ECMQG's First Block Lottery

As mentioned at the meeting this past Saturday, we are beginning something new to defray the expense of our national MQG affiliation dues.  That something is a block lottery. 

Block lottery?  What's that?

Each month, we'll make a specific block.  I'll post pictures and a tutorial (or links to find a tutorial), along with our color pallet.  The following month, all completed blocks, plus $1 for each block, enters you in the lottery. One lucky person wins all of the blocks.  Voila! Insta-quilt!!

We're starting with a very simple and easy technique for 12" scrappy string blocks.  Scrapbook paper works great - it's already 12" x 12".  Your center diagonal strip HAS to be white.  It can be any width from 1" - 2". There is no color pallet this month.  

That's it.  The rest is your choice.  Think scrappy.  Think colorful.  Think fun.

Wendi has already completed one block.  She is fast!  How cool is that blender fabric?  L.O.V.E. it!  

    

This rectangular block is Kira's from her Little Bitty Bag pattern and tutorial.  You can find it here.

Same principal as if you were making a square.  Just remember to keep your center diagonal strip white.

These are blocks I completed last year for Margaret's Hope Chest.  White center strip, just like we're making, then cut-up and rearranged.  

Through the Wrapped in Hope project, these blocks were destined for little girl's birthday quilt. 

Flickr is a great source of inspiration.  Type in "string blocks" and lots of pretties pop up.

These immediately caught my attention because of their use of solids.  

Used with permission - chloeandme via flickr

A quick Google search for "string block tutorial" lists several that are very helpful.  Two that I really like are from filminthefridge and psiquilt.  

This should get you started.  It will be fun to see what everyone makes.  It will be even more fun to see who wins.

Cindy
ECMQG Secretary 

They Made It

We are part of something bigger.

Our flags, those beacons of peace and love and hope and healing and inspiration and solidarity, made it to Boston and are hanging in the Museum of Fine Arts.

Flags from around the world - every continent with the exception of Antarctica - are part of the exhibit which opened May 23rd and runs through July 7th.  At last count, there were more than 1700 flags.  I just read on the Flickr To Boston With Love discussion page, some have yet to make it to the US.    

The public response has been overwhelming.  The display is breathtaking.  The idea that began with one person, spread to the hearts and hands of many.  It is inspiring and humbling to be a part of this.  

  

Photo by drury girl used with permission

These two photos are from Amy, aka drury girl on Flickr, who graciously gave me permission to publish her pictures.  She also told me "I want to go back over and take more snaps when it's not too crowded - I am a member so it's easy-peasy, and I've been meaning to, because I couldn't find one of mine!"  No wonder, with 1700+ flags to view.  It's serendipity that ours are in her photo.  Thank you Amy!

Thanks to Leslie's keen eyes, she was able to spot our flags in the top photo.  Ours are on the right hand side, the third row down.

The second photo is just an enlargement of the original photo.  

Photo by drury girl used with permission

These next four photos were taken by Amy Friend as the flags arrived at her house and were unpacked prior to the museum installation.  Amy is the president of the Seacoast MQG and blogs at During Quiet Time.

In all four photos, the top row has our flags.  The eye-heart-BOSTON flag in the bottom row, center, is drury girl's.  

Some of you might not have seen Kelly's photo.  These are our flags assembled together and hanging on her fence prior to mailing to Amy.  

    

If you'd like to see more photos, or read any of the many media stories about the To Boston With Love project, here are some links:

http://lifeasahuman.com/2013/mind-spirit/inspirational/to-boston-with-love-is-touching-my-heart-daily/

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/05/07/museum-fine-arts-free-over-memorial-day-weekend-gesture-solidarity-city/UwpklSjgTNVOuZe1mpqXZP/story.html

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/2013/05/23/from-around-world-flags-honor-boston/ZsYzuIamLXUH2ZPtsXUzHM/story.html?camp=newsletter

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2013/05/mfa_celebrates_love_for_the_hub

http://www.northshoreoutlook.com/community/209366601.html

We are part of something bigger.  And it feels good.

