school one morning and always have a brief chat with Nina one of the guards. She speaks a little English so we can visit. We were commenting on the rain while standing under our umbrellas when she said, "Nature makes no bad weather. It's all a gift from God." Lovely! I'll need to remember her wisdom and positive attitude when I return home to Juneau!

For teachers only (or maybe not):

I have been taking the students through the writing process and have been writing a short story myself in front of the class focusing on all the elements of a good story: characters, setting, problem, solution, beginning, middle, and ending. I worked through the beginning and middle of the story and put it aside for a couple of weeks helping them in turn with their stories. Yesterday one of the boys said, "What about your story Mrs. Hanna? You know you only have a few days left with us. You'd better finish." So I did. Talk about pressure! It was a fun process since I gathered their input along the way and wove their ideas into the story. I did finish it and typed it up and now they are each going to get their own copy and illustrate it themselves. I dedicated the story to the class and they were thrilled. One girl said, "I can't believe we have a story dedicated to us!!!" They were and are my muses for sure!

Our class went to a Children's Puppet Theatre this week which we all enjoyed. Fortunately, Marina, the Kindergarten teacher, is Russian so she came into my class to tell the story so that when we went to the puppet show we would have some idea as to what was happening. It was a version of "The Magic Fish" but was called "Emeylia and the Pike." I had never seen a dog puppet humping a donkey puppet before in a children's puppet show ,or anywhere else for that matter, but hey this is Russia!!! I had to take my glasses off to make sure I wasn't seeing things but the kids didn't seem to notice. It didn't last long!

On the way back on the bus I happened to be sitting next to one of my American students who said when she came to Russia she had her smile and now she's lost it. She seems very homesick for her life back in Michigan. It was interesting to hear her ideas as our bus traveled through the city back to school. She pointed out packs of wild dogs on the streets dodging traffic and eating garbage, people wearing only dark colors, graffiti on the buildings. I tried to point out all the happy things I noticed like a few people wearing bright colors, Christmas decorations going up, beautiful architecture. It's hard to believe someone so young could be so negative about her life already. A real lesson on looking on the bright side for me!

We had parent conferences this week. I arrived the morning of parent conferences to find a bouquet of yellow tulips by my computer with no note. Do I have a parent conference fairy? Anyway, I thought of what I used to do to get ready for conferences and set a conference table (thanks Karen Allen!) with the tulips and a table cloth of pink construction paper with a lacy pink scarf over it. Ambience! It was so delightful to talk to the parents and they all showed up! A couple had interpretors with them. It was a very lovely way to finalize my teaching here and the parents were most appreciative.

I have made some very special friends here. Kat is the 4th Grade teacher and is so much fun and makes me laugh. Her name is also Kathleen AND she's Italian! She's fiesty and full of energy and her curls remind me of my daughter Suzanne.She took me under her wing and showed me the ropes immediately: walking to school with me the first day, showing me where to use a safe ATM machine , where the nearby markets are, where to eat, how to ride a bus and the metro etc. etc. She's been an angel and will be returning to New Jersey when school ends. She's been here for four years and is more than ready to fly home. She's single and wants to start a life back home with the goal of meeting an American man.

Lindsey teaches 5th grade and this is her first year here at the school though she's lived in St. Petersburg and studied Russian here. She can read and speak the language. She's a tall beautiful blonde who is also single. She taught me how to buy do-nuts in a Russian Bakery, shared her bread recipe and cumin from the states with me. She and Kat are both wonderful teachers. She'll be here at least another year since they sign two year contracts. She's from Minnesota. They're both young enough to be my daughters and have been so wonderful including me in their after school lives here. Such a blessing! I don't know what I would have done without them. Tonight we're going out for dinner and then making chocolate chip cookies and watching movies at Kat's apartment. Girl time!

Of course there's Ron my principal who has become a dear friend. He opened up his spare room in his apartment for me to use and shared his dog Marlo with me as well. Nothing like a warm,furry white friend (Marlo, not Ron!) He was more than welcoming in so many ways : teaching me to grocery shop here, driving me places, helping me get Tom here, letting me take over his refrigerator and kitchen, sharing his bathroom with me etc. We've had some great educational talks as well as many laughs. He loves Juneau and wants to return. He'll be a friend for life.I don't think I've ever met a more generous, giving, dedicated administrator and person. He stands outside the school building and greets every child by name with a handshake. Once I heard him singing "Oh What a Beautiful Morning." He makes everyday beautiful for the students here in his care.

I have one week left here and only three teaching days to go. I'll probably write one more "Russian Ramblings" before I leave. Seems like they get lengthier and lengthier.

Have a great week! With much love,

Katya (that's what the Russian people call me!)

Russian Ramblings

2009-11-30T15:06:00.000-08:00

November 30, 2009

Hello dear ones,

It's hard to believe it will be December 1st tomorrow. Tom leaves tonight and I will surely miss him. I guess it's back to the nunnery for me. I have two single beds in my room, which is sparsely furnished, and really does resemble a convent. He's on his way to California to be with his Mom and brother Roy. His Dad is in a rehab facility so there's so much for him to deal with there. Now we have word that his Mom who is 96 has pneumonia and is in the hospital as well. This was a great respite for him and he had a wonderful time. His brother Bill's memorial service is yet to be planned so hopefully he'll be able to assist with that.

We had a wonderful first Russian Thanksgiving with our new friends here. We climbed our Rapunzali-like staircase of 120 steps to our friend Kat's apartment carrying all our Thanksgiving offerings: turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, apple crisp, gravy, wine and ice. We are thankful we lived to the top!! It was a fun evening with 8 other Americans and Lexi who is a 6 year old Russian orphan girl who was adopted recently by Kate, the teacher I'm subbing for. Kat (whose apartment it was at) had the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on and broadcast it on the brick wall of her living room. Of course this was Lexi's first Thanksgivng so she was thrilled with the balloon characters in the parade, but mostly with watching her giant shadow. That was a highlight for us! She's a beautiful child! We corrupted her by showing her how Americans put olives on their fingers to eat on Thanksgiving. You DO do that don't you??? It's a tradition in our family.

On our last weekend together here we spent Saturday touring the Peter and Paul Fortress and bought a couple of prints for our home in Juneau that remind me of where I live here. We toured the prison where they housed all the dissidents. They made it sound like a hotel but lit sure didn't look like any I've stayed in except for one in Sardinia. So many young people were hung because of their political beliefs. Hopefully, we will continue to respect people with opposing views in our democracy. On Sunday we went to the Smolny Cathedral which looks like a huge blue and white wedding cake and then took a long walk home by the Neva River. It was in the low 40's out so Tom took his coat off and was wearing a short-sleeved shirt. He received many stares from the Russian people out walking and a few smiles. At least now we know how to get them to smile! In the afternoon we went back to the Hermitage to gaze once again at the art work of Picasso, Van Gogh, Matisse, Monet, Cezanne, Leonardo da Vinci and all those important folks. The evening was spent seeing the opera "Aida" and then off to bed since Monday is a work day for me and Tom has to pack to leave for California. He was so happy to have come and experience St. Petersburg for ten days.

Tom and I experienced our first Russian traffic accident together. Ron was driving us and my two teaching friends Kat and Lindsey to our school play that the high schoolers were putting on. We were stalled in traffic and literally not moving when we were hit by a SUV. Nobody was injured and all we knew to do was pretend we couldn't speak Russian when the police showed up, which wasn't a stretch for us. Lindsey did speak the language but was told never to in these situations. An electric tram bus was coming into the intersection when the SUV guy decided he could race it. It hooked on his back bumper and pulled him into us. Fortunately, we are all fine but the car will need a little makeover. The funny thing is that on Friday we had school colors day so Ron sprayed his hair blue and white for the festivities. Can you imagine him at a Russian police station with blue and white hair trying to explain in English what happened? Talk about
credibility! Fortunately the American Consulate intervenes in these situations so they were there as well. Ron is not at fault and all is good. It truly is a wonderful world.

There are so many interesting characters in my daily life here. As I enter my apartment building I have to punch in a code and am greeted (in Russian of course) by the concierge on duty that day. We always have a conversation in our native languages but still are able to communicate a little. Elsa always wears a beige beret and loves Russian mystery novels, Elsa knits and watches Russian soap operas, and Tatiana sorts through old black and white family photos. I would love to know more about their lives but the language is a barrier for sure. They love Marlo, Ron's dog, who I walk everyday after school and always have milkbones to give her. Sweet ladies!

Not to be forgotten is my Russian alarm clock that goes off at unpredictable times from midnight to 6 a.m. Here's how it works. The men here (well some of them anyway) seem to go out to the clubs and pubs and other sudsy establishments to socialize every night of the week and stumble their way back to wherever they go laughing, yelling, sometimes fighting and setting off firecrackers. I wake up wondering where I am. Don't these people have jobs? Probably not, unfortunately! Somehow they enter the courtyard below my apartment to serenade each other (or maybe it's me!). Rude awakening! I'm tempted to get a dozen eggs and pelt them out the window! One night I awoke to someone singing "Ave Maria" in a beautiful tenor voice. At first I thought I had expired in the night. It was just my drunken angel. He hasn't returned since then. Meanwhile my battery alarm clock continues to wake me at 5:30 a.m. For variety sake firecrackers are lit off as well though I prefer to call them fire devils!

Then there's the Music teacher who is Iranian and is quite an accomplished composer and pianist here but teaches elementary music to make ends meet. If the children misbehave they have to sing the musical scale in front of the class. I have to leave the room to save my sanity and my ears! He teaches with an Iranian accent which is very difficult to understand. They kids are now learning Holiday songs to sing at a Winter Concert....mostly American tunes like Frosty the Snowman, All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth, Deck The Halls, and Auld Lang Syne. The children's accents are so adorable as they sing. And they do LOVE to sing inspite of the scale torture!

Tom and I took nightly walks around the city after dinner while he was here. Every building is lit up with lights which accent the architecture which is amazing and on a very grand scale. New Year's is the big winter holiday here so the decorations and lights are starting to go up. We navigate ourselves around the city by the canals and church steeples. They act as lighthouses for us guiding our walks.

A few funnies from the week:

Heidi, a red-haired, freckled faced American girl was trying to comfort a boy who was crying because he didn't want to go to gym because he had a runny nose. She said in her matter of fact American accent, " Oh, just suck it up and deal with it. You'll survive!" He did!!!

We've been making lots of paper quilts and reading wonderful quilt books. Most of the kids didn't know what a quilt was so I showed them some of my quilts I've made on my Facebook page. Bringing in REAL things is a bit difficult here so we make do. The math involved and visual problem solving has been a fun way to integrate the curriculum with the wonderful quilt books I brought along. I wish I had a sewing machine here so we could make a real classroom quilt, but OH WELL! As everyone reminds me, "You're not in Kansas anymore!" Or Alaska!!

Love to all!
Kathy

Ramblings from Russia

2009-11-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

November 23, 2009

Hello once again,

I imagine you are all getting ready for Thanksgiving. I wish you all a warm, blessing filled day with family and friends. I have to teach on Thanksgiving but Tom and I are gathering together to celebrate with other American teachers at the school after work. I'm in charge of mashed potatoes, gravy and apple crisp. Tom is in charge of hauling four chairs up 120 steps to the teacher's apartment who's hosting the gathering. Ron is in charge of the turkey and dressing. Should be fun!!! I can smell the turkey already. Ron had to travel quite a distance to pick up a turkey that had to be special ordered. All the stores have are turkey drumsticks, which would do in a pinch for sure. There would be no fighting over who got the drumsticks.

