Area 3 Chapters

Area 3 Chapters in the beautiful state of Maine:


*Bog Hoot Quilters-Mechanic Falls area
*Chickadee Quilters-Bridgton Area
*Classic Quilters of Lewiston-Auburn Area
*Country Aire Quilters-Turner Area
*Country Square Quilters-North Jay/Wilton Area
*Cross Country Quilters-Bethel Area
*Grammy's Choice Quilters-Canton Area
*Ladies of the Lake Quilters-Peru/Rumford/Dixfield Area
*Lisbon Krazy Kwilters-Lisbon Area
*Pine Needle Quilters-Norway/South Paris Area
*Scraps and Patches Quilters-Poland Area
*Village Scrappers Quilters-Livermore Area


Thursday, October 11, 2012

Pumpkin-Oatmeal Cookies

I'm all about the pumpkin and fiber, so why not join the two for a terrific tasting cookie? This recipe makes two dozen yummy treats at less than 100 calories per cookie.

1-cup wheat flour

½ cup quick-cooking oats

½ tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. cinnamon

½ tsp. salt

1/3-cup butter, softened

½ cup brown sugar, packed

½ cup white sugar

1 egg, lightly beaten

½ tsp. vanilla extract

2/3 cup pumpkin puree

1-cup raisins
 
Handful of pumpkin or sunflower seeds (for extra calories, you can also throw in a handful of chocolate chips)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all dry ingredients; put aside. In another bowl, mix wet ingredients; stir into dry ingredients until well blended—add raisins and nuts.

Drop onto greased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes. Leave on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
 
If you wish, you can make a powdered sugar glaze by mixing with cream or milk to make a drizzle consistency.

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Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Maine Modern Quilters Meeting October 17, 2012

The first meeting of the Maine Modern Quilters (MMQ) will be held at
Quiltessentials Quilt and Yarn Shop, 909 Minot Avenue, Auburn.

Date: October 17th

Time: 1-3 p.m.

ALL skill levels wanted and welcome!

What to bring:1) Pictures, articles, magazines, books; anything to do with
modern quilting (if you have it). If you don’t have anything, no problem!

2) A fat quarter of modern fabric, or not, that is wrapped (for a swap)

3) Pen and Paper

4) Calendar

5) Desire to share and learn

6) Friends, of course, are welcome to come with you. Hot water will be
available for anyone who wants to bring their own tea, coffee bag,
 etc., and cup.

We hope you can join us for this very first meeting of Maine Modern Quilters.
 Be part of history in the making. (Really!)

Contact person: Betsy Cannan, Minot

#207-212-7600 bjtulip@aol.com



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Monday, October 1, 2012

Quilting with Flannel

 
With winter nipping at our heels, many of us turn to using flannels for our latest quilts.
Using flannel instead of cottons for quilts does bring along some special steps to ensure a perfect quilt. By using these tips as a guideline for sewing, you too will have a successful (and cozy!) quilt.

·         Always prewash your flannels.  Shrinkage can vary between different quality of flannel  fabric and you need to have consistency for your quilt. Use the hottest water setting and a hot dryer to ensure there will be no more additional shrinkage. If you are using a flannel flat sheet for backing, be sure to prewash in the same manner.

 ·         Iron your fabric, careful not to stretch it. I use fabric sizing or starch to give it a bit more crispness.

·         For flannels, the simpler the pattern, the better the results. Staying away from those bias cuts will be best. If you want to sew on the bias, you can try to back with a dot of washable glue stick and cheap white tissue paper for stability when sewing. Or, perhaps a lightweight fusible interfacing might work better for you.

·         Don’t use your regular rotary cutter! Flannel dulls it quickly! I have a secondary cutter marked with “flannel” marked on the storage case and an “F” marked with a Sharpie on the cutter itself.

·        Since flannel frays, I could use some fray check on the edges, but I just add ¼” to my pattern pieces and use a ½” seam allowance.

       ·         I sew using my walking foot to avoid an distortion when sewing. This is why I keep away   
               from directional prints. 


·         And speaking of sewing, you will want to use a size #14 or 16 needle and since the flannel dulls it, be prepare to change it if needed.

·         AND be sure to stop and clean your machine during sewing—flannel makes a lot of lint-especially around the feed dogs.