Cindy

ECMQG Secretary

June Meeting Agenda

Our next meeting and SEW-day is this Saturday, June 8 beginning at 10:00am.      Because this is a SEW-day too, we have the space until 6:00pm.

First Baptist Church - Fellowship Hall

171 Hickory Avenue

Crestview, FL 32536

(The Fellowship Hall entrance is on Cedar Avenue under the blue awnings.)

Agenda:

• MQG affiliation vote
• Project Linus and Camp Corral update
• Fun Stuff - door prize(s), name tag, Craftsy 2013 BOM participation drawing(s)
• Block lottery details
• Potholder Challenge details
• Show & Tell
• Machine-pieced hexie demonstration with Wendi 

Even if you can't stay for the entire day, please make every effort to come to the meeting portion for the vote.  Next month, we have to apply for MQG membership should we choose that option.

You can review details and see FAQs about what national MQG affiliation means here and here. 

Yesterday, Marcy and I bounced around ideas for future meetings, including a few challenges to stretch us creatively.  Most of the agendas for the remainder of the year tentative.  If you have suggestions, please send us a quick note at emeraldcoastmqg @ gmail dot com.

Pot-luck style snacks to share are ALWAYS appreciated.

Wendi will show us not only how to machine-piece hexies, but also several methods for cutting them accurately.  If you want to play too, bring your fabric.

 

If you're staying for the SEW-day, bring your project(s) and supplies.  You can work on whatever you like!  An iron and ironing board or two would be nice.  In addition to the basics, you might want to bring an extension cord, in case you're not near an outlet.

See you Saturday!

Cindy

ECMQG Secretary

Project Linus and Camp Corral

Way back in March, we had the pleasure of hosting a special guest from the local chapter of Project Linus, Melissa Scheiwe. 

One of our members, Kim, had received the following EMail:

My Darling Blanketeers,

I have been contacted by Dolly with Golden Corral to elicit our partnership with their Camp Corral located in Niceville.

Camp Corral is "a free summer camp for military children with priority given to wounded, disabled or fallen military families. For 2013 there are 18 camps in 14 states - two in Florida. For the 4-H Camp Timpoochee in Niceville, camp dates Aug 4-9 offering 100 children 'a week of a lifetime' ".

Basically, she would like 100 blankets to give to each of the children ages 8-15.  I of course told her we could meet her needs!  I'd like to have these blankets IN ADDITION to our regular recipients.  If everyone on the email list made 2 blankets in the next 5 months it would be done! 

I do not have the ratio of boys to girls yet, I'll keep you posted on that as the dates get closer.  (I am going to make a girl blanket for every boy blanket I make to try and keep it even.)

When you drop off your blankets, please specify which ones you made specifically for Camp Corral.

Of course feel free to contact me with any questions/ideas/suggestions.  Many thanks sweet ladies and big hugs and blessings to you all! 

Melissa Scheiwe

Project Linus Chapter Coordinator

Santa Rosa/Escambia Co's, FL

The short version is, Kim thought it would be a terrific project for us to undertake throughout 2013.  Not only is Niceville our backyard so-to-speak, but many of our members have military connections.

More personal though, at birth, Kim's son, received what she believes is a Project Linus blanket.  Four years later, he still loves it!

Here is Melissa giving her presentation.

I believe this picture is of a quilt she'd already received for Camp Corral.  If it's one of ours, my apologies.  Please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.  

And here is one of the first quilt tops made after Melissa's talk.  Melanie's Cat in the Hat quilt, that literally, she must have started as soon as she left the meeting.  She shared this in the facebook group two days later.  Don't you just love that pieced border?     

Finished.  All quilted and super crinkly after being washed..

This top is from Kim.  It is made from a charm pack of Lucy's Crab Shack by Sweetwater for Moda.  Such a fun, cheery, quilt.
  