Yes! Tom arrived and we've been busy exploring the sights. I am so lucky to be living in the center of the city so navigating to the main attractions is pretty easy. We went on a drizzly rain walk with umbrellas on Saturday, his first day here, with a pit stop at the French Bakery for a cappuccino and treat, and then out to dinner at a wonderful Georgian Russian Restaurant close by and then on to the ballet. We saw a performance of La Sylphide which has a Scottish theme, a witch and a spirit. Evil winning over good is basically the theme. It was wonderful and the best part was that it was only 2 hours long instead of the usual 3-4 hours long. I only had to jab Tom once with my elbow when he started to nod off. I would have thought looking at those ballerinas with the binoculars would have kept his focus. Today we did our weekly grocery shopping. Tom and Ron had to drive to another store to find soy milk since Tom is off of dairy products. They
were successful. I think he enjoyed looking around a Russian store. He was impressed with the freshness and quality of the produce. We spent the rest of the day exploring a couple of churches with Tom talking many photos along the way. He's now down for a bit of a snooze to prepare him for coming to school with me tomorrow. The kids are very excited to meet him. One little boy refers to him as "your man Thomas!" Cute!!! I am so glad he's here to share this experience with me. He'll leave on Nov. 30 and fly to California where he will attend his brother Bill's memorial service.

It's already Monday afternoon so I'd better finish this missive and send it on soon before the kids get back from recess. Tom came into school this morning and talked to the kids about rocks and let them each choose 3 specimens to keep. One little boy said he wanted to be like Tom when he grows up and look for rocks. Tom brought me some Heritage coffee which I'm relishing. The Russian coffee tastes like hot brown water. Tom is at the Mineral and Mining Museum this afternoon which will be a highlight for him. The school was kind enough to make arrangements for him to visit. The museum does not normally do tours so he's very fortunate to see their collection. He did bring a nice epidote to donate to the museum. Bribery goes a long way in Russia!

I got to experience the metro here which was a real adventure. I felt like a sheep being herded through narrow gates and fast moving escalators descending way under ground. I had visions of Dante's Inferno. The doors on the metro shut so fast that people push to get in and then I was sandwiched between two men with raised armpits in my face. No need to go any further! I'd rather walk next time! Laurie got to experience this with me so we had some chuckles over it. Laurie and I also did a bit of Christmas shopping at a man named Ivar's apartment. It was interesting to see how small a Russian apartment really is. The housing for the teachers here is luxurious compared to a typical Russian dwelling. I sometimes feel like I'm really living in a bubble.

It's time to sign off. Happy Thanksgiving one and all!

Love,
Kathy

November 2009 Meeting

2009-11-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

Hi! Well it appears we have a few changes to make after our meeting last night. It was sure good to be back. I have to say I sure miss all of you.

Linda made the fare for the night and, as it was a very cool fall evening, the dinner was perfect, Baked Potato Soup with all the trimmings of a baked potato to put into it. It was fabulous. Randi complimented the meal with her carrot cake cupcakes which were frosted with the helping hands of Helen and topped with mini chocolate chips, also very delicious and to top it all off we had lemonade for drinks just to remind us summer has left. Many thanks to the chefs.

I was on line the other day and went to our blog. I was blown away by the notes from Russia, talk about one confused lady. Need to be at every meeting I tell you. Kathy you do a FABULOUS job of journaling your trip - gonna do a book? I would love to see some pictures from there. What about fabric there? Good, bad quality? Patterns? Colors? Do they quilt? What an opportunity, how fun!!

Well for starters our meeting for December will be on the 14th. No mistake, December 14th at Helen's. In JANUARY it will change. Our meetings will now be on the 4th (FOURTH) Tuesday, that's TUESDAY of each month from then on.

Also December’s meeting means our challenge quilts no matter how big, small or how far done, must be in ok? Also we have a list of who is bringing what and if you weren't there for some reason just bring what you like. Here goes:
Helen - bread, entrée
Linda - dessert
Peggy & Trish - entrée & dessert
Margie – jello salad
Carol - something from "Julia's" book entrée
Randi - (I missed it :( )
Rita - drinks
Dawn – green salad

Don't forget our gift exchange $10.00 gift. Rules for the exchange: gifts can only exchange 3x - no steal backs immediately after it is taken away and you can't take your own.

We received a letter from Donna and she said she will be coming back, but after she has had sometime to get life on track again. She and Corky are doing better. Glad to hear, we look forward to your return.

Quilt Show at the DeYoung museum in San Francisco starting 11/13/09 thru 6/6/10 Caravan anyone? Seriously, if interested maybe it could be a reality.

Show n Tell - I (Carol) finally got a few things done and

brought them in for show n tell.

Dawn brought in a quilt she was doing for a little girl, then changed her mind and kept it but... she made another one for the little girl. I really liked her dancer one, I guess it was the colors. The other is perfect for a child the colors were bright and happy.

Helen showed a beautiful vest she made, child's sundress and a table quilt for a very long table, beautiful though.

Linda did a beautiful vintage apron for her daughter from a vintage tablecloth her mom had used. It turned out adorable, with a chicken on the front of the bib and a cow on the reverse side of the bib all quilted.

Rita brought homework for us, something to do with color charts. I think I'm supposed to know what I'm doing but I don't think I do. I guess I need to read it all. We can fill in the color circles with fabric if you like. Not due till January meeting. Remember when? That's the 4th Tuesday, January 26th 2010. Can't believe another year is almost gone. Wow! a lot has happened this year.

Dawn did a great demonstration for us, showing how to make rag rugs from quilt scraps. She cuts a generous amount when squaring up her fabric and tosses the strip into a bag. When she squares up her quilt top she does the same, saving the excess backing fabric to crochet into her rug. We were dazzled by her colorful rugs and want more!!! Maybe we can even have a rag rug meeting, with everyone working on a project with Dawn right there, on hand to help us out is we get stuck. Thank you Dawn!

Don't forget next meeting December 14th at Helen's. Bring your QUILT challenge, your GIFT, and your FOOD.

Meeting adjourned 7:50PM.

See you next meeting - keep B-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-,

Carol

PS Linda is to put a link here so we can have that Baked Potato Soup Recipe. Please? Enjoy this recipe, adjust as you wish for as Rachael told me, it's just a blueprint. http://theslowcookedsentence.blogspot.com/search?q=potato+soup

Ramblings from Russia

2009-11-17T10:30:00.000-08:00

November 16, 2009

Hello one and all,

A month from now and I'll be home putting up the Christmas tree and back in tune with my real life and routine. It will be good to be home and I 'll certainly return with a fresh appreciation for all I have taken for granted in our country.

The theme for the week has been " I heard it through the grapevine". That song has followed me around this week as I shopped at the grocery store, ate at a restaurant, and browsed in a bookstore. It must mean something. Maybe I'll figure it out later. I hope I won't be losing my mind. ( got to know the lyrics to appreciate this!) It seems so strange to hear western music blaring out from passing cars, on street corners and in cafes. I wonder if it sounds as foreign to Russian ears as their language does to mine.

School continues to be a blast for me. This week we experimented with flying objects and invented things that could fly from found objects: helicopters, airplanes, gliders, parachutes etc. We had trial runs of our inventions out on the playground to the count of 10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1 BLAST OFF! I wonder what the military academy was thinking as we launched out gliders towards their building. No relatiation as yet. Hands on learning bridges the language gap for sure as children construct their ideas and try them out.

We have had a few snowy days which softens the already muted pastel colors of the buildings here. The Church of Spilled Blood has snow on its five onion domes and snowmen and snowbears decorate the parks around town. Some people are actually smiling as they watch people throwing snowballs at each other in the park I walk through each day on my way home from school. Those rigid Russian faces are softening too.

On the cultural scence this week I went to see the ballet of "Romeo and Juliet" which is my favorite thus far. There were school children there and it was perfect for them with all the action of sword fights, blood and gore with a little passion and romance thrown in for us older folks. The dancing was spirited and intense and the music of Procofiev was spellbinding. Last night I went to see "The Kings of Dance" which is a troop of international male ballet dancers performing more bizarre, modern choreography and it was dazzling. There were eight dancers and some could leap as high as their height. Talk about eight lords a leaping...there they were. Tonight we're going to see the Irish dance troop "River Dance" which I'm really looking forward to seeing. It'll be a nice change from my menu of ballet and opera.

Some funnies from the kids this week:
Darren who makes me laugh all day long was playing a game of Sorry with three other kids and he was in charge of deciding who would go first. Here's the chant I overheard him say:

Soldier, soldier in the grass,
Stuck a finger up his ass,
In, out, in, out
You are not it!

I guess it's time to teach other turn taking chants. In their innocence they didn't have a clue what it meant and the game began. Eeenie, Meanie, Miney , Moe is on my lesson plans for next week!
Ron Gleason, our principal, had hernia surgery this week so the kids wrote him Get Well notes. One of the kids said he was a great tropical (meaning principal!) I love the language funnies here.

We've been doing so much writing in here. Writer's Workshop is our favorite time of the day. I'm writing along with them and I read my story to them and ask for feed back. They parrot back all I say to them in their writing conferences, "More details! More details!" The room is a buzz with writers sharing their work. It's amazing what they can do when you allow them the time to get involved with their writing.

Laurie Schoenberger made it here and we've spent the weekend seeing a few sights, going to the ballet and River Dance, out for dinner and taking long walks. She'll be here for four more days working in our school with the 3-6th grade teachers. It's so nice to have her here! Tom will arrive on Nov. 20 so I am getting very excited to see him!

I hope you all have a healthy, safe week. Stay warm and know that I think of you all often with gladness in my heart.

Love,
Kathy

Ramblings from Russia

2009-11-08T19:51:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2009

Greetings one and all,

My walking shoes are taking on a scuffed, well used look as I spent hours each day walking around on my week off checking out the sights of St. Petersburg. I certainly hit all the highlights and mapped out each day's adventure by neighborhoods. There's so much to see and do here but I only scratched the surface. I attempted to visit one museum, one palace and one church each day. Some of my favorite walks are following the canals that thread their way through the city. The architecture here is amazing and each building has its own charm. The colors are soft pastels yet warm and muted. I appreciate the fact that older buildings are not razed but renovated. There are very few modern looking structures at least in the heart of the city.

Some of the museums I visited this week are:

The Russian Museum which is housed in four separate buildings (ex-palaces).

The Ethnographic Museum where costumes, crafts, tools, weapons, art work , photos from the different people that make up Russia are exhibited. It was very interesting to see how similar native Alaskan people's clothing, boats, tools etc. are to their Russian neighbors.

Kunsthammer Museum where Peter the Great housed all this anthropoligical expedition finds from different countries. There was a whole section on Alaska native people which I found quite interesting. We did belong to Russia at one time in history.

The Pushkin Museum where the famous poet lived and wrote. It's only two doors down from where I live. He died in a duel defending his wife's honor.

Today I tried in vain to find the Dostoevsky apartment Museum. I walked at least an hour trying to find it but since the signs are written in Russian it eluded me. I am determined to find it on a less rainy day. By the time I returned home from my search I settled down with a cup of hot tea . I'll save Crime and Punishment for another day.

My favorite church is The Church of Spilled Blood which is the most colorful, onion domed Disneyland looking church here. The inside is so amazing with hundreds of mosaics which seem to glow from within. I was so glad I had rented an audio guide. It took 24 years to build the church and 27 years to restore it after the war where it was used as a food storage facility and later a morgue. I learned that the reason for the onion dome architecture is that the snow falls off easily and also that the domes resemble candles pointing towards heaven. I visited several other churches as well but this one takes the cake.

I saw an exhibit of the Canadian artist, Robert Bateman, at The Mikhailovsky Castle. Most of the palaces and castles are now used as museums or art galleries.

Fortunately most of the week I had lovely cold, and crisp weather with snow flurries off and on. On a full moon evening I went to the top floor of my apartment building and up on the roof to take some night time photos of the moon and the skyline.

I attended a performance of the opera "Carmen" which was 41/2 hours long. The music, drama, costumes, scenery etc. made the time go by so fast. The champagne at intermission helped too. I though of you Michele when the torreador sang his song. I remember you at our college apartment listening to Carmen.

I am so tickled that Tom is coming to see me in my Russian exile. He'll arrive on Nov. 19 for 10 days. My friend Laurie Schoenberger is also coming on Nov. 13 for a week. It will be such fun to show both of them the sights.

I feel I am museumed, churched and palaced out for now and ready to get back to The Cathedral of the Classroom with my 15 living icons tomorrow.

Wishing you well. Until next week....

