No December meeting

A reminder that there is no December meeting, and we will see you in January! Have a great holiday!

November Newsletter

Our last meeting was on October 25, 2010, with 17 people, 3 of whom are new!  Woo-hoo!...and welcome to you all.

QUILT SHOW:  The show was a big success with lots of positive comments, and quite a few visitors.  We discussed ways to pull off a more organized, and therefore, easier to set up quilt show.  Please continue to think of ways to improve.  With all of our quilt show experiences put together, this shouldn't be hard.  I believe we will be doing this again during the same week in October, 2011.

QUILT SHOW PHOTOS:  Our new historian, Jan Igor, took shots of the show being hung, as well as completed and during the artist's reception.  She will be putting them on a disc for us to burn copies for those members who may be interested.  We'll get a list going for that.  Anyone interested being the "queen of burn"?...as in burning copies of the disc?  

As far as the cost, we can do it one of two ways.  Either Divas pays for discs and everyone gets one whether you'd like one or not,...OR we figure out the cost and break it down between those who are interested.  We'll talk.

Also, I have asked Linda VanderKolk to ask her husband to burn a disc of the quilt show photos from May, 2009.  We will burn copies for those who are interested in these, as well.  We have offered to pay him for the copy being that this is his business, not his hobby.

DEB'S QUILTERY:  Deb Figved (not a real name to my knowledge!) has a shop at 210 N. Tatga Ave, Bartlett, IL  60103

630-837-6383, e-mail:  deb@quiltandsew.net

web site:  http://quiltandsew.net

She is open by appointment only, so no stopping in unannounced!

She sells both wholesale and retail.  14 different batt types (Legacy Batting Dist.), APQS rental and sales, carries Superior threads, Sew Batik, and Pellon, among other things.  We were able to touch all of the batts, and there was everything from classic cottons to silk, wool and bamboo!

MARCH CHALLENGE:  Our new challenge is "Under Foot"!  Let your imagination roam on that one for a while!  There are no restrictions of any kind other than those that are self imposed!  Could be something you walk on, emotions,....  Obviously by it being called the March Challenge, the due date is the March meeting.  Enjoy!

Think about this for a minute:  If you think you'd be interested in entering your challenge into any of the major quilt shows, get their size restrictions and work with those.

LOGO CONTEST:  It has been brought to our attention that our group needs a logo, and what better way to get one than to have a contest!  The winner gets a compete box of 64 Crayola Crayons!

Not really.  This logo should be graphic, not made of fiber.  This will make it easier, as well as more reasonably reproduced cost-wise.  This logo will then be used for any advertising that we may need to do, such as business cards and quilt show fliers.  When you see a major brand name (Coca Cola for example), you immediately recognize the logo without even reading the box.  That's what we're shooting for.  So, put your doodle brain in action and come up with something fun!  Thank you.

NAME TAGS:  We are asking once again for you to please wear a name tag!  I don't care if it's from a different guild, I don't care if it's the wrong side of a Jewel receipt,...it will make it easier for everyone if we can read your name instead of trying to pretend like we remembered it on our own!  I love you all, but I have no brain when it comes to names!  I've been quilting with a group of women in Elmhurst for 26 years.  When I try to introduce them individually, I choke every time!  I'm an idiot!  So, even if you don't want to wear a name tag for everyone else, then please show pity on me and wear one anyway.

DEMOS AND CLASSES:We will be planning to return to our original goal which was to educate each other, as well as have classes.  Please think about anything that you might like to demonstrate to the group at one of the meetings.  And we are back to considering having Anne Lullie teach a class. (www.annelullie.com).  This may take place at COD, but we'll see how it goes.  If there is anyone who is local that you are interested, please come to the meeting prepared with some info.  If you are unable to make it, just send me the info before noon on Wednesday.

NEXT MEETING:  The next meeting will be on Monday, 

November 22nd at 7pm at Naperville Art League.  Yes, that is the same week as Thanksgiving.  Don't forget your $3.

We will not have a December meeting, so the next meeting after that is January 24th, 2011, at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Art League.

