June 2016

June Speaker: Linda Honsberger, “If Our Grandmothers Could Talk”
Tuesday, June 21, 2016 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Speaker Linda Honsberger will treat us to her lecture and trunk show, "If Our Grandmothers Could Talk" at our June 21st meeting. It depicts the history of quilts, shown from her collection beginning with pre-civil war quilts (circa 1840) through the present day.

Quilting has been a part of Linda Honsberger’s heritage for over 30 years, as she was initially taught by her husband’s grandmother. She then took a four week class in beginning quilting to make sure she had all the basics. Much to her instructor’s dismay, she was more interested in finishing a Log Cabin quilt for her son’s bed than making the assigned pillows. A passion was born that proved to be the beginning of a wonderful and challenging career.

Linda is an American Quilter’s Society Certified Quilt Appraiser since beoming certified by in 2001 and has appraised well over 1000 quilts at many venues. She is a past President of PAAQT, Professional Association of Appraisers – Quilted Textiles. and was asked to join the AQS Appraiser Certification Committee which instructs and certifies candidates that are interested in becoming certified quilt appraisers.

She has been a commission quilt maker and restoration expert for over 25 years. Her hand quilting work was much sought after and has provided the opportunity to work for such notable professionals as Georgia Bonesteel, Bob and Judie Rothermel, and Ann Fahl. Her work can be seen in “Georgia’s Bright Ideas for Lap Quilting” and Judie’s “Aunt Grace’s Scrapbag”.

She teaches and lectures throughout Wisconsin, including an after school outreach program for kids at San Juan Diego School, classes for the Racine Elementary Schools, the University of Wisconsin Parkside’s outreach program and Wustum Museum of Art also in Racine.

Visit her website at http://www.lindahonsberger.com/

June Workshop: Hand Quilting, Linda Honsberger
Wednesday, June 22, 2016 - 9:00am - 4:00pm

Linda Honsberger will teach us the fundamentals of hand quilting using a beautiful feathered wreath mini quilt pattern.

In this class you will learn the basics of hand quilting by working on a design that will be provided. You will be learning to mark and baste your project. Various styles of hand quilting, including the rocking stitch will be presented and taught. We will learn about the different batting available, quilting template designs, needles and thread. You may finish your project into a pillow or a small quilt when done.  

Spaces are still available for this workshop. Email programs@villagequilters.org, or sign up at the June meeting.

Sit and Sew at Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival

Village Quilters will be in the "artisan demonstration" area at Ray Bradbury’s Dandelion Wine Fine Arts Festival at Bowen Park in Waukegan on Saturday, June 4 (11 am to 6 pm). We treat this like a sit-and-sew; very casual, occasionally chatting to the public as they wander by.

The Park District provides a few tables and chairs, but bring a comfy chair if you have it. Contact Margaret Martin (webmaster@villagequilters.org) if you have questions or would like to bring your sewing machine (we usually have access to limited power). Download the festival map and flyer.

The Dandelion Wine festival is a free annual event that celebrates the start of summer. The festival is dedicated to showcasing local and regional artists and venues, championing the arts, and remembering one of Waukegan’s favorite sons, author and visionary, Ray Bradbury.

When and Where

June 4, 2016
11am to 6 pm
Bowen Park, 1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan

If you come after the festival opens, park in the lower lots in the south entrance. The lot by the gazebo is closest to the festival; other lots may require a hike downhill.

President’s Letter

It was great to see all of Maggie Ball’s quilts, and learn about the Mongolian Quilting Center.  I was so proud of our members raising over $200 for the benefit of fellow quilters in Mongolia.  Maggie gave us a beautiful small quilt, made by the Mongolian quilters.  I would like your suggestions on how best we can use the quilt.

We have great programs coming up.  I signed up for three of the summer workshops, and am looking forward to spending time with these great teachers.  Check out the schedule on our website, and treat yourself to a day of quilting.

A big thank you to Madge Pierce, Quilt Show Co-Chair; Marti Austin, Advanced Programs; and Deb Sherrock and Cheryl Mercy; Service, for volunteering to fill these positions.