Love,
Kathy

October Meeting 2009

2009-11-02T08:03:00.000-08:00

It was a blustery, cloudy night, and the wind whistled through the chimneys of the house on the moor. Woops, wait a minute. It was a blustery night, but Helen’s warm and cheery soups weren’t scary at all! Linda, Dawn, Rita, Margie, Katherine, and Randy with an eye (actually make that an I and two eyes) all gathered around the dining table, enjoying potato leek soup, hamburger vegetable chowder, apple spice muffins, pear pecan salad, and a chocolate cream cheese torte. And that was just the socializing segment.

Randy called us all together to settle down and get to business. Yes, Mistress Chairwoman (we never use the word Madam in Nevada unless it’s in THAT context). The Silver Springs Fiber Arts Show had a great turnout and a big thank-you to everyone who participated. Many ribbons went to QBees members, including Best of Show and Peoples Choice. (Linda has posted some wonderful pictures of member-winners and their contributions). Dawn demonstrated crocheted rag rugs at the event. She uses quilting scraps and can make them in all sizes. She will demonstrate for us at the November meeting.

Several members attended the Shop Hop the end of September and reported that money was spent, fun was had, and tires were worn out! Helen and Katherine did all of the shops together. Dawn, Randy and Linda each did the Fallon stores on their own, but got together to do the rest of the Hop. The miles logged far exceeded a trip to the moon, but the rewards were much better than a load of rocks. However, the trekkers reported that We R Sew N Sew is going out of business.

We discussed some different methods of sandwiching quilts. Actually the methods are quite nearly the same, just the order is different. You may want to do the guts of the sandwich, then put on the front, then the back, or you may want to start with the back, then the guts, then the front. Or, you may want to try deviled ham in which case the order doesn’t matter.

Dawn brought a Show and Tell. She made a lovely and sophisticated table runner and placemats from fabric she purchased at the 2008 Shop Hop. A close look at the fabric, and you will see that the subject is quite Halloweeny.

Dawn and Randy will be attending a quilters reception in Yerington for Lyon County quilters. The show is at the Jeanne Dini Cultural Center on October 21. They will have a quilt from the show to talk about how they created, what was their inspiration, etc. Oops, Margie just checked the calendar and we are now in November. The reception was LAST month. That’ll teach Carol to leave the minutes to someone else!

And as for our absent members, we very much missed Carol, Trish, Lacey, Ellie, Tricia, and Peggy. Happy Autumn to all of you and if we’re VERY lucky maybe we can all be together in November.

Now for upcoming events: The Christmas party will be on the 21^st. Bring a wrapped gift, $10 limit. Also, bring a bit of canned food for the holiday food drives. And, in case you haven’t heard, our Two of a Kind quilts are due at the December meeting. In January, Linda will teach us paper piecing.

That just about does it for the October meeting of the QBees. If anyone thinks of something I missed, that’s what the Comments button is for. Quite happily and sincerely, Margie!

Ramblings from Russia

2009-11-02T07:56:00.001-08:00

November 2, 2009

Hello everyone,

Greetings on this cold November morning from St. Pete's. It's a crisp, clear ,sparkling frosty day. The temp is in the low 30's and as I gaze out my apartment window I see people are decked out in warm coats, hats, gloves and scarves. Yesterday I really did try to dress like a Russian with my overcoat etc. but I still get looks like I'm either a CIA agent or someone from faraway ...a walking imposter for sure. Maybe it's the camera around my neck. Hmmm!

A few observations from school last week:

I had the kids bring in materials to build boats and do float and sink experiments adding plastic bears and cubes for weights. Now this is very tricky since there are no sinks in the room and I had to haul water and borrow tubs etc. They were quite thrilled to do something messy and fun which I don't think they're used to. One boy had counted up to 200 bears on his boat when it sank! He yelled, "Rescue, rescue! The Titantic sank." We revived the bears and proceeded. The kids make me smile everyday with their accents and use of the language.

The custodian who cleans my room is about my age and her name is Svetla and for some reason we have become soul mates though each of us can't speak the other's language. She loves looking at my photo of album of Juneau scenes and my family. I use a lot of sign language and we hug. She borrowed the album to show her family. On my birthday she brought me a small Matrushka doll and gave me a tearful speech in Russian. I grabbed another teacher to translate and this is what this simple woman who cleans for a living said, " I wish all people of the world could be like you and me . Forget the politicians and governments and remember the smiles, and hugs and laughter as we try to communicate what is important. I wish you and your family peace and good health on your journey through life." I started to cry as the teacher translated Svetla's powerful words. Such wisdom! These are the moments here that mean the most to me.

Then there's wisdom from the children...Gabriella brought in a leaf that had frozen in a puddle and declared that she had rescued the leaf. We had been exploring leaves for a bit so the kids know a lot about the life expectancy of a leaf. We observed the ice melting and at last the leaf was free from its icy grave and Gabriella tenderly wrapped it up in a paper towel to take it home and keep it warm and safe as she said.

Ms. Alexandra is our art teacher. Now picture a woman in her late 60's with a long white pony tale, sparkling blue eyes who dresses like a Russian hippie from the Salvation Army and wears sneakers and speaks limited English. She came bustling into the classroom this week for her lesson and started throwing garlic, onions, tomatoes, shells, flowers, pottery vases on the children's desks. She gives little direction other than "Just draw like Cezanne!" And the trick is they do. You should see their shadowing and concentration . Then they proceed to water color their sketches producing amazing results. Meanwhile she flits around the room from student to student heaping praise and constructive suggestions. She's amazing! She's not a trained teacher but is so skilled in having the children believe they are artists. And they are!

On the cultural front I attended another ballet, The Scotch Symphony, that was choreographed by George Ballenchine. I loved it because it was more modern and interpretive.

Our 9 day Fall Break started this weekend so I have planned some excursions everyday. I am learning to do things alone since my two companion teachers have taken off to Croatia for the week. I visited the Yusupov Palace where Rasputin was murdered. They do have English audio guides which are quite useful. It's so nice to hear someone speak English to me. I almost started to carry on a conversation with the audio man. No wonder people look at me!
I am learning to read maps quite well and am constantly scouting the sky for church steeples which guide me when I'm lost. I'm constantly calling on help from my guardian angels. Ron Gleason took me to a Russian Orthodox Monastary where we happened to enter during a service. It was so beautiful with Gregorian chanting from the all male choir, and the priest circling the church with insense. People were lighting candles and writing intentions out to leave on the tables under the icons The bell was ringing constantly in the steeple. I looked up and a priest was physically pulling on the heavy ropes and using a treadmill like wheel with his leg to ring the bell. Quite a work out. I wonder if he was doing penance. We visited the graves of Dostoyevsky, Tschaikovsky and Rimsy Korsocov who are all buried along with other famous artists, musicians and writers. They really do play tribute to their famous people. There were even fresh flowers on their
monuments to honor them. I visited the Peter and Paul Fortress and Cathedral where all the Romanov dynasty are enshrined.

On my way home I saw a man skinny dipping in the Neva River which I'm told they do for health reasons. He proceeded to exit the very cold and polluted river and did a series of jumping jacks to warm up. Time to move on home across the bridge with a smile on my face!

So much for my week. On a sad note...Tom's dear older brother Bill passed away yesterday from liver cancer. Tom had just spent 3 weeks with him and had just returned home to Juneau when he got the call. He'll probably head back down soon once arrangements are made. Obviously his trip here is on hold for now.

Love to all of you!
Kathy

Ramblings from Russia

2009-10-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

October 26, 2009

Where does the time go? The month of October is speeding by and another Russian Ramblings is at hand.

A few observations on the streets as I walk around to and from work:
I think I mentioned how someone (mostly Babushkas or older women) are always sweeping the night's debris away or raking leaves in the parks. I noticed that many of their brooms are hand made out of tree twigs tied together with string. I've seen a few people begging on the streets but not many homeless people, though I was informed that the police bus them away to who knows where. One night I was walking to a friend's apartment five minutes from mine when a man jumped out in front of me and started yelling something in Russian in my face. I was told if this ever happened to look them straight in the eye and act a bit "off" which I did and he ran away. It worked! I saw a small bear on a leash that a man was peddling for photographs. The poor bear was very submissive and the man had a club in his hand to use if necessary. Poor bear. What a contrast to our wild, mostly healthy Juneau bears.

I was to meet my friend Kat at a wonderful French Bakery that we discovered a week ago. I was sure I could find it but somehow ended up at the wrong place and without a cell phone couldn't get in touch. I did discover many new restaurants : Indian, Turkish etc. to try by accident. My poor friend was worred but we finally connected once I made it home and my poor host drew me a map to find the place. I must say the latte and cinnamon roll were very comforting .

I tried to buy some yarn for a project with my class and was told where a yarn shop was. I entered and the yarn sat behind a counter and you couldn't touch it. The clerk was very frustrated with this non-Russian speaking woman pointing to yarn, touching it and having her put it back on the shelf until I found the one I wanted.

Halloween was celebrated here on the 23rd. I taught the kids the American game of tying a donut on a string and eating it with your hands behind your back. They were thrilled. I told them the story of Georgie Ghost that my mother used to tell when she was teaching and I've told every year since I've been a teacher. As most stories go I change it every time but to see the light in their eyes is a magical connection when a story is told. All the elementary classes had a costume parade through the other classrooms and the kids shared trays of cookies and candies wishing us all a Happy Halloween as they marched through our room. Very sweet! After school the Trunk or Treating began on the playground. The parents decorated the trunks of their cars and served treats as the kids went from car trunk to car trunk. Jars with candles surrounded the playground to add to the festivities.

On the weekend Ron, my principal, hosted a dinner threatre in his apartment where the high schoolers could perform poetry, music, singing or any other talent. It was wonderful. Their parents came and the kids prepared salad, lasagna, and dessert which they served. They even cleaned up. A wonderful, community building event.

My birthday was this weekend so I went to dinner with friends and then to a production of Swan Lake with a prima ballerina. Lovely! Today at school the children made me cards and sang Happy Birthday to me in all their languages plus Russian. It brought tears to my eyes.

Tom is in California helping to care for his brother Bill who is in the final stages of liver cancer, so at this point he's where he needs to be. He may have to postpone or cancel his trip here depending on how things progress. I was so looking forward to sharing this experience with him but I know he's doing the right thing. Time will tell.

Much love to all of you and I love hearing your news.

Kathy

Ramblings from Russia

2009-10-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

October 19

Hello Friends and Family,

I hope you are all well and enjoying the excitement of Halloween approaching. It's hard to believe I've been here for 3 weeks. Here's a few observations and news of this past week:

Our school is right next to a Russian Navy Academy so we start our day in the classroom doing yoga while outside we hear the cadets chanting and marching in formation. Today they actually were accompanied by a marching band. Nothing like yoga set to military marches . Lots of contradictions here!

My students are like a mini United Nations representing the following countries:Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Estonia, Lithuania, Germany, Holland, South Korea and The United States. It's really interesting to have them try to interpret and translate to each other when I don't understand their ideas. Today they were trying to figure out what you call your second mother and it went translating around the room until I finally understood they meant "Godmother." There are many "lost in translation" moments!

One humorous note this week: One boy told me he wanted to be a banker when he grows up because they make a lot of celery. The kids wanted to know what celery was and I described the vegetable. After several amused faces I finally figured out he meant "salary!"

I told them the apple story about the little red house with no windows and no doors and a star inside and had them create a story map to re-tell the story to me and a friend. That gave me so much insight into their comprehension and use of language. It really is a challenge to meet all their needs in language arts especially. We've been playing games like telephone and Simon Says etc. to increase their understanding. We made applesauce this week which they loved. The supplies are so limited. I ended up making it in the mircrowave and they really loved it.

We had a fun Friday where the children from Kindergarten to Fifth Grade are divided into colors and rotate between the classrooms all day for fall crafts. I did pumpkin paper weavings. I got a little tired of hearing myself say "over, under, over, under, push it to the side!" They hadn't done weaving before so it was fun to see their attempts. The older kids naturally offer to help the little ones and even thanked me for the activity. Their sweet politeness is a blessing.

I was invited to the American Consulate for wine and cheese on Friday evening with ten other American women living here. The Consulate was in a Duke's home and was quite lovely. I was given a tour and even got to see where Tricky Dick rested his head. (Richard Nixon!)

