Pine Belt Quilters

First Look at 2012 Donation Quilt

2011-12-22T17:36:00.002-06:00

Jo-Ann Evans headed up the committee to create our donation quilt. She adapted the design idea from a Stained Glass Flower Garden quilt by Brenda Henning of Bear Paw Productions, and Brenda gave permission to use this as a starting point. Many of our members make beautiful designs on their embroidery machines, and Jo-Ann requested embroidered blocks of any size depicting "life on our planet," the stated theme of our 2012 show. Other members took home kits of batiks and made pinwheel, star, and flying geese blocks. When all the embroidered and pieced blocks were turned in, Jo-Ann assembled them to create this 84" x 84" quilt. It will be longarm machine quilted by our member Susie Jackson.
The guild voted to name the quilt "Life On Our Planet," duplicating the show theme.

Getting ready for 2012

2011-12-22T16:49:00.001-06:00

It was a good year for quilting; looking back on 2011, we donated a total of 269 children's quilts, 41 stockings, 87 fleece blankets (for Honduras mission trip). Outgoing officers Shirley Wiltshire, Frances Good, Linda Lowe, and Sharon Barnes led us through interesting programs, workshops, and activities.

We surprised Shirley with a quilt (after letting her open a large box and finding it full of fabric scraps). She loves to collect scraps so much that she was actually pleased with her "first gift."

New officers for the two-year term of 2012-2013 have been elected. They are:

Betty Allen, president; Donna Crager, vice president;

Linda Lowe, secretary; Margie Hancock, treasurer

December Quilts and Stocking Gifts

2011-12-22T16:31:00.000-06:00

At our December 21 meeting (and delicious lunch buffet), we were pleased to have guests to receive our gifts. We placed 113 quilts with seven agencies. We also gave 41 stockings and a table covered with children's and mothers' gifts to Domestic Abuse Family Shelter. Quilts were also delivered to Wesley Medical Center.

Marilyn Howell and Becky Sims are always happy to have stockings and gifts to use for the shelters in Hattiesburg and Laurel.


Tangela Boutwell (Forrest General Hospital)

Below: Natisha Polk (South Mississippi Children's Center), Kim Newell (Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention), Sarah Hoda (Judge Mike McPhail's Family Court), Courtney Gates (Forrest County Department of Human Services), Becky Sims and Marilyn Howell (DAFS)

Quilts made by Betty and Joe Bingham and a receiving blanket made by Paula Jones were delivered to the Center for Pregnancy Choices in Laurel at their open house and ribbon cutting in December.

More Than a Thousand Pillows!

2011-12-15T16:21:00.001-06:00

We have been making and stuffing pillows to be given to children who are taken to the hospital. This is a traumatic time for any child, and PBQ members are happy to offer some comfort with these pillows. Recently we were notified by Joan Stevens, Coordinator of Volunteer and Guest Services at Forrest General, that since June of 2009 FGH had received 1,150 pillows. These are given to children in the ER and on the pediatric unit. In addition to the pillows placed at FGH, we have also supplied Wesley Medical Center with pillows but do not have an accurate count.

More Soldiers' Families Receive Quilts

2011-12-11T17:10:00.001-06:00

Mrs. Jennifer Smith, Brandon, mother of SSgt Jason Rogers (USMC),

who died in Afghanistan in 2011

Mr. Eddie and Mrs. Kathy Self, Pearl, with daughter Kim Shull;

lost their son and brother SSG David Self in Afghanistan in 2011

Mrs. Deborah Heidelberg, Quitman, mother of PFC Damian Heidelberg,

who died in Iraq in 2003; pictured with James Robinson, SOS Support Coordinator

Fallen Soldiers' Families Receive Quilts

2011-12-04T20:46:00.001-06:00

James Robinson, SOS Support Coordinator, Army Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) Program, has presented three of the quilts we donated this summer to mothers of fallen soldiers.

Mrs. Jane Green, Gautier, honoring her son MAJ Michael L. Green, who was killed in 2008 in Afghanistan.

Mrs. Dianne Newman, Waynesboro, honoring her son SGT Melvin L. Henley, who died in Iraq in 2007.

Mrs. Nadine Henley, Jackson, honoring her son SPC Melvin L. Henley, who died in Iraq in 2007.

A certificate was presented with each quilt, reading:
We are proud to present quilts to the families of
Fallen Soldiers who have given their life in service to
our country. These quilts are made with love and
compassion and are our way of saying thank you for
your dedication and sacrifice to keep our country free.

Gail Bachorik Trunk Show

2011-11-18T22:15:00.001-06:00

PineBelt Quilters were treated to a delightful trunk show by guest fiber artistGail Bachorik at our November meeting. Gail lives in Milton, FL, where shecreates her original designs. Herfavorite subjects are flowers but she also often includes fish, lizards,squirrels and butterflies in her realistic works. She usually works from her own photos toarrive at her design. Sometimes she manipulates the pictures to create a moreabstract piece. She meticulously gathers her fabric to achieve the exact colorsshe wants and might use up to fifty different fabrics and a hundred thread colors ina piece. She constructs her works by machine using raw-edge appliqué,thread-painting, and free-motion quilting.

Betty Tudor Trunk Show at Mobile

2011-11-10T13:07:00.000-06:00

Pine Belt Quilter Betty Tudor was the guest of Azalea City Quilters Guild on November 8. Betty went to present a trunk show of her masterpiece quilts, and five other PBQ members went along to enjoy and help out. After seeing pictures on the PBQ blog about Betty's program earlier this year, the Mobile quilters invited her to bring her quilts to show their guild. Betty is known for her flawless applique and her hand quilting, but she is versatile in her techniques and subjects for her creations.

Helping hold quilts is Ella Lucas (left of quilt) and Pat Faulkender (center); looking on is Lynn Gregor, Azalea City program chair. Betty says her favorite color is purple.

Betty made a series of hexagon quilts using the English paper piecing method. She designed this quilt to show her house and grounds in hexagons.

Ellen Hall, Ella Lucas, and Pat Faulkender are holding Christmas quilts.

Mobile quilters were interested in seeing the quilts up close and asking questions. Betty quilted all of the large applique quilts by hand while sitting up in bed at night, using a round wooden hoop . She began machine quilting some of her later small pieces.

"Find Your True South" Challenge

2011-10-30T23:48:00.000-05:00

The Challenge theme for our October 5-6-7, 2012, show is"Find Your True South," which is the new Mississippi brand initiativerecently announced by the Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division. VisitHattiesburg, our local visitors bureau,has again generously sponsored a challenge purchase award for a 24" x24" wall quilt featuring the theme "Find Your True South." VisitHattiesburg sponsored the "Miss Hattie" challenge at the 2008 show and the"Hattiesburg Train Depot" and "USM" challenges at the 2010show.

“‘Find Your True South’ is more than a catchy phrase orslogan. It truly encompasses the essence of Mississippi and how the world viewsus,” said Mary Beth Wilkerson, MDA Tourism director. “The new brand is resultof nearly a year of careful, methodical research and planning that includedMississippi residents and stakeholders, consumers including visitors andtourism professionals, and our competitors. Ultimately, Mississippi wasidentified as THE most Southern state.”

"The 'Find Your True South' brand invites visitors toexperience and discover their own Mississippi. Mississippi is an authenticplace offering a rich tourist experience. The state’s history, heritage andoutdoor opportunities are second to none. Mississippi is the birthplace ofAmerica’s music and the heart of Southern literature; Southern culinaryexperiences point right to the Mississippi table. Mississippi is synonymouswith Southern culture, and we rise to the top for gaming with a Southernflair." (quoting) State of Mississippi Announces New Tourism Branding Initiative, www.visitmississippi.org

Flying Geese Program

2011-10-29T14:28:00.000-05:00

Our October program featured a variety of ways to make flying geese. Mary Nell Magee told us about the interesting history of this pattern and how it was a depiction of flocks of geese migrating. She said most pioneer settlers traveling west brought a quilt with them using this design.

This popular pattern was made with a cardboard or plastic triangular template for many years; now there are rulers and tools that can make the task of cutting and piecing the units much more accurate as well as faster. She showed rulers by Marti Michell, Fons and Porter, Eleanor Burns, Lazy Girl Designs, and products for foundation piecing called Flying Geese on a Roll.

Shirley Wiltshire demonstrated other ways to make the flying geese units, with the help of posters prepared by Elvia Edwards.

In addition to using flying geese in straight lines (for example, in a border or as the main feature of a strippy quilt), flying geese can be made in curving lines or circles.

Martha Ginn showed how to draw flying geese pathways by using a Flexible Curve (a rubber strip with a lead center to cause it to hold its shape). This tool can be shaped as desired and traced onto a foundation, adding divisions and a "target" for the points of the geese. This target can be a center line or it can flow from nearer one side to the other, as shown in the design on the left.

Polly Duggan used a circle of flying geese as the finish to her 2005 Challenge Piece at Quilters By Heart's Desire.


Polly Duggan's "Genesis 1:16 . . . The Greater Light"

Fleece Blankets for Honduras

2011-10-20T18:49:00.004-05:00

87 fleece blankets ready to ship

We meet at University Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, MS. Every year a group from the church sends a team to Honduras with the Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International. We were asked to send some blankets or quilts to be given to the families after the workers reported from last year: The people came into the clinic, and the mothers would say, "Baby cold."

We decided we could furnish more by sending 2-yard serged fleece blankets, and our members have generously donated 87 for the mission team to give. The team has to ship supplies and equipment in October to have them there for use in January. In previous years we have helped with fleece and by sharing fabric which was used to teach the children the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors.

How Many Ways Can You Edge Finish a Quilt?

2011-09-22T13:01:00.003-05:00

Elvia Edwards presented the September program for Pine Belt Quilters on Binding Techniques. She had prepared posters of binding widths and how to determine what width to cut your strips. She discussed looking at your quilt to decide what will best enhance the overall look when it is finished. In addition to the traditional double-fold (either bias or straight) binding, she called on other members to tell of other ways to finish the quilt.
Ella Lucas showed a scallop-edge quilt which would require a single bias binding instead of double-fold. She also showed a table runner with prairie points on the edge.
Doris Aultman showed how to make a two-color binding so that one color matches the front and one color matches the back of the quilt, quite an elegant finish to her prize-winning hand quilted whole cloth quilt.
Martha Ginn showed quilts finished with an inserted piping, back facing, ribbon instead of binding strips, and rat-tail cording finishing the edges.
Mary Nell Magee demonstrated Deb Karasik's method of using Elmer's washable glue and the iron to hold the facing in place before sewing in order to get a very precise edge finish.

Ribbons at Jackson Quilt Show

2011-09-20T09:50:00.006-05:00

Congratulations to Gloria Green, Ellen Hall, and Susie Jackson for winning ribbons at the Greater Jackson Quilt Celebration 2011. Gloria's "Blocks and Cubes" won a blue ribbon and her "Spring Flowers" received a red. Ellen entered and won a red ribbon on her "Wish I May, Wish I Might." Susie Jackson won a yellow ribbon AND Best Machine Quilting award for her whole cloth quilt "Heirloom Feathers."

Blocks and Cubes by Gloria Green
(photographed in progress)

Spring Flowers by Gloria Green

Wish I May, Wish I Might by EllenHall

Heirloom Feathers by Susie Jackson

Three other Pine Belt Quilters entered works in the show--Martha Ginn, Rosalie Schoell, and Doris Dunn. The show was held at the Mississippi Craft Center in Ridgeland.

