August 20, 2008 Divas Newsletter

Our last meeting was on Tuesday, July 28 and was attended by 12 of our country's finest.

We worked out of a book called COLOR AND COMPOSITION FOR CREATIVE QUILTERS by Katie Pasquini Masopust. There are obviously a lot of projects, so we will be pulling another one out of there for this month's meeting. More on that later.

Sorry it took me so long to get this newsletter out, but I was a busy little beaver. I got things together and then went to Hayward, WI for a week with my husband, my mother and my daughter. Â We had a nice time when my mother wasn't in the room. (Is it wrong to print that in black and white?) (I love my mother dearly, but....Well it's a long story!)

But I'm home now and my medications are wearing off. I can see the real world again, and life is good!

THE JULY MEETING:
We had fun. I arrived late so missed the reminder of how things were to go. There's good and bad to that. Anyway, everyone arrived with a square of fabric that was larger, and a piece of fabric that had been set up for fusing. The fusing fabrics were passed around with everyone cutting a piece off to use for themselves. The vast majority brought batik-ee, hand dyed -ee sorts of fabrics. I don't know if that had been discussed at the June meeting, but I brought a print fabric. Duh! It still worked, but it would have been better with the other.

Anyway, the part I missed/forgot about was that we were supposed to fuse geometric shapes onto the background fabric. I DID have long thin bars,...definitely geometric, but I also had leaves (SURPRISE!!!!), which really aren't. Anyway, they turned out very nicely, and was a fun experience. If you hadn't fused yet, it was a nice little introduction.

Joan Bratton brought her "Sisters" quilt to show us. We have seen it at various stages, but it is really looking sharp now! This is the yellow quilt with the mariner compasses and gingko leaves. Very nice.

Sharon Malec brought in her framed needle felted dog. I apologize for not remembering what kind of dog it was, but I do know it was a damned nice looking dog! It made you want to touch it! (The dog!)

We were also able to see an ink drawing done by Linda VanderKolk that was hanging in the gallery! "Freedom Lost" is the theme. There was nothing posted or lying around giving any information on the show, dates, times, so you will have to call the Naperville Art League for more information if you are interested in seeing the work of one of our very own! NIce job !

THE AUGUST MEETING:
August 25! This meeting will be more from the same book. This time we will be learning the "DOT" stitch (formally known as the quick stitch to embellish while you quilt). It will be taught by Dorothy.

Supplies: 2 pieces of fabric 12" x 12"
Pearl cotton #8 (there will be some at the meeting for your stitching pleasure)
Embroidery needle
BATTING WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE MEETING (Purchased from excess funds)
Hoop
Thimble, scissors, whatever sewing kit stuff you may need
Quilting pattern if you have one you're interested in

Please bring in your fused pieces from last month, we don't care if they are finished or not. This is to show those who missed the meeting and are interested in experimenting on their own.

CALENDARS!!!!!
The calendars quilts are due by September 15, 2008. For your convenience you may drop them off at the August meeting. If this is not convenient, please call Linda VanderKolk to discuss it with her. Email Cheryl or Laurie if you need her number.
Here is the list as a reminder of those of you who have no brains! (I'm talking primarily about myself here, so unbunch your pants!)

January....Cheryl
February....Cindy
March....Pam
April....Barbara
May....Linda
June....Dorothy
July....Camille
August....Sharon
September....Jan
October....Nancy
November....Yvette
December....Cheri
January....Pat
February....
March....Anna
April....
May....Rhonda
June....Laurie

Linda, I have a drop off date of September 15 for my quilt at the Elmhurst Historical Museum for the show that they will be having there. I will bring it to this meeting, but will obviously have to set something up with you to pick it up before then. Thanks, and I apologize for any inconvenience.

HEALTH NEWS:
Sharon Malec has been approved to be her sisters organ donor, and I believe is undergoing or has undergone the procedure already. We have little information, but please keep the 2 in your prayers.


UPCOMING SHOWS:
The Elmhurst Piecemakers will be having a 2 part quilt show at the Elmhurst Historical Museum (120 E. Park Avenue, Elmhurst, 60126) from September 23 through November 9, and November 18 through January 4. This is a nice selection of mainly traditional work by a nice group of ladies. I do not have the hours, but the phone number is 630-833-1457

The Greater Chicago Quilt Exposition III will be from November 13 - 16 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, Schaumburg. More information is available at their website: www.quiltfest.com


THE SEPTEMBER MEETING:
September 22 is the meeting date, 7 pm as usual, at the Naperville Art League located at 508 N. Center Street, Naperville, IL 60563.
There is parking behind the building, on the street, and across the streret in a large parking lot. We enter through the front door.