February/March Online Challenge

Hi Members!
We had a fantastic meeting this past Saturday, and since it's only one short month until our next one (hooray!), I wanted to get the online challenge information up as soon as possible. 

This month's challenge is a little different--rather than doing blocks that someone will win, we're holding a mug rug swap! 
What does this mean? You'll be making a finished mug rug (quilted, bound) and bringing it to the meeting. Everyone who participates will trade mug rugs, and you'll take home someone else's gorgeous creation! 
What is a mug rug? Like a coaster for a mug, but larger. As it was so aptly put at the meeting, think large enough to hold a mug and a cookie! 

What size should my piece be? At your discretion; somewhere in the 6” x 8” to 8” x 10” range (could be square, too!)
Is there a colorway we should use? Your choice!
What about a design? Again, your choice! If you don't have one of Gwen's books, consider buying one, as her work is amazing! :) Or, try these links for some inspiration:


Gwen Marston 
See How We Sew (This website shows images from her book, 37 Sketches, which is made up of smaller works that would nicely as mug rugs.)

Find it here

"Small Study 10" by Gwen Marston featured in 37 Sketches

"Small Study 34" by Gwen Marston; featured in 37 Sketches

If you don't have one of Gwen's books and you would feel more comfortable with specific directions rather than experimenting with freeform piecing, there's a link on her website for a tree wall hanging tutorial that you could make in a smaller size. Just scroll down to the bottom of the homepage and look under the "Links" subhead.

Featured in Online Quilt Magazine; available as a pdf on Gwen's website

We can't wait to see what everyone comes up with! Any questions? Contact leave a comment below, on Facebook, or contact Lisa at lisaeruble (at) gmail.com

And...mark your calendars, because Gwen giving her "Abstract Quilts in Solids" lecture at the Kalamazoo Log Cabin Quilters meeting on April 15th. The meeting is held at 2nd Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, begins at 7 pm, and the cost for non-members is $5. 

Lights Camera Action

Hi,

Our next meeting should be really fun.

We have Vincent Soo from Vincent Soo & Co. coming to give a presentation on photography.
Vincent has been working with and consulting in the video/photography business for the last 33 years.  As sales manager with Norman Camera he retired in 2003 to focus on consulting with digital photography and video.  In addition to providing video services (duplication, editing, repair), he has also contracted out for troubleshooting, training, purchase and setting up of equipment and teaching forensic photography. He has an impressive client list. 

You can see some of his work here.

We got some great feedback from our blog post and he told me he can address most of the issues.  Awesome!!

Disclaimer:  This is not Vince.

Please bring your camera(s).  If  you have examples of pictures that need a little help Vince has asked for a few examples.  Please feel free to post them to our flickr account.  Let me know in the comments and I will pass them along to Vince.

I happen to know that Vince is an avid skier.


Married to an avid seamstress ( I haven't got her hooked on quilting yet) and has a very cute daughter.


See you on February 22 at 10:30 at the Plainwell Library.  I have given the polar vortex instructions to stay away :).

Since this is a quilting blog I will leave you with this. 

I think this quilt looks super fun and really would like the book.

 See you soon

Pam

Meet a Member: Sharon Brule

Sharon at a quilting retreat

When did you begin quilting?

I don't remember exactly when I began quilting. I have been sewing since I was in a junior high class and became addicted to fabric. I remember using a domestic machine then to quilt an E2E pattern over fabric I liked so that I could make twin bedspreads in the fabric I wanted. It probably wasn't until I had children and the need to make that special baby blanket motivated me to start along the quilting path.

Why do you quilt?

I quilt because I enjoy creating something with my own hands. I love to pick fabrics that I think are special and see something come together from them. To me there is something special about items people make for you. They carry a bit of history of that person with them.

What new technique are you hoping to learn this year?

I don't think I have any specific technique in mind to learn (although that ever elusive perfect 1/4" seam seems like a good challenge) mainly I am along for the ride.

Why modern quilting?

As far as modern goes I so appreciate the modern fabrics. The patterns are less fussy so I am not worried that the quilt police will remark on my less than perfect corners. Although I truly respect the skill involved in the piecing of the more traditional patterns, I don't always have that kind of time to devote to one top.

What is your favorite sewing or quilting tool?

A favorite tool for quilting is transparency and a vis-a-vis pen. I lay the sheet on top of top and practice sketch out the patterns I might like to quilt across the top. If I come up with one I like I take a picture so that I can have a reference when I go to quilt it.

Why did you join the GLMQG?

I joined GLMQG because a number of my quilting friends were starting it up and I admired the direction their quilting was going.

What random fun fact about yourself can you share?

Random fact that can be amusing is that I am a member of SASS (Single Action Shooting Society) and my cowgirl name is Calico Belle.