508 N. Center Street, Naperville, IL.  $3 per person per meeting.

OUR FIBER ART EXHIBIT AT NAPERVILLE ART LEAGUE

October 23 – 30th 2010
at the Naperville Art League
508 N. Center St
Naperville, Illinois

A showing of art quilts, knitted, felted, mixed  fiber media and more from the members of the Fiber Art Divas group.

Join us for our Artist’s Reception  Sunday, October 24th from 1-4pm
See demonstrations of our work, talk to the artists, enjoy refreshments, and more!

Show Hours
Sat.– Noon—4pm
Sun.– 1—4 pm
Mon.– 7– 9 pm
Tues.- closed
Weds. thru Fri.- Noon– 4pm

September 2010 Newsletter

Good day to you, ladies and gentleman!

Our last meeting was on August 16, with 14 members attending. Nice show and tell as always, with a few organized people showing their completed "kitchen utensil challenge". (As much as I love them, there is a part of me that is envious and doesn't like them for being so organized! Argh! I fight with myself!)

Kitchen Utensil Challenge is due at the September 27th meeting. If you intend to display it in the upcoming show at the Naperville Art League, you will need to write up something about your inspiration. We have not discussed what this should be written on, typed on, or if they should all be consistent (as in one of us offers to type them all up). Something to discuss in 2 weeks at the meeting.

Our Fiber Art Exhibit at the Naperville Art League, as listed just below this newsletter, is quickly approaching. We have only one meeting (September 27) to complete our plans, so please be there with your thinking caps packed snuggly in your bag.

We will be passing around a sign up sheet for demo's that will take place at the artist's reception on Sunday, October 24 from 1 - 4 pm. I think we are just looking for warm bodies to be working on a piece while people visit the show. Maybe I'm wrong,...more on that at the meeting. (Another good reason to show up!) We have a member in charge of designing a sing in book, so we're good there.

We also discussed if anyone was interested in submitting an artist's statement for a binder that would be made available to be viewed by our visitors. This can be as elaborate or as informative as you are comfortable with. It is an excellent opportunity for those members who wish to sell their work (from the show or from home), listing their web site or any other information they'd wish to share. This is up to you as to whether or not you choose to participate in this portion of the show.

Keep sewing those challenge quilts!!!

Check out this website: www.jcrabtreeart.com for beautiful stitchery art by Julie Crabtree-Pfannes (and we know she means business because she has her name hyphenated!) Her work is beautiful and well worth the visit to her sight!

If anyone has any information on places to exhibit fiber art, please send it to me so that I may post it for those who are interested.

There will be a show held at the Morton Arboretum from November 12 - 14.

"Animal Felt", a class by Sharon Malec will take place at the Morton Arboretum on Saturday, October 16, from 9:30 to 3:30. More information is available at mortonarb.org. I've seen her work and it's incredible!!!

Okay! I have a love/hate relationship with my computer. Right now it won't type in any other size. Argh! So, as before, our next meeting (the last before the exhibit) will be on September 27 at 7 pm at the Naperville Art League, 508 N. Center St, Naperville, IL. Be there or be square! xo, Laurie

August 2010 Newsletter

Good day to you, ladies and gentleman!

I apologize for the delay, but sometimes life comes before the newsletter.

Our meeting of July 26th, 2010, had 14 members.

Cara Gulati, Curves for Cowards will be the next speaker for Faithful Circle Quilt Guild. Held at the First Presbyterian Church, corner of 4th and Fairview in Downers Grove, 7 pm on Wednesday, August 25th. $5 fee for non members. (www.doodlepress.com) She also has a workshop on Friday and Saturday, same subject. Contact the guild if you are interested. I don't know if there are any openings, but it's worth a try. Also, this is a 2 day workshop, which is much better than a 1 day workshop, and the price is much better than at a big quilt show.

