Summer Challenge Project

One of the highlights of the Dinner Meeting is seeing what everyone has worked on for the Summer Challenge project. There are so many original ideas! Here a couple of members are studying the entries.

I did not take notes, so I do not remember who won first, second, and third, and I may get the names wrong. Please forgive me!

I do know that Kathy was the first place winner with this beautiful log cabin heart. Her strips were so tiny! Wonderful work!

Karen had a 3 of hearts, and so worked on a triptych for family. The picture does not do justice to the beautiful stitching.

The eight of spades inspired this biscornu. Eight sides, 8 hearts, 8 corners, etc. This side is white on black, the other side (that I did not get a picture of) was black on white. Very creative!

Marj created this project, based on the 10 of clubs. She stitched 10 different clubs in different techniques, and then put them together into a Jacob's Ladder. She showed pictures of all of them on her blog here, but did not talk about the individual techniques she used. I would still like to see a blog post about that (hint, hint).

This is my entry, inspired by the 3 of diamonds. You can read more about it here.

Karen picked the 8 of hearts, so she made beaded hearts!

Helen worked on a bargello tree from Mary Frances. The colors are amazing!

I was very pleased by the entries and the level of participation this year. We also had prizes for the concepts stitchers came up with, and even had a couple of entries for that! Thank you all for playing.

September Dinner Meeting

Monday was our September Dinner Meeting, and we had a wonderful time.

The theme for the year is "Fun and Games." The theme was introduced by the playing card motifs in the center pieces.

We had our usual delicious meal served by Glenwood Oaks Restaurant, with the addition of cupcakes for dessert.

I took quick pictures of the tables before we started eating. I am sorry I did not get a picture of everyone.

Our new president started by welcoming everyone, and having people indicate how long they have been members. There was a good representation of lengths of membership ranging from charter members (37 years) to new members who have only been with us for 1 year. It was wonderful to see everyone!

In separate posts I will talk about our activities at the meeting: this year's programs, the Summer Challenge, and the show and tell that was shared. One new addition to the festivities was a game of bingo using needlework related words. I think everyone had fun!

Crazy Quilts in Highland Park

Crazy Quilt Exhibition

Highland Park Historical Society Hosts One-of-a-Kind Crazy Quilt Exhibition; Museum Chosen as Anchor Site for Northern Illinois Quilt Fest.

The Highland Park Historical Society will host a Crazy Quilt exhibition, “Crazy Quilts and More by Addie Mangoian Davis,” July 1 – September 30, 2011, Wednesday – Sunday, 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., at its museum located at 326 Central Avenue, in Highland Park, IL. The museum has been chosen as one of more than a dozen anchor sites for the Northern Illinois Quilt Fest, which will span across the six counties in Northern Illinois. Admission to the exhibition is $5.00, and special group tours are available upon request.

Davis, a native of Waukegan, IL, lived 25 years in Chicago, before she began quilting in 1974, in Friendship, Indiana, where she and her husband moved after his retirement. She describes herself as an “intuitive fiber artist.” “I couldn’t even sew on a loose button,” says Ms. Davis. “But, I believe you can do what you want to do. I fell in love with Crazy Quilts, and I was determined to make them.”

During the three-month quilt fest, a variety of other quilt-related events, including a speakers series, workshops, and appraisals will be held throughout the six-county Northern Illinois region. For a schedule of events at the Highland Park Historical Society, please visit http://www.highlandparkhistory.com/. Information will be updated as events are finalized.

In addition to the Crazy Quilt exhibition, the Highland Park Historical Society will feature a display of mid-20th century crocheted and knitted doilies from the collection of Carol Sanes-Miller, also of Highland Park. For more information, you are invited to call 847-432-7090, to visit the museum’s website at http://www.highlandparkhistory.com/, and to visit Facebook under Highland Park Historical Society.

upcoming events

Next Friday, June 24, I'm going with World Embroideries to the Midwest Fiber and Folk Art Fair. Once there, we'll meet with my sister and sister-in-law for a day of fiber goodness. I've never been there, but friends have and it sounds wonderful. Fibers, music, animals, and shopping. They also offer a robust schedule of classes.July, August and September in Lake, McHenry, Boone, Winnegabo, Stephenson and Jo Davies Counties--right across the entire northern edge of Illinois. On August 19 and 20 there will be a "Weekend of Valor Quilt Show" in Huntley IL (near where the outlet mall is along I-90). It's sponsored by the Gazebo Quilter's Guild.

Michael's data hacked

If you've shopped at Michael's lately, you might want to check your debit or credit card records. A friend of mine (a beader) was hit and she warned me. I was there about a month ago and my credit card looks okay.

Michaels Alerts Customers of Potential Debit and Credit Card Fraud

IRVING, Texas, May 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michaels Stores, Inc. has learned that PIN pad tampering may have occurred in its Chicago-area stores and that customer credit and debit card information may have been compromised.