Wendi just finished up this quilt.  It's made from Bonnie & Camille's Ruby collection which is also a Moda line.  You can read Wendi's post here.

Jean's patriotic friendship star quilt top was designed with a boy in mind who'll attend Camp Corral this August.  Her plan is to take it over to fellow ECMQG member Kristy's house and quilt it with the longarm.  Kristy wouldn't let us photograph the two quilts she'd finished.  Sad face.    

Teamwork for this little beauty.  Melanie's blocks + Wendi's design idea = another quilt for Project Linus.  Wendi's hoping to have this one quilted and bound by this Saturday's meeting.  

And lastly, the practice blocks from the improv piecing demonstration at our May meeting will be turned into another quilt(s).  If you were able to play with any of that donated fabric, please remember to bring your blocks to the meeting and SEW-day Saturday.

The ideal guidelines for Camp Corral Blankets are as follows:

• Neutral gender blankets OR an even number of girl & boy blankets.
• 36" x 36" minimum size.  These are for children ages 8 - 15 to snuggle with.
• Military theme is nice, but not necessary.
• Label your quilt.  Please.
• Deadline for completion and delivery to Project Linus Coordinator is July 31, 2013.

When Kim first approached us about Project Linus and Camp Corral, I asked her why this was near and dear to her.  She sums it up perfectly, stating "I think like most quilters, I just want to share my love of quilts!  I don't think there is anything better than to give a child a wonderful handmade keepsake."

Let's keep the love flowing.  

Cindy

ECMQG Secretary

Scenes from a Road Trip

I finally unloaded my camera today. 

I found these from our road trip to Pensacola's A&E Pharmacy.  

Pharmacy?  Really?  People actually go there to attend to medical needs instead of fabric?  Who are they kidding?  Or, maybe they've just never walked to the other side of the store.  Or, maybe, just maybe, they only fill their prescriptions at A&E BECAUSE they know they can find fabric too.      

While we were there, Kelly S recalled we did the same thing last April.  She also suggested, April would have to be our annual A&E road trip month because this makes two years in a row.

Besides shopping, we did manage to conduct a little bit of guild business.  Kelly S brought siggy blocks for everyone to sign.  These were in preparation for Melanie's surprise going-away gift.  Additionally, several new members joined.    

Here is Bobbi attempting to use her siggy block in place of her forgotten name tag.  (I knew there was a good reason I hadn't downloaded these pictures and written about them.)  

Melanie couldn't/didn't join us for our shopping adventure.  She is moving soon - very close to Kelly B so you know they're going to have fun - and is in destash mode.  Sorry Melanie.  We missed you.

Melissa brought baby Gus with her.  Gus did not sign a block. 

Kassie was finally able to join us!  We've missed her.  She selected these goodies as well as Scrap Basket Beauties, the latest book from local quilter and author Kim Brackett. 

I love this photo of Holly looking at fabric.  She is so intensely focused. 

This is Ollie's - yes, Ollie from this post - quiet time project.  It's all hand pieced and is a study in textures.  He's chosen an upholstery weight fabric, an oil batik, a quilting cotton, and dupioni silk.  

While not an ECMQG member, he easily could fit right in with us.   

A shopping cart full of fun!  Shhh.  We won't tell. 

A camera malfunction and unintentional picture.

A group photo.  Insert the smiling faces of Kim, new members Melissa L, Liz, and Rhonda, as well as Melissa & baby Gus who were there, but just not available when we posed.  I think that's everyone who made the trip.  If I forgot someone, please let me know.

Several hours of fabric shopping leaves you hungry and thirsty.  We decided to try the newest downtown eatery, al Fresco - Fresh Air Dining, located on the corner of S Palafox and Main Street.  

Al Fresco is modeled after the airstream diners along that stretch of Hwy 30-A in Seaside. Pensacola has long needed something this cool and this hip.  It compliments the recent improvements to downtown beautifully.