Quilt Show Categories for 2012

2011-08-22T15:14:00.003-05:00

The Show committee has firmed up the category list for our 2012 show. This will be posted on our website soon, but for now, here are the categories. A few general guidelines are:
Minimum size on any side = 8"
Maximum size on any side = 115"
Limit of two entries per category per person, with total of eight entries
Youth division has been divided into two age groups. The youth do not have to quilt their entry; the quilts will be judged on the TOP only.
Categories
Pine Belt Quilters Fiber Art & Quilt Show
Web site: www.pinebeltquilters.com
Lake Terrace Convention Center - Hattiesburg, Mississippi
October 5-6-7, 2012
Category Abbreviation Size Requirement #of Makers
Appliqué Large AL 70" or larger Individual
Appliqué Small AS 69" or less Individual
Mixed Large ML 70" or larger Individual
Mixed Small MS 69" or less Individual
Pieced Large PL 70" or larger Individual
Pieced Small PS 69" or less Individual
Appliqué Team AT Any size 2 persons
Mixed Team MT Any size 2 persons
Pieced Team Large PTL 70" or larger 2 persons
Pieced Team Small PTS 69" or less 2 persons
Theme Large
("Life on Our Planet") THML 70" or larger Individual/Team
Theme Small
("Life on Our Planet") THMS 69" or less Individual/Team
Machine Embroidery ME Any size Individual/Team
Whole Cloth/Stitchery/Other WC/S/O Any size Individual/Team
Friendship FR Any size 3 or more
Art – Original design ART Any size Individual
Pictorial PIC Any size Individual
Miniatures – Small scale MN Max. size 24" Individual
Wearables W Garment Individual
Youth* – Ages 10 & under Y/10 Any size Individual/Team
Youth* – Ages 11-15 Y/11-15 Any size Individual/Team
NOTES: Two (2) entries per person per category; maximum of 8 entries per person.
Entry Size Limitations: No smaller than 8" on any side; No larger than 115" on any side.
*Quilt top only will be judged.

August Meeting and Quilt Show Judging

2011-08-22T15:01:00.003-05:00

Ella Lucas, Martha Ginn, Susie Jackson, Ellen Hall

It's not too early to begin to think about what we will enter in the 2012 quilt show. Our program at the August meeting featured the judging sheet with discussion and explanation of what each part of the form meant. Martha Ginn described what creates good visual impact. Ella Lucas discussed the quilting design and how to determine what was enough and appropriate for the piece. Ellen Hall talked about the importance of good, solid construction. Susie Jackson gave pointers on what is necessary for the quilter to furnish to the longarm quilter.

Claire Clinkscales

The church secretary where we meet, Claire Clinkscales, recently welcomed a new baby grandson. To show our appreciation for all Claire does for PBQ, we presented her with one of our children's quilts. She was ecstatic!

100 More Pillows

2011-08-08T14:20:00.003-05:00

Betty and Joe Bingham have been on another pillow-making marathon. They completed 100 and bagged them up and delivered to Forrest General Hospital. Betty said this brings their total to 250 that they have made.

Betty Bingham with Stacy Lewis at Forrest General

100 pillows in bags ready for delivery

MQA 2011 Educational Seminar with Deb Karasik

2011-07-28T14:10:00.005-05:00

Hattiesburg hosted the third location of the 2011 MQA Educational Seminar with Deb Karasik teaching her paper piecing techniques. Deb is from San Francisco, California, and is the author (with Janet Mednick) of Quilt Mavens Perfect Paper Piecing and of Quilts with Attitude, both published by AQS.

Deb's quilts and patterns feature sharp points and spikes, and she stressed the importance of not cutting off those points when joining to the next piece. She showed tips on getting smooth curves without cutting off points. She had perfected her binding methods by incorporating Sharon Schamber's glue technique, and she demonstrated this for the students.

Binghams in the Hoffman Challenge

2011-07-27T21:48:00.003-05:00

Two Pine Belt Quilter members had their entries selected to be part of the 2011 Hoffman Challenge traveling exhibits. Joe Bingham and Betty Bingham have been busy making pillows with their granddaughters but took time to create quilts for the Hoffman Challenge.

"Stained Glass Window" by Joe Bingham

"Samurai Guardian of My Garden" by Betty Bingham

Congratulations, Joe and Betty!

Twisted Tree Program by Jo-Ann Evans

2011-07-24T14:54:00.004-05:00

In addition to our presentation of the quilts to the military guests at our July meeting, Jo-Ann Evans gave a brief demonstration of the "twisted tree technique" and showed examples of this to create trees, coral, or other natural objects. She will lead next week's workshop to teach how to make these. She created an underwater scene with coral and seaweed, shown below:

Julie Radavich's granddaughter, Morgan Radavich, attended Mary Nell Magee's quilt camp and proudly displays the quilt she made.

92 Quilts Donated to Military

2011-07-24T09:13:00.012-05:00

This is what 92 quilts looks like, all rolled up ready to give to our military families.

Pictured above:

Chaplain Don Malin, 168th Engineer Brigade, MSARNG, from Vet Center, Jackson

Brigadier General Johnny Sellers, Commander 168th Engineer Brigade
Chaplain Candidate Josh Sherer, Camp Shelby
(end of table) Lt. Col. Joy Alexander, Design Engineer 168th Engineer Brigade
Betty Lambert, MSARNG, Wounded Warrior Outreach Program
Sumer Works, Family Assistance Center Supervisor, Camp Shelby
CSM Jason Little, 106th Brigade Battalion, MSARNG
Chaplain Sean McMackin, Camp Shelby

The soldiers enjoyed our potluck luncheon. We had casseroles, vegetables, salads, and a table full of desserts. Below:
James Robinson, Army Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator South MS
George Cain, Army Survivor Outreach Services Support Coordinator North MS
Chaplain Don Malin
CSM Jason Little
Betty Lambert
1st Sgt. Greg Money, MSARNG State Casualty Assistance Officer

Chaplain Candidate Josh Sherer, Chaplain Sean McMackin

Our July luncheon meeting was especially meaningful with the presence of a group of soldiers and support teams. Our guests explained their service and how they were helping returning wounded soldiers make the necessary adjustment to being back at home. They also assist families in any way while the soldiers are deployed or if a family loses a soldier in conflict. We presented 92 quilts to be given to children whose parent(s) are deployed and to families of fallen soldiers or wounded soldiers.

We had our parade of quilts which members had made for our ongoing Children's Quilt Project. Many of our quilters attend the Children's Quilt monthly meetings, but all members are encouraged to contribute at least one quilt per year. Winners of the viewers' choice voting were Geraldine Simmons (1st), Betty Tudor (2nd). Elaine Magee's name was drawn for the participation award.

We drew for the Blueberry Quilt, a fund raiser for our supplies for children's quilts. We had been selling tickets for a couple of months and continued at this meeting. Several of the military personnel bought tickets, and to the delight of all present, one of the soldiers was the lucky winner!

Sally Henderson with the Blueberry Quilt

1st Sgt. Greg Money, one happy soldier!

We were presented with two plaques to thank us for the care and encouragement of our troops through the gifts of the quilts. The plaques are from the 106th Brigade Support Battalion and the 155th Brigade Combat Team. Shirley Wiltshire accepted the plaques for the quilt guild.

CSM Jason Little, 106th Brigade Support Battalion, MSARNG
with Shirley Wiltshire, PBQ president

Bingham Pillow Factory

2011-07-03T17:55:00.003-05:00

Emily Bingham, Betty Jo Pharr, Grace Bingham

We have an ongoing pillow making project for the hospitals. Members Betty and Joe Bingham had a busy week recently and with the help of their granddaughters turned in 70 pillows. The Binghams have renamed their studio "The Pillow Factory." What a wonderful way for young girls to spend the summer--learning to sew and making children happy.

Crazy Curves in June

2011-06-19T21:49:00.013-05:00

Gloria Green presented our June 15th program on quilts with curves. She showed examples of this type of quilt, such as Drunkard's Path and Robbing Peter to Pay Paul, but particularly ones made using Elisa Wilson's books, Crazy Curves and Crazy Curves Continues. These quilts can be made quickly from charm packs, layer cake packs, fat quarters, or selections from the quilters' stash. Acrylic templates are included with the book and make cutting easy. Gloria will teach a workshop on this method next week.

Mary Nell Magee had recently taught a Quilt Camp for six young quilters at Kelley's Pins and Needles shop, and these quilt tops were proudly shown at the meeting. Each girl brought her sewing machine and had an adult accompany her to the classes.

At our July luncheon meeting we should have many children's quilts brought in for a viewers' choice vote. We encourage all our members to make at least one quilt per year. We will place these quilts with hospitals and shelters for children.

Betty Tudor presents trunk show

2011-05-21T21:28:00.004-05:00

Betty describes a quilt made by Nancy Pearson's patterns

Betty Tudor with two of her applique masterpiece quilts

Betty's original hexagon design of her home

Our May meeting featured the quilts of our member Betty Tudor. Betty began her quilting career with piecing and took classes and finished all the class projects she began. When she discovered applique in about 1990, she knew she had found her passion. She showed 44 pieces and told where and when she made the pieces and if they were the outcome of a class.

Betty loves hand quilting and did most of the full-size quilts on a round wooden hoop while sitting up in her bed watching TV. She has added machine quilting to her skills, but still favors hand quilting, particularly for her exquisite applique work. Her quilts have often been prize winners at PBQ shows. She has also been in the IQA show in Houston and AQS in Paducah.

Joe Bingham gets quilting fever

2011-05-21T21:20:00.002-05:00

When Betty Bingham's husband, Joe, retired, he became interested in what his wife was involved in--quilting. Our children's quilt group leaders prepared several packets for members to take home and complete. Joe and Betty took 23 quilt tops home, and Joe layered and quilted them on Betty's domestic sewing machine. Betty helped with binding and they returned the 23 completed quilts to our children's quilt inventory. Joe is a PBQ member now and enjoys all the educational features of our meetings. Betty manages our library and keeps our books rotating. Thanks, Betty and Joe!

Quilts for Japan

2011-05-21T20:39:00.004-05:00

Sorting and selecting quilts to send. Pictured are (left to right) Shirley Wiltshire, Wanda Wallace, David Wallace, Vivian Plummer, and Lida McDowell

Wanda and David Wallace

When the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan, quilters wanted to help and comfort those affected. Pine Belt Quilters make children's quilts all year long, and we had some quilts ready and available, so we boxed up 25 quilts and sent them to Mission of Love, an organization partnering with equilter.com. Mission of Love has been involved in getting supplies where needed and had arrangements for an Air Force plane to transport the quilts.

Hoffman Challenge

2011-03-28T13:37:00.004-05:00

Donna Crager showed the 2011 Hoffman Challenge Fabrics to our guild meeting in March. She encouraged members to create a quilt for this event and enter the contest. We have many talented quilters, and after seeing one of the Hoffman traveling exhibits at our October 2010 show, Donna knew that many of our members should be taking part in this challenge.

Pine Belt Quilters Hosts MQA 2011 Spring Gathering

2011-03-03T23:00:00.004-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters hosted the February 2011 Spring Gathering of the Mississippi Quilt Association at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. Afternoon demonstrations and activities set up for attendees to enjoy included:

"Easy Curves" by Barbara Peters and Minnie Parker

"Mile-A-Minute Quilts" by Vivian Plummer and Martha Ginn

"Nickel Quilts" by Mary Nell Magee, Elaine Magee, and Elvia Edwards

"Straight to the Point" by Donna Burges

"Shiva Paintstiks" by Gloria Green

The room was filled with examples of "Nickel Quilts." Table decorations were examples to carry out PBQ's 2012 show theme: "Life on Our Planet" (anything living, breathing, growing)

A lively auction of donated quilt tops was conducted by David Wallace, with proceeds of $450 going to PBQ's ongoing Children's Quilt projects.

The answer to "How Many Ways Can You Applique?" was provided by PBQ members Rhoda Libiez, Ella Lucas, Ellen Hall, Sally Henderson, and Betty Tudor.