·         Put some serious thought when selecting a batting for your flannel quilt—you don’t want it to be too warm (or do you?).

·         Best of all, now you should have a warm and comforting quilt to keep or give as a gift.

 


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Monday, September 24, 2012

"Quilting" Lasagna

Okay, the weather is starting to cool down and it's time to bring on the comfort food. And what fills that bill? Of course, lasagna! But not any lasagna--this one you can make ahead in no time flat and pop into the oven when you finish your sewing for the day. Add a green salad and garlic bread (and wine!) and you have a delicious family dinner.

The recipe will give you the older version and the speedy method in parentheses.

12-14 oz. Italian turkey or pork sausage-about five links (or 1 lb. ground beef)
One half green pepper and one half onion, chopped (or the equivalent of frozen peppers and onions, thawed)
1 tbsp. fresh basil (or dried to taste)
1/2 tsp. black pepper (or to taste)
One jar (26 oz.) spaghetti sauce
One pkg. (30 oz.) large frozen square cheese ravioli, thawed
One to 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Heat your oven to 375 degrees. Grab a shallow 2-qt. baking dish and spray VERY lightly with Pam. Meanwhile, over medium heat cook the sausage or ground beef, peppers and onions until cooked. Remove from heat; stir in basil and pepper.

Spread about a cup of sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Top with a layer of 12 ravioli, the meat mixture, then the cheese. Top with another cup of sauce, and make another layer. Top with remaining sauce and cheese. Cover with a piece of foil sprayed with Pam.

Bake on a cookie sheet lined with foil (to catch any splatters) for about an hour. Uncover and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese and bake for an additional five minutes until golden and bubbly. Let stand for 15 minutes to set before serving six hungry appetites!




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Monday, September 17, 2012

Fresh Lemons Quilts--More Modern Quilts



 Faith of Fresh Lemons Quilts graciously gave me permission to post photos and a link to her modern quilt/clothing blog. You can click into the link here: Fresh Lemons Quilts

Here you will find photos of modern quilts/clothing and tutorial links. For those of you still on the fence, this might be the link that brings you over to the "modern" side!
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Pine Needle Quilters Area 3 Meeting 9.11.12

Pine Needle Quilters

 



Beth Allen with daughter Joanna and grandson Tyler


 
A very successful Area 3 meeting, hosted by members of the Pine Needle Quilters of Norway/So. Paris, was attended by over 62 ladies and two gentlemen.
 
The gals pulled out all the stops with striking table decorations and favors, door prizes, a sale table and Chinese auction. Multiple tables laden with all sorts of yummy sandwiches, sweets and all the fixings were served. No one went home hungry!
 
 
 
Attendees brought in a total of 60 blocks of the pattern "Arrowhead Puzzle Block" from Quilter's Cache, and two winners were drawn--Hazel Wheeler and Kathleen Currier. Done in fall colors, they will certainly work into several wonderful quilts!
 
As a special gift, I like to bring along a little something to have a drawing, and the winner of the Quilt-opoly game was Carol Pike.
 
 
 
 
Our first speaker was Wolf Gumm, who is collecting quilts for the "Running Strong for Native American Youth". While the running quilt total collect thus far exceeds over 60 quilts, many more are desperately needed. If you would like to donated, you can reach Wolf at 743-6822 for more information. Babbling Brook Quilt Shop in South Paris has kindly offered to be a collection point if you have any quilts, afghans, pillowcases, hats, etc. you would like to donate.
 
Wolf said the first shipment to the distribution center will be this fall and would like to continue this program for at least a year. If successful, it may go beyond that time frame. So, grab your scraps, that UFO or kit in your closet and make a gift for a child in need. They do not need to be quilted, but well tied would be appreciated.
 
And, what a nice touch to make a quilt and deliver it in a matching pillowcase! If you need a tutorial for the hot dog pillow case, check the tutorial listing on the left side of this blog to click for step-by-step instructions. You will need to click onto each photos for more details. If you have any questions on this tutorial, just contact me at k1930c@yahoo.com
 
The second speaker was Beth Allen on vintage dressmaking and clothing. Just the few samples from her vast collection whet our appetite for more. Her lovely daughter and handsome grandson were perfect models for her works of art and during her lecture there is no doubt that she has a deep passion and love for her hobby. We all look forward to viewing her upcoming show in December. Stand by for more information on this event in the coming months.
 
