Hoffman Challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.