Favorite Gadgets were shown by Kelley McKenzie, Jo-Ann Evans, Julie Radavich, and Wanda Wallace

Saturday's program featured Carol Vickers (MQA member from Decatur) with a discussion on care of textiles and quilts, along with appraisal information furnished by quilters who showed their quilts that Kathy Kansier had appraised during the October 2010 show.

Martha Ginn completed the program with a presentation of "Make Time For Your Creativity."

New officers for the year were voted in, and incoming president Billie Thompson introduced her committees and spoke of her plans for MQA during her tenure.

The event concluded with an always inspiring Show and Tell. Stitch-N-Frame provided shopping opportunities for the quilters.

Another Auction Quilt for MQA Gathering

2011-01-24T19:48:00.004-06:00

In the Briar Patch, by Sally Henderson

Sally Henderson, a PBQ member who donates many children's quilts, made "In the Briar Patch" to be auctioned at the MQA Gathering February 18-19 at Lake Terrace Conventon Center in Hattiesburg. Sally embroidered the bunnies in action and quilted circular feather designs and hearts in the alternate blocks. This quilt will be added to the vintage quilt tops to be auctioned. (See previous post for these pictures.)

PBQ Hosts Mississippi Quilt Association Gathering

2011-01-18T14:17:00.001-06:00

We are pleased to be hosting the 2011 Annual Meeting and Spring Gathering of Mississippi Quilt Association February 18-19 at Hattiesburg Lake Terrace Convention Center. An interesting educational program is being planned, and new officers will be elected. It is always enjoyable to connect with our quilting friends from all over the state.
We will look back at vintage items and appraisals, and Carol Vickers will tell us about care; and we will look forward to art and contemporary quilts and how we are inspired to make them.
An unusual event will be the auctioning of four vintage quilt tops which had been given to Pine Belt Quilters for their Children's Quilt projects. In 2010 we donated 157 children's quilts, 21 isolet covers, 100 fleece blankets (for Haiti and Honduras), and nine full-size quilts for soldiers' families. We receive donations of fabric but have to purchase batting and specific solids for these efforts, so these vintage quilt tops will help buy these supplies.

Apple Core

These tops are well made and clean; apparently an avid piecer went on to other activities instead of completing these. Apple Core is hand-pieced, and the fabrics appear to be a combination of cottons and shirt blends. The size is about 59" wide x 90" long.


Double Wedding Ring

The Double Wedding Ring top is partially done, with four rows assembled, another row ready to add, plus a generous stack of "melon" pieces. Some of the white background pieces have a quilting design pencilled on.

Red-White-Blue Star

The Star quilt is machine pieced using three fabrics with very neat stitching. It is photographed on an 80" x 80" king-size bed, so the size adequately covers the bed. The fabrics appear new and of good quality.

Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 1)

Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 2)

Grandmother's Flower Garden (view 3)

This Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt is beautifully hand-pieced,with a lavender path and is very large. It seems the maker did not know when she was through and just kept adding hexagons until she lost her way. The width is about 90", and the length is . . . well, longer than that, depending on how it is finished.
We will auction these tops by live auction; however, if you are interested and cannot attend the Gathering, please send your bid by mail to Martha Ginn. (my name at bellsouth.net)

December & Quilts Given

2010-12-19T18:37:00.011-06:00

At our November meeting our members presented a great program on tips and tools every quilter needs. We heard reports on the newest products available plus handy gadgets and every-day items that can make our work go easier. Sorry, no pictures!

Wanda Wallace, Clara Oakes, Sharon Harris, part of our CQ team

We encourage each member to make at least one children's quilt each year, and we were proud to have 74 quilts to give this month. Added to our 83 we had given in July, this brings our children's quilts to 157 for 2010 PLUS 21 isolet covers for the NICU at Forrest General PLUS 9 full-sized quilts to soldiers or their families.

A stack of quilts ready to be given to children

Riley Rouse and Kim Newell accepting quilts for Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention

We were privileged to have several military families and children's service agencies with us at our December meeting. We always make and donate stockings to Domestic Abuse Family Services along with a table full of gifts for children and mothers. We donated quilts to Wesley Medical Center, Forrest General, South Mississippi Regional Medical Center (Laurel), Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention, South Mississippi Children's Services, Lamar County DHS, and DAFS.

Marilyn Howell holding an armful of stockings; gifts to stuff them fill the table behind her

Sha Polk, Sonya Duncan, and Annie Jackson receiving quilts for South Mississippi Children's Center

Sharon Nobles and her son Robert, who is leaving for basic training

John and Sarah Odom accepting the quilt for their daughter, CPT Rachel Odom, who is serving in Alaska

Debbie Davis' son serves in the Air Force and his wife serves in the Army, as shown by their quilt label

More about the soldiers' quilts: earlier in the year our member Betty Bingham asked for donations of patriotic blocks using a pattern she provided. She also asked for names of military personnel to receive quilts. These patriotic squares were used to decorate our tables in July, then taken home by members to assemble, quilt, and bind. Some quilts were completed by one person, some were by group cooperation. Betty and her husband made pieced heart labels for each of the quilts, personalized for the intended recipient. One quilt was for a fallen soldier's family; eight were for serving military personnel. Two soldiers were there to receive their quilts; two sets of parents and grandparents received theirs. Many had touching stories to tell, and our members applauded and stood to express our deep respect and thankfulness for the sacrifices of these brave men and women.

Viewers' Choice and Raffle Quilt Winners

2010-10-11T15:37:00.004-05:00

The viewers' choice quilt was The Battleground Quilt by Kathy Honeycutt of Columbus, Mississippi (pictured above). Kathy's quilt was made from Pam Holland's book The 1776 Quilt: Heartache, Heritage, and Happiness. The original quilt on which this is based was seen in an East German museum by Pam and later developed into patterns. Pam tells a fascinating story in her book, and Kathy's execution of the quilt is excellent, recognized by her blue ribbon in the Mixed -Large category.

Her award for Viewers' Choice is a Janome 2010 sewing machine sponsored by Kelley's Pins & Needles of Hattiesburg.

The lucky winner of the Sweet Magnolia Cabins raffle quilt was Sue Rutka. Congratulations!

More Scenes from the Show

2010-10-09T23:47:00.004-05:00

Our president, Shirley Wiltshire, visits with the Three Mennonite Sisters--Barbara Cline, Polly Yoder, and Julia Graber. The three inspired us with their Power Point presentation of their close -knit famiy, their love of quilting, and how they are passing on this tradition through generations of their family. They have begun a joint blog you might enjoy checking out. Barbara is staying in Mississippi a few days to teach at Julia's home. She had copies of her book, Star Struck Quilts, available for purchase. She also announced that C&T is publishing a second book for her soon.

The vendors had mountains of fabric, tempting longarm machines, and every new gadget you could desire!

Sally Henderson shows a group how she quilts with her embroidery machine. Sally brings new quilts to Show and Tell every month, and she happily shared her methods with the eager audience.

The Silent Auction area is a popular place, with 30 items up for bids. There are wall hangings, baby quilts, stuffed animals, doll quilts, table runners, and dolls. The boutique is filled with handmade items and quilt magazines at give-away prices.

Judging Results--Special Awards and Category Awards

2010-10-07T23:46:00.006-05:00

See our website (Fiber Art & Quilt Show page) for the Awards list.

We're Ready! Show Opens Tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.

2010-10-07T21:52:00.003-05:00

The vendors have arrived and are setting up--wow--what treats are in store!

The Hoffman Challenge has been hung. This is an exhibit of 40 quilts which travel to venues like ours.

Just a few more pieces to hang . . .

Pine Belt Quilters celebrated 25 years in October of 2009. We're still celebrating and looking forward to many more productive and educational years. This display features some of our quilt show booklets, picture albums, and other memorabilia. The two quilts pictured are from our Anniversary Challenge. Martha Ginn's (left) features photos from our past, and Jo-Ann Evans' (right) highlights milestones and presidents' tenures from 1984 to the present.

The Convention Center is bedecked with chrysanthemums AND quilts. Come with rested feet for viewing and shopping.

Kathy Kansier has already appraised two quilts hanging in the show and other quilters will be bringing in their quilts for appraisals during the show. If you haven't made an appointment, it's not too late.

We are looking forward to seeing you this weekend.

Judging Continues; Hanging Continues

2010-10-06T21:27:00.003-05:00

Judge Kathy Ward examines a small art quilt. The large quilts have been judged and are being hung.

It's looking very good!

We are proud to have 21 entries in the Youth Category. The ages of the quilters range from 6 to 14, but all are enthusiastic. A 10-year-old asked her grandmother, "When is the judge going to judge my quilt? When do I have to be there?" Grandmother replied, "She will judge all the quilts today and tomorrow, but you won't be there." The child replied, "Oh, boy, what a relief! I thought I had to explain it to her and answer questions."

Some of the Youth quilts are pictured above and below.

The Judging Begins, Also Hanging the Show

2010-10-05T22:27:00.004-05:00

Judge Katharine Ward previewing a category of quilts as they are being turned one at a time. She then examines each quilt and dictates her comments to a scribe for recording on the judging sheet for the quilt maker.

Meanwhile, in the Grand Hall Ike Austin of the Lake Terrace Convention Center staff does the climbing on the ladders as the PBQ members hand him the quilts in order.

Voila! A row completely hung!

Check-In Day

2010-10-04T23:12:00.005-05:00

Check-In Day has finally arrived! Want to know what 400 quilts look like in white bags lined up in number order by category? The largest category--Pieced Team-Large--is pictured on the left. As the quilts came in, they were put in their proper place under their category sign. When a category was complete, the bags were taken into the judging room where the quilts were unfolded, had their number tagged to the lower corner and placed on a table.

Meanwhile, the Convention Center staff were assembling the pipe and drape system in the large hall and the PBQ hanging crew were assigning the location for each quilt.

When the judging process began, the judge had helpers fan out the stack so she could get an overview of the entire category. She then went back and judged each quilt with a scribe writing her evaluation and comments. As a category was judged, the quilts were taken to the large hall to be hung on the pipe and drape rods.

Judging will continue all day Tuesday and Wednesday, at which time the room has to be cleared so the vendors can set up their booths. Stay tuned for more progress!

Quilts on display at the Visitors Center

2010-09-25T13:22:00.006-05:00

Quilts by (top row): Maryann Hyatt, Carolyn Watts, Nancy Knight,
Maryann Hyatt, and Carolyn Watts; (second row): Nancy Knight, Maryann Hyatt, Vivian Plummer; (third row): Doris Dunn

Our PBQ member Nancy Knight hung a quilt display in the north end of the Hattiesburg Visitors Center (in front of Lake Terrace Convention Center). Kristie Fairley, Deputy Director of VISITHATTIESBURG, said the display is beautiful and issued this invitation:

"We would like to invite all the members of Pine Belt Quilters to come by the Visitors Center and view the display. If a member comes by the Visitors Center between now and Thursday, October 7th (the day before the show), we will give them a prize--a tote bag! Just a small way for us to say "Thanks" to the PBQ for what they contribute to our community."

We say "Thanks" to VISITHATTIESBURG for supporting our show with such great advertisement. Kristie has bags in three colors--green, orange, yellow, with the name of our show printed. These will be great to take to the library, grocery store, or to carry a project.

Also, be listening to KZ 94.3 on weekday mornings for the Hattie jingle featuring the promotion of the upcoming Quilt Show.

Another Hattiesburg American Article

2010-09-20T12:14:00.002-05:00

Our local newspaper published another article last week, listing the entire Schedule of Events for the three days of the quilt show. http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109160314. The online version omits the picture, but the schedule will help show visitors plan when they want to be at the show. There will be information on vintage linens (by Carol Vickers of Decatur), using beads on your quilts (Ann Bankston of Ridgeland), quilting on your embroidery machine (Sally Henderson), and other features.
We encourage quilt owners to take advantage of the opportunity to have a certified appraiser give them information and a value estimate of their quilts. These can be family heirloom quilts or even newly made quilts hanging in the show.

