Sewing Day!

via flickr

You are invited to the DMS Modern Quilt Guild Sewing Day! 

Date:  Satuday, January 19th
Time:  8 am to 10 pm
Place:  The Ankeny LDS Church
            721 East 1st Street, Ankeny, IA
Bring:  Your sewing machine, projects, snacks to share and an extension cord.  The church is located within 2 blocks of 7 different restaurants so you can plan to go out to lunch/dinner or bring a sack lunch.  The church also has a refrigerator and microwave we can use.  We will have at least two irons and ironing boards there, but feel free to bring your own if you would like.  
Fee:  FREE!!!  This would be a great event to invite a friend to!

Leave a comment if you are planning to attend or bringing a friend so we can get a head count!  I can't wait!!!

Leila

Next Meeting: Thursday November 15

Thursday is the next meeting of the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild, and it's a special one, our holiday get-together!  Join us 6:30-8:30 pm at the Urbandale Library.

Please bring:

1. a treat to share (hors d'oeuvres, cookies, bars, beverage, etc)
2. a seasonal item to swap (can be any season or holiday; Thanksgiving, Autumn, Winter, Christmas, New Years, etc...
3. any Show & Tell!

Our next meeting will be January 17 (always the 3rd Thursday).  Watch this blog for details (or better yet, subscribe via email --link in upper right corner-- and get automatic updates for every post!)

Hope to see you Thursday!

How 'bout a new Challenge!?!

Madrona Road by Violet Craft for Michael Miller is the winner for the Winter Fabric Challenge through the MQG

We know how much you loved the Robert Kaufman Kona Challenge and the Jay McCarroll Habitat Challenge. 

We are happy to announce this year’s Winter challenge, Madrona Road by Portland Modern Quilt Guild Member, Violet Craft.

Once upon a time in the windy lands of the Old West a baby girl was born to a rooted father and a gypsy mother. And so begins the story of Madrona Road, a modern, sophisticated fabric collection of crisp florals, monochromatic textures and text prints.

Violet Craft is a momma, a wifey, a maker and a Sweet Hot Yam. She designs licensed fabric for Michael Miller Fabrics from her home in Portland, Oregon. Her newest collection, Madrona Road shipped to stores in July 2012 and her new collection of Distinctive Lifestyle Sewing Patterns will be released in Winter of 2012. Most days she can be found playing on Twitter, Flickr, Instagram and blogging.

The challenge begins December 1 and ends January 31. More details about the challenge will be posted on December 1.

LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THIS BLOG POST IF YOU WANT TO PARTICIPATE along with the DSMMQG!

Mug Rug Swap SUCCESS!

At last night's meeting, our Mug Rugs were swapped, and everyone went home with a pretty little work of textile art--

This fabulous little mini was made by Sherry for Katie, who is a big-time Edyta Sitar fan-- the front:

and the flip-side -- (my photos do not do this justice!):

Crystal made this for Leila (again, my apologies for the terribly colored photo!):

Crystal received (TWO!) from Emily V, this fun hexie mug rug:

and an awesome orange peel variation (love the cursive "C"s all around the binding):

Janora made this one (two sides shown) for Karen:

Jill made this EPP beauty for Emily V:

Karen made that one for Janora:

Doris made this for Jill:

Katie made this appliqued mug rug for Sherry:

and Leila made this for Doris... one side:

and the flip-side:

Great work!!!

Next month, we will have a grab bag swap--bring a handmade item, seasonal theme of your choosing (Winter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Autumn) for our holiday open house meeting, November 16th, starting at 6:30 pm.  (please bring an appetizer or treat to share as well!)

MEETING Thursday, October 18 – JoAnn Belling

Please join us this Thursday at the Urbandale Library. Well-known Des Moines quilter JoAnn Belling will be having a trunk show and sharing many of her quilts. She will also be speaking and the title of her presentation is "My Take on Modern."

"Wishing on a Star" by JoAnn Belling

We will also reveal partners and mug rugs in the Mug Rug Swap.

And finally, we'll be electing new officers for next year. As always, remember to bring something to Show and Share!

6:30 p.m., Urbandale Library (meeting officially starts at 6:50 p.m.)

Our Own QUILT SHOW!

DSMMQG will have a Show Summer 2013!!!

DSMMQG was accepted for a show at the Gallery in the Round in Ames, for Summer, 2013. (note: you will have your quilts back in time to deliver them to Iowa State Fair for hanging). Entries will be juried by one of the rotating curators of Gallery in the Round, herself a modern quilter.

Gallery in the Round, a Unitarian Universalist fellowship, has is a total of 90 linear feet for us to fill, along with Lucite display cubes. The “modern quilt” aesthetic will complement the modern architecture of the buiding quite well.  A few views of the gallery:

For the show, members are asked to prepare 1-3 submissions that exhibit some aspects of the “modern quilt” aesthetic, including:

* focus on functional quilting * alternative block structures or lack of visible block  structure * inspired by modern art and architecture * bold colors, solid-color fabrics, graphic prints * increased use of negative space

* asymmetry in quilt design * reinterpreted traditional blocks * embracing simplicity and minimalism * improvisational piecing * gray or white as neutrals

The purpose of the exhibit is to share the “new aesthetic” with viewers who may have preconceived ideas of what quilts and quilted items look like.

