Jersey Shore Modern Quilt Guild

In our last two meetings we have been discussing our guild's participation in The Modern Quilt Guild's Charity Quilt Challenge. More information can be found HERE.

So far... Diane has purchased the fabric in the correct color scheme and is currently creating fabric packages for all of us wishing to participate (and of course our goal is that EVERYONE will participate). The theme is IMPROV with INTENT. At the September meeting Brandy and I presented a few samples of what that meant.

While we are waiting for our fabric... why not check out the archived webinar on The Modern Quilt Guild's (MQG) site just to get your creative juices flowing?? As a paying member of our guild, you are also a member of MQG. Go to their site (www.themodernquiltguild.com), log in, click on the EVENTS tab at the top of the page, Click on Past Webinars, scroll down to IMPROV QUILTING Cheryl Arkison July 2014... and enjoy. *The visual doesn't appear until 9 minutes in, so just keep listening until then. It's about 1 1/2 hours long, so get comfy.

Phew! I know that seemed like a lot to do just to listen to a webinar... but the site won't let me send you all a direct link as you have to be logged in as a member before you can view it.

ALSO... you can purchase ($20 currently... increasing to $29 in 10 days) and view another Improv seminar by Cheryl Arkison on Creative Live (www.creativelive.com). Click on the word CLASSES at the top of the page, then search for Cheryl Arkison. It will take you right to it. I watched it for FREE the other night, but that's because I just happened to stumble upon it by accident as it rebroadcast. Lucky me!

Pull out those scraps and start playing with Improv!!! Check back for updates and a tutorial next week.

Our March meeting was packed with information and a Show & Tell filled with creativity and prolific quilting!

The meeting began with a brief discussion of new by-laws and official positions that have been created. Brandy is going to continue writing meeting minutes while Carolyn photographs our handiwork.

Denise, Chelsea, and Helen attended QuiltCon in Texas and gave a detailed review of all they learned... Many tips for fundraising and managing guilds were discussed. The importance of embracing social media was a main point as well as the importance of communication and conflict resolution.

Carolyn had 2 quilts accepted to the Quilt Fest of NJ in Somerset ~ Garden Maze & Sea Glass Under Water.

Helen and Sherre had quilts accepted to the Machine Quilter Expo (MQX) in Manchester, New Hampshire. They are Sherre's Tula Pink 100 Block Quilt and Helen's Ronald's Flight + her Swedish Double Chain.

Update: Ronald's Flight won the MQX Founder Award as well as a Faculty Award last week at the Expo. Congratulations Helen!!

Upcoming Events

Two craft fairs in Ocean Grove are coming up and we've been invited to participate. It will involve a commitment of time to work the show as well as goods to sell. Small items like bags should be offered as well as quilts. The October 10th, 2015 craft fair seems like the best option with realistic time to prepare. Diane suggested that we raffle the "Orphan Block" quilt which was donated by Eileen to pay the entrance fee for the craft fair.

The Camaco Quilt Guild Retreat spots are filling fast for October. Anyone wishing to attend should reserve a spot quickly. Information is on the Camaco blog and the project will be a labyrinth quilt.

Jessica from "Quilty Habit" and president of the Central Jersey Modern Quilt Guild will be at the May 13th Camaco Quilt Guild Meeting at 7:00 pm and we're invited.

Queen Bees

Sherrie was the Queen Bee last month with complex blocks with gray background.

Joani is Queen this month and has requested wonky pinwheel blocks in solids and gray. She supplied the dark gray fabric for everyone.

Show and Tell

Charity Placemats by Rose, Debbie + Eileen -

Carolyn has been a very busy girl and showed many items -

1. Tree Challenge - Whimsical Trees in bright colors with swirly quilting.

2. Heart String quilt with red and white scrappy string blocks arranged to form a heart...

3. UFO challenge incorporating 16 patch and circular pie blocks.

4. Sunset Quilt Challenge string quilt in many colors reminiscent of sunset

5. Table runner in blue and white with curving flying geese pattern.

6. Tote bag which didn't make it to the swap... It was made with inset pockets and orange peel appliqued in flower design.

Kat tried a new pattern designed by Carolyn in purple and turquoise to make a large and lovely quilt.

Michelle brought a pretty quilt in earth tones of orange, greens and browns on a white background where she played with placement of 16 patch blocks placed to break the grid.

Rose

1. A colorful pinwheel quilt top on a black and white background she designed.

2. Quilt top in blues + greens arranged in a complex meandering zigzag pattern on a low volume background.

3. Tote swap tote that didn't get swapped... In black and whites with a star in the center

Sherre

1. Made a quilt sample for the Needles & Pins Quilt Shop, in Mullica Hill, from the "Sew Modern Home" book in Fairy Frost with metallic thread quilted with an awesome panto pattern!

2. Hexagon Quilt in greens and pinks with a striped pieced back.

Diane showed her awesome "Shades of Gray" charity quilt made for the Promise Circle of the online do.Good Stitches Charity Bee. She did an amazing job of quilting it with diagonal lines coordinated with the half square triangles in gray, black and white.

Eileen made a beautiful bag in bright colors on a gray background with pockets from pattern tour Clover & Violet.

Brandy

1. City Quilt - bright colorful city partially quilted.

2. Baby bib and burp cloth for Natalie's upcoming arrivals with blue and green whale pattern (sorry no pics).

Shannon is working on a glue basted clam shell quilt with scraps in whites, blues, and greens arranged in a wave pattern and hand quilted as she goes.

Phyllis made two Tula Pink quilts. The first in bright colors on a teal background with a geometric back. The oranges really pop against the teal! The second is black, white + red.

Helen put together a layer cake and some added fabric to make a wedding quilt for her son's friend. Their names are included in the quilting. Helen suggested batiks are good for gender neutral.