Thanks to Our Show Sponsors

2010-09-13T10:10:00.004-05:00

Thanks to all the individuals, businesses, and organizations who agreed to be sponsors for our show and to advertise in our show catalog. This support makes possible a much greater show than we could do alone!

SPONSORS
Bernina Sewing, Etc., Ridgeland
Magnolia Sewing Center
Kelley's Pins & Needles
David & Wanda Wallace
Wesley Medical Center
Dr. Carrol Wicker
Forrest General Hospital
Pine Grove
Dr. and Mrs. John & Della Faust
Oak Grove Family Dentistry
Mary Nell Magee
Samuel E. Farris
S. Christopher Farris
Jonathan M. Farris
Timothy M. Farris
Katie Rose McClendon
Martelli Enterprises
Superior Threads
Robert St. John
A Gallery
VISITHATTIESBURG
Lake Terrace Convention Center

When you visit the show, be sure to see the ads at the back of the show catalog.

Hattiesburg American article about our show

2010-09-03T11:27:00.003-05:00

Forrest County quilters preparing for the upcoming Fiber Art & Quilt Show include Debbie Demarks, Bonnie Bolt, Sharon Barnes, Martha Ginn, and Pat Routon. The show is set for Oct. 8-10 at Lake Terrace Convention Center

Our local newspaper, the Hattiesburg American, has a newsy article and picture about our show here:
http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20109030320

Billboard Advertising Quilt Show

2010-08-31T18:57:00.005-05:00

How great it was to see this colorful billboard last week put up by VISITHATTIE on Highway 42 Bypass on the way to Petal. It is quite eye-catching. We have been having people ask, "Is this the year for your show?" (This happens every year, but we are glad they can begin to see publicity for it.) Four-color full-page ads will appear in Mississippi Magazine, Delta Magazine, Portico Magazine, and Country Roads Magazine. In addition, there will be radio ads, radio jingle spots, rack cards placed in the 12 Mississippi Welcome Centers, shops and restaurants.

The quilt show weekend will compete with USM's homecoming game, but we hope quilt lovers will make time to see this great show.

Schedule for Quilt Show Special Events Announced

2010-08-19T14:27:00.007-05:00

We have an exciting line-up of lectures, demonstrations, and trunk shows at our 13th Biennial Fiber Art and Quilt Show. Consult this schedule to help plan your time at the show.

QUILT APPRAISALS by Kathy Kansier, AQS certified appraiser, conducted by appointment Wednesday through Sunday. More information and sign up: Martha Ginn 601-264-6884 or marthaginn@bellsouth.net.

SHOW HOURS: 10:00-6:00 Friday & Saturday; 10:00-5:00 Sunday

ADMISSION: $5.00; $3.00 under 12

All events free except as noted:

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
11:00 a.m.--Enhancing Your Quilts with Beads, Ann Bankston, Village Bead Shop, Ridgeland (repeats at 3:30 p.m.)
12:00 noon--Trunk Show by Kathy Ward, show judge, Riviera Beach, FL ($5.00)
1:45 p.m.--Quilting with Your Embroidery Machine, Sally Henderson, Hattiesburg
2:45 p.m.--Care of Vintage Linens, Carol Vickers, Decatur
3:30 p.m.--Enhancing Your Quilts with Beads, Ann Bankston, Village Bead Shop, Ridgeland (repeat)
6:00-8:00 p.m.--Quiltings of Three Mennonite Sisters: Julia Graber (Brooksville, MS), Barbara Cline (Bridgewater, VA), and Polly Yoder (Greenwood, DE) ($5.00) (repeats Sat. 2:00 p.m.)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9
11:00 a.m.--Using Hand Dyed Fabrics in Your Quilts, Studio M, Mary Ingalls, Denham Springs, LA (repeats at 1:00 p.m.)
12:00 a.m.--Color and Design for Quiltmakers, Kathy Kansier, appraiser, Ozark, MO ($5.00)
1:00 p.m.--Using Hand Dyed Fabrics in Your Quilts, Studio M, Mary Ingalls, Denham Springs, LA (repeat)
2:00-4:00 p.m.--Quiltings of Three Mennonite Sisters, Julia Graber, Barbara Cline, and Polly Yoder ($5.00) (repeat)
6:00-7:00 p.m.--Lagniappe, Martha Ginn, Fiber Artist, Hattiesburg

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
11:00 a.m.--Adding Machine Embroidery Blocks in Your Quilts, Betty Moore, Petal
12:00 noon--Back Basting Applique, Rhoda Libiez, Hattiesburg
1:00 p.m.--Smocking and Heirloom Sewing Trunk Show, Linda Lowe, Hattiesburg
2:00 p.m.--Bindings, The Finishing Touch, Jo Ann Lischynski, Green Springs, OH
3:00 p.m.--Hand Applique, Betty Allen, Columbia
4:00 p.m.--Drawing for Sweet Magnolia Cabins
4:00 p.m.--Close of Silent Auction
5:00 p.m.--Show Closes
6:00 p.m.--Begin return of quilts to makers

Quilts for Homes of Hope for Children

2010-08-19T13:38:00.004-05:00

Martha Ginn (PBQ) and Sarah Dixon (Communication Director for HOHFC)

The Boys' Cottage is finished and the first two little fellows have moved in. They are brothers, ages six and eleven, and we were pleased to give them their very own quilts. We also donated a quilt for the 4th Annual Silent & Live Auction held August 7 at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center.

Work is continuing on the Girls' Cottage. Winning $250,000 from the Pepsi Challenge, helped tremendously, and HOHFC is eligible to try for another award.

You can vote once a day per email address on the Pepsi Refresh Everything website. Visit http://www.win250k.org to find information about voting.

August meeting--Molas

2010-08-19T13:16:00.004-05:00

Our August program was provided by Therese Springer from Diamondhead and Sharon Pease from Saucier, who are avid Mola collectors. They showed us pieces they had purchased on two trips to visit the Kuna Indians on San Blas Island off the coast of Panama. They explained that the word "mola" actually refers to a blouse which contains an applique/embroidered panel on the front and the back but that we commonly refer to the stitched panels as "molas." They described how the makers would strive to make the chanels as small and uniform as they could, with the entire surface evenly covered, and this was the mark of a good piece rather than a "tourist" piece. The children are taught to sew beginning about age three. There is little electricity on the island, and only for the hotels and other tourist spots, furnished by generators. Although the molas are hand-stitched, some joining seams are by machine on hand-crank Singer sewing machines, and the children turn the wheel for the mother.

Pictured: Sharon Pease and Therese Springer

The women joined in having (temporary) "nose tattoos" applied while they were in Panama. The Indians ascribe to the custom that the larger the nose, the more attractive the woman, and these marks would call attention to the nose.

Pictured: Judy Byrd, Otha Mae Edwards, Barb Peters, Shirley Wiltshire, Pat Routon, and Kathy Houseal, displaying their pieces made during Bonnie Bolt's Christmas workshop.

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

2010-07-25T15:02:00.003-05:00

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

2010-07-25T13:50:00.007-05:00

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

2010-07-16T11:24:00.004-05:00

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

2010-07-15T14:01:00.006-05:00

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.

Applique with Violet Newby

2010-05-26T10:45:00.003-05:00

Destiny Golden, 10-year-old granddaughter of Wanda Wallace proudly participates in Show & Tell at our May guild meeting by showing the quilt she designed, sewed, and quilted. We have several young people who are learning to quilt and preparing to enter the Youth Division of our show in October.

Our program was by Violet Newby, who has recently moved to Mississippi. Her son, Marcus Weekley, (also pictured) has been a PBQ member for several years, and they enjoy expressing themselves through their quilting both individually and as a team. Violet also led the May Workshop on Applique.

Violet began quilting in 1993 after many years of making clothing for herself and her children. When one of her 10 siblings asked for her help in making a quilt, Violet quickly learned how to quilt and has become a prolific quilter, though the sister has only made two or three quilts after getting Violet hooked on quilting.

Violet's passion is hand applique and she pays close attention to use of color in her applique. She demonstrated using opposing textures of background and applique fabrics for greater interest. She said to try combining stripes and circles, using an unexpected patterned background behind solid colored pieces. She reminded us to look at our fabrics during different times of the day, under different lighting conditions before settling on choices for a quilt. Fabrics look different at the store under the flourescent lights than they do in our homes. Take the fabric to the front windows for natural light.

Violet said "There is music in all of us...Find your own voice." Remember that the work does not have to be perfect; enjoy what your are creating and let it express yourself, thereby adding your voice to the music all around us."

Back to Basics

2010-04-24T07:18:00.006-05:00

We have lots of new members who want to learn the basics, and more experienced quilters are always generous in their sharing of information. At our April meeting four of our members presented an excellent overview of what we all need to remember.

Betty Allen (top picture) stressed the importance of an accurate 1/4" seam allowance. She suggested (1) purchasing a 1/4" foot for our machines, (2) placing a guide on the throatplate (something like a stack of Post-It notes), and (3) testing by sewing three strips together and measuring the center one. If it is not what you were trying to stitch, make an adjustment so that the finished product is accurate.
Rhoda Libiez (far left) gave a rotary cutter demonstration, stressing (1) using the right ruler for the task, (2) holding the cutter upright and tight against the ruler, (3) squaring up and then keeping the excess on the correct side--right for right-handed, left for left-handed.

Gloria Green (center) discussed blocking and squaring up. Dritz dressmaking boards are useful for this task, using more than one board if necessary. Large quilts can be pinned to the carpet, pinning every inch to get the edges true. Use a square ruler to get accurate corners and mark the cutting line on all four sides. The quilt can be spritzed with water and allowed to dry in place. Blocking can be done before and after applying the binding.

Ella Lucas (far right) demonstrated measuring and applying borders, stressing that the quilt should be measured through the centers both vertically and horizontlly for getting accurate size for the borders. For the most economical use of fabric, side borders should be sewn on first, then the top/bottom ones. Multiple borders should be sewn together and applied in one operation. Multiple borders require mitering corners, whereas block borders can be butted. Ella recommended her favorite resource book to the group: Better Homes & Gardens Complete Guide to Quilting.

Many people have been generous in their donations of fabric for our Children's Quilt projects. We sort these fabrics and group by color and size, often cutting smaller pieces into squares as kits for others to take home and sew into a quilt. Larger pieces are reserved for backings. Batting and solids and children-themed fabric often has to be purchased, so sometimes these donations contain quilt tops that can be converted to money for this purpose. We recently received four tops and auctioned them to our members, gaining $475 for our batting fund.

Workshop participants Susan Ellis, Frances Good, Betty Bingham, Shirley Wiltshire, and Vivian Plummer show their little sewing bags made by Polly Duggan's Razzle Dazzle instructions. Polly taught the group how to spice up their projects with sparkling threads and embellishments.

Susan Cleveland Piping Hot Curves

2010-04-24T04:06:00.005-05:00

Susan Cleveland taught her Piping Hot Curves technique to a class of eager Pine Belt Quilters on April 19. Comments from the participants ranged from, "It was a great class!" to "The best teacher we've ever had!" Susan is nationally known for her neat, crisp pipings and bindings. She was the featured speaker at Gulf States Quilting Association's April quarterly meeting in Mobile and taught several other guilds while on this trip--her first time to the Deep South. She was very impressed with the beauty of the azaleas and other spring blooms--very different from the melting snow and remains of cold Minnesota winters.

Showing Mary Ann Scruggs how to set her machine for the best results.

Susan is the author of Piping Hot Curves, Piping Hot Binding (booklet, tool, cording), and Marvelous Miters. It was agreed that we hope this isn't her last trip to the South. See Susan's website: http://www.piecesbewithyou.com/.