Anne Lullie was last month's speaker for Faithful Circle and was enjoyed by all. At one point we had discussed having her come for a workshop. We cancelled the idea when we saw all that she required for her presentation, and the work area we would need. Talking to one of our members, it was mentioned that we could rent the above mentioned church basement (the same place as the Faithful Circle meetings and classes) for $50. That changes everything. We need to go back to her website (www.annelullie.com), and reassess. It is possible to make this work. In talking to her, she said that she can eliminate some of the things she requires as part of her class, which would make it easier. Find out how many people per class max, add the room rental fee, and divide it by the first magic number. Still works out to less than anywhere else. Anne is a member of the Chicago School of Fusing, so if you aren't into fusing, this class may not interest you. But if you are into COLOR, it definitely will be right up your alley. She has a very nice way with color. Also, she was selling color wheels that were coming from a different angle (fusia, etc) which I'd never seen before, and was very helpful. So check it out and we can discuss it at the next meeting.

TIPS OF THE MONTH:

#1: Epson 1400 ($300 or less) comes with photo shop elements. It has a straight feed printer with a wide bed that will take fabric that's stabilized.

#2: Fold the end of tissue paper over regular paper, then feed it through your printer (folded over end first) to get a gauzy affect for collage work, etc.

Blick has 18" x 24" sheets of double tack paper that is NOT intended for sewing. A fusing product can be used for fabric. It's like double stick tape with paper on both sides. Check for it on line. (I have a feeling I screwed this up somehow. Hopefully I can correct it in the next newsletter! Sorry.)

QUILT SHOW: Our upcoming quilt show will be at the Naperville Art League, as before.

October 22, Friday, will be set up.

October 23 through October 31 will be the show.

October 24, Sunday, from 1 - 4, will be the Artist's reception with demos.

October 31 or November 1 will be take down.

Art league hours are Sunday 1-4, Monday 7-9, Wednesday Thursday Friday 1-4, Saturday 10-4.

We will be displaying wall hanging sized pieces due to the gallery size as well as the number of participating members. Our latest challenge (kitchen utensils) will be displayed at this show (check for the due date in a previous newsletter). We will try to hang all of the pieces that arrive, but there are no guarantees that they will all fit.

That's all the news to print. Our next meeting will be on Monday, August 23rd, same time same place (again, check a previous newsletter for exact time and location). I look forward to seeing all of your smiling faces, and fun projects. xo, Laurie

July 2010 Newsletter

Yes, I know that this is really June 30, but I thought I'd let all of my inhibitions go and lie about the date. Now my true self has been exposed to you all. Sorry, and I hope that the truth won't be too painful.

Our June meeting was attended by 15 members, one of which was new. Lots of show and tell, especially tells! Always a fun time.

Susan Carlson Workshop: Faithful Circle Quilt Guild of Downers Grove will be hosting Susan for a lecture, Cutting Loose Fabric Collage, at 7 p.m. on October 27, 2010. ($5 at the door for non-members.)

There will then be a 2 day workshop on Thursday and Friday, October 28 & 29, 2010, based on her book Free Style Quilts: A No-Rules Approach to the Collage Piecing Process. Susan encourages playfulness, serendipity, and a willingness to "cut loose". www.susancarlson.com. There was an article about her work in one of the more recent Quilt Arts Magazines. Check it out!

She is a fuser. If you are not, don't let that stop you from taking this class. What you are really gaining here is the ability to let loose. Also a 2 day workshop is a definite bonus. It's amazing how much more you can learn in 2 days rather than 1. The fee is $70 for members, with an additional fee for non-members. Keep in mind what this class would cost you at a major show!

This lecture and class will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, on the corner of 4th and Fairview Ave, Downers Grove, IL. Lecture at 7, class from 9 to 3:30.

Contact information for the guild will be in your initial notice I sent in regards to this newsletter being ready for your consumption.

Anti-Chlor: ...and the debate continues: "suit saver for swimsuits" helps eliminate the chlorine smell from swim suits. Does it also neutralize the chlorine?

Would it work as an anti-chlor substitute? We're looking for a response from all of you scientists out there!

Color Catchers: This is an excellent product for absorbing free floating dye in your washer and dryer, found in the laundry product aisle. It was mentioned that they can be used up to 30 times apiece. I looked at the box in my cabinet which read to dispose of the sheet after each use. If anyone has any other info, let us know, please.