A Russian film crew has been filming a movie on our apartment roof so we've been watching the filming off and on. It's suppose to be a comedy. One of my fellow teachers has a skylight over her shower which opens to the roof and she caught a peeping Ivar looking in at her one evening so had to come over to my apartment to take a shower. Maybe she'll be in the film!

The Russian Museum was my Saturday cultural nudge and I really enjoyed seeing the works of Russian artists through the ages. I topped if off with hot chocolate at a cafe with a teaching friend. The hot chocolate here is more like hot, thick, pudding and you eat it with a spoon. Yum! I celebrated a friend's birthday at a restaurant later that night. On Sunday I attended a symphony of Russian Fairy Tale music which was lovely. The acoustics in the concert hall resonated the sound so well.

I have been venturing out exploring streets further away from my apartment bit by bit and enjoyed a lovely two hour labyrinth of a walk on Sunday afternoon getting myself lost and then realizing I really could find my way back.

Much love and missing all of you!
Kathy

Photos of Kathy's school in Juneau, AK - Linda

Silver Springs Entertainment and Arts Quilt and Fiber Arts Show

2009-10-11T15:36:00.000-07:00

We did a great job, showcasing the talent and creativity of the Quilting Bees. The annual SSEA Quilt and Fiber Arts Show transformed the Silver Springs Senior Center into a wonderland of quilts and fiber artwork. The pictures say what my words can only attempt to describe.
Linda

Ramblings from Russia

2009-10-11T07:05:00.001-07:00

Cousins Linda and Kathy in Juneau, Alaska
Hello Everyone,

It's been a beautiful fall weekend here with our first frost of the year making its arrival this morning. The fall colors are beautiful. I enjoyed walking around the town with my camera as my companion on Saturday.Lots of great photo opportunities which I will have to post when I return home. Walking is a necessity here and everyone seems to be out and about all hours of the day. The children are all bundled up in snowgear, hats and mittens even though it really isn't that cold yet. Women, especially young women ,wear very high heeled shoes or boots and stroll more than power walk. Older women seem a little more sensibly dress and I would include myself in this catagory for sure. Dark colors seem to be the style so I know I must really shout out "American!" in my bright fuschia Juneau parka. Dodging traffic a daily adventure and so far I am still standing.

I went with my class to their gym this week which is a 15 minute bus ride away. They use a public gym and reserve time there for their PE classes. It's a riot to watch avid athletic adults work out and then go outside to chain smoke. A slight contradiction. As I was helping kids tie shoes after gym I glanced up at the video screen and there was a naked woman advertising something. It didn't phase the kids at all. I wonder what she was advertising? Must have been sunscreen since she was at the beach.

School is going well and I am absolutely loving teaching once again. I asked one very precocious American girl in my class how she thought things were going. This is what she said:
"Well, Mrs. Hanna, number one, you know you are a Grandma and they are always nice. Number 2, You are very funny and a little silly but we're learning SO I think you're a good fit." Guess I got the thumbs up. I am having a ball with Science Notebooks. (Thanks Chris!) We have been exploring leaves and apples and I noticed today that the rose hips out in front of the school need some investigating. They love doing plays so we've been acting out stories we've read. Simple games like "Mother May I" they love. I'm finding that surrounding them with language is my role at this point.

This week I went to two ballets: Swan Lake and Don Quixote. I really do feel I am in the center of an amazing cultural scene here. I went back to the Hermitage Museum again on Saturday for a look at the Dutch and Flemish paintings. During the war they took all the art work out of the museum and hid it. They barely had firewood to stay warm during the 900 day seige by the Germans but they found a way to preserve their artifacts and cultural history. Amazing sense of perspective.

I went over to a friend's apartment last night for brownies, tea and a chick flick which was fun. Ann and John Symonds from Juneau who are now living in Moscow arrived last night by train so it was fun catching up with their lives. They've been in Moscow for four years now. Ann brought us canned pumpkin, cranberry sauce and two turkey roasting pans for our Thanksgiving. All the American teachers get together to celebrate.

Tom is working on his visa to come and visit and I am so looking forward to having him here. There's so much to see and do. All for now. Have a wonderful week.

Love,
Kathy

Ramblings from Russia

2009-10-05T13:59:00.000-07:00

I started my first official day of teaching today and the kids were oh so helpful. I kept reminding them that sometimes people do things in different ways. They love active learning for sure and I'm into that. I brought a small photo album showing pictures of my town and family, so I may do a mini Alaskan unit since they are very interested. Thanks Zach and Suzanne for the many beautiful whale, swan, bear etc. photos. They are really into the animals.

The weather is definitely Juneau like. I wear rainpants and a hat and gloves walking to and from work each day. I am learning to walk like a Russian with my head bent down and no eye contact with passing folks. The body language and trust factor is very different, though the people I work with are more than friendly.

I have attached myself to the two female American teachers in the building though I am old enough to be their mother they include me in dinners out etc. It's very isolating not being able to speak the language or read the signs.

Over the weekend I played tourist and went to Catherine's Palace and walked the grounds taking many photos. Families were out gathering beautiful fall leaves and making garlands for their hair. I also visited the Hermitage which is a HUGE museum. I spent two hours just looking at Impressionist paintings. I found I was overwhelmed standing in front of the work of VanGogh, Picasso, Cezann, Manet, Monet, Rembrant, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelango, Gaugin and Matisse. I have to say I'm now into Matisse. They say if you spent only 1 minute looking at everything in the Hermitage it would take you 11 years!

I'm reading a great book about the 900 day seige of St. Petersburg during the war titled City of Thieves. It's a good one book group friends! It's so interesting to be in the place where the story took place. I actually walk over the bridge in the novel on my way to work. I think I need a "lighter" novel next.

I was able to shop for groceries in a huge Fred Meyer like store and came home with three bags of essentials for only $40.00. Amazing. I was quite surprised at the quality and freshness of the fruit and veggies. I made a pot of lentil soup on Sunday to eat for lunch all week.

Last night I went to the Mirinskiy Theatre to see the ballet "Le Corsaire" Amazing! The Russian teacher I went with took me back stage to see all the costumes and props since her husband works there.

Ramblings from Russia

2009-10-01T11:54:00.001-07:00

I made it and am finally getting over jet leg .My new favorite airline is Air France for the service and the food. Nothing like it! Everything went smoothly even entering Russia and having my body scanned for swine flu and a very intimidating guard inspecting my passport. I pretended I knew what I was doing and out I went to be greeted by my principal. It was so wonderful to see a friendly face. He took me immediately over to the school which is charming and in an old house which looks like the home in the Madeline books. My classroom is half the size of my room at Auke Bay but with only 14 kids. I was able to spend Wednesday with them and observe the woman who has been subbing for a day to get a feel for the routine. The children are very self motivated and capable. When I asked one child what her parents did here she said her Dad was a special agent. I asked her what that meant and she said, "He makes breakfast, lunch and
dinner." We need more special agents in the world. The city is amazing...out of a picture book with rivers and canals and gorgeous architecture. I walk to school which takes 22 minutes each way. The weather is cold and rainy and very much like Juneau's fall weather so that isn't going to be much of an adjustment. The apartment I am staying in in charming with high ceilings, spacious rooms and right on a canal. It even comes with a housekeeper who also cooks dinner. Not bad! My job is to walk the dog when I get home. I think I can handle one chore. I can't believe how gracious, friendly and welcoming every single person at this school has been. I have had many invitations for dinner, the ballet, musuem excursions etc. already. They have been unbelievable. I am learning a little more Russian each day. It really is a beautiful sounding language. Enough rambling for today. It's time for my walk home. I wonder what Irini is making for dinner? Life is good!
Love, Kathy

September Meeting 2009

2009-09-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

Here are the minutes. Sorry it took me so long. --Tricia

Our September meeting was small, and we missed Linda, Margie, Rita, Ellie, Trish, and Lacey. Carol came for a few minutes to drop off her quilts for the Silver Springs show, but she had hurt her back and wasn't able to stay.

Helen made delicious refreshments! The homemade bruschetta, based on the Julie & Julia movie, was particularly popular -- so popular, in fact, that we ended up breaking all the rules about eating and conducting business.

News of note is that Kathy, our member in Alaska, is now in Russia teaching for a year. We are not sure how much contact we'll be able to have with her during that time. Randi circulated a note inviting Donna, who recently lost her husband, to return to the Q Bees. Randi brought Dawn a birthday present -- a beautiful table topper, which she promptly "borrowed" back to enter in the quilt show.

Because of the small group, we decided to take advantage of the opportunity to revisit our bylaws and codes of conduct. It just seemed so much more practical to address them with just a few of us, rather than having to get agreement from so many different opinions. Peggy is in the process of drafting a Memorandum of Understanding for everyone to sign at the next meeting. Dawn will bring her notary stamp to notarize our signatures, and the attorney she works for will attend to explain the consequences of bylaws violations and to answer any questions.

After that heavy business, we had a great time looking at all the quilts we brought for the Silver Springs Quilt Show, and we are all grateful to Randi for providing delivery service for our quilts.

Randi recently took a trip with her husband to Ashland, OR, and she brought back fat quarters for all of us. Thank you (again!), Randi.

Randi shared a tip for completing binding quickly. Thread several needles before you begin so they're ready and waiting when it's time for a new thread. That seemed like a great idea to everyone but Peggy and Dawn, who both have a needle fetish of having only one "favorite" needle. Oh, the secrets that come out in these meetings!

Update from Kathy...on her way to Russia

2009-09-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

As I finish packing for my Russian experience I wanted to send a group e-mail out to let you all know I am on way early next week. I don't know the computer situation there for corresponding with all of you at this point, but I will make every effort to write often if possible and I would love to receive news from all of you as well. I will be in St. Petersburg teaching 2nd Grade at the Anglo-American School of St. Petersburg until December 18. I will be teaching 14 students who are all learning English and are from many countries. It will be a wonderful opportunity and challenge. I hear the mail system isn't worth dealing with and at this point I do not know my address. I will be staying with the school's principal, Ron Gleason, who is from Juneau, temporarily.

Enjoy the fall and stay healthy and happy.

With much love,

Kathy

August 2009 Newsletter

2009-09-16T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Bees! Such busy little creatures we are. In attendance were Margie, Rita, Helen, Randi, Peggy and Carol.

Dawn was not here, Ellie was in Oregon with hubby at a reunion, Tricia, Trish T. and Lacey were not here and Linda is camping with family and Kathy is in Alaska (she lives there). We missed those of you not in attendance and hope you can be with us next time.

We'd like to thank Rita for her fabulous, and we do mean fabulous, salads; a pasta salad to die for and a Caesar Salad, also to be thrown in the den of lions for. What a meal! Thanks to Peggy for the awesome carrot cake cupcakes, great topping to a great meal. What started as snacks has turned into a feast before our meetings. Randi or Helen, not sure who, mentioned we need to collect these recipes for a cookbook from the "Bees" so if you bring a meal or treat please include the recipe so it can go into this idea eventually. Maybe Linda has a program set up to store these??? Also Kathy lives far away but if she has some recipes we could try, we would love for her to send them and we can take turns making them or something. Carol to bring dinner for September and Margie to do October.

Margie brought up the motor home idea for travel to the Shop Hop in September but it seems her hubby said it doesn't appear it is in shape for such a trip:( We shall prevail no matter. After all shopping is shopping and it will get done, hard as that is to do - someone has to do it :).

Applications were brought in for us to complete so we can enter our quilts and any other fiber art you may have. It seems this Autumn Festival Quilt/Fiber Arts Show was originally started by the Silver Springs Entertainment and Arts as a means to raise money for the historic, Stockton Wells site in Silver Springs. This year the quilt show is in memorial to one of their members, Shirley Martel, who passed away earlier this year. Just recently they added another tragedy when Margaret Ruckman passed away in an accident. This is truly a hardship on this group and they need all the help we can muster. So ladies, lets take this challenge and support them with as many items as we can afford to send in to make this year's quilt show spectacular. After all, quilters do that kind of stuff and we can help women do that too. We must have our stuff in by the next meeting on September 21st. Make copies of this application - one for each item. Thank you in advance for participating.