Julia Graber Presents Trunk Show

2010-03-23T00:11:00.007-05:00

Julia Graber with her quilt "Seven Sisters--Leaving Home"

Nearly 100 quilters were awed and inspired by the quilting of our guest speaker at the March meeting, Julia Graber. Her family lives on a farm and has a trucking business and are part of a large Mennonite community in Brooksville, Mississippi. Julia is a quintessential quilter in a large family of quilters. She has six sisters and a brother; she and her husband Paul are the proud parents of six children. She and her family often meet for retreats to quilt and share good fellowship. Not surprisingly, they are teaching the younger generations to enjoy this family tradition.

Julia Graber with "Family Circle--Farmer's Delight"

Julia Graber with "A Plate of Pineapples"

Julia has had quilts displayed at the American Quilters Society shows and the National Quilt Museum in Paducah many times, and she and her sisters often are finalists in the New Quilts from Old Favorites exhibits. Visit Julia's blog at http://www.xanga.com/pauljuliagraber.

Kaley Anastasio (8), Emily Bingham (9), Gracyee Boyd (10)

This meeting occured during spring break, and four members brought granddaughters to enjoy this trunk show. Three are pictured here. All have made at least one quilt, and Kaley brought hers for Show & Tell. We look forward to seeing more from these enthusiastic young quilters. Gracyee has already asked if she can skip school to attend our April meeting.

Our website has been updated to include quilt show information. Show dates are October 8-9-10, 2010. More special events and hotel rates will be added later. Categories and Entry Forms are available in pdf format and can be printed. Deadline for receipt of Entry Forms is July 21--that date is coming up fast! http://www.pinebeltquilters.com/.

2010 the Start of a Busy Year

2010-01-25T13:49:00.005-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters began the new year with about 90 members and visitors at the January meeting. New officers who will serve for 2010 and 2011 were introduced.

Pictured are (left to right) Linda Lowe, secretary/newsletter editor; Debbie Davis, assistant membership director; Doris Dunn, vice president; Sharon Barnes, treasurer; and Shirley Wiltshire, president. Anne Esteve (not pictured), membership director is on medical leave of absence.

Gloria Green showed an table runner example of the quilt-as-you-go technique which she will teach in the January workshop for the guild. This method can be used for small projects all the way to full-size bed quilts.

The Children's Quilt group is busy making fleece or flannel blankets to send with Linda Lowe on a medical-dental mission trip to Honduras in April. All members were invited to participate by purchasing 1-1/4 yds of fleece and serging the edges. Two pieces of flannel can be stitched or serged together also. The area is mountainous and cold at night and the children need and will enjoy the blankets.

Leslie Kiger, 2010 quilt show chair, reported on the progress of all show committees. More information will be posted on the website soon. The donation quilt committee made a miniature version of the donation quilt, and each person who had contributed a block was eligible to win the quilt by drawing. Here is the lucky recipient--Mary Nell Magee.

Christmas Luncheon 2009

2010-01-04T21:39:00.010-06:00

To say thank you to our outgoing president, Barbara Peters was presented with a Dresden Plate quilt with members' signatures on the back. The blocks were a gift of some friendship blocks from Leola Kreigbaum, our oldest member, who has moved to Florida but still sends back children's quilts to us; Donna Burges and Rhoda Libiez and Gloria Green collaborated to assemble the blocks, and Susie Jackson added her exquisite quilting to make this a very special quilt.

Pine Belt Quilters finished up a busy year with a pot-luck luncheon of delicious food. We celebrated the giving of 225 quilts for children during the year. Our guests were from agencies we have served with quilts during the year. We also made isolet covers for Forrest General Hospital's new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Pictured with Tangela Boutwell from FGH are some of the PBQ members who worked on the isolet covers: Gloria Green, Frances Good, Mary Nell Cranford, Barb Peters, Josette Bonfanti, Grace Daukas, Nancy Knight, and Linda Lowe. The covers are gray on the underneath side facing the infant, and a bright flannel print on the outside to give the parents a more cheerful and less clinical atmosphere while their baby is gaining strength to go home.

Natisha Polk selected quilts for children at South Mississippi Children's Shelter and told the guild how much the quilts would mean to the children who will receive them.

Shan Barnes is shown with a Cinderella quilt for the Shafer Center for Crisis Intervention. She explained that the quilts she uses with clients during therapy sessions or to take to a court hearing can be very comforting. The Center has clients from small children to the elderly.

Each year we make Christmas stockings and bring toys for children and mothers at the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter. Pictured are staff members from DAFS with the table of gifts for this agency.

Sew This Quilt Shop from Abita Springs, LA, brought their wares to our December meeting so we could do some Christmas shopping. Pictured are Mona Jones, Deb Covington, and Kelley Covington, with their generous donation of bolts of fabric, quilt kits, and pre-cut squares for our ongoing Children's Quilts projects.

25th Anniversary Challenge

2009-11-22T20:51:00.005-06:00

Jo-Ann Evans made the winning Challenge piece to help celebrate our guild's 25th Anniversary. The 24" x 30" quilt featured a pieced tree for each year and contained important historical information--organizing date, past presidents' names, and dates and locations of our quilt shows (beginning at Trinity Episcopal Parish House in 1985, then ten shows at Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center, Hurricane Katrina date, causing us to delay the 2005 show until 2006, and arriving at Lake Terrace Convention Center in 2008).
Other participants in the Challenge were Martha Ginn, Barbara Peters, Allene Korinek, Sally Henderson, Doris Dunn, Donna Crager, Frances Good, and Kim Overstreet.

Sara Ward from Philadelphia presented a trunk show and shared many beautiful quilts with the group. She brought with her several family members representing three generations who are helping to carry on the rich quilting heritage.
After careful thought and discussion, the group decided on the theme for our 2012 show: "Life on Our Planet," opening up possibilities of thinking green, repurposing fabric, and conservation of our natural resources. This will follow 2010's theme of Log Cabins.

Joy O'Keefe--Don't Make Waves

2009-10-26T11:35:00.007-05:00

Subtitle: Quilts Should Hang or Lay Flat and Square
At our October 21 meeting we were treated to a comprehensive program by one of our non-resident but active members, Joy O'Keefe, of Paducah, Kentucky. Joy lived in Long Beach, Mississippi, until Hurricane Katrina destroyed her home. When she and husband Maurice were deciding on where to relocate (nearer their son in St. Louis), Joy's love of quilts and quilting made Paducah a logical choice. She comes back to Mississippi for business and medical matters, so PBQ members scheduled her for a program. She displayed two of her seemingly flawless quilts and shared some of the stories of quilts saved and quilts lost. But losses have not slowed down her passion to continue creating beautiful quilts and to do this with the greatest precision possible.

Joy's presentation went from the basics to completion and included information on these vital points:

Buy good quality fabric, prepare fabrics, cut with accuracy.
Good sewing machine care, accurate seams, stitching accurately.
Press (don't iron), beware of off-grain edges, check often.
Diagonal settings, adding borders (stripped, pieced or appliqued, butted or mitered).
Blocking, shaping, pinning, squaring, stabilizing, and quilting.
Binding, finishing, sleeve, labeling.

Joy advised us, when viewing our own quilts or those of others, to train ourselves to be a judge and not a critic. We can utilize our knowledge of the elements and principles of art (combining line, form, space, color, value, texture, and light to achieve harmony, proportion, balance, rhythm, unity and emphasis) and practice these traits through precise workmanship. We should first admire the strengths of a piece (ours or others') before we note any imperfections.
She affirmed each of us with "Quilters are fiber artists. Wear the title proudly."

2010 Show Categories Posted

2009-10-25T10:00:00.002-05:00

The categories for the Pine Belt Quilters 2010 Fiber Art & Quilt Show are listed below:

You may enter one piece per category, with an overall limit of eight entries per person.

Appliqué Team Large
Appliqué Team Small

Appliqué Large
Appliqué Small

Pieced Team Large
Pieced Team Small

Pieced Large
Pieced Small

Mixed Team Large
Mixed Team Small

Mixed Large
Mixed Small

Theme (Log Cabin) Any Size

Small/Lap/Crib/Children

Embroidery/Whole Cloth/Stitchery/Other Any Size

Friendship (Group) Any Size

Art Any Size

Pictorial Any Size

Wearables

Miniatures (Maximum Size 24”)

Youth (made by youth eighteen years and under)

Children's Quilts...and Pillows

2009-09-28T11:13:00.007-05:00

Our August meeting featured our Parade of Children's Quilts with Doris Dunn's yellow ice cream quilt winning the vote for our favorite. Although our CQ group works all year making quilts, we encourage all our members to make at least one a year and bring to this meeting. Eighteen new quilts were brought in; several people had already turned theirs in to be included in the ones given to the 155th Brigade Combat Team shipping out from Camp Shelby in May.

Our members have really jumped on the bandwagon by making small pillows for the Pediatric Unit at Forrest General Hospital. Ruth Byrd collected 116 more pillows at our September 16 meeting and delivered them to the hospital. This makes a total of 380 pillows we have donated to date! The nurses are so thankful and tell how excited the youngsters are over owning their very own pillow.

MQA Educational Seminar with M'Liss Rae Hawley

2009-08-02T15:02:00.011-05:00

Hattiesburg's Pine Belt Quilters hosted the third class of MQA's 2009 Educational Seminar on July 31-August 1 with M'Liss Rae Hawley teaching from her book, Mariner's Medallion Quilts (C&T Publishing). Thirteen students attended the two-day class and reported they gained valuable knowledge in auditioning and selecting fabric for their quilts.

Class participants were, L to R (front): Mary Nell Magee, Marietta Johnson, Gloria Burlette, (M'Liss), Diana Boulware, Kim Overstreet, Chris Jarrell (back): Paula Kopp, Kay Guillot, Therese Springer, Betty Bingham, Cynthia Reaves, Deb Milam, and Wynema McGrew.

M'Liss and PBQ president Barb Peters

The students used a variety of fabrics, as illustrated above. Each student came with a copy of the book and the fabrics she had chosen for her quilt. As each showed her fabrics, the group offered critiques on why one fabric would work better than another and how to complete the quilt after making the center block. M'Liss was courteous with her comments, gently suggesting "how about try this?" instead of criticizing a bad choice, leading the students to explore possibilities and train their eyes to see good choices.

There was lots of sharing of fabrics as quilters recognized how a fabric they had would be the perfect addition to a neighbor's block. M'Liss also gave tips on sleeves and binding which will be helpful later. Due to the serious illness of her mother, she had to fly back home a little early on the second day of class but had packed extra material into the first day's class in preparation of this possibility. Coordinating a flight out of New Orleans with a ferry ride to Whidbey Island in Puget Sound, Washington takes some planning! We enjoyed having her way down South.

Watermelon Patch Quilt Raffle

2009-06-17T21:36:00.006-05:00

Diann Loper of Purvis was the lucky winner of the Watermelon Patch quilt at the drawing today at the Pine Belt Quilters meeting. The quilt had been displayed at the June 13 Blueberry Festival in Poplarville where tickets were sold. It was a cooperative effort by Vivian Plummer (the top); Mary Nell Magee (borders and binding); Sally Henderson (machine appliqued watermelon halves in the corners); and Susie Jackson (elaborate machine quilting).
We lost one of our prolific quilters last month--Barbara F. Parker--and her family donated her extensive fabric collection to our Children's Quilts Projects. There was far more than our storage could accommodate, so we offered some for sale to our members. The sale brought in just under $300, which will be used to purchase batting. Proceeds from the Watermelon Patch quilt raffle will also go to Children's Quilts.