Stonehenge by Northcott: Stonehenge is a "new to me" fabric line that is out and available in a huge variety of colors. Its great. Especially good for stone walls, rocks, etc, but could actually be used in anything. The repeat pattern is every 3/4 yard. Check it out. I attempted to find it on line to give you a web site, but to no avail. Maybe you'll be luckier!

Another way to store your fabrics: Our very own "dog lady" will be demonstrating some of her fabric storage techniques at the July meeting. It involves cardboard and folding and organizing and all of the things we know would make our lives easier, but we tend to go there kicking and screaming! If you choose not to listen to this sort of time and frustration saving information, you have the option of sitting through this portion of our meeting with your hands over your ears saying lalalalalalalalalala to avoid any information overload.

October Quilt Show: There is not a lot of information at this point other than it will be held at the Naperville Art League the last week of October for 10 days. Set up is Friday, October 22. The show would be October 23 - November 1, if I'm not mistaken, which I often am. They mentioned an artist's reception, with demo's done at this time. Anything from beading to whatever is easily done at an event of this sort. Please give this some thought.

Quilt Gardens: Dorothy went on the driving tour of the quilt gardens (I'm sure of the one in Elkhart at least!), and says they are beautiful. A must see. Just check

www.amishcountry.org/quiltgardens to get more information.

Warning! Warning! I have just been informed from the world renowned David Taylor that Rustex fabric will last only around 40 years due to the never ending destructiveness of rust! Go figure! So he made his owl quilt using Rustex fabric, and found out it won't hold up. Nice. My advice: As beautiful as those fabrics are, and as much fun as the process is, do not use it on your heirloom pieces. Sorry.

Maybe there's a scientist among us who knows how to do the anti-chlor thing on rust!

Challenges due in September: I assume we are all well on our way with our challenges. We are hoping to hang them at the quilt show in October. If you need more information on this, please review it in one of the previous newsletters.

The end: At last we have reached the end of our newsletter. Thank you for hanging in there and reading it to this point in time. Our meetings are always held on the 4th Monday of the month (unless otherwise announced) at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Art League, 508 N Center (corner of Center & Fifth), Naperville. We look forward to seeing you on Monday, July 26, and then again on Monday, August 23. Remember we all love show and tell! Even traditional! We don't care! xxxooo, Laurie

May 2010 Newsletter

My heart bleeds for those of you who missed the April meeting! We allowed ourselves 60 seconds of silent weeping in your names. But life goes on, and there will be other meetings at which we will join hands in exaltation upon your arrival.

There were 10 members there that night, and there was some really fun show and tell. There was even a spring challenge passed around,...and I stress the word spring because there really were springs in her piece! As a matter of fact, she purchased $18 worth of springs in her excitement at the hardware store! She doesn't get out much, I'm thinking. Ha!

THAT EVENING'S DEMO was given by Yvette. She demonstrated the fixative she used on her tulip piece that was shown in March (I sent an attachment last month about the technique). This involved colored pencils, a medium on a photo on fabric, and fun results.

OUR NEXT QUILT SHOW AT THE NAPERVILLE ART LEAGUE will probably be the last weekend of October, but the date is not written in stone. It will be 7 to 10 days long, and will involve an artist's reception with some people working on their pieces as an ongoing "demo".

We were wondering if anyone would be interested in making a guest/sign in book,...maybe a composition book with a fun cover that could be used at multiple shows.

We intend to do more advertising, maybe postcards to send out.

We will also be looking for a list of pieces to "hang" in the show. Remember that this is a small gallery and will not accommodate large pieces.

Also, we are thinking of incorporating a Divas Challenge, which I will tell you about next:

THE NEWEST CHALLENGE EVER SINCE MARCH, 2010!!!!!

