January 2018 Newsletter

January 2018 Newsletter

Happy New Year, everyone!  As always the year shows promise in so many ways.

This last meeting had 11 members with wonderful show and tell.  Here's what we discussed:

Challenge for the year:  Fiber Adventures:

Your piece needs to have a maximum circumference of 96".  That's maximum, so obviously it can be smaller.  You may use any interpretation of the name "fiber adventures".  You can go safari, adventures in new techniques used, it's always an adventure to go into the drawers of my refrigerator!

and the list goes on.  Have fun with this.  The due date will be the September 2018 meeting, and will be shown in the October quilt show.  Obviously if you finish it the day before the show's drop off time, you're still good.  Also there is no color requirement to be used,...except for you, Sharon!  You have to use some purple!  (Not!)  As with all of our quilt show entries, you will need to have information for a card explaining your techniques, medium (sp), inspiration, etc.

Quilt Show at the Art Institute in Chicago:

Making Memories:  Quilts as Souvenirs is the quilt show in progress through April 1st.  I have attached the website for your convenience.  You can purchase tickets online if you're interested. Word is that it's an excellent show.

http://www.artic.edu/exhibition/making-memories-quilts-souvenirs

Anderson Arts Center, Kenosha WI show:

There is an exhibit worth a road trip to Kenosha!  It combines work from SAQA ("Stitched Together" fiber art), the Women's Journeys in Fiber ("Boxes:  Treasure, Structure, Expression".  This portion ends on March 3), and work by Jan Debevic ("All Things Wool and Felt").  The show runs through March 17th.  The art center is in a beautiful old mansion that adds to the pleasure of attending.

https://www.andersonartscenter.com/exhibits.htm

Stitchers Garden:  There's a new store in town, ladies!

This shop is in Naperville, and seems to cater to the needle arts.  Cross stitch, embroidery, crewel work, etc.  I hit shop online and it showed printed canvases to buy, but did not go into the available threads, needles etc that you can see on the walls in the background of the store.  Dorothy gave it rave reviews.  Be there or be square!

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/

For your beading needs:  Beadcats!

...and for all of your beading needs, go to Beadcats!  Alice says she likes to order size 10 to 12 needles depending on the bead hole size.  She is also swearing by the Clover needle threader for easier threading.  It took her about 4 times initially to get the hang of it, but it has been a gift for those with threading issues!  Be sure to check out the gallery!  Amazing!

http://www.beadcats.com/

The Future of these Newsletters:

After writing these newsletters for 10 years, I do believe it's time to resign.  I am looking for someone who'd like to take this on.  It's an easy enough job.  You take notes, type them up, do a little research on different shows, books, etc to add in, and hit publish.  Voila!  Another newsletter is up and running.  As a group, we need to decide if this is the format that we'd prefer.  Do we want to continue with the blog?  Or should the newsletter just be sent in an email the way it was initially done pre-blog days?  (Which means I've actually been doing this since the group was conceived!)  So please consider taking on the newsletter job.  We have no real officers, or elected "officials" in this group. People always seem to step up to handle whatever job needs to be done, and for that I am grateful.

Next Meeting:

will be on Monday, February 26th, 7 pm at the Naperville Art League.  $3 per person.  Please bring in your show and tell, any work you'd like an opinion on, or perhaps ideas on what to do next or how to handle a problem.  We're all here for each other.  Enjoy your February, and try to stay warm!

xo,

Laurie