Logan Brenner, Women and Children's Operations Manager at Forrest General Hospital, attended our meeting to accept 66 small pillows that our members made for the children. She is pictured with Ruth Byrd, who headed up the project. Logan said the pillows brighten the clinical environment and cheer up the patients as well as the pediatric staff, who appreciate the fact that there are so many wonderful people in our community who care about these children.
Our June program was a presentation by Shirley Wiltshire of advice on ways to organize sewing spaces and supplies. She showed slides of many storage arrangements and encouraged quilters to first remove everything from the sewing area and obtain the proper tables and shelving in order to create the most efficient use of the available space.

Quilt for Homes of Hope for Children

2009-06-12T21:24:00.003-05:00

Sarah Dixon, Communications Director of Homes of Hope for Children, is shown receiving the 55" x 70" string quilt donated by Pine Belt Quilters for use in HOHFC's 3rd annual fund raising auction on August 29 at the Hattiesburg Cultural Center. The event will be called Taste of Home and will feature local restaurants with their favorite dishes.

March 8 was groundbreaking day for the first building--the House Parents Relief Duplex. This building will initially be used as counseling/office space during construction of the other buildings on campus. The property is located at the corner of White Chapel Road and Harold Tucker Road in Purvis.

Creating with the Wedge Ruler--Leslie Kiger

2009-05-23T12:54:00.007-05:00

Leslie Kiger, one of PBQ's many talented members, demonstrated the use of Marilyn Doheny's 9-degree wedge rulers. In the background is Leslie's quilt "Butterfly Bliss," her original design. Leslie sewed strip sets of color into units and then cut wedges from these sets to form her flowers and butterflies. The objects were hand appliqued to the pieced background.

On Wednesday, May 27, Gulf States Quilting Association Circuit Teacher Marilyn Rose, from Jackson, will hold a workshop for Pine Belt Quilters with hands-on teaching of how to use striped fabric and the wedge rulers to create original designs.

141 Quilts for the 155th Brigade Combat Team

2009-05-23T11:40:00.005-05:00

At our May 20 meeting we donated 141 quilts to the soldiers of the 155th Brigade deploying in June. These quilts range from crib size to twin bed size and are to comfort children whose parents are away serving our country. The guardsmen who received the quilts told the quilters how much these gifts mean to the families and soldiers. Command Master Sgt. Glen Davis said, "although the troops enjoy cookies and cakes sent to us, we have plenty of food; what really means the most is news from home--newspaper articles, stories of local sports events, any personal contact from friends and family." Three tote bags for young girls were included with the quilts. During the meeting one quilt was sold for $150 at a live auction. This money will be used to purchase batting and children's themed fabrics to make more quilts. Pictured are Sgt. Major Glen Davis, 1st Sgt. Teddy Hadaway, and Brigade public affairs spokesman Rob Edwards.
Both the Hattiesburg American newspaper and WDAM TV sent reporters and photographers to cover the event.

FGH Pediatrics Unit: PBQ also furnished 8 flannel blankets to the Forrest General Hospital Pediatrics Unit. FGH asked if we would make small pillows for the children. Ruth Byrd precut and distributed squares of fabric and batting to the members for the pillows. These will be returned (and photographed) at the next meeting.
Walker Totes: Since we began making walker totes for Forrest General Hospital in 2007 under the leadership and encouragement of our member Louise Cubley, we have made and furnished almost 600. One of our members, Sharon Nobles, brought in 30 more totes, made by a Girl Scout troop in Pensacola, FL.

Quilt for Domestic Abuse Family Shelter

2009-05-16T21:23:00.004-05:00

We have donated a 75" x 103" Rail Fence Quilt in bright primary colors to the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter to be used in their efforts to build a new and larger facility. The Hattiesburg American (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/) reported in an April 6, 2009, story on the goal of $500,000 for this purpose. This agency serves as a haven for abused women and their children. It is our hope that the proceeds DAFS gains from this quilt can assist in their goals to more adequately serve those in crisis. Becky Sims, Director of DAFS, stresses the need for a place for women to go when they are in an abusive relationship. She said most homicides stem from domestic violence.

(Showing backing of quilt with Charlie Brown and friends fabric)

How to Build a Log Cabin

2009-04-15T20:02:00.004-05:00

Members were treated today to a presentation by one of our own, Donna Burges. Donna researched the log cabin block and shared what she discovered. Did you know the log cabin design has been found on cloths used to wrap mummies in Egypt? Here are some other interesting tidbits Donna shared:

The design was first brought to the US by Swedish immigrants. Pioneer women modified the design to suit their supplies, situation and needs. The log cabin was easily hand pieced while riding in a covered wagon. The design allowed women to make use of any available scrap material. Because of this many of the early quilts had several different types and weights of fabric - for this reason the quilts were tied rather than quilted.

Though the first documented log cabin quilt was made in 1869, during the Civil War women were asked to make quilts to raffle and raise money to support the troops, the log cabin design was commonly used for these quilts.

The traditional log cabin block has a red center square, signifying the hearth of the home. Some have a yellow center signifying the light of the home. The logs (the walls of the home) are done in lights and darks, the light logs signify sunshine, the dark logs signify shadows. There are many variations of the log cabin block - the pineapple, courthouse steps, and a chevron (made with an off center block). Members shared some of their log cabin treasures to demonstrate the various settings that are possible with this block - Barn Raising, Fields and Furrows, Sunshine and Shadows, and many more.

Thanks, Donna for a great presentation. Now get to work, ladies, on building your own log cabin quilt to enter into the next show!

Copyright Matters

2009-03-28T10:43:00.003-05:00

Pine Belt Quilters invited Rhonda Blasingame from Jackson to speak at our March 18 meeting on Copyright. Rhonda is passionate about this topic, as illustrated by her "soapbox." Everything she makes is original and she explained the difference between copying a pattern and creating an original design. She said that although quilters have always generously shared with each other, we need to be knowledgeable about protecting the rights of others.
As this relates to quilters, she explained that photographs, quilts seen at a show, quilts pictured in a magazine are the property of the maker and cannot be used without permission. When one creates a tangible object, she holds the copyright (example: publishes a book or article, composes a musical score, writes a song, paints a picture, designs a pattern, makes a quilt, that person holds the copyright, whether or not it is officially registered with the US Copyright office).
Rhonda provided several links for more detailed information. She also fielded questions to help the group understand what constituted copyright violation.
The following is quoted directly from "Copyright Basics" http://www.copyright.gov.

"Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States
(title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of 'original works of authorship,' including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976."
To paraphrase, the owner has these rights:
• To reproduce the work;
• To prepare derivative works based upon the work;
• To sell or lease the work;
• To perform the work publicly;
• To display the work publicly.

It's All In The BAG

2009-02-18T15:19:00.003-06:00

Linda Basden, Jo-Ann Evans, Florence Peyrefitte, Nancy Knight, Diann Loper, Leslie Kiger, Gloria Green, Marilyn Tucker

Pine Belt Quilters were treated to a scrumptious trunk show of quilted BAGs - just about any type of bag you can think of was displayed to the delight of members. There were organizer bags, weekend bags, bags large enough to transport quilts, evening bags, baby bags and of course the old fashioned (purse) bag! Here are some tips I picked up from the program today, given by Florence Peyrefitte:

When making quilted bags think border fabrics, they make a very handsome bag!
A pocket or center portion of the bag is a great place for some of those UFO blocks you have lying around your sewing room.
For a rigid bottom you can use Deco-Bond, Timtex (both found near interfacing at your sewing supply store), foam core board, stiff cardboard covered with fabric (sort of like a pillow case) that can be removed for laundering, or even plastic canvas (the kind used for cross stitch embroidery.)

At the workshop next week, headed by Diann Loper, participants will fashion their own quilted bags. Can't wait till next month's show and tell! If you are attending the workshop -- before the workshop you need to quilt at least 1/2 yard of fabric using VERY THIN batting. Bring your quilted piece, machine and sewing supplies to the class. A walking foot or even feed foot may also be helpful.

PBQ is already hard at work on the 2010 Quilt Show, the theme is log cabins. Leslie Kiger and Ellen Hall will co-chair the show. Rhoda Libiez has agreed to chair the committee to make the donation or opportunity quilt. Jo-Ann Evans has already come up with ribbons and nametags, and members were asked to pick up patterns and make some. We are off and running....after all, the show is only 20 months away!

Quilters Learn About Tiny Babies

2009-01-28T11:15:00.003-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters first program of 2009 featured Terri Daniels of Forrest General Hospital and University of Southern Mississippi with information about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Forrest General and how this special facility cares for premature babies struggling to survive. Terri is showing two diapers to illustrate the difference in the size of the NICU babies and a full-term baby. Pine Belt Quilters is starting a project to make isolet covers for the hospital's new unit. The inside of the covers needs to be a gray fabric to give the nurses a more true coloration of the babies' skin. The outside can be a cheerful print to give a less clinical atmosphere for the parents. Something colorful can help soften the harshness of the tubes and equipment and frightening aspects of the medical challenges facing these babies.

Leola's 100th birthday; more Children's Quilts given

2008-11-08T12:20:00.002-06:00

Our member Leola Kriegbaum was honored with a 100th birthday celebration at our November Children's Quilts meeting. The two Chinese mothers and babies who received her quilts were present, also.

In addition to our party, Sherrie Tate and Clara Oakes delivered 35 quilts to Wesley Medical Center and Forrest General Hospital. Pictured below is the Forrest General Neonatal ICU staff graciously accepting the quilts. They asked if we could make a pattern and construct some covers for isolets in the new wing for preemies.

Children receiving quilts

2008-11-02T14:46:00.005-06:00

Chaplain Malin lost no time in getting the quilts to the families. Look at these happy little fellers!

Quilts for Mississippi Guard 168th Engineer Brigade

2008-10-31T23:32:00.005-05:00

Chaplain (LTC) Don Malin received 40 quilts to be given to children of his unit (168th Engineer Brigade) before the troops are deployed to the Middle East for a year. His unit will arrive at Camp Shelby December 6 for training and will be shipped out soon after Christmas. The quilts were stacked into his car in every available inch so he could give these to the families before they leave home.

Quilters work all year to furnish quilts to comfort children in hospitals, shelters, and in the homes of our troops who are leaving for overseas duty. It is the hope of our guild that our efforts will express our gratitude to these brave men and women who sacrifice for us all.

Viewers' Choice Winner; Who Won the Quilt?

2008-10-15T20:41:00.003-05:00

Carolyn Kimble's "A Southern Garden" was the winner of the Viewers' Choice when the votes were counted at the end of the show. It also won the award for Applique Artistry.

Anna Darby from Columbia, MS, was the lucky winner of the raffle quilt "Sunflower Blues." Bobby Thornton sold her the winning ticket.

Awards and Sponsors - Winners

2008-10-11T02:50:00.008-05:00

Pine Belt Quilters Fiber Art & Quilt Show Awards and Sponsors
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
October 10-11-12, 2008
See our website www.pinebeltquilters.com for complete list of awards, sponsors, and category winners.

Pinebelt in Bloom Quilt Exhibit

2008-09-27T14:06:00.004-05:00

Hattiesburg, Mississippi---The Area Development Partnership in association with the Pine Belt Quilters on September 18 launched the first of five painting, photography, sculpture, and fiber arts exhibitions as part of the civic beautification project Pinebelt in Bloom announced earlier this year. Each of the five exhibitions will utilize the theme of trees, shrubs, and flowers as the subject matter for the artworks. Pinebelt in Bloom is a major civic beautification project for the Greater Hattiesburg Area which encourages individuals, businesses, civic institutions, and other entities to contribute to improving the beauty of the area through the planting of trees, shrubs, and flowers and incorporating outdoor sculpture, clocks, benches and other artistic elements into the landscaping.

The Fiber Arts Exhibition presented by the Pine Belt Quilters organization features the works of local and area artists including Mary Nell Magee, Judy Spiers, Jo-Ann Evans, Gloria Green, Ella Lucas, Doris Dunn, Betty Tudor, Deborah Davis, Barbara Parker, Rhoda Libiez, Dorothy Aultman, and Martha Ginn. All of the works are quilted either by hand or machine.