Our homework - draw an item without putting the pencil down or looking at the paper - was quite a success. We did it! Amazingly enough it looked like what we were drawing. So next time you do the same idea except, its 80/20, 80% to readjust for orientation and 20% for observation on the paper. Peggy drew orchids, Margie a rooster, Rita did a felt tip drawing on fabric she painted (one with and one without gesso) The one without the gesso was beautiful for she is so artistic! Helen did a geranium in a pot and Randi did a watercooler. Helen also brought out her dyed fabric for ideas for Rita to see. All great work!

Randi brought out her QUILTO game, as we dubbed it. She needed ideas to help bring this to fruition and we helped - well ok, Margie helped. It was a fun game and we used buttons as our markers, but to make it easy Margie's great idea was laminate each card and use dry erasers to mark your card. We all forgot our fat quarters to use for the prize but Randi remembered hers and I (Carol) won. Thank you so much. It was a fun game.

Our share time was neat. Peggy had to leave early so she went first. She made a quilt top that is just beautiful and even she likes the colors this time. But as it is made with a tube of fabric and then you cut, she said she has so much waste she used the left overs for a table runner - WOW! and she quilted it as a test run to see how she would do the big one. She did a fabulous job. Way to go girl!

Tricia, her sister, did not come tonight as their mom is in the hospital and she had been with her all day getting her into the hospital. Mom is a little cranky, rightfully so at her age and with her ailments. Please keep their mom on your prayer list, and pray that Tricia and Peggy will be given extra strength as well.

Randi showed us the birthday gift she made for Dawn. Too bad Dawn wasn't here but we'd happily take it for her:)

Margie had a Show "N' Tell but it was slightly different - she was at Michael's and found this really cute box -it has "Paris Made" on it and it is black and white. She thought of the bathroom I'm decorating and so got it for me. I am so tickled, and it looks great in there. I'm planning on putting guest towels and facecloths in it. So cute. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and friendship. You are all terrific.

Rita brought up that she had finished two projects but that she didn't feel they were good enough to show us. Are you kidding? We all enjoy what we do but all that we do is not perfect, so Randi said everyone must bring in what she does. We all have made mistakes but as Helen put it "Mistakes are windows of opportunity for creativity." Nicely put, Helen. Unfortunately Rita already gifted her projects so I guess we won't see those:( Next time Rita.

As we talked about family, Rita asked us to please keep her sister Daniela in our prayers as her "plate" is very full right now. Rita will also e-mail her recipes to Linda for this issue of our "minutes".

Speaking of recipes...Helen took that fabulous salad that Peggy and Trish brought to the meeting last month and guess what - the quilt guild credited Helen for the recipe in their news letter. Helen apologized and it was accepted so all three recipes should be in this months letter.

Our meeting sort of fell apart about 7:45 p.m. Enjoy our summer... what is left of it. Guess it will be hot again for September. See you then and DONT FORGET your quilts and fiber arts applications.

Keep BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ,
Carol and Linda

Peggy, Trish (and Helen's) Recipe

1/2 to 1 lb hamburger, browned
1 pkg, Kawry's Taco Seasoning
1/2 bunch Cilantro (Divided)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp Pailla Molida Chile Powder
Grated Cheese
Black Olives
Romain Lettuce
Tomatoes
Avocado
Tortilla Chips
The SECRET ingredient - HIDDEN VALLEY SPICY RANCH SALAD DRESSING

Cook the meat till no longer pink with half of you cilantro and the garlic powder. Drain WELL set aside. in a bowl put the lettuce, tomatoes, olives then toss with the rest of the ingredients (this means the meat). I put the tortillas in a bowl and served the salad on top and then added the dressing. I did this at home so I wouldn't have to toss the left overs as it makes alot. But if your doing it for a party or large group I say do like Peggy did... add it all together. It is so-o-o-o-o good.
I also added black beans well rinsed and drained and a small can of chopped anaheim chilis MILD.

Notes from Kathy, our internet member

Lots of changes here. I leave for St. Petersburg, Russia in a week or so to teach 2nd Grade at the Anglo-American School there. The teacher is on child care leave for 12 weeks so I'll be there until Christmas. Tom will join me for three weeks in November. I know the principal of the school and he was kind enough to invite me. It'll be a once in a lifetime opportunity for sure. I'm excited. I just found out about this a month ago so we've been busy. I moved all my sewing supplies out of my quilting room and we're renting out the apartment for three months while I'm gone. This will allow Tom to come and go to our cabin, visit his folks in Calif. and go to Russia and still have someone watching over things here. I'll be excited to set my quilting room back up when I return. I'll have itchy fingers for sure. I'll resort to knitting while I'm there.

I enjoyed meeting Dawn when she was here. Today we're off for a family hike up Mt. Robert's. Those three grand kids are little mountain goats. We'll be bringing up the rear for sure.

I hope to have access to a computer over there so you can e-mail me and we can correspond. Love and hugs to the quilting bees.

Quilting Bees Make Honey

2009-07-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly in awe of the care and love the members of the Quilting Bees have for each other. When there is need, we always go to the hive and make honey. This project was completed for Rachael's baby, Ivan, when he was born in November 2007. I never shared the photos, found them tonight, and decided to share them with all of you too. What a beautiful baby (my grandson) and colorful quilt. Thanks for being Busy Bees! -Linda

Ellie Donates Quilt

Ellie is sharing her talents with the Cancer Resource Center. Her fun quilt, Chile Con Huevos, was donated as a raffle item to raise funds for this supportive organization. Carol raves about how much they helped her when she was going through treatment. Thank you Ellie for being such a bzzy bee and makin' so much honey!
-Linda

Update on Box Quilt 2007

2009-07-28T21:20:00.001-07:00

You'll have to search the archives to learn more about this challenge. Not many have finished but Donna joined the ranks with this Technique Quilt she created for Dale's nephew Cody and his wife, Jessica. Cody is currently serving our country in the Air Force. This is one of Donna's favorite quilts and they love it as much as she does. Thanks for sharing a photo before sending it to your family. -Linda

Update on Box Quilt 2006

2009-07-28T21:06:00.000-07:00

Yes, those Box Quilts from 2006 are being finished. These quilts have actually were gifted or used many moons ago but in the spirit of justice we would like to honor the hearty quilters that kept to the task of completion. Congratulations to all of you!

Rachael displays the quilt with blocks made by the Quilting Bees. Each month, as Rachael made a block for one of the members, she also made a block from the same pattern for her bed. The end result is a lovely quilt for a king sized bed. Great job finishing, Rachael!

Tammy is a former member who also completed that Box Quilt challenge and gifted this beautiful quilt to her brother. We all had fun making blocks from the fall fabric and know that he loves the quilt as much as we did. Beautiful work!

It isn't too late to find the box with all those squares and put them together. Many of us have UFO's on our project list for 2009 so this project can be a finished Box Quilt 2006 AND a 2009 UFO. What are we waiting for???
-Linda

July 2009 Newsletter

2009-07-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Hi One and All, Meeting was brought to order by Randi. Yup she was back and in charge - oh we do thank you God. Our meeting was not the same without her. Linda said she finally got caught up on the minutes for the blog and of course as luck would have it she couldn't get it posted for what ever reason - you know computers. Our delightful Virgo, Margie said there are now 42 days till September. Meaning summer is almost over??? Didn't it just arrive a week or so ago???

Linda was enjoying her hand work finishing an adorable baby quilt for a baby that was born in May - not too late. Not late at all actually someone said you have up to a year - was that Dawn? So you’re doing fine Linda. Nice job by the way, colors are beautiful.

Oh by the way, Linda said now that I am taking the minutes she has the spare time to sew. But she does take the pictures along with Randi.

Randi asked if we would mind being guinea pigs for a trial run on a Windy Moon retreat game. Sounds like fun and prizes were brought up - well if we're gonna play we should have a few benefits right? We are guinea pigs, right? So everyone remember to bring a fat quarter as a quilt bingo prize next month. The Windi Moon retreat will be in Virginia City in March 2010.

Silver Springs Entertainment and Arts Quilt and Fiber Arts Show is in October. We can display or have our quilts judged. It seems this is a small show but eager participants. At least the Bees are eager. Randi would like Tricia and I to loan our quilts that the group made for us and we both agreed. We need to put a sleeve on them though. That is 3" hanging sleeve. It cost $5.00 for the first entry and $4.00 each for additional quilts you enter. Linda will see the applications are at our next meeting for us to fill out and then we need to have the quilts at the Sept meeting. They are actually looking for as many quilts for display or judgment and any other means of art that we are willing to allow them to display.

Rita finally finished her sewing room. She said she is ready to do some producing now and we can look forward to many wonderful creations. Rita brought up the Sisters, Oregon trip she took and how it literally changed her. She started off by giving us fat quarters from there as they are noted for their retro fabrics at the Stitching Post Quilt Store. Anyway, there are beautiful and we thank you for remembering us. She got an unexpected surprise in that she had signed up for the Gee”s Bend Lecture and found the workshop had an opening and she jumped at the opportunity not knowing what was coming. She had brought the picture she was doing for her sister and needed help in finishing. She got much more than she bargained for. She said there were 12 women there and there was one daughter and one grand daughter from the original women. They each took a class participant and worked with her during the class, one-on-one. She had Miss Lucy Minges (forgive the spelling). Rita showed her the scrap bag of clothes from her nieces that she planned to use in the quilt and Miss Lucy said " Honey you need to give these to those chillins who needs 'em" what else you got there?" So out came more fabric scrap - more or less junk to Rita and then Miss Lucy started ripping and tearing and said 'Honey SEW!" And so Rita sewed and Miss Lucy ripped and Rita sewed and Miss Lucy ripped and soon it was huge. And when Rita looked at it she THOUGHT, didn't say, but thought “My sister will wonder what I was smoking if I give this to her.” So it is to be finished and so is the large quilt. But Rita said Miss Lucy left her with this... "You needs to get on down on yor knees and ask God to get rid of them demons in yor life." And Rita says this class was really a gift from God. It has helped her immensely. Gee's Bend postage stamps featuring their quilts

Rita also got to a class by Paula Benaminson on African Stamping and she loved it. They got to use real wooden blocks from Africa to stamp with and then she attended another class taught by Cindy Needham regarding needles and thread etc. for machine quilting. Wow! what a learning experience. Tricia and Margie were or are into stamping with veggies... maybe you two would like to do a class or demo for us???

We talked about the Shop Hop for this year - remember if we all do it we stand a much better chance of winning the big prize - Retreat in Tahoe for 10. Randi gave Rita a belated thank you for doing the class everyone loved so much.

Linda was showing us the baby quilt when asked about her quilting ideas for this one, she said she keeps a notebook of ideas all the time and then when she goes to quilt something she goes to this notebook. She says she constantly thinks about what or how she will quilt a quilt as she works on it. It kinda drives her crazy. But she says she doodles and as ideas pop up she writes them all down.

Dawn is taking a Free Motion Quilting class at Windy Moon and what beautiful leaves she did on this quilt she brought it. Wow! She said they were told to doodle the leaves on a dry eraser board over and over and over and over until the motion is in your head, then when you go to do it on the machine it is right there. No thinking - second nature. During her class, she was taught that you need to do these leaves without moving your fabric around and she was surprised but we gather that is to make other challenges easier in the long run if you learn this first. It really was beautiful - she conquered the leaves - her teacher better give her an A! She did this beautiful quilt for her boyfriend’s nephew and wrote words all along the border. Words a young man should know - on e of those words was respect - but as she was writing it she realized it was wrong and so without ripping it all out what else could she use - reptile and so another work was added.

Randi showed us photos of the quilt she made for her nephew Todd, he really liked it but it seems a son was a little upset and made it known he needed one like everyone who had one.

Peggy made a machine cover that was truly beautifully done. However, it seems the colors were not to her liking - she was using scraps. The opinion of the Bees however was the colors were great, very complimenting.

And I, Carol, showed towels Helen helped me do or actually did for me for my bathroom. I'm doing it in black and white and with a Paris theme. I had a lamp in the shape of the Eiffle Tower and so thats where I began. Its coming along nicely. The towels are great. Thank you Helen.

