Twisted Tree Program by Jo-Ann Evans

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.