Martha Ginn, chair of the exhibition and a member of Pine Belt Quilters, stated, “Pine Belt Quilters is honored to display a sampling of our quilts and fiber art as a part of The Area Development Partnership’s Pinebelt in Bloom Project. Flowers and trees are a favorite theme for quilters, and we have on display pieces from 20-inch art for the wall to 94-inch bed quilts that are works of art themselves. Many of us have fond memories of mothers and grandmothers quilting on a large frame that dropped down from the ceiling. Although we still do hand piecing, hand appliqué, and hand quilting, we also take advantage of new technology and tools to push the limits of our craft into the realm of fine art when we create works to decorate our tables and walls.“ Ginn further added, “For years we have made quilts comfort children and have donated to hospitals and children’s shelters in our area, so we are pleased to share some of our best works with Forrest General Hospital employees who work in the new Support Services Building and the general public.”

“The Pine Belt Quilters became members of The Area Development Partnership earlier this year, and it is exciting to be able to utilize the talent and creativity of this dynamic organization as a major asset and contributor to the success of the Pinebelt in Bloom project,” said Jack Kyle, director of cultural development for The Area Development Partnership, “and the public is in for a treat when they see the beautiful creations of these very gifted artists. This is a wonderful event to contribute to the quality of life of our community.”

The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday through Friday beginning September 19 and continuing through October 2nd. Exhibition hours are 9am through 5pm in the Lobby of the new Support Services Building of Forrest General Hospital located at 125 South 28th Avenue.

Two additional Pinebelt in Bloom exhibitions---an exhibition organized by the South Mississippi Art Association and an invitational painting and photography exhibition organized by Jack Kyle and Brent Wallace, president of the Cameraderie Photography Society---are slated for October openings. The fourth Pinebelt in Bloom exhibition is a photography exhibition organized by the Cameraderie Photography Society scheduled for presentation in November. The fifth exhibition will be a sculpture exhibition presented in the Oasis created by William Carey University scheduled for next Spring.

Sponsorship and other assistance are provided by Visit Hattiesburg and Women’s Services of Forrest General Hospital.

For additional information about the Pinebelt in Bloom visit The Area Development Partnership’s website at http://www.theadp.com/ or http://www.pinebeltinbloom.com/ or call 601-296-7500.

Chinese babies welcomed with quilts

2008-08-30T14:43:00.005-05:00

Welcome to Katherine and Alicia, little daughters born in July to Chinese families who are in graduate studies at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. The quilt tops were made by our 99-year-old member, Leola Kriegbaum, and completed by Susie Jackson and Martha Ginn. Our Children's Quilt group stays active all year long making quilts for children in hospitals, shelters, or homes of our deploying troops.

May and baby Katherine are shown on the left; An, baby Alicia, and her grandmother are picured on the right.

A very special thank you

2008-08-22T07:22:00.001-05:00

Dear Pine Belt Quilters,

Hello, my name is Brenda Campbell I am Michael Garrett's sister I recently came across your website while researching some information on Michael's Ministry. I noticed your quilts for children article and it quickly took me back to one of my first memories that I have of my first day at the Louisiana Baptist Children's home. I was 12 years old when I went to live at the home I remember my house parent showing me my room and my bed, and handing me a quilt. My first night at the home I remember sitting in my bed crying and feeling scared and very lonely. I reached down and picked up my quilt I noticed writing on the quilt it read, "Presented to the children of the LBCH made with love the Ladies of the First Baptist Church". I sat in bed that night carefully looking at each patch I thought of these women and how much work went into making that quilt and how much they must care about the children at the home and a sense of comfort came over me. It was hard for me to part with the quilt when it was time for me to leave but for the next seven years I took very good care of it and I knew it would bring comfort to the next little girl or boy after me.

Although my quilt came from another organization, I wanted to share my memory with you and say thank you for giving your quilts to hurting children.

Sincerely,

Brenda Campbell

Shirley Glaab

2008-08-07T14:16:00.000-05:00

For those of us who like to eat…
Shirley Glaab has had two recipes published in the Taste of Home’s Country Woman’s Christmas 2008 hard cover book which features recipes, Christmas décor, seasonal crafts and special features for the holidays. Shirley’s recipes can be found under the sections called Dazzling Appetizers and Gifts of Good Taste. Featured on the cover of the book is a wonderful colorful nutcracker cake. She also has had recipes published in hard cover Taste of Home 2008, Quick Cooking Annual 2008, and America’s Best Church Supper Recipes 2008. Congratulations, Shirley!

Entry Forms for Quilt Show Due by August 20

2008-07-18T22:32:00.004-05:00

If you are having trouble filling out your entry forms with the correct category etc., help will be available at the August 20th guild meeting. Please bring the following to the meeting: an entry form for each quilt you want to enter with as much filled in as possible, photo of each of the quilts, check for entry fees and a self addressed stamped envelope.

There will be extra entry forms available and we'll take pictures of your quilt at the meeting if necessary.

Thanks, Quilt Show Committee

Storage Unit for Linda Ladner

2008-07-17T11:27:00.004-05:00

Update to the guild from Diann Loper:
A climate controlled storage unit has been donated for the use of Linda at Marquis Ranch Storage located just behind Pearl River Valley Electric Power Association on Highway 98. Any donations may be dropped off there and they will be placed in the unit by the facility manager. This is a secure unit with only Linda, Rick and the facility manager having access. The drop-off information is as follows:

Marquis Ranch Storage
32 Power Lane
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
601-726-8201

Linda is hanging in there. The reality of the fire is taking hold. She is in need of all household items. In lieu of quilting items at the present time, Linda would be grateful for any household items. She does not even own a bottle of aspirin! She remains very touched by the outpouring of love from our guild.

Thanks so much, Diann Loper
Happy Quilts, LLC
A-1 Quilting Machines - Sales & Service
Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama & W. Tennessee

Quilt Show Categories Revised

2008-07-15T23:29:00.003-05:00

After careful consideration, the show committee has decided to expand the Team categories. The categories will now read as follows.

Under Team Two Person - Bed Size (71 inches and more) the categories are: team large - applique (TMLGA), team large pieced (TMLGP), team large mixed (TMLGMX) and team large embroidery, stitchery, whole cloth, other (TMLGE).

Under Team Two Person - Small (70 inches and less) the categories are: team small applique (TMSMA), team small pieced (TMSMP), team small mixed (TMSMMX) and team small embroidery, stitchery, whole cloth, other (TMSME).

The other change is in the Wall Quilt Category (70 inches or less). The following category has been added: emroidery, stitchery, whole cloth, other wall quilt (EWQ).

Update on Love Offering to Linda Ladner

2008-07-14T19:50:00.005-05:00

Sharon gave the first of all received cash and checks today to Linda while she was in town for a very short trip tying up loose ends on securing a house in Petal and meeting her adjuster. Sharon waited until after her mail delivery today so she could have all possible cards and donations at this point in time. Linda was just so grateful to the guild and kept saying we didn't need to be doing this for her. Linda being overwhelmed is an understatement. Because Linda had several appointments today, she asked if Sharon could take the donations to her daughter's place of employment, which is what she did. Her daughter was was most gracious and grateful. Linda reported Scotty is having a bit better day today than yesterday, so hopefully he is making some progress. Linda plans to go back to Jackson tomorrow.

Thanks to all of you who have been so generous. We'll keep everyone posted on future projects. Please continue to mail donations to Sharon's address, but make checks payable to Linda. If you have guild friends who do not receive or have access to e-mail, please pass this message to them. We don't want any members to fall through the cracks!

Tragedy strikes our member Linda Ladner

2008-07-13T13:55:00.002-05:00

Early Thursday morning, July 10, a fire completely destroyed the residence of Linda and Rick Ladner and their adult son, Scotty, in Lake Serene, Hattiesburg. Rick had gone to work; Linda and Scotty were in Mississippi Baptist Medical Center in Jackson for Scotty's surgery scheduled that day. The family's dogs were with another family member in Alabama.
Scotty is 36 years old, was born with spinabifida, and is confined to a wheelchair. He is able to move with the aid of electric lifts and other supports, and this surgery was another reconstructive surgery to aid in Scotty's quality of life.
Pine Belt Quilters has started a love offering to help immediately; a shower will be given later when Linda finds a handicap-accessible place for the family to live.
To contribute, make checks to Linda Ladner; mail to PBQ Treasurer, Sharon Harris, 706 Southeast Circle, Hattiesburg, MS 39402.
Linda is a talented and compassionate quilter; she is pictured in the May 24 post below donating an embroidered/quilted wall quilt to Dr. Michael Garrett for a Homes of Hope for Children fundraiser.

Children's Quilts Donated; Area Development Partnership Ribbon Cutting

2008-07-12T22:17:00.009-05:00

Our members donated 38 quilts for children at our July luncheon meeting. We encourage all our members who do not come to the monthly Children's Quilt group meetings to make a quilt for PBQ to give. Members selected by viewers' choice Jean Martin's (left) and Susie Jackson's (right) quilts won. Jean and Susie won packets of Mary Nell Magee's hand-dyed fabric. Other show and tell pictures are posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24048744@N05/sets/72157606076247741/.%20. We hosted the Cotton Blossom Quilt Shop from Mobile, Albama, and members enjoyed shopping with them.

The Area Development Partnership officers and ambassadors attended our meeting for an official ribbon cutting to welcome our guild as a member of this organization. The ADP functions as our Chamber of Commerce in promoting economic and cultural development for Hattiesburg and South Mississippi. There are many opportunities to network to publicize our activities and participate in enhancing the quality of life for all.

June Meeting-Drunkard's Path

2008-06-27T14:20:00.004-05:00

Sally Henderson demonstrated her favorite method of making a Drunkard's Path quilt at Pine Belt Quilters' June 18 meeting, then followed up her program with a workshop the following week. Sally is pictured holding the purple/lavender block.

Sally is advising Jean Roberts and Ann Carlile as they work on their blocks at the workshop.

Show and Tell pictures from the meeting can be seen at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24048744@N05/sets/72157605696166107/.

Judy Spiers' 2008 AQS and Quilt Odyssey Entries

2008-06-05T04:17:00.008-05:00

Judy Spiers had two quilts accepted at the AQS Show in Paducah in April 2008, "Mississippi Backroad Treasures," and her new miniature, "Conundrum." "Conundrum" won Honorable Mention in the miniature category.
"Carnivale" (pictured here), Judy's miniature that won a first place in the AQS Show in 2007, was juried into the Quilt Odyssey 2008 Quilt Show in Hershey, PA, July 24-27. Judy had two winning quilts in the Hershey show in 2007.

Machine Embroidery and Quilting - May 2008

2008-05-24T23:13:00.007-05:00

Kelley McKenzie of Kelley's Pins and Needles presented the May program with demonstrations of a variety of machine embroidery techniques. She discussed stabilizers, hoops, threads, and computerized patterns and their role in successful stitching. Also helping with the demonstrations by showing their embroidery projects were Clara Oakes, Wanda Wallace, Sally Henderson, Sarah Farris, Linda Ladner, and Nell Cooley.

Dr. Michael Garrett, executive director of Homes of Hope for Children, attended our meeting and told of the progress in realizing the dream of a children's home. The Children's Quilt Group gave him a quilt to auction at the upcoming July 25 fundraiser. Linda Ladner also donated an embroidered wall hanging for the auction.

Show and Tell pictures from the May meeting can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24048744@N05/sets/72157605298718130/

Rulers, Rulers, Rulers - April meeting

2008-04-19T15:57:00.007-05:00

Shirley Wiltshire, program chair, led an informative April meeting with members demonstrating some of their favorite rulers and techniques.
Show and Tell pictures from the April meeting can be seen at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24048744@N05/.