Still open are the December Social and April Potluck positions.  Talk to your friends or your bee and consider volunteering to host one of these events.

It has been observed that quilters enjoy office supply stores almost as much as quilt shops.  I also love to wander through hardware stores.  A friend once gave me a gift certificate to Ace, and I was thrilled to receive it.  Since living in Mundelein for nine years, I enjoy going to the local Ace Hardware on Hawley Street.  They always answer my questions, and are helpful.  However, last week they went above and beyond.  Our quilt display stand was in pieces, and although we struggled to fix it at last month’s meeting, it was not to be.  I took one of the standing pieces to the Ace in Mundelein, and they added the missing screws and it is as good as new!  They would not accept payment for the repair, and my faith in shopping local has been confirmed.  If you find yourself in the Mundelein area, stop by the Ace and thank them for helping the guild.

Happy Quilting,
Barbara Schober

From the Treasurer

Village Quilters had a large increase in income this month due to membership renewals and workshop fees. Are you one of the 81 members that have renewed for the 2016-2017 year? If not, there’s still time! The membership fee is now $50. The workshop fee is also $50 and we received payments for 25 workshops this month. Many members paid for workshops in advance up until November 2016. Please support our wonderful programs by paying in advance and eliminate the risk of having them cancelled.

Previous Balance 4/25/16: $25,519.18
Income: $5,001.00
Expenses: $1,784.30
Current Balance 5/25/16: $28,735.88

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Partridge, Treasurer

Attend a Workshop and Support Your Guild!

Have you treated yourself to one of the Village Quilters great workshop opportunities lately? In addition to the June hand quilting workshop with Linda Honsberger, we still have a number of openings in our other workshops for 2016.

July 20th Ami Simms will present her “Dancing Spools” workshop, a lovely wall hanging featuring 3-D spools with no set-in seams! Using striped fabric and a special folding technique the spools practically dance to life!  http://www.amisimms.com/dancingspools.html

August 17th Peggy Martin will teach us her quick-strip paper piecing technique in making the “Serendipity” block. This block is easy and very versatile. See more of the settings for it on her website at http://www.peggymartinquilts.com/. Click on Quick-Strip Paper Piecing Workshops, scroll to Serendipity, then click See More Photos.

September 21st Catherine Redford will conduct a workshop on using your walking foot to quilt going “Beyond the Ditch”. Learn more about this modern and very popular method of quilting your own quilt tops on your home sewing machine. http://catherineredford.com/classes-lectures/

November 16th our own member, Jane Reents, is treating us to a workshop using the beautiful Judy Niemeyer pattern, "Tea Time Placemats".

To continue providing the fine programs and workshops we enjoy, the guild needs your support. You may sign up for a workshop at any of our monthly meetings, or contact programs@villagequilters.org for further information.

Birthday Blocks are Back!

In August there will be a sign up sheet for those who are interested in this fun activity.  In September the list of participants, their birthdays, and colors desired will be given out and the first blocks will be due in October.  The block is a simple one, the Disappearing 4 Patch. To see it go to The Missouri Star Quilt Co. on the internet. They also have a tutorial of how the block is made on YouTube. A sample will be available to view at upcoming guild meetings.  

For those who are not familiar with Birthday Blocks, explanations will be given at upcoming guild meetings or you can contact Edie Hirasawa or Nancy Smith.

Quilt Show 2017 Planning Underway

There is not a definite date for the 2017 show, but we are looking at the first or second weekend of October.  The second weekend coincides with the Antiques and Collectible fair at the Fairgrounds. 

We have made contact with Randy Split at the Libertyville Sports complex and he is working on the calendar for the fall of 2016 and will look ahead to 2017.  Other venues can be explored, however, we know what the sports complex has to offer and the price is right.  Also, it is central to Lake county and easily accessible from the Tollway. Concerns have been expressed to him regarding the noise level on Saturday afternoon of our last show during the volleyball tournament. 

Our show is only as good as the Volunteers who staff the show and we have been told numerous times that it is the best show in the area. 

