Quilting Tip of the Week 8.14.14

Next time you visit your local quilt shop, ask for an empty fabric bolt. Wrap in a towel and safety pin (or make a pillowcase type cover) to bring along to classes or just to keep next to your sewing machine for a quick press.

5th Annual Historic Barns & Quilts Tour

5th Annual Historic Barns & Quilts Tour

Enjoy an early autumn day on the beautiful winding back roads of Freeport at our 5th Annual Historic Barns & Quilts tour sponsored by Freeport Historical Society.

On Saturday, October 4th, from 9:00am till 3:00pm this unique event will feature visits to four interesting barns which span the building period of the mid-1800’s to the 1920’s.Vintage and antique quilts selected to coincide with the timeframe of each barn will be on display and be discussed.

Leading the tours are quilt expert, Bonnie Dwyer and barn expert, Don Perkins.

Highly- regarded quilt historian, appraiser, and educator, Bonnie Dwyer, will share here vast knowledge of vintage quilts and the world of quilting. Through the displayed vintage quilts we will deepen our understanding of the economic role of women and how quilt patterns and styles reflect local, regional, and national events. As the very fabric of rural life, quilts reflect the economy, personal choice, and necessity of life. If you think quilts are just pretty, decorative coverings, then this part of the tour will change your mind. You’ll end this tour with a new appreciation of quilts, the stories they have to tell, and our textile history.

Don Perkins is an educator and author of the recently published book, Our Barns: A History of Barns in Maine. Don will discuss the historic roles of barns in the evolution of farmsteads and how northern New England economics of mixed farming and home-industry created a unique architectural response. Our tour will examine the shifts in barn construction and how those shifts related to the evolving economic challenges facing farmers in our area.

The social, cultural and economic lives of those who lived in coastal Northern New England will be further illuminated through an examination of barns and quilts.

At 9am the event begins with coffee and orientation at Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen & Topside Tavern, located at Main and Bow Streets in downtown Freeport. After touring the final barn, we’ll conclude the afternoon with a lively program of traditional American music by talented guitarist Dave Peloquin and vocalist Helen Richardson taking place at the handsome and impressive timber frame shop of Houses & Barns by John Libby. Cider and donuts and a tour of the barn, Rt. 136,

True Road

in Freeport, is included. Lunch is brownbag. Bring a folding chair or blanket and we’ll eat on a local farm field.

Freeport Historic Barns & Quilts Tour is a fundraiser of Freeport Historical Society. Event sponsors are Houses & Barns by John Libby, Mariners Compass Quilt Shop, and Linda Bean’s Maine Kitchen and Topside Tavern.

Tickets are $40.00pp through Sept 15^th. From Sept 16th to October 3^rd tickets are $45.00pp. Because this event has sold out in all years, tickets must be purchased in advance. Online you may purchase via Mastercard, VISA or your paypal account at www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org (hit the Online donation button, enter your ticket amount, and send) or by check (mail to

45 Main Street, Freeport, ME04032

.) FMI: 207-865-3170 or www.freeporthistoricalsociety.org

The event has sold-out each year! Don’t be disappointed- reserve today. FMI: Contact Freeport Historical Society at (207)865-3170 or info@freeporthistoricalsociety.org.

 

Successful Quilt Show for Country Square Quilters

Barbara Black of Country Square Quilters shares about their quilt show:

"Our chapter had a very successful quilt show during the Wilton Blueberry Festival with lots of visitors and many pleasing coments. Our quilt raffle, held during the festive, was also successful. The winner was Kathy Meader of Vienna! Our grand profit of $1,500 will be equally shared by two food pantries, the Homeless Outreach Program and the Neighborhood Fuel Assistance Program. We’re tired, but pleased with the success of these two events!"

Hope your Summer is going well!

Barbara

Upcoming Nimble Thimbles Trunk Show

Nimble Thimbles Presents

 

MEMBERS TRUNK SHOW

Or

(A Seated Talking Quilt Show!)

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Saturday, August 9, 2014

 

Two Shows:  10:30 AM and 1:00  PM

$5. Admission for BOTH shows!

 

Location: the AIR CONDITIONED

North Windham Union Church

723 Roosevelt Tr (Rt 302)

Windham ME

Quilting Tip of The Week 7.31.14

This might seem strange, but for those of you who have a sewing area with carpeting, this might save your vacuum cleaner beater bar from getting tangled with threads and snippets of fabric.

Take a child-size plastic rake, weave a 2" wide strip of leftover batting in between the tines and "rake" you carpet. It's quick and easy and will allow you to collect all those scraps in a pile.

Low-Calorie Key Lime Pie Shake

Cool off those hazy days of summer with a cool drink with only 124 calories per serving!

This recipe uses soy milk, but you can substitute low-fat or fat-free milk if you wish. Add a drop of vanilla flavoring to the mix if you do.

1/2 cup cold light vanilla soy milk
1/4 cup fat-free vanilla ice cream
2 tbsp. canned crushed pineapple in juice
2 tbsp. sugar-free calorie-free vanilla syrup
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 packet no-calorie sweetener
3/4 cup crushed ice or 4-6 ice cubes
2 tbsp. fat-free whipped topping
1/4 sheet low-fat honey graham crackers, crushed
Optional lime slice

Note: If desired, you can add a touch of rum or lime-flavored vodka.

Combine soy milk, ice cream, pineapple, vanilla syrup, lime juice, sweetener and ice in blender. Blend on high speed for 30-45 seconds. Pour shake into glass and top with whipped topping and crushed graham crackers. Garnish with lime slice, if desired.

Important note! Now, find a lawn chair in the shade, sit down and RELAX and enjoy!

Wilton Quilt Show and Raffle

This event will be held during the Wilton Blueberry Festival on Saturday, August 2^nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Wilton United Methodist Church, 600 Main Street and is sponsored by the Country Square Quilters of Wilton/Jay and local residents.

A double-size quilt will be raffled off to benefit local basic assistance programs. Tickets will be available at the display across the street from the church for $1.00 each or six for $5.00. The drawing for the quilt will be held at 4:00 p.m. that day.

For more information about this event, please contact Barbara Black at babs@beeline-online.net