Piecemakers Quilt Show

Piecemakers Quilt Show

StoneTowne Quilters Guild

Here is a blog with information about the upcoming Quilt Show in 2014.

A Quilter's version of the Night Before Christmas

A Quilter’s Christmas T’was the night before Christmas, but I wasn’t asleep I was locked in my sewing room, projects knee deep the stockings were waiting to be finished and bound, but no bias tape maker or thread was found When from the front lawn I heard such a clatter, I flew to the door to see what was the matter St. Nick and his crew had stopped on their way,  to bring glory and gifts to the world today Santa I cried, I am all out of kilter! What do you have in your bag for a quilter? He smiled as he pulled from the back of his sleigh, a patchwork bag to make my day Mettler and Fiskars, Olfa and more,  but I gasped as I saw the fabric galore Marcus and Blank and the Elf on the Shelf. Dear Santa I cried there is too much for myself! Let’s share all these goodies to cure all quilters’ pains! I hopped in his sled and grabbed the reins We laughed and called out as the sled took flight, Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night! Inspired from A Visit from St. Nicholas by Clement Clarke Moore Written by Betty Gormick

2014 Customer Appreciation- WIN FREE MACHINE QUILTING (up to $250)

Update on the Red Scarf Project

On behalf of the AIDS Awareness Week committee, and all the staff here at the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection, I’m writing this message to convey a big thank-you for your individual and collective volunteer contributions!

With your help we managed to exceed our initial goal of 400 by an additional 113 scarves, reaching a grand total of 513…and they are still rolling in!

Our Executive Director Brian Lester has said   “…We cannot effectively serve the RHAC mission without the dedication of our dynamic volunteers.” Without a doubt this rings true in relation to each of you. Your help has truly been invaluable in underpinning the huge success of this year’s Red Scarf Project, raising HIV/AIDS awareness and supporting the mission of “Getting to Zero”!  - Zero new HIV infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

Some 2013 Red Scarf Project Success Highlights:

·         100+ volunteer ‘knitters’:  97 individual knitters and 11 community group contributions

·         High impact public scarf art installations and handouts throughout London, Stratford and Woodstock …see pictures and ‘by the numbers’ below.

·         Clients of our partner agencies got to share in the warmth ….scarves were distributed to My Sisters Place, At^Lohsa, Unity Project, and The Mission.

·         Over 3000 red ribbons were concurrently distributed to the general public

·         Strong media coverage (TV and print)… helping to effectively spread the message further across the regions.

Thanks once again!

Martin  

Community  Relations Coordinator

Like Melon Patch Quilts on Facebook

You can find more photos and updates on my Melon Patch Quilts Facebook page.  Click the link and have a look.

In my spare time from quilting, I knit a scarf for the Red Scarf Project

LFP article

It’s been more than 30 years since the first reported case of AIDS, but nearly one-third of all Canadians who have HIV don’t know it.

And that has prompted the Regional HIV/AIDS Connection to use a novel article to raise awareness about the illness and encourage people to get tested: hand-knit red scarves.

The scarves will hang from signs, lamp posts and metal trees Monday morning along Richmond, King, Clarence and Dufferin streets in London. And volunteers will hand out scarves at Covent Garden Market at noon.

In Stratford, the scarves will be distributed at Market Square.

“This isn’t about fundraising for us. This is a gift to the community,” said Sue Brooks, director of community relations for Regional HIV/AIDS Connection.

Volunteers will also hand out red ribbons, hoping those who keep the scarves will pass them along as a way to keep the conversation going.

In its second year, the London-born project is catching on and spreading to Oxford County, Windsor and North Bay this year.

Volunteers have been hand-knitting the scarves, including one measuring 0.6 metres by 4.6 metres.

“It’s got people talking about it again because many people don’t realize there isn’t a cure for AIDS yet. That’s an important message that we need to get out there, that it’s still an issue that needs to be addressed and that the stigma and isolation still haven’t gone away,” Brooks said.

About 72,000 Canadians have HIV but 30% don’t know it.

Each scarf comes with a tag outlining the “Getting to Zero” campaign, the theme for the United Nations’ UNAIDS vision to eliminate new HIV infections, discrimination or AIDS-related deaths by 2015.

“People need to have a reminder and this is our biggest chance to engage people in conversation about it,” Brooks said.

kelly.pedro@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/KellyatLFPress

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AIDS AWARENESS WEEK

Lighting of the Lights, Nov. 29, 6:30 p.m.: Remember, Honour, Celebrate tree will be lit in red in Victoria Park for December.

Stratford vigil: Nov. 30, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Community of Christ church, 226 Forman Ave.

London vigil: Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Palace Theatre, 710 Dundas St.

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BY THE NUMBERS

35.3 million: people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide

2.3 million: new HIV infections diagnosed in 2012

1.6 million: deaths from AIDS-related illnesses in 2012

1981: first case reported of a disease that would later become known as AIDS

Photos from Nicaragua

Pastor Julio and the sewing team are quite happy to receive some fabric and batting that were shipped down to them.  Here are 2 photos.

Why I like to Stitch in the Ditch on a flipper border....

Without the SID, the flipper raises up and looks kind of ruffled but with the SID, the flipper border lays flatter. Makes for a neater quilt when the flipper lays flat I think.