Three weeks after opening, our lunch choices were limited to Z Taco and Jerry's Cajun Cafe where we all found something we just had to try.  During lunch, we began an impromptu Show & Tell session.

Quilt model Holly with Diane's quilt.  It's a Wonky Log Cabin.  Her first "modern quilt".   

Quilt model Holly, again (we love TALL girls), and Marcy showing two completed baby quilts. These are for a long-time friend who always wanted one of Marcy's quilts.  

The fabric for these came from stash - older, "not-so-modern-stash" - that Marcy found during her sewing room remodel and renovation.  Simply by adding a variety of neutrals to the mix and playing around with ideas, she created coordinating modern quilts. 

Spiral free motion quilting for the circles. And possibly pebble quilting everywhere else.  Sorry.  Not-so-good-photos, but the quilting was as gorgeous as always from Marcy.

Sometimes it not so much the fabric that is modern, but the attitude with which you approach a project.

Cindy
ECMQG Secretary

Giveaway Day with Sew, Mama, Sew!

Leslie just reminded me about this fabulous event - Giveaway Day by Sew, Mama, Sew!

Even though it says May 6th, which was Monday, in actuality, it runs through Friday.  May 10th.  5:00 p.m.  PST.

I should know this.  Our own Wendi, of prsd4tim2, is participating.  You'll have to read her blog to find out what she made and is giving away, but I can tell you this - it is won-der-ful!  I don't think any of our other guild members are participating.  If I've missed someone, please let me know.

Sew, Mama, Sew! has organized and coordinated this biannual event for the past 5 years.  Their reason for doing so?  "One of the reasons we coordinate Giveaway Day twice a year is the help you find great new blogs to read and to help bloggers find new fans. New bloggers can sometimes feel like they’re writing in a vacuum until people start showing up to comment. Even if you found their blog via a giveaway, a few kind, encouraging words in the comments can mean a lot." 

Take a peek.  Find a giveaway or two, or three, or a dozen, to enter.  Start following another creative sole.  Make a new online friend.

It's all good.

Cindy
ECMQG Secretary

To Boston With Love

We all know how terrible last week was for many.

As quilters, as creative people, as nurturers, as humans, we feel when others are hurt or hurting.  

We want to find a way to comfort, to say "we are thinking about you" "we are praying for you" or "we care".  We want to find a way to bring peace.

The Vancouver MQG initiated a project to do just that - To Boston With Love. 

"To Boston With Love is a collaborative effort of makers to bring peace and love from far and wide.  What we're planning is a public exhibition of flags strung onto banners that will be displayed in Boston - hopefully by early June 2013.  Details are still being ironed out... In the meantime, we need to get going on flag making!" 

Kelly Spear is coordinating this for us.  We will collect flags during our May 11th Meeting and Sew Day.  Please leave a comment here, or respond to the EMail, if you'd like to participate.  Additionally, please let us know how many flag(s) you'll be contributing.  

Need inspiration?  Take a peek a these tutorials from other generous quilters and creators.  Thank you to all who share so the rest of us can play.

Tutorials for the first two flags can be found here.  They are from Happy Sew Lucky Patterns & Kits.

Strippy Heart from Happy SEW Lucky Patterns & Kits

LOVE Flag Quilt from Happy SEW Lucky Patterns & Kits

Sarah, from house of krom, has a tutorial for this improv pieced heart here.

No tutorial for this appliqued beauty, but it was too pretty to pass up as inspiration.  It's from the blog izzyinspired.blogspot.com.

Jodi, of Pleasant Home, created this improve pieced heart.  Her tutorial can be found here.

Here is another version of an improv pieced heart which CrochetnQuilt posted via 15 Minutes of Play.

And of course, there is the wonky LOVe tutorial from KelbySews via Sew, Mama, Sew!

Plus there's the flickr group that already has tons of BEAUTIFUL flags.

Won't you join us?

Cindy

ECMQG Secretary