Chairs have already come forward for the following areas:
Art Quilt Challenge—Celia Stratman
Vendor—Ginny Flock
Quilt Appraisal—Judy Hildebrand
Catalogue—Enid Mattimiro and Kearstie Grenier
Hospitality±—Sylvia Bath and Jo Bailey
Raffle quilt—Kate Klein, Erica Jarrett and Nancy Smith
Raffle quilt tickets—Dee Elliot, Kathy Avellone
Silent Auction—Edie Hirasawa, Alice Hutchinson, Yolande Sherrod
Service—Deb Sherrock and Cheryl Mercy
Set up/take down—Margaret Martin 

We still need Chairs for the following:
Boutique
Publicity
Raffle Quilt Travel
Staffing
Show Layout. 

If you think you would like to take on a chair position or would like to serve in one of the areas listed, please let us know. 

Your quilt show Chairmen, Christine Tindell and Madge Pierce

Quilt Blocks for Raffle Quilt Due!

Thank you to all the wonderful quilters who took ALL the packages for our Raffle Quilt blocks! We are hoping you can return the finished blocks to us at the June meeting. If you are unable to make the meeting, please feel free to mail the blocks to Erica Jarrett, 1380 Lake Street, Libertyville, IL  60048. In addition, consider contributing some of your "bright" fabrics used to make your blocks when you turn in your packages for us to use for the upcoming applique borders. Thanks so much!  Kate, Erica and Nancy

Alzheimer’s Association Donations

Erika Eddy will again be setting up a table at the June meeting to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Association. Our fellow quilter Ginny Moore is suffering from Alzheimer’s and is moving into a care facility. As she is no longer able to sew, she has asked Erika to sell her fabrics. Please consider bringing cash or checks; fabrics will not be "priced" but please be generous with your donation.

Mary Quednau’s Recipe for Scandinavian Almond Bars

This is Mary's recipe for the tasty almond cookies we enjoyed at the December social.

For Cookies:
1 ¾ c. Flour
2 tsp. Baking powder
¼ tsp. Salt
½ c. Butter or Margarine
1 c. Sugar
1 Egg
½ tsp. Almond Extract
Milk (small amount for brushing dough)
½ c. sliced almonds, coarsely chopped

For Almond Frosting:
1c. Powdered Sugar
¼ to ½ tsp. Almond Extract (Mary uses more, add to taste)
3 to 4 tsp. Milk (enough for a drizzling consistency)

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Sift together dry ingredients. In a large mixer bowl, beat butter until softened. Add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add egg and almond extract and beat well. Add flour mixture and beat until well mixed.

Divide dough into fourths. Chill in refrigerator about 15 minutes, then form each fourth into a 12” roll. Place 2 rolls 4 to 5 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten until 3 inches wide. Repeat with remaining 2 rolls.

Brush flattened rolls with milk, then sprinkle with almonds.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. While still warm, cut crosswise at a diagonal into 1 inch strips. Cool.

Mix frosting ingredients together. Drizzle with Almond Frosting and sprinkle with additional sliced almonds.

Membership

As of the end of May, 2016, most of you have paid your membership dues for this year. Thank you. If you haven’t paid yet, please download the Membership Form and bring it to the June meeting with your $50 membership fee or mail the form and check to the Membership address on the form. (Download the membership form from the Join Us page, print it, and mail.)

The membership list will be updated after the June meeting.  If you have any questions, please let us know.

Carol Swartz and Patricia Warren

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

June Birthdays
Judi Young, 6/1
Kate Klein, 6/6
Linda Warren, 6/7
Andrea Krier, 6/11
Kathy Clement, 6/12
Priscilla Maves, 6/15
Mary Gustafson, 6/19
Amy Dryfoos, 6/23
Sue Minster, 6/28

July Birthdays
Sue Tapp, 7/1
Peggy Schemenauer, 7/9
Carol Swartz, 7/10
Deb Sherrock, 7/16
Dawn Larsen, 7/17
Jane Velander, 7/20
Ellen Granda, 7/25
Sylvia Bath, 7/28