The company was contacted this week by banking and law enforcement authorities after some fraudulent debit card transactions were reported over the weekend. Authorities believe the fraudulent transactions may be linked to legitimate transactions in Chicago-area Michaels stores.

Consumers who have purchased items from a Michaels store with a debit or credit card are encouraged to monitor their statements, report any suspicious account activity, and change any PIN numbers and other account security settings. Consumers who believe their accounts were used without authorization should contact the card issuer directly. More consumer protection tips are available at the Federal Trade Commission website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/alerts/alt150.shtm.

The company is working to assist authorities in the investigation. For additional information and updates, visit Michaels website at www.michaels.com.

March Minutes

Homewood Embroiderer’s Guild
March Meeting Minutes
March 14, 2011 St. Paul Community Church

Just a reminder--Our meetings begin at 7:15.

We plan to begin the April meeting promptly in order to cover our business and have time for the workshop. The quilters who were unable to attend last month are likely to come in April—and that will lengthen the meeting. Please try to be on time and seated at 7:15. Thanks!

For April’s project, Floral Fantasy notebook cover, you will need usual stitching supplies.

April hostesses will be Linda Tylk, Elizabeth Webb, and Cathy Wojcik

President Nancy called the meeting to order at 7:25 P.M. Jane Compeau took the minutes because Marjorie was out of town. Thanks a bunch!

Pat Bellinger made a motion to approve the minutes sent out for last month’s meeting, and Marcia Hogar seconded the motion. Approved.
Treasurer’s report: checkbook has $4,472.15.

Carol discussed the programs.
The temari workshop is in 2 weeks, pick 3 shades in one family from pearl #5 from Mary Frances’ supply. Linda will make sloppy joes.
Next month’s program is notebook covers, taught by Marjorie Holme.
June will be the hex nuts bracelet.
Tonight Linda is in charge, there are no guest speakers. As soon as the meeting is done, please grab your refreshments, and Linda and Carol will display needlework books. You can take any books you want. There are 21 bags from Mary Frances’s stash. They do have a source that will take anything guild members do not want.

We received a thank you note from the organization we sent the garage sale left-overs to, to help the women of Honduras.

Discussion on sharing a show with Pieces and Patches Quilt guild of Crete. They had planned on coming to the meeting, but could not make it.
Questions:
Date would be September 2012, with the show running Saturday and Sunday, with set-up on Friday.
What about a fund-raiser? No Problem,
They charge admission.
They have a boutique, we could have one as well.
They have a bake sale and vendors.
Held in a nice Junior High in Steger.
They talked about some people joining our guild. Their meetings are 2nd Wednesday of the month.
The school has a concession stand with hotdogs, etc.
Suggestion: have a “tea room” with desserts for a fund-raiser.
Suggestion: They had raffle baskets and wanted to eliminate that…we might be able to take that over.
Marge made a motion to table the proposal until next month when some Pieces and Patches members could come to the meeting. Peggy Mollema seconded the motion, accepted.

Treasurer reminded members that dues are due in May and June, $30.00, please plan ahead.

Carol asked us to please start collecting fabric for May, prewashed 1/2 yard to 5/8 yard, we also need needles and thread.

Nancy asked for volunteers for president, 2nd vice president, and secretary. We do not need a new treasurer this year.

Motion to adjourn.

Show and tell:
Carol K, Romanian needlepoint lace from shop, entrelac scarf with Kool-Aid dyed yarn.
Nancy 12 quilt blocks to trade at her quilt guild.
Jane: sashiko and three temari
Chris Tragos: knitting nice shawl/scarf.
Carol Schultz: butterfly crystal motifs
Peggy: Hawk dancer needlepoint picture from Pacific NW for nephew, beach picture for daughter, ornaments from rummage sale canvas and Designers Desk sale.
Linda Tylk, quilt/stitching floral basket from 22/24 years ago.

Quilts on Display

Two local venues are showing quilts this spring!

"Amish and English: Quilts from the Illinois State Museum Collection" is on at the Illinois State Museum Lockport Gallery (201 West Tenth Street, Lockport, IL 60441) now until September 16, 2011. The gallery is open Monday-Friday 9 to 5 and Sundays 12 to 5. Note: it is not open Saturdays. Free admission and parking (plus there's a great quilt shop, Thimbles, just a block away.

The second show is at the Lubeznik Center for the Arts in Michigan City (101 W. 2nd St. just north of the outlet mall). The quilt above is by Tommy Fitzsimmons, from her show "Tommy: The Material Girl." It opens April 16th and runs until June 26th.

Also showing at the same time at Lubeznik are two other shows that will be worth seeing: "Woman as Artist, Woman as Muse: Diamond Collection of Posters of the Belle Epoque 1890-1910" and "Vintage Vogue: Cover Art from the LCA Permanent Collection."

Lubeznik is open Tuesday-Friday 10-5 and Saturday and Sunday 11-4. The center is also free with free parking.