Are You Interested in Fabric Swaps? How About a Fat Quarter Lottery?

Did I peak you interest? I'm a member of the HGTV quilting board and the hostess for several different types of swaps. Currently, we are swapping 2 1/2" squares, bricks (3 1/2" x 6 1/2"), 5" charm squares AND a monthly FQ (fat quarter) lottery.

With the swaps and lottery, we have themes for each swap or in the case of the FQ lottery, two for each month.

If you are interested in any of the above swaps, please contact me at K1930C@yahoo.com for more information. In time, I will be posting the guidelines for each swap if you would like to participate.

"Running Strong For Native Youth" Charity Quilt Project

Laura Freeman of Pine Needles Quilters is requesting help in making quilts for the RSNY group. The mission of this organization is to help the American Indian people to meet their most urgent survival needs, such as clean water, food and shelter. At the same time, they provide community programs to create opportunities for building self-esteem and the abilities for self-sufficiency.

Their programs include:

*Food distribution and nutrition
*Water wells
*Youth programs
*Cultural and language preservation
*Housing assistance

Laura's partner, Wolf Gumm, has first-hand knowledge of the needs of our American Indians and will be working with a local trucking company, who will be donating their services, to ship the quilts collected to the headquarters for distribution to children in need. It is expected that the quilts will be sent to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Now, imagine those children, living on the reservation, with little in the way of personal objects of their own, when they receive a warm, hand-made quilt filled with love and hope from someone who really cares. This will make a lasting impression for sure!

This will be an ongoing project, and if you can make a quilt or two-great! If you cannot make an entire quilt, band together with a friend to make one or work with your chapter to have a workshop day to put together quilts. Perhaps you have some UFO blocks you can use in the making of these quilts. Just remember: many hands make light work! They are looking for baby to twin-size quilts and they can be quilted or well-tied.

It takes so little to make a world of difference to a child--please do what you can to help. It is wished that the first shipment can be made in September so that the quilts can be distributed to the children before the harsh winter season begins.

For more information, you can contact Laura at 207-743-6822.

Area 3 Meeting 4.24.12

Another successful Area 3 meeting was held by the Country Squares Quilters of North Jay/Wilton area on April 24th. For those of you who couldn't attend, I have many photos in my Webshots Photo Album located on the blog for your viewing pleasure.

You missed a great meeting! With 92 in attendance, we enjoyed the musical talents of Carolee Withee, who has written several lively and "too much to the truth" quilting songs. Not one of us couldn't relate to her ditties about hiding the stash, leaving the hubby with a quick sandwich for supper so you could attend a quilting meeting or even how to get a bit more money out of him for quilting gadgets! But that wasn't enough. Carolee has taken those heirloom fancywork pieces stored out of the light of day and brought them out to enjoy. Many of us have pieces from our immediate family members or purchased from yard or antique sales--all too nice to use--that is, until now. Carolee tells about her new home, complete with cathedral ceilings and white wall--the perfect backdrop for quilting wall hangings. She has given new life to fancy pieces, especially those with damaged areas, by repurposing them into works of art. Her eye for color and fabrics marry well with the special pieces and allow each piece to "sing" on its own.

I know the spirit of each person who made the fancywork is pleased to see their hard work again shown with respect and love. Carolee, your inspiration to us will have us all looking at our own collections in a whole different light.

But Carolee doesn't stop there! She asked in lieu of a speaker fee to have members and guests bring along fabrics and battings from their stash for her continued good works making quilts for the Maine National Guard Family Assistance Program. If you ever have any extra fabric, please let me know and I will be more than happy to be sure she gets it.

The quilt block, Antique Tile by Marcia Hohn (www.quilterscache.com) was very popular and brought in 50 blocks. They were separated in 25 block piles and the winners were Joyce Rowland and Corinne Rea. There were also 12 winners of some super door prizes!

In closing, the ladies of Country Square Quilters must be commended for another stellar event. Not only are they the nicest group of ladies you ever want to meet, but they can cook too! (But don't tell their husbands!). Their luncheon was as nice as any restaurant buffet and much more tasty. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality!

For a view of these and other pictures, go to Photo album

Full-size Tissue Box Cover

Sure, we have seen plenty of tutorials on mini-tissue holders, but never on the full-size boxes.

This could be a perfect housewarming gift or make one for your kid's room.

Full-size tissue box tutorial