Our dinner tonight was created by our twin sisters, Tricia and Peggy - it was great. And our dessert was delightfully refreshing Hagen Daaz mini Ice cream bars. Next month dinner by Rita.

Also homework from Rita for us. We are to draw an object where you put the pencil on the paper and look only at the object. Do not take the pencil off the paper nor your eyes off the object till you finished eyeballing the object. I guess you draw it with your eyes like your hands and pencil were attached to them.

Also Tricia and Margie brought up some ideas about Calico cats and 3 chromosomes and Down Syndrome Kitten/ Do a quilt pattern with those chromosomes.

Who has worked on their Challenge quilt yet? Carol has almost finished hers. Everyone else seems to have their fabric and know where the pattern is located so they too will have theirs started right?

The big helpful hint for machine quilting is doodle and go over the pattern by tracing - repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, etc.

Linda won’t be with us next month she'll be camping - have fun! See the rest of you on August 17th. Have fun sewing and drawing! Don't forget your homework!

Keeping Bzzy!

Carol G.

June 2009 Newsletter

2009-07-20T11:24:00.000-07:00

Welcome back to the job of taking our minutes, Carol. We missed your writing while you were focusing on your health and it is wonderful to have your "voice" back on the blog! Thanks also, to all of you for being so patient as I struggled with these entries. Carol had the minutes for the June meeting to me within the week and I have taken a month to post them. Happy summertime to all!

Linda

Hi! Boy, am I long winded, you'll see.

June Meeting - 6/15/09 - 6:07PM

In attendance were bees; Rita, Trisha, Peggy, Margie, Helen, Dawn, Linda & Carol.

Well happy summer one and all! Did it start yet? Did I miss it? June is summer right?
The weather has been beautiful and wet - love the rain, even the thunder showers. Not good for fire season - but then we take the good with the bad and deal with it right? It's called life and I love it.
Well our meeting sort of started with food - all good times begin with food. Dawn brought the main course - garden salad from her garden - oh my goodness what a salad and then she brought shrimp on the side if you chose to add that. (She's not growing those} I, Carol, brought the dessert Lemon Bars. I recently have been going to garage sales with my daughter and we came across this one that had a cute framed picture. It was in blues and yellows and white. So for $2.00 I bought it to go in my dining room- well it had this recipe on it and it looked tasty and I had to ingredients so...best recipe for Lemon Bars ever. It's just so refreshing and lemony without being so sweet. I guess it's all the lemon zest. Anyway, recipe will be at the end.
To bring you all up-to-date on my granddaughters, they are doing well with my daughter Trish and she now has custody. The moved into a house right near me and they have lots of room to run and play and even climb trees. They are happy and adjusting very well. I want to thank all of you that ask, I appreciate the concern and prayers, we all do.
Randi is out of town, clear on the other side of the USA. I think we feel lost. We don't seem to have a clue about how to carry on the meeting so we are faking it. It will do however, you are missed Randi!
We discussed the upcoming Shop Hop and Margie came up with a great suggestion. How about using her mobile home to travel in? It sleeps 6, but maybe we could also use a motel. Food for thought. Further discussion as time draws near. There will be 14 shops this year and they added one more day. More shopping!!!
Linda brought out the pattern, for all to see who were not at the meeting before, for the Angel paper piecing pattern. We will have a class for in September. This is the one we are to donate to the Cancer Advocates in Carson City.
Speaking of them, Helen L., Ellie Barber and I brought the "Chile con Huevos" quilt that Ellie made and donated it to Cancer Advocates. They were very happy with the quilt. Ann ( the founder of this group and a quilter herself) said they were to have a meeting this past week and would decide where to display it. There will be a drawing so they will let us know so we can buy tickets if we would like.
We did manage a couple pictures and I will attempt to get them developed and into Linda's hands so she can put them on our web site. Yes I have an old camera it takes film.
Linda was explaining why she hasn't done much sewing of late. She had the kids to work with and set up for two Carson River Festivals, her house is going through remodeling and has taken a little longer than she anticipated. Also her hubby had to have a stent put in an artery. He is doing fine per the doctor, but he is having some depression so can we please pray for him and for Linda?
Show 'N' Tell was fun. Helen went first and she modeled hers - very nice, well done blouse she was sporting. She has three more cut out and ready to sew.
Helen also showed us Lois' newest idea. What a beautiful vest. Wow! This lady sure has talent in design.
Dawn and her favorite guys; boyfriend, son and brother went on an Alaskan Cruise with her parents for their 60th anniversary. Everyone in the group made a T-shirt with the parents wedding day picture on it but their own version of decoration. She said the parents were surprised at the Captains dinner when everyone had come in with a jacket covering the tees and they all got up complaining of how hot they were and when the jackets came off they showed off their tees. Cute idea!
While in Alaska, Dawn met up with our "bee" in Juneau, Alaska. She personally picked them up and took them on a tour of Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau. Then she gave Dawn a tour of her home and sewing room. Dawn took pictures of her quilts - what art work. They are beautiful - way to go Kathy.
Helen said that to make the t-shirts Mill End fabrics has a fabric that I guess is printer friendly and only $2.00 per yard. The idea would be to put your picture on this fabric and sew that "square" or whatever onto the shirt.
Peggy's show and tell was a beautiful quilt of circles that are cut and then sewn back together. You know quilters cut up beautiful fabric then sew together in another pattern. Like the English claim we are goofy about tea. We boil water, make the tea, then put ice in it to cool it off, add sugar to make it sweet then add lemon to put a tang in it. Cute eh?
Peggy also made a really cute wallet to match a purse she showed us last year. Cute idea.
Those that went to Mothers on the Run - Dawn and Linda said it really was quite the Run. Dawn said it was claustrophobic and Linda said when she turned to look in back of her she could not believe the sea of people behind her. It was incredible to see so many people. Every adult woman got a rose. Linda called it a "Bon Bon Walk and Talk".
Margie went on vacation to Blacksburg, Va to Virginia Tech to see her stepson receive his doctorate. While there she visited a quilt shop and brought each of us a fat quarter of state flower, plus notebook from Va. Tech. Thank you for thinking of us, that was really neat. I got Hawaii the Yellow Hibiscus, its beautiful.
Then Trish finished her picture she did at Rita's class on fabric painting. It was beautiful. Rita was very pleased and took a picture to show her class. Trisha said she has moved and it was going into her new bathroom.
Rita's Show'n'Tell was a picture her sister had done and Rita was quilting it. My, it is beautiful and the Marble background was stunning.
Rita also filled us in on the rattlesnake season. Her Yorkie got bit and it cost $800.00 per vile of the anti-venom and he needed two. There is a class to prevent dogs from getting bit, by teaching them to give the snake room to leave. There will b e classes July 11, 12 & 25. Dr. Rhinehemier of Sierra Vet in Carson City is where she took her Yorkie. There is a young man who volunteers with Linda and River Wranglers named Matt who works at Pet Smart in Carson and is into reptiles like crazy. If you need help in identifying something you could give him a call.
My show n' tell this month was a baby's summer quilt from the embroidery patterns that Helen shared. It has two bunnies biking. Kinda cute. It's to be a baby gift for a friend having a little girl. Also I finished my dandelion wishes quilt; I will call it Dandelion Wine for my mom who as a young woman used to make dandelion wine with her family.
Our next meeting will be on July 20th at Helen's. Peggy and Trisha will be bringing the food. Meeting was adjourned at 7:50PM

Lemon Bars

1 C butter, room temp - soft
1/2 C confectioners Sugar
2C flour
4 eggs, beaten
2C granulated sugar
4Tblspns flour
juice AND grated rind of TWO lemons

Blend butter, confectioners sugar and flour. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9 x 13" pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-18 minutes or till golden. Not too gold.
While baking, mix eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice and rind. Pour on warm crust when it comes out of the oven. Bake 20-25 minutes. Let cool, and sift confectioners sugar lightly over the top. Cut into squares. Makes 30 small squares. I make two or more and cut them big for family.

Enjoy!

Carol

May 2009 Newsletter

2009-06-01T18:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the June meeting so I thought I should start and finish the May meeting notes. The meeting was May 18 at Helen's and only five of us gathered to share, eat and enjoy each others company. Those attending included Carol, Dawn, Helen, Randi and Linda. Where is everyone else??
Randi reported on the Nevada Quilt Guild show in Fallon, Nevada Desert in Bloom. The event next year will be at the Fallon Convention Center from May 17-22. Randi also shared tips from quilt judges and will make copies for members when we see her next.
Membership in the Nevada Quilt Guild is $25 for non chartered chapter members and $20 for affiliated chapter members.
The Sierra to Sage Shop Hop will be September 24-27 with 14 participating quilt stores. Check out their website www.sierrra2sageshophop.com
Randi also shared a picture of the pillow shams her mother, Sylvia, made to match the quilts Randi made for her parents. Talent runs in the family, don't you agree?

It is now the morning of the July meeting and I am still trying to finish minutes from May. It has been a busy summer, what more can I say?

At the May meeting, Randi gave everyone a Mother's Day ornament, Courtship Bauble. These beautiful patchwork baubles are used in traditional coutship games of the New Year's festival by the Laosong villagers of Thailand. An eligible young woman twirls the bauble on the ind of her finger and lets it fly off into a crowd of young men. The lucky man who catches her bauble may ask her parents for permission to "court" their caugher, and perhaps win her heart. Thanks Randi, we think they are beautiful!

The quilt Randi was working on for her nephew Mike is ready to take on her trip to the east coast in June. Isn't this a beauty? We'll miss you at the meeting but you will have a great time with your grandkids. Randi also brought a back issue of Quilting Arts magazine to shor Rita and fish printing . Helen talked about using three fixatives used to color quilts with pencils, crayons, and brush on paint to make permanent art quilts.

Dawn shared the self-bound, tied quilt donated to the silent auction that she purchased at the Mom's on the Run. Thanks to Dave for being the top bidder on our quilt donation. You are the best!

Carol in on her red jag and showed us two quilts. One is a jacket that she knows her cousin Dianne would want if she saw it....I guess we know what it was kept a secret. Wear it in good health, Carol.

Randi will bring websites for "cool quilting blogs" and Quilt Mania magazines published in Europe that give an interesting global view of quilters around the globe.

We got a great update from Carol on her daughter, Trisha. She is currently working on a project, has a rag quilt in the works and found a quilt she started years ago for her son. Now she too has UFOs! Trisha is doing a great job caring for Mike's little girls and they are doing well.

Helen is working on Snake River Log Cabin quilt by Judy Martin. Created from 1 and 1/2" strips, there are over 5,000 pieces in this quilt! She is cutting strips with a special ruler which reduces cutting time from 20 minutes to 3 and 1/2 minutes. Wow!

We missed everyone who was not with us at the May meeting and since tonight is the July meeting, we hope to see you at Helen's. Special hello to Kathy. We heard you had a great visit with Dawn and will share photos.
Happy Summering!
Linda

April 2009 Newsletter

2009-04-22T08:00:00.000-07:00

We were short members at the Quilting Bees meeting in April but we weren’t short on fun. The Bees attending included Randi, Margie, Helen, Carol, Linda and Carol’s Elvis-lovin cousin, Dianne. Helen graciously opened her larder to feed all the hungry worker bees and we promised to bring food to the next meeting so she wouldn’t have that burden. Thank you, Helen.

Randi, with the help of her hubby, David, brought along the angel pattern that we are using for the paper pieced class that I will be teaching in September. The pattern was purchased from Europe and they had to use Pay Pal, which can be challenging. We decided that summertime held too many vacations to try and plan a class. Margie will take care of reserving the room when we decide on a date.

Helen showed off one of Ellie’s quilts, “Chile con Huevo,” a paper-pieced Christmas tree quilt she made. She had it quilted by Angela and decided to donate it to Cancer Advocates. It was beautiful and such a generous gift of time and talent.

Carol brought along the quilt, “Jail House Rock” that she created for her cousin Dianne. The quilt inspiration came from Helen, the piecing from Carol and it was quilted by Julie Thomas. Dianne is so excited with the thought that she will be “sleeping under Elvis every night!” Don’t you agree that it is a fun quilt?