(top photo no SID/ bottom photo with SID)

Organizing fabric

I thought I would take some time to organize my fabric stash and came across 2 bags of fabric, already cut, just waiting to be pieced into quilt tops.  They are quilts that are for my 2 nephews to take with them to University.  Funny thing is both nephews already have the finished quilts and are using them while away at school.  Guess in the time between cutting the original quilt fabric, to piecing the "second" tops, I must have bought more fabric for these 2 quilts.  So now I have 2 more things to add to my UFO list that I had wasn't expecting.  Kinda makes me scared to start on shelf number 2 when organizing today.

Kalidoscope of Quilts

Looks like they had a busy Grand Opening!  Here is a link to their website for more updates.  Congratulations Karen and Tammy!
http://www.kalidoscopeofquilts.ca/blogs/store-news/8285576-grand-opening-overwhelming-success

raising money for OES rescue.

Dulux and I participated in the first ever Canadian Sheepdog Shindig in Niagara on the Lake this weekend.  I made 2 Sheepdog wallhangings and donated them to the auction which was raising money for OES rescue dogs.  The first one sold for $150 and the second $70.  Here are some photos of the wallhangings.

New Overall Patterns

Here are a few new patterns I have that will complement your quilt piecing.  Already going to use the Batik pattern next week!

Heritage Quilt Exhibit

The Heritage Quilt Exhibit is returning for 3 days this week! Held at Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church in Exeter, Ontario April 11, 12  and 13, this year  features the collection of Jane Egan, owner of Galt House Antiques in Goderich Ontario. The exhibit will have 15 of Jane’s prized quilts on display along with hundreds of examples of early stitching work from regional private collectors.

Besides the collection of Ms Egan, the Heritage Quilt Exhibit will also showcase heirloom needlework with hooked rugs and christening dresses. The heirloom needlework is an added feature this year and samplers from the 1800s, petit point, tatting, and crochet will enhance the  exhibit. An avid collector, Margot Kearney from London will display some of her selected favourites. A tea room, merchant mall and quilt appraisals will be available throughout the three days.

The tea room features home baked pies, cookies, muffins as well as chili, soup, salads and sandwiches! Very reasonably priced with Bach Lunch Combo specials too.

Details of the Heritage Quilt Exhibit including show times, location and the $6 admission are in this poster! See you at the Quilt Exhibit!

Volunteers needed!

Hello to all Ailsa Craig Community Quilt Festival Volunteers

Last year's Festival “Quilts from Denmark” was a great success due to the dedication of many hard working volunteers as well as the support of the public.  Many thanks again to everyone.

Under the Festival's Quilting the Community Grant Programme, cheques totalling $5000 were presented to eight community groups.

This year's Festival : “Quilts of Israel” will be held May 20-25, 2013 and over 100 quilts from Israel will be on display at the Community Centre.  

The Festival opens on the holiday Monday and is open late on Thursday and Friday. 

Lots of volunteer support will be needed again.

Volunteers assist in many ways, for example:

-Quilt Cafe and Kitchen

-White Glove volunteers 

-Parking Support Team  

-Info desk 

-Monitors at workshops

-Monitors at vendor demonstrations. 

-Construction, take down and clean up teams

I'm very much looking forward to seeing you at the Festival in May and hope to hear from you soon. 

Best wishes

Colleen Pavlech

Volunteer Co-ordinator

519 293 3738

email: jocoll3738@hotmail.com 

Quilts of Israel Festival

Quilts of Israel Ailsa Craig Community Quilt Festival May 20-25, 2013 www.ailsacraigquiltfestival.ca   The Ailsa Craig Community Quilt Festival is unlike any other in the world. The week long exhibition is completely run by volunteers. In 2011 we presented the incredible Quilts of the Netherlands, followed in 2012 by the equally exquisite Quilts of Denmark. A Quilter's haven, perhaps, but equally a destination for many individuals who enjoy the artistic beauty of the quilts.   This year we are proud to present the  Quilts of Israel 2013.  Once again we will be exhibiting this unique fibre art in Ailsa Craig from Monday May 20st to Saturday May 25th when we will be hosting a group of Israeli quilters and exhibiting over 100 Israeli quilts. Ailsa Craig Community Centre 155 Anna Ada Shipley St. Ailsa Craig, Ontario Monday - Wed - 9:30am-6:00pm Thursday - Friday 9:30am-8:00pm Saturday - 9:00am-4:00pm

Update from Nicaragua

Here is an email from Nancy who is the sewing co-op coordinator in Nicaragua.  She says our girls are doing very well sustaining their sewing co-op.  Very proud of all our students!

    On a more brighter note I seen Pastor Julio and he tells me he has a contract with someone from Canada to make wall hangings with the Nicaraguan flower and bird on them. They continue to move ahead. I feel very proud of them. Pat yourselves on the back girls. You have given these women a hand up rather than a hand out. They don’t need me much anymore.  BlessingsNancy

Dulux is such a big help when quilting!

Well if you look in the previous post, Dulux is fast asleep while I quilt.  Today-not so much.  It was hide and seek under the quilting table and under the roll of batting.

Time to bring out the baby gate I think!