We have decided to have a challenge for the above mentioned show. Due date is the September meeting (I think!). MAXIMUM SIZE: 18" x 24" (that means you can go smaller than that, but not larger). INSPIRATION: will be some sort of kitchen utensil from your very own kitchen, or perhaps, if you have uninspiring utensils, that of a friend, neighbor or family member. (Yvette mentioned a hand potato masher as an inspiration) Sharon will be donating hand dyed cheese cloth that is to be incorporated in your piece (just to make it all the more interesting), and will be available at the May meeting (have a color idea going so that you can pick an appropriate piece of cheese cloth).

So, ladies and gentleman, put your thinking caps on and have fun with this.

UPCOMING QUILT SHOWS:

Quilt Expo, September 9 - 11, 2010 at the Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison Wisconsin. This is a Nancy Zieman event. For ore information go to wiquiltexpo.com There will be vendors, lectures, sit and sew workshops, juried and judged quilt competition with cash prizes. This is your big chance to submit a piece if you dare!

Prairie Treasures Quilt Show (www.prairiestar.net), Friday, October 15 (10 to 8), Saturday, October 16 (9:30 - 5), at the DuPage County Fair Grounds, 2015 W Manchester Rd, Wheaton, IL. Sounds like the typical guild quilt show, but should be a fun time.

So, until we meet again at the MAY 24TH meeting at the usual place, 7 pm. If you are unsure of where that is, just check out one of the newsletters down below! Hope you all are enjoying this wonderful, yet confusing spring weather, and are blowing kisses at all of the baby birds, while tip toeing quietly around the over abundance of skunks. xo, Laurie

March 2010 Newsletter

Ladies and gentleman,

Another meeting has passed with fun show and tell, and some laughs. Thirteen members were present, 3 of which were new. Welcome!

The Spring Challenge has been extended for another month. That means April for those of you who are calender challenged! So breath a nice sigh of relief because you are still on time!

A New Challenge is in the works. Please to put on your thinking caps and come to the April meeting,...the one where the spring challenge is due?...with some clever ideas. We still have a hat with words in it. We've done a color challenge (red?). So, what's next? Food? Chocolate? Books? Techniques untried? Oh! What to do!!!

Pressing Clothes: We have received word that Menards sells teflon sheets that are meant to be used in your oven or grill. They are reasonably priced at around $5, and can be used as a non-stick pressing cloth. I'm sure they'll be available this spring with all of the restocking going on. Thank you, Christine!

The Annual Spring Exhibit of Natural Art will be held at the Morton Arboretum. The artist's reception (for members and guest) will be on April 16, from 5 to 9 p.m. The general public may view the show on Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18 from noon to 5 p.m.

It is located at the Thornhill Education Center of the Morton Arboretum, 4100 Illinois Rt 53,

Lisle, IL. Over 200 works of art celebrating nature, demonstrations by guild members, the Artisan Shop will feature artists donated handmade items. All proceeds support the Nature Artists' Guild and Arboretum programs. Phone: 630-968-0074. www.mortonarb.org

Be there or be square!

The Milwaukee Art Museum will be hosting an exhibit, American Quilts: Selections from the Winterthur Collection from May 22 - September 6. This is the first-ever traveling exhibition of the Wintertur's quilts, and the 40 quilts chosen represent women's political, social and cultural lives in the formative period of the early American republic (1760 - 1850).

So if you are into old quilts (I mean, let's face it. They are our roots!), head on over. I believe there is at least one quilt shop in the area. Sounds like a road trip in the waiting!

www.mam.org

Martha has been a busy little bee: Here is her information, as well as a postcard tip:
Martha Tabis new blog re pet portraits: http://www.marthatabis.blogspot.com
Facebook fan page (another way to market your art, called a business page
on FB): Martha Tabis Pet Portraits
Fabric postcard: I use Peltex inside for a stiffer card.

Botanica Magnifica: Portraits of the World's Most Extraordinary Flowers & Plants

This is a book as well as a lecture being given at the Chicago Botanical Garden in Glencoe.

