Quilt Show News--Save the Date--Oct. 8-9-10, 2010

Our deadline for entering quilts in the October 8-9-10 show was July 21, and we have received almost 400 entries. Plans are being made for many of the exciting features of this 13th show, held again at Lake Terrace Convention Center, intersection of Highway 49 and I-59 in Hattiesburg, MS. Be sure to SAVE THE DATE on your calendar, and if you want to stay overnight in Hattiesburg, please make motel reservations soon. This is a USM homecoming game weekend and we also have troops returning from Iraq. For motel information, see www.visithattie.com, the "Stay" tab.
In addition to the judged show, here are some of the special events you can look forward to during the show:

Quilt Appraisals by AQS certified appraiser, Kathy Kansier available Wednesday through Sunday, appointment needed. Contact Martha Ginn, 601-264-6884, or email marthaginn@bellsouth.net to schedule. Cost $45 per quilt; written appraisal and photo.

Trunk shows and and lectures:
Julia Graber and her Sisters
Katharine Ward, show judge
Kathy Kansier, "Color and Design for Quilt Makers"
Carol Vickers on care of old linens
Studio M on dyed fabraics and supplies
Village Beads on embellishing
Others: back-basting applique, binding, hand applique, color theory

Hoffman Challenge Traveling Exhibit

Of course, "Sweet Magnolia Cabins" raffle quilt, door prizes, 20 vendors with lots of merchandise to tempt us. We hope to see you!

Parade of Children's Quilts; Christmas in July

We encourage all our members to make at least one children's quilt during the year, and these are paraded around the room for a viewers' choice vote at the July meeting. Thirty new quilts were brought in.
Many of these quiltmakers also participate in the monthly meetings to work on quilts all year long, and we could not comfort as many children without this help. We were given ballots to vote for our choice. There were so many charming quilts that it was difficult to choose, but Sally Henderson's teddy bear quilt was the winner. Two prizes were awarded--hand-dyed fabric furnished by Kelley's Pins & Needles (dyed by Mary Nell Magee). The names of each quilter who brought in quilts were put in a hat and Elaine Magee's name was drawn to receive the second prize.

Sally Henderson's teddy bear quilt, also Vivian Plummer holding Paula Jones' cowboy quilt

Kelley McKenzie of Kelley's Pins & Needles was our vendor, and we were treated to shopping time before and after our potluck lunch. We gave lots of door prizes, many patterns furnished by Lucy A. Fazely. We had a hundred members and guests at this meeting, so the food was a real feast.

We gave away 80 completed quilts at this meeting. Pictured above receiving quilts are Cherie Wright from Wesley Medical Center, who will deliver the quilts to Angie Stringer, director of Women's Services. Natisha Polk from South Mississippi Children's Services and Lisa Mann from Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention each received 20 quilts for children their agencies serve.

Forrest General's representative, Tangela Boutwell (not pictured) picked up her 20 quilts later. She also received 11 more isolette covers for the Forrest General new NICU. We had previously given Tangela 10 isolette covers, and this completes our 20 covers we promised, plus an extra! These covers had to be made in so many odd-shaped pieces that we lost count and overshot our goal. We are proud to have this interaction with FGH and be able to share our talents in ways that minister to children.

Bonnie Bolt showed us several of her Christmas decorative projects that she will be teaching at the Christmas in July workshop. She will have three patterns from which to choose. What a good way to get an early start on Christmas gifts!

Gulf States Quilting Association Show

Several Pine Belt Quilters participated in the Gulf States Quilting Association show "Treasures of the Gulf States" at the Northshore Harbor Convention Center in Slidell, La., June 18-20. The show exhibited more than 300 quilts and offered shopping with 14 vendors. Marcus Weekley, Violet Newby, Betty Bingham, Martha Ginn, Leslie Kiger, and JoAnn Kenney had quilts in the show. Ribbon winners were:
"Covington Medallion" by Leslie Kiger, quilted by JoAn Knight, Best Machine Quilting
"Asian Elegance," by JoAnn Kenney, quilted by Diann Loper, 3rd place in Large/2-Person/Pieced/Longarm
"Fairies in My Garden," by Betty Bingham, quilted by Diann Loper, 2nd place in Small/2-Person/Applique/Longarm
"Pacific Coast," by Martha Ginn, 3rd place in Pictorial

Nickel Quilts and Kids' Quilt Camp in June

Seven young girls, ages 7-12, participated in a Kids' Quilt Camp at Kelley's Pins & Needles, taught by Mary Nell Magee. Each girl was required to have a parent/grandparent with her, so there was always an adult to help in case the teacher was involved with someone else. The girls selected their own fabric and sewed the strips and joined the squares. Pictured above with their quilts are Destiny Golden, Kali Lodrigues, Harley Blanchard, Kayla Anastasio, and Hanisee's grandmother holding Hanisee's quilt. The girls are all eager to enter their quilts in the Youth Category of the Pine Belt Quilters show in October.

Our June program was by Mary Nell Magee on Pat Speth's Nickel Quilts. Mary Nell showed several examples of the scrappy quilts that can be made using Pat Speth's techniques or shortcuts. She encouraged quilters to add as much variety into their fabrics as they could for more interesting scrap quilts. There are many cuts ready to purchase, such as fat quarters, layer cakes, and charm packs. We can build our stash (or fabric inventory) by cutting ends from all the other fabrics we use for other purposes. These squares, strips, and rectangles will then be available for specific cuts needed in projects such as the Nickel Quilts.