Many people recall where they were and what they were doing when legendary people die. Elvis is one of those legends as well as Kennedy (Jack and Bobby), John Lennon and Lady Diana. Where were you when they died? Can you recall?

Carol gave us an update on her cancer treatment. She was seeing Dr. Kelly every two months and he told her she doesn’t need to return till August. We are so happy for her and everyone agreed that she looks radiant. Carol shared that Trisha found a home nearby her house so they will be able to help each other. Lacey is working at a daycare center and can bring Paisley along without charge.

Carol shared her redwork quilt and was trying to decide how to quilt it. Of course we all had suggestions so good luck figuring out what to do, Carol. She also shared “Monet’s Lillies,” one of the UFO’s in her sewing room. She planned to bind it in green and didn’t have enough fabric left. We all know how frustrating that can be but Helen was the super hero of the day for she helped Carol organize her quilt studio and in the piles of fabric found enough to bind that quilt well. Carol is spending her days embroidering and quilting. Can you think of anything better to do?
Helen shared baby pillowcases embroidered by her mother. She ordered vintage pattern reproductions from the internet that may be reproduced as there is no copyright. Vintage patterns with copyrights sold on eBay for $45 so she was delighted with her find. Carol was drooling over the patterns and managed to wrest them from Helen’s grip as she prepared to leave. Actually, Helen was willing to share with Carol so they are both happy as can be.

We were treated with another purse that Helen created with her friend, a designer living in Reno. Helen is putting on the finishing touches. Be sure to check out the site, http://www.design&sew.com/ to see a sampling of the 45 purses created.

Helen is working on finishing her quilt tops and is doing an admirable job accomplishing that goal. She belongs to another quilt group, the Thimble Minded, and has a Christmas Quilt, Calendar quilt, Pumpkin quilt, and a round robin quilt that just wait to be sandwiched, quilted and bound. Great work, Helen!

I brought along the quilt that I made for Bill’s birthday this year. He selected the moose as the animal he identifies with the most. We traveled to Portland and I gifted the quilt at a small family birthday with my kids living in the Pacific Northwest. I also shared the pillowcases I’m embroidering for my daughter, Kyna’s, 30th birthday. I selected the colors to match her wedding quilt.

Randi shared a dilemma she has trying to match 16 patch squares when the sashing has no cornerstones. Helen suggested using a white marking pen to create a guide on the sashing for matching. The light dawned and Randi has only three seams to reverse sew.

Randi gave Margie the "Sudoku Therapy" pattern and freaked her out so Helen took the pattern. Looks like Helen will be adding a new project to her list. Thank you also to Carol for bringing two sacks of quilting magazines to share. We all found one or two to take home.

Updates from members on leave and our internet member:

With great sadness I want to share that Donna's dear husband, Dale, died in his home surrounded by his family on April 2. Less than a year ago Dale was diagnosed with cancer and fought hard to live. We extend our deepest sympathy to our friend, Donna. You will be in our prayers.

Email from Kathy in Juneau, Alaska: "Tom and I are leaving tomorrow for California. His folks are celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary. Now that's a REAL milestone. We'll also see my Mom and my sister Jan and her family. We come home for a week and then head to Hawaii for two weeks on a vacation. I'm looking forward to warmth and swimming in the sea. I've been finishing up all my unfinished quilting projects . Now I can start some new ones. The wallhanging I just finished I had started embroidering and beading the mini flower batk squares years ago. I did a tessalation type background with two different cloud fabrics but they really do look like reflections in water in the finished product. I love experimenting. There are some wonderful quilt stores in Hawaii so I'm giving myself permission to shop."Kathy sent pictures of her latest project, "Thinking of Spring."

Upcoming dates to mark on your calendars:

May 10, Moms on the Run, Be sure to register by May 1 for the $35 entry fee.

May 15-17 is the Nevada State Quilt Guild first annual show in Fallon, “Nevada’s Desert in Bloom.”

Randi offered to bring refreshments to the May 18 meeting.
Keep makin’ that honey, you worker bees!
Linda

March 2009 Newsletter

2009-04-16T17:21:00.000-07:00

Well, It is already April and our next meeting is in a few days. I guess that is motivating me to post the last meeting of the Quilting Bees gathered at Helen’s Hive on March 16, 2009. The members present included Peggy, Margie, Randi, Tricia, Helen, Rita, and Linda. Since it was the eve of St. Patrick’s Day we began the meeting with a social time, eating mostly green foods. This delayed the meeting start by half an hour but our tummies were full and there weren’t any complaints that’s for sure. We decided to have a social time from 5:30 for about 15 minutes but we ask that people still arrive at 5:30 so we can get started before 6:00 pm. We appreciate so much meeting at Helen’s home and her generosity inspired Tricia to offer her own home for a church group.

We decided to rotate bringing refreshments so that Helen doesn’t end up preparing snacks and getting her hive in order at the same time. Tricia and Peggy volunteered for the April meeting.

Linda reported on the paper pieced angel block for a quilt to raise money for the cancer support group that offered so much support to Carol. We selected an angel that needs to be purchased on-line so Randi offered to take care of that. Linda will teach the class in June. Margie is willing to set up dates for the Quilting Bees to meet for classes at the UNCE office in Carson as needed.

Rita reported on the March 28 class at Douglas High School. She distributed a list of supplies needed and said she would have her project from the class she took in Sister’s ready to show us when we arrived.

Kathy H. from Alaska, was introduced as our internet member. Linda suggested that the blog be an open forum so anyone in the group could post if they had something to share; pictures, quilt sales, questions…. As a group, there wasn’t any interest so until there is, it looks like I’m the lone ranger out here.

Peggy brought a quilted wall hanging to show and tell. She is working on one of her goals, to improve her machine quilting and is doing a great job! A lovely quilt, Peggy.

Randi shared a picture of her great nephew and the sailboat quilt she created for him. A tiny baby at birth, he is smooth sailing now! She also brought her convergence quilt that she made in a class offered by Going Batty. She used all but a few scraps of fabric and the back art was so creative. What a fun project!

Linda showed off the quilt she made for her great nephew for his first birthday. She made a matching quilt in different fabrics but used the same pattern for his older brother.

We had fun working with Helen on her pumpkin quilt. The top is assembled but she needs borders. She auditioned several borders and everyone had an opinion or two about it. She decided to change out the leaf border for a geometric fabric and used the leaf fabric, which is beautiful, on a pieced leaf quilt. She only needs twenty more squares! Two quilts when only one was planned! Now that’s quilting math for sure.

The highlight of the evening was presenting Tricia with her quilt. The group met on a Saturday afternoon and made blocks from Stars Across America, quilt blocks named after important women in history. This was the perfect pattern to use and the quilt is beautiful. Peggy selected the fabric with a little help from Lori at Sierra Sewing. Randi added fabric to complete the colors for the quilt. Helen assembled the blocks, passed it on to Randi who sandwiched it and created the back art. Lori made the label and then I quilted it and passed it on to Peggy for the binding. Through all of the quilt travels, Tricia had no idea that so many loving thoughts were being sewn into a quilt that she could wrap about her shoulders. Then Randi made a booklet showing all the blocks, the historical women they were named after and the quilter from our group who sewed each block. When we gave her the quilt there was no doubt in anyone’s mind that she felt blessed and loved.

Peggy was so sweet as she gifted each of us a basket she made using her embroidery machine. Her work is so beautiful. Thanks from all of us for such a thoughtful gift, Peggy.

The Quilting Bees extend love and sympathy to Carol, Trisha and Lacey for the loss of Mike Fallon; son, brother, uncle and loving father. The Celebration of Life was so beautiful that those of us that did not know Mike when he was living wished that we had known him.

The next meeting is Monday, April 20 at 5:30 pm. If you aren’t working on a quilting project right now, don’t forget the QBee’s Christmas Challenge - “Two of a Kind” quilt, wall hanging, table runner…The final project should be kept secret and is due in nine months, at the Christmas potluck.

Keep Bzzy,
Linda

Meet Kathy, Our Internet Member from Juneau

2009-02-20T14:07:00.000-08:00

I have been playing with fabric and textures since around 1970 when I was living in Seattle. I didn't start quilting until I was expecting my first grandchild eight years ago. I make quilts for family and friends and love to invent my own wallhanging patterns using fabric and odds and ends from my stash. I'm a collector of ribbons, threads, netting, buttons, seedpods and anything that will add texture to a design. I love photography and will often use a photo for inspiration. This wall hanging I started a few years ago and didn't like it so I put it on the back burner to simmer for awhile. It kept nudging me in my dreams, so this winter I pulled it out again and was just about to throw it in the trash when a little voice told me to spare its life and just fool around with fabric and embroidery to enhance the design. This playfulness freed me up to do anything I wanted. It's a view of the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska that we see from our home. I'm happy with it now.

My goals for 2009 are :
1. I'm finishing all my UFO's before I start a new project (unless someone gets pregnant!)
2. I'm using fabric from my stash and NOT buying any new fabric.
3. I'm teaching my 8 year old grand daughter Siena to make her first quilt. As I told her she was the one who inspired me to begin this quilting adventure in the first place.
4. I'm such a closet quilter and haven't joined any of the guilds here in Juneau so I plan to do that this year.

Kathy

The members of the Quilting Bees welcome our newest and first internet member. Kathy emailed her bio and picture as a means of introduction and I will be sending everyone email addresses. We look forward to sharing many more quilts and ideas - in person and online. I also wanted to add this combination photo taken by Kathy of gladiolas she grew in her yard on a table topper she created. She titled the picture "Glad for the Glacier." From her deck she has a breath taking view of Mendenhall Glacier.

Linda

February 2009 Newsletter

2009-02-20T13:31:00.000-08:00

The Quilting Bees met at Helen’s home on February 16 with lots of fun projects to share. The members present included Peggy, Tricia, Dawn, Trisha, Randi, Carol, Ellie, Helen, Rita and Linda. Margie was the only missing quilter and we missed her immensely!
Randi, the Queen Bee, began by distributing Valentines to everyone at the meeting. The foam hearts asked why we set goals and the chocolate attached to the back was yummy. Thanks Randi!

The “Two of a Kind” quilt pattern is a go and we talked about fabric selection and project size. The limits of this project are set by our own imaginations. So, let’s be creative and see what wondrous quilts, wall hanging, table runners, mug mats… we can create using the pattern. Thanks Randi for making us copies. We have until our Christmas meeting to come up with a finished project and we shan’t be sharing until December so be sure to keep it a secret until then. Good luck.

Linda talked about her cousin, Kathy, a resident of Juneau, Alaska. They have shared emails and Linda said Kathy is doing fun quilting projects. The group talked about inviting Kathy to be an internet member so I’ll send her an email to invite her to join our fun group of creative quilters.

Rita wants to offer the members a workshop in her lab at Douglas High School so we can experiment with silk screening, fabric painting and just “get down and dirty” with color. We set a Saturday, March 28 date. Rita will be sending a project list of materials to bring. We will finalize plans next month as far as food etc. Meanwhile everyone needs to come up with a quote she would like to put on fabric.

Rita also shared a project she is working on for her sister. She painted pictures of her beautiful nieces and silk screened the fabric, intending to make a quilted wall hanging. I think she used twill fabric. She wants to add jean fabric from their outgrown pants in the border and was interested in talking about how to create a manageable project that won’t “do in” her machine. Members suggested that she use fabric for the back such as Robert Kauffman’s Kona cotton in a muslin color. She may also want to try a low loft poly batting. We are excited to watch the progress on this project for sure.

Rita also set goals for 2009

complete the niece project sometime this year – for her sister’s birthday, anniversary or Christmas.
practice more accurate seaming
learn turn needle appliqué

We were delighted that Trisha began her first quilt. Way to go, Trish! She is making pinwheel blocks and set two goals for 2009.

Finish the pinwheel quilt
combine her love of scrap booking with quilting and make a quilt with pictures

It’s amazing what Trisha can do when her mom tells her the group thinks she isn’t really that interested in quilting but enjoys sharing the camaraderie with Carol and friends. “I’ll show them,” said Trisha “and I’ll make a quilt!” Whatever it takes, we’ll figure it out and make quilters out of scrap bookers any day.