Dr. Jonathan Singer will be discussing his photography. More information will be available at

the following web site. http://www.chicagobotanic.org/school/specialevents/botanica-magnifica.php

The following technique is being shared with us by one of our members, whose last name shall remain a mystery to the casual reader. She showed us a piece that she had done with colored pencils, and it was very striking. There was a lot of interest in her technique, so here you have it:

Parrot Tulip Quilt technique

Yvette

I used the techniques developed by Irena Bluhm in her book “Quilts of a Different Color”. She has a website that I found under google using Irena Bluhm as the search criteria but there isn’t any information that she shares.

I sized my picture to the the desired size on the computer by using Microsoft Paint and printing at an increased size in grayscale.

I trimmed the paper and taped the multiple sheets together.

Then using a black permanent pen I marked the lines that I wanted to quilt on the printed photo. This is where you can simplify the piece as desired.

Use plain cream or white high quality muslin. If not PFD ( prepared for dyeing) wash the piece to remove sizing. Iron to remove wrinkles. Pine the muslin to the marked photo pattern.

Using a light source, transfer the lines to the muslin using a water soluble pen.

Add batting and backing and free motion quilt the piece changing threads where you wish. Note that elements of the design were quilted with dark thread while the background was quilted with cream. The design will have lots of starts and stops with the thread.

After quilting wash to remove the pen marks. Let dry thoroughly.

Now the real fun begins. I used Prismacolor pencils. I did try my crayola pencils but found them to be rather hard and to not transfer color well.

Control color both pressure and shading. With the darker colors you will still see the muslin background.

Work from the center out if doing a picture as it is possible to smudge the pencil into other areas. Another option is to use a clean piece of paper under your hand covering already worked areas.

If you make a mistake you can use an soft eraser of the incorrect area. Be sure to clean it as soon as it gets a lot of color on it.

I color in my background as well as it quiets the background quilting into texture.

Now come the point of setting the color. Her technique recommends a combination of fixatives but I used only Delta Ceramcoat Textile Medium which I found at JoAnns. I wasn’t planning to wash the end result. Pour out a small amount into a cup. Using a craft brush with a square top in a size appropriate to the area, paint on a thin coat of the textile medium. Note that this will begin to behave like paint so be careful where two colors meet. I did the red first to control any bleed and then went on to other colors. The medium and the brush will begin to pick up the color so be aware of this. I changed medium and washed the brush when I changed color fixing. I did use the paper again to prevent unwanted smudging. The medium will begin to dry out on the brush depending on the size of what is being done. I washed it with warm water and soap.

On a winter day this dried to the touch fairly quickly (within an hour). I went back to the touching colors when it was done.

Note that it is best to stay within a single color area as the color will pull from one area to another.

Let the piece dry completely for at least 24 hours.

Heat set the piece from the back by protecting the ironing surface just in case. (Nothing transferred when I did this.)

Finish the piece as desired.

Machine Felting Needle Mystery Solved!!!

The web site that sells machine felting needles is tryourdesigns.com. They also have a free tutorial on needle felting machines. Sharon is a wealth of information when it comes to anything regarding felting! She had 2 more samples to show at the March meeting, and one was a little yellow bird. I am showing my bird breed ignorance by not being able to tell you exactly WHICH bird she replicated. I've just let you in on my little secret,...I have sooooo many pockets of ignorance that it baffles me on a daily basis! Whoa is me!

FINALLY! I'm done rambling! I have come to the end of the note, ladies. Until we meet again, which will be on April 26 at 7 p.m. at the Naperville Art League. This may be an easier meeting for many of you to make being that there are only 4 Mondays next month!!! Ha! This is why God made calendars! Write it down! We miss all of you who forget to come. Remember, this is the spring challenge extended deadline! No guilt, only participate if you have a hankerin' to! Till next time. xxxooo, Laurie

No meeting tonight- Feb 22nd

Hey Divas!  There's NO meeting tonight February 22nd due to weather and the NAL not having much space for us due to their Fabulous Fakes show.  This Saturday's class is still going on from 9 am to 3:30 pm with a break for lunch.  Contact us for details!

January, 2010 Newsletter

Good day to you all!  It's been a while, and I'm sure you all missed being the well informed individuals that you prefer to be!  HA!  So why are you reading THIS?!