Pictured are (back row: Paula Jones, Jo-Ann Evans, Martha Ginn, Shirley Wiltshire, Dorothy Aultman; front row: Clara Oakes, Linda Ladner)

Clara Oakes showed The Angler by Pam Bono Designs that she uses to make perfect Snowball blocks. Linda Ladner will lead a workshop on Bethany Reynolds' Stack-n-Whack® techniques and she described how Bethany's book explains selecting suitable fabric and how to make the pinwheel block. Jo-Ann Evans demonstrated Cheryl Phillips' attic windows ruler that features a folding technique and NO Y-seam. Martha Ginn's favorite ruler is the ScrapMaster (designed by Judy Hopkins and formerly called the ScrapSaver) by That Patchwork Place. This ruler makes half-square triangles a breeze.

Dorothy Aultman is our string piecing hero. Using her own strips or those donated by other guild members, she makes a set of 25 14" blocks for our Children's Quilts donation projects every month. She uses an old sheet or other fabric for her foundation. Other members of the CQ team will assemble the blocks, layer, machine quilt, and bind it. Paula Jones showed Jodi Barrows' Square in a Square® ruler and demonstrated the various sizes of blocks that could be made with this ruler.

PBQ Show--Motel Block of Rooms--advance notice

2008-04-17T10:23:00.002-05:00

Our Oct. 10-11-12 show will include lectures/trunk shows at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night and Saturday night. To help you make arrangements to enjoy more of the event, we have contracted for a block of rooms at a group rate for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.

LaQuinta Inns & Suites, 6563 Highway 49, has blocked 50 rooms for us Oct. 9, 10, and 11 at a rate of $74 plus tax, which includes complimentary hot/cold breakfast bar. To book your room you must call the hotel directly and make a reservation under the Pine Belt Quilters block before the cut-off date of September 21. The hotel has recently been remodeled but does not have elevators; if you need downstairs, be sure to request. We suggest you make your reservations right away, because there is a USM home game with Boise State that weekend.

LaQuinta Inns & Suites
6563 Highway 49
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
Phone: 601-268-2850

The motel information will be added to the website soon, but this is your advance notice. See more show information on our website (Fiber Art & Quilt Show page): www.pinebeltquilters.com.

Juried Exhibit Opens at William Carey University

2008-03-27T23:11:00.010-05:00

A large crowd of art lovers attended the opening of the Pine Belt Quilters Juried Exhibit on March 27 at the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. Chatham Meade, director of the gallery, juried and hosted the event. Seventeen works by eleven quilters showcased the wide variety of styles and techniques of this diverse group. The exhibit will hang through April 28; gallery hours are M-F 1:00-4:00 PM.

Juried Quilt Exhibit

2008-03-01T23:50:00.002-06:00

Eleven members of Pine Belt Quilters had works juried into an invitational Juried Quilt Exhibit at the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University. An opening reception will be held March 27, and the exhibit will hang through April 28. Representing the variety of techniques of the members will be works by Doris Dunn, Pat Faulkender, Martha Ginn, Gloria Green, Ellen Hall, Leslie Kiger, Ollie Jean Lane, Ella Lucas, Mary Nell Magee, Barbara Parker, and Betty Tudor. Among the quilts in the exhibit will be a Baltimore Album, traditional pieced, traditional and innovative applique, pictorial landscape, foundation-pieced pineapple, and contemporary fiber art.

Debbie Davis presents program on foundation piecing

2008-02-23T22:58:00.004-06:00

Debbie Davis presented an informative program on Foundation Piecing at the Pine Belt Quilters February 20 meeting. She demonstrated several methods for this accurate technique and showed examples. Debbie will teach a paper piecing workshop to members next week.

Fifteen members brought in entry forms for the Juried Quilt Exhibit at the Lucile Parker Gallery at William Carey University in Hattiesburg. Opening Reception will be held March 27 at 5:00 PM. The show will continue until May 1.

A report of the Mississippi Quilt Association Fall Gathering in Natchez was given. Many of our members are making plans to attend the Annual Educational Seminar and Show in Baton Rouge sponsored by Gulf States Quilting Association March 13-16. 2008 Seminar teachers are Jackie Robinson, Sharon Schamber, Harriet Hargrave, Charlotte Angotti, Mary Stori, Mary Sorensen, Mary Ellen Kranz, Judy Spiers, Judy Holley, and Lucy Landry.

Pine Belt Quilters Website updated February 2008

2008-02-05T15:00:00.000-06:00

Our 2008 plans are now posted on our updated website. Programs and special events are listed in addition to those all-important forms for the 12th Biennial Fiber Art & Quilt Show on October 10-11-12 at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

We've grown to a three-day event featuring lectures, trunk shows, fashion shows, a thread bar workshop, boutique, vendors, and lots more exciting things. We are pleased to have Flavin Glover as our judge and also trunk show presenter; Linda Schmidt of Dublin, CA, with her award-winning fashions from past IQA shows; Judy Spiers, PBQ's own member and recent winner in Paducah and Houston; and Kathy Ward of Superior Threads with a thread bar workshop.

Make your plans now to enter your quilts in this show. Mark your calendar to attend.

Miss Hattie's Hat Challenge

2008-01-17T21:40:00.000-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters 2008 Fiber Art and Quilt Show will be held at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on October 10-11-12. We had outgrown our former location in Downtown Hattiesburg and needed a larger venue. We are fortunate to be working with The Hattiesburg Convention and Visitors Bureau to make our expanded 12th show the best it can possibly be.

Hattiesburg's logo is a large hat. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has suggested that we have a challenge category at the show called “Miss Hattie’s Hats.”

Here are the Guidelines: Make a finished quilt 24” x 24” square. The quilt must have a 4" sleeve. Use any pattern or design. Find ideas in pattern books, on the Internet (copyright free), or design your own. Use any materials. Embellish if you want to. Your quilt can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, but it must fit the definition of a quilt (three layers with quilting stitches). Just have fun and use your imagination!

The quilts will be judged in a separate category at the show. The Hattiesburg Visitor’s Center will display some of the quilts after the show; the Visitors Bureau will award a $250 purchase award.

For information on entering the show, see Pine Belt Quilters' website; categories and information will be posted soon on the Fiber Art and Quilt Show page.

Joan Alliston Presents Trunk Show

2008-01-17T20:51:00.000-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters' January program was a feast for the eyes—a trunk show by Joan Alliston, accomplished and prolific quilter from Brandon, MS. Joan showed her quilts as well as many she collaborated with her sister and mother to make. Joan inherited many tops, unfinished projects, and a huge fabric stash from her sister and described the many good times her family shared through their mutual love of quilting.

Joan is a retired biology teacher, a daffodil flower show judge, quilt teacher, former president of Mississippi Quilt Association, and quilter extraordinaire! Her cheerful spirit and positive attitude as a cancer survivor and one who has lost a sister to cancer were inspiring to us all.

New Officers for 2008-2009

2008-01-17T20:31:00.001-06:00

President - Barbara Peters
Vice President - Shirley Wiltshire
Treasurer - Sharon Harris
Newsletter Editor - Debbie Davis
Membership Director - Sherrie Tate
2008 Quilt Show Chair - Jo-Ann Evans

Pictured (l. to r.) Debbie Davis, Sharon Harris, Sherrie Tate, Barbara Peters, Shirley Wiltshire, and Jo-Ann Evans.

It takes many people to keep a vital guild such as ours strong. We have dedicated members who work as leaders of the 11 Contact Groups, Children’s Quilts Group, Boutique Group, Workshops, Historian, Courtesy Chair, Door Prize Chair, Friendship Block Chair, Librarian, and Program Committee.

Our membership keeps growing—156 as of our January 2008 meeting, and we welcomed several new members at the meeting. The officers have a great year planned, with preparations for our October 10-11-12 Fiber Art and Quilt Show at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg.

We have completed and are selling tickets on our donation quilt--"Sunflower Blues"--an 88" x 101" beauty.

Quilt for Outgoing President - Jo Morton's Hattiesburg Collection

2007-12-20T15:56:00.000-06:00

Pine Belt Quilters' outgoing president Gloria Green received a surprise gift at the December Christmas Luncheon meeting. Gloria's four years as treasurer and two years as president were commemorated by the guild with a quilt titled "Friends Who Meet in Hattiesburg." Our members live all over South Mississippi and a few out of state. Gloria is shown opening the box and displaying the label. Paula Jones talked until Gloria quit crying.

Jo Morton , quilt teacher and fabric designer for Andover Fabrics, has a line called "Hattiesburg," and these fabrics and color scheme were used for the quilt. Members made signature blocks, Paula Jones assembled the quilt, Diann Loper quilted it, JoAnn Keeney embroidered the label, and Mary Nell Magee bound it, all as a complete surprise to Gloria. She was speechless and very touched.

A long-standing tradition at our December meeting is bringing gifts for mothers and children at the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter. We brought 25 stockings and a table full of gifts to share with this agency. Becky Sims, director, and her daughter, Priscilla Sims were there to receive the gifts.

Mary Nell Magee and Linda Basden help hold one of the full-size quilts Linda Basden made for the shelter.

We also collected $580 in cash to donate to Christian Services. Quilters love to share!

Pine Belt Quilters in Houston

2007-11-16T16:47:00.001-06:00

We are proud of our member Judy Spiers for her blue ribbon for "Mississippi Backroad Treasures" in the Innovative Applique category in Houston Oct. 30, 2007. Judy (in center with white gloves) is pictured with other Pine Belt Quilters Paula Jones, Shirley Wiltshire, Elaine Magee, Elvia Edwards, and Mary Nell Magee.

Ella Lucas explains "Quilt as Desired"

2007-11-15T15:21:00.001-06:00

Quilt patterns with elaborate instructions often conclude with the words "Quilt as desired," leaving even experienced quilters to fend for themselves. We have all invested untold amounts of money on beautiful stencils and templates only to find that these rarely fit the space we want to quilt.

Ella Lucas, accomplished quilter and past president of Pine Belt Quilters and Mississippi Quilt Association, presented our November program in which she described her creative and innovative approach to deciding on quilting designs. She introduced the standard quilting designs such as quarter-inch, by the patch, in-the-ditch, echo, feather, cross-hatch, diamonds, clamshell, and fans. She showed us how she often uses original organic shapes or objects to create new and interesting designs which can be arranged to fit the space. Ella is primarily a hand quilter but gave pointers that can be adapted for machine quilters.

Happy 99th Birthday, Leola! Still making Children's Quilts

2007-11-09T19:11:00.000-06:00

Top left: US Army CPT Terry Partin, Martha Ginn, 1SG John Stiles, Leola Kriegbaum. Right: Leola with her great-niece Katy Smith.

We are proud of our oldest member, Leola Kriegbaum. Leola turned 99 on Saturday, November 11, 2007. She lives with her nephew and his family in a large home in Hattiesburg's Historic District. Her bedroom is upstairs, and when encouraged to move to a downstairs room, Leola declines, saying, "the exercise is good for me." She is an avid gardener and stays busy outside in pleasant weather weeding and tending the flowerbeds.

She said she made her first quilt at age nine "and the doll didn't mind how it looked." She has been a quilter for many years and is meticulous in her choice of fabrics and construction of her quilts. Leola is one of our most active participants in making quilts for children, even though she can't always attend our workdays. Her goal is to make one quilt a month and she is an inspiration to other members. She is constantly trying to use up her scraps but does not hesitate to go shopping for "just the right fabric" for a border or to combine with some fabric she has. She brings in the tops and another member layers and quilts them. She was a member of the Jackson Quilters in Jackson before moving to Hattiesburg in about 1997. We are lucky to have her in Pine Belt Quilters. Happy Birthday, Leola!