Carol has been in a quilting frenzy and brought her Elvis quilt to show off. She wanted ideas on how to finish off the quilt top and members suggested she add colored inner borders and finish it off with a black border. Since she has a million yards of the Elvis fabric, Randi suggested she back the quilt with the colored Elvis photos, framed in black fabric and colored prints. We can’t wait to see it finished..
Carol also brought along an embroidery birth sampler that Lacey is making for her daughter, Paisley, who celebrated her first birthday in November. The needlework is exquisite and Lacey created the design as well. Grandma Carol has definite reason to be proud of her grandaughter's talent!

Ellie shared the wedding wall hanging made for her 6/7/08 wedding. She and her husband selected the date because the numbers have meaning – 6 represents man, 7 means completion and 8 stands for new beginnings. Carol made the quilt and designed it so the wedding guests could sign it and wish the couple a long life together. It is simply beautiful!

Peggy is expecting her first grandchild, a sweet little boy, and is getting ready for the baby shower. Since last month she created two rag quilts; one for her daughter-in-law and the other for her grandbaby. She also made three pillowcases and two lined curtain sets for her sewing studio. She brought along a wall hanging made from the Kansas Troubles pattern and is her first attempt at free-motion quilting. Wow, has she been busy!

Tricia showed us the fun quilt she made for her nephew Jackson, who is also Peggy’s grandson. What a lucky little boy to have a grandma and an auntie who both love to quilt. Tricia also told us that she had a doctor’s appointment on Wednesday and they were discussing whether or not she needs chemotherapy. Since I am writing this post appointment, I am delighted to report that she does not need chemo and will take medication and have regular check up visits. We are so thankful that prayers are answered.

Helen treated us with purses that she is making for a dear friend of hers who is a fabric designer. Helen is her apprentice, the master carpenter, taking her ideas and giving them life. They are so creative and all of us, mostly Helen, hope that the designer’s ideas and talent rub off onto Helen… then on to us.
She also made a Valentine table runner and machine embroidered hearts in the squares. It is sooo cute!

Randi shared a photo of a quilt that didn’t have much spark to it and that was set aside for quite a while. One day, while trying to recapture her "mojo," she took out the piece and began reverse sewing. Once she had all the pieces apart, she played with them, shared some with her granddaughter, Helen, and began creating anew. It worked! Now she has a couple of table toppers and Helen has her first creation from arranging the scraps (blue wall hanging). Last month we featured the second table topper so check it out to see all finished pieces. She is working on those goals and taking care of UFOs and scraps all at the same time. Way to go, Randi!

Linda and Randi reported on the Mom’s on the Run quilt and shared the photo from the meeting at Pinnochio’s when the quilt was presented to their board. They loved the quilt and appreciated the donation. We took flyers to share with the Quilting Bees and encourage everyone to sign up for the walk or run. The quilt will be added to the silent auction and we asked that the minimum bid be $250. Be sure to check out their website. This non-profit does so much to help local women with female related cancer (breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers) by providing for needs; food, gas money, childcare, medications etc. Each month they spend an average of $1700 so this annual fundraiser is important to keep up with the need.

Dawn finished four quilts to take with her when she and Dave vacation in Mexico. She made contact with a woman in Loreto,Baja California, who will make sure the quilts find good homes. We’ve had a chance to see all her quilts and know that there will be some very happy youngsters with beautiful quilts thanks to Dawn and Dave.

Our next meeting is March 16 so everyone is encouraged to wear green and bring St. Paddys Day treats.

Keep Bzzzy and happy quilting to all!
Linda

January 2009 Newsletter

2009-01-19T21:29:00.000-08:00

This is a record. Our meeting ended an hour and a half ago and I am blogging already. It must be the coffee, delicious brie cheese drizzled with honey. sliced bread and pears that Helen served. Whatever the reason, I am taking advantage of the energy I have and "going for it!

First meeting of the new year and new beginnings. We met and discussed personal goals that each of us set for 2009. I plan to record them here so, if anyone wants to check their progress, she only needs to look at the first blog of the year to see what she planned to do.

Randi shared the following goals:

make projects from magazines and books she hasn't used
focus on UFOs and family quilts
experiment with new techniques
make a scrap quilt using fat quarters

She shared a project with us that wasn't working so she took it apart and reassembled the blocks to make a Churn Dash table topper. From the leftover fabric, Helen created her own pattern and actually sat on her Grandma's lap and worked at piecing it together. We're looking forward to seeing the result. Meantime, the table topper is just cute as can be.

Randi finished her great-nephew's quilt and made the label using machine embroidery on the hull of several of the sailing boats. "Smooth Sailing" is the title of this nautical quilt and Randi varied the pattern by adding stars to each block. She used Minkie fabric on the back and suggested using straight quilting stitches and "Sewer's Aid".

Dawn set several goals for the next year:

complete the Hidden Stars quilt
make quilts for Dave's great nieces and nephew
make a scrappy quilt with 6" blocks
do something with fat quarters
make a paper pieced wall hanging
make seasonal wall quilt
Dawn created a couple of table toppers and is expanding her free motion by using stars and hearts in the quilting. Just in time for Valentine's Day! She plans to use one in her office.

She showed us the "Quilt as You Go" quilt she made with the Ditch Stitchers and plans to donate it to hospice. The method features strips of fabric around a center panel. Someone is going to enjoy the fine work Dawn does, that's for sure!

Dawn made a quilt for Pazlee, the daughter of a family friend. The backside of the quilt features paisley fabric, of course and we know that this will be one of her favorite quilts as she grows up!

Peggy showed off a cute purse she made for a friend. Created from 21/2" strips,it is a keeper for sure! She also set some goals for the new year:

make a wall hanging with a quilt panel
make Shop Hop quilt from Fabrics Unlimited
Has 7 or 8 quilt tops, wants to complete 5

Tricia plans to accomplish her goals for 2009:

finish Thimbleberries bird house quilt
finish the quilt she began when she was diagnosed with cancer, a quilt that helped her cope with the unknowns.
seasonal table toppers for her coffee table celebrating the four seasons
learn to use the long arm quilt machine
improve free motion quilting

Carol was sporting a new hat and looked great! She set goals for 2009:

make an Elvis quilt for her first cousin, due to visit early this year
make a dandelion quilt
create a cherry quilt
She showed us the applique work she did on the pumpkin quilt Dawn machine quilted for her. The vines just add the perfect finishing touches to a great fall quilt!

Carol also finished a table topper made on a grid. So many little squares but so cute!
She talked about the Angel quilt that she received as a cancer victim and asked us to consider making a quilt for donation to be auctioned. Carol passed around patterns she designed from angel fabric that could be appliqued on blocks. Linda said she would check on a paper pieced angel pattern since members are interested in learning how to paper piece. She'll bring something to the next meeting.

Dawn brought the Mom's on the Run donation quilt. Thanks to the efforts of the whole group, the quilt is finished. Special thanks to Randi for assembling the blocks and sandwiching it and to Dawn for quilting it. The Mom's on the Run have their annual fun run on Mother's Day and Dawn suggested that all of us may want to consider walking or running that day. The quilt will be offered in a silent auction and we discussed the value and how much money we expect the quilt to make for the group, Moms on the Run. We want the quilt to earn at least $250 for the non-profit so Dawn plans to talk with them about promoting the quilt so it earns as much as possible. I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say the quilt is simply stunning!

Ellie set three goals:

complete her scarecrow/pumpkin table topper
finish the Valentine table topper
complete the pumpkin quilt

Helen has three goals too:

clean her sewing room, about 75% finished!
begin working on the seven boxes of projects that she assembles as a result of cleaning her room.
complete her pumpkin quilt

Linda has a list of projects that she plans to work on during 2009:

work on UFOs
make Drew's t-shirt quilt
make a PJ flannel quilt to raffle off to her family at Christmas time to make money for a family in need
make a bed quilt using leftover fabric from clothes she sewed for her children and grandchildren.

During the last month, Linda completed several projects and happily crossed them off her list. One is a UFO table runner that was started for her mother as a Christmas present but she put it aside to care for her mother and she passed away shortly after Christmas. It's a reversible, quilt as you go, pattern.
Linda brought the t-shirt quilt she made to honor the life of her young friend, Garrett. His mother gave her 25 t-shirts and she assembled them into a quilt with flannel sashing cut on the bias.

Her grandson, Noah, celebrated his 2nd birthday and Nana made him a little boy doll to cuddle and love

She is making quilts for her sister's grandchildren and is finishing the binding on the "Hot Wheels" quilt for Andru and is preparing to quilt the bear quilt for Jayden's first birthday later this month.

Everyone talked about the pattern we plan to use this year. We selected Two of a Kind and each member will make the pattern in the fabric they choose, complete "something" using that pattern - wall hanging, quilt, table runner, coaster...whatever they choose. The finished projects will be kept secret until our Holiday meeting in December, at which time each person will bring her completed project to display. We're looking forward to experiencing the diversity and creativity abundant among the women in the Quilting Bees!

We missed Margie, Trisha, Lacey and Rita and hope you can all be with us at the next meeting. Thanks to the women who brought items for the 4-H fabric and rummage sale. And a special thanks to the hostess with the mostess, Helen.

Reminders for the February meeting:

Randi bring pattern for Peggy
Linda bring paper pieced pattern
Randi copy patterns of group quilt
Members bring the 6" squares to complete your commitment

Keep bzzy and keep quilting!
Linda

December 2008 Newsletter

2009-01-09T08:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas is such a festive time and we confirmed it at our December meeting. It was a blustery day and we all came in, shaking off the snow and bearing gifts, good food and warm hearts. The food was delicious; chili in bread bowls, veggie platter, enchiladas, rice and beans, cookies, flan, cannoli's, 7-layer dip....thinking about all that good food makes me feel satisfied. The Quilting Bees that joined in the festivities included Margie, Peggy, Tricia, Dawn, Randi, Ellie, Helen and Linda. We missed the members that were unable to join us and wished them a happy holiday.

Dawn came prepared for Show and Tell with a quilt created to bring a bit of nature into her workspace. Her office doesn't have a window so she created a space with a fountain, beta fish and plant and this amazingly quilted wall hanging, "Working...while you Play."

It features orcas, at play.

Then she showed us the children's quilts she is making to take to Mexico with her in 2009. One is a game quilt and the other features beetles. Such fun!

Helen showed us some of her completed UFOs and we were impressed. The tops were finished but now they are done; sandwiched, quilted and bound. She started a table topper and quilted each block separately, ending up with a full sized quilt! Through the Carson Valley Quilt Guild, she took 3rd Saturday classes and made placemats, a scrap quilt and a fun quilt she named "Teddy Bear Picnic." Helen and Ellie showed us squares for a calendar quilt and Christmas quilt made with another quilting circle. We appreciated the inspiration.

Next month, each member is encouraged to bring a quilt pattern that could be used by everyone to produce a quilt. The idea is that the finished quilt would be a secret to be shared next Christmas. So don't forget those patterns so we can vote. We are also asking each member to set personal quilting goals for 2009 and bring them along to share. And don't forget to bring quilting items you would like to pass on so Margie can take them to the Carson City 4-H Fabric and Rummage Sale.

Helen offered to work with Peggy to learn about her long-arm quilt machine. The only obstacle that keeps Peggy and Tricia out of the studio is window covering. Dawn suggested using fabric, Ellie said just use newspaper. I guess we'll find out what Peggy used at the next meeting.

Since our November meeting, Tricia was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was scheduled to go in for an operation the day after our meeting and the very good news is that the cancer did not spread to her lymph nodes. She will have an implant to target the radiation to a specific area and will be traveling to Reno daily for radiation therapy. We are so thankful that prayers are being answered and that we can support Tricia in her journey back to health.

The Quilting Bees is about much more than quilting, isn't it? We are sisters, sharing and supporting each other through our joys and tribulations with a good measure of quilting added. My wish for each of you is that 2009 will be a good year filled with laughter, fun and completed UFO's.

Happy Quilting!

Linda