14 people arrived at the Art League for our monthly meeting, with lots of fun things to show. Felting is definitely shining right now, which is way fun.  Drawings were shown, as well as quilty

things.  Thank you to all of you who drove to the meeting despite the frigid weather.

Upcoming class:  February 28th at the Naperville Art League.  The time is yet to be announced.

There is no supply list, supplies will be supplied by the teacher.  At this point, if all pay who signed up, there will be 16 participants.  If my notes are correct, this is the "Golden" Lady (which smacks of an old James Bond movie!), but I may be wrong.  This could really be the "Colored Pencil Lady", which doesn't sound quite as daring as the "Golden" Lady!  I'm sure someone will contact me with a scathing comment about how for the "newsletter lady", I am very ill informed!  At that point, I shall contact you all with the corrected information.  It was just referred to as "The Class" at the meeting.  Sorry.  I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight now.  Poor me!

Sharon Malec's Upcoming Show:  will be from February 16th, (which is when the Artist's Reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.), and ending on March 26th, 2010.  This will be at the Arbor Vitae Cafe, 1120 East Diehl Road, Naperville, IL  60563 (630-577-9090).  The cafe resides in the NIU extension building, says NIU on the building, and sounds pretty fun to me! Congratulations, Sharon.  You are truly an inspiration for us all to get our bums out there, produce and sell!  The nice thing about this venue is that there is no commission involved,...pure profit.  Way to go!

Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum:  Sharon Malec discovered a museum hidden away at the Benedictine University in Lisle.  Go to www.ben.edu/resources/juricasuchy.asp for more information, but this is what I have for you:  It is a collection of 10,000 specimens, ranging from coral to a whale skeleton, a bird collection....  And it's FREE and much closer than the Field Museum!  the Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum is at 5700 College Road, Lisle, IL  60532.  Phone is 630-829-6546.  Hours:  Now through May 15, Monday through Friday - 1 to 5 p.m. / Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m..  May 16 through July 31, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 1 to 4 p.m..

It's been said that there are a lot of stuffed animals, which make for great models if you'd like to draw something that won't roll over when it gets bored with you staring at it.  Fun for kids of all ages.  The Field Museum may have Bushman stuffed, but THIS museum has his actual skeleton!

("...and there's a piece of me over here, and there's a piece of me over there..." - The Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz).  Also, this is in the science building, 2nd floor.  There is an art gallery in the hallway.

Pet Portraits: is a new company started  by Martha Tabis!  You go, girl!  If you know of anyone who's in need of this, contact her.  She also brought some beautiful postcards and regular cards to sell at the meeting.  An exceptional deal, nice quality, and much more personal than Hallmark and American Greetings cards.  Hopefully she'll bring them to other meetings.

The latest Challenge: is due at the March meeting.  

The theme/themes is/are spring &/or contrast.  Pick and choose, or combine them both.  No rules, restrictions, limitations.  All that I ask is that you keep in mind that this is a challenge, so please stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone, ladies!

Little Dresses for Africa:  There is a drive going to help clothe orphans in Africa.  The idea is to convert pillow cases into dresses, takes about 30 minutes per dress. and you've made a child very happy.  Martha Tabis brought this to our attention last night.  For more information, go to

www.littledressesforafrica.org/blog/?page_id=477 Once there, hit "more information", and then down to "pillow case pattern".  There is also information about how to get them to a source who will then send them on to Africa.  Please send this information on to whatever groups you think may be interested in helping.  Even Girl Scout Troops in need of patches, church groups, etc.  Please and thank you.

Fiberistic Journeys: an exhibit of original quilts There is an exhibit at the Anderson Art

Center (121 66th Street, Kenosha, WI 53143, 262-652-3993), from January 24 through March 21,

2010. This includes the works of Ann Fahl, Annette Hendricks, Denise Havlan, Rachel Wetzler,

Beth Gilbert, and Robbi Joy Eklow. Sounds like a road trip to me, ladies!

That's it for this month. There will be a meeting on February 22nd, even though there is a class

on the following Saturday. Same time, same place. Hope to see you there.

xxxooo, Laurie