 
 
 

One last note: Betsy Cannan of Minot and Bonnie Dwyer of Manchester are looking for those who are interested in starting a group on Modern Quilts, such as those by Weeks Ringle and her husband Bill Kerr. You can check out more information on this pair at http://www.rjrfabrics.com/designers/weeks_kerr.cfm 
 
If you would like more information on Modern Quilts or the new group, you can reach Betsy at 207-212-7600 or email her at bjtulip@aol.com
 
A special thank you for Babbling Brook Quilt Shop for their discount coupon for after the meeting (very impressive shop, ladies!) and a VERY special thank you to the ladies of Pine Needles for a stellar Area 3 meeting. All your hard work was very much appreciated!

For more pictures of this event, click HERE
 
 
 
 


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PTQG Member Meeting 9.8.12

Brenda Hall, Judy Niemeyer Certified Instructor

View pictures at http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/583376564KbyZRP


Ø  At the Sept. 8th PTQG member’s meeting, the election of officers was held. Elected were:
President-Susan Bulay
VP-Jackie Bussiere
Secretary-Carol Reed
Directors 1 & 3: Jane Hann Morey and Cathy Flockton
Koleen Painchaud resigned as Treasurer and Laurie Dick will take over for the balance of her office term
PTQG is also looking for an editor to take over the Patchwork Press and Publicity for Maine Quilts. If you are interested in either of these positions, please let me know.
Ø  As of 9/6, PTQG has 2,327 members, including 74 chapters, 418 floaters, 61 life members, 81 snowbirds and 233 affiliate members. If your chapter hasn’t sent back their membership dues and information, PLEASE be sure to read the directions on the packet. Many sent back are hard to read and lack proper information.
 
Ø  Maine Quilts was down in attendance, but up in profits. Final totals are yet to be determined. There were a total of 408 volunteers, many who worked multiple days. Approximately $3,500 was raised for WomenHeart in the silent raffle.

Ø  Speaking of the silent raffle, it was decided by the QSA to change up the event and hold a live auction and some silent auction pieces for the 2014 show. Much discussion was held at the meeting as to why they would change the routine if it was profitable. Four items in this year’s auction were packets of vintage feed sacks that went for over $125 each item.  QSA feels in order to keep the show fresh we need to periodically change events. The live auction will include not only quilted items, but larger ticketed donated items, such as spa days, fine dining, merchandise, etc.
Ø  Another topic discussed was the incentive for volunteering for the show. Some felt that giving a day’s free show ticket wasn’t enough and a special token, such as a show mug, tee shirt or pin to distinguish them as a volunteer might be nice.  Some mentioned that they volunteer for the sake of helping the show. Others that they would like a choice given to them on the volunteer sheet if they would like free show admission or another gift.

Ø  A lively discussion was held regarding ending the need for a letter of permission from the pattern maker in order to show their quilts in the show. Many factors were hashed out and the end result is that special wording on the show application will admonish the PTQG, Maine Quilts and the Quilt Show Coordinator for any liability if the quilt shown doesn’t meet the copyright requirement and the responsibility of fulfilling the copyright guidelines will be solely that of the quilt maker. At this time, a copyright lawyer will be contacted to review the said wording to ensure it will protect all three from liability. More information will be in the Patchwork Press and at the January Member’s Meeting.

Ø  For 2013, in lieu of the normal raffle quilt (and I do not have a total sold of the 2012 quilt as of yet), Linda Throckmorton of Down East Quilters has made three Victorian Christmas Tree skirts. You will get an option on the ticket to select which skirt you wish to win.
 
 
Ø  Just a reminder that Country Aire Quilters of Turner and Village Scrappers of Livermore will be co-hosting an Area 3 meeting on Tuesday, October 9th at 6:00 p.m. at the Tripp Middle School in Turner.
Joanne Timberlake and Beth Allen from Babbling Brook Quilt Shop in S. Paris will give presentations on machine quilting and applique. Door prizes and refreshments will be served.
The Friendship block and more details about the meeting in the latest copy of the Pink One and also on the Area 3 blog at http://kc1930.blogspot.com/
 
Please show your support of your fellow chapters by attending this meeting.


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