A few of the details we know at this time:  At the same time quilts should exhibit originality of design, stretching the bounds of the new aesthetic beyond just following the latest kinds of patterns or using the latest styles of fabrics.  Quilted works may express humor, but “cutesy” elements should be avoided.  Functional items such as purses, aprons and pillows can be entered.  If they are show-worthy, we will find a way to display them securely!  Crib-size quilts or wall-hangings should have a sleeve sewn in the back. Bed-size quilts can also be entered, with the understanding that they might be folded over a hanging rod/dowel.  Your work will be insured against damage. “Please do not touch” signs will be prominent.  Entry forms will be forthcoming as the event approaches. A small fee ($10) per entry will cover materials used to hang the show, transportation costs, and publicity, and will be administered by Doris. 

The deadline for submission will be May 15. 

The Gallery will host a reception for you to bring your friends, coworkers, neighbors and family to come see your work and celebrate your quilts!

More details to come as time gets closer...

Show Girls

Several of our Des Moines MQG members are also members of DMAQG, and submitted projects to the show.  It was fun to see MQG member’s names jump out at me as I walked around the show.

This is Katie’s snails trail:

Penny’s New Wave quilt made primarily from Denyse Schmidt fabrics:

Tricia’s Wonky Log Cabin quilt:

Her pillow, made for our Pillow Swap this Spring:

Lola Z’s pineapple mini:

Doris's twin-size Modern Fortune quilt:

Janeen’s very fun Dr. Seuss Christmas quilt:

And this beautiful art quilt, by Janet, entitled Hawaiian Hospitality:

And, I know there were others…but these are the few I managed to get shots of, sorry if I missed your quilt(s) please feel free to adda pick to the blog or the flickr site of your entry!

There were several quilts in the juried AQS exhibits that were of a very modern aesthetic.  At least two wonky log-cabin style quilts, and a few pieces with the feel of a Gees Bend quilt.  Modern or Traditional, the theme for the day was superb craftsmanship and well-executed quilting!

September EPP Program Recap

Last Thursday, we met at the Urbandale Library for our monthly meeting.  Emily V presented a program on English Paper Piecing, giving a brief history of the technique, and demonstrating three different methods for basting/starting hexagon or diamond shapes.  Even those among us who had done EPP before learned new tricks!  And we all learned the value of having a Sewline Glue Pen!

BTW, members, did you all see this post?  Love those EPP Hexies--in Liberty fabrics, no less...

Projects brought to share included Jills' adorable paper-pieced Frankenstein, (pattern by Sonja at artisania.bigcartel.com).  Jill brought some sweet little pouches she made to swap, which you can seen in her flickr photostream.  

Penny made this great New Wave quilt (pattern by Elizabeth Hartman) from Denyse Schmidt fabrics, everyone was encouraging her to enter it in the guild portion of next week's AQS Show in Des Moines.  Beautiful! 

And newcomer, Amy, brought some fabulous swap blocks she received from all over the globe to share-- Those are going to make one great quilt!

To see the rest of the pics from last week's meeting, check out our flickr pool.  Each meeting is a great opportunity to catch up on what everyone is working on, get to know like-minded, local quilters better, and learn from each other.  

Our next meeting is:

OCTOBER 18, 6:30 PM at the Urbandale Library.  

Quilt Artist and Teacher, 

JoAnn Belling will be giving the program!  

A few reminders...

• Membership renewals are due in October.  
• Mug Rug Swap items are DUE at the October Meeting--can't wait to see what everyone made!
• Elections will be held next month as well.  Persons nominated are

President--Emily V

Vice President--Crystal 

Treasurer--Sherry 

Membership Chair--Peg 

Education Co-Chairs--Jill McB & Leila 

*we are still looking for a Secretary

Thanks again to Melissa for being our designated photographer.  See you in a few weeks!

Meeting THURSDAY, September 20

Please join us Thursday at the Urbandale Library--

Member Emily Vardeman will be giving the program on English Paper Piecing.  She will be demonstrating her methods; Emily is providing the paper pieces, but please bring:

6 rectangles--2"x3" for a star shape OR

7 squares-- 2.5" for a hexagon flower shape  

thread

needle

scissors

In addition we will be taking nominations for next year's officers.  And, as always, remember to bring something to Show and Share!

6:30 pm, Urbandale Library (meeting officially starts at 6:50 p.m.)

One more thing, the Modern Quilt Guild is conducting their annual survey of members worldwide, please follow this link to complete the survey--THANKS!

QuiltCon Challenge Blocks-feature

Our own Emily Vardeman was featured on today's feature post of blocks submitted for the QuiltCon Block Challenge:

Emily entered three AWESOME and unique blocks... letter H above is one of them.

The other blocks in this photo were made by:

Block A = Barbara Lee of the Kansas City MQG

Block B = Nicci Pannell of the Bakersfield MQG

Block C = Nicole Neblett of the Triangle MQG

Block D = Danielle Hallinan of the South Jersey MQG

Block E = Robin Woods of the Houston MQG

Block F = Karen Ernest of the Charlotte MQG

Block G = Danielle Hudson

Block H = Emily Vardeman of the Des Moines, IA, MQG

Check out Emily's flickr photostream, girl's got some sewing cred...  

Signed up yet?

Just a reminder that the deadline for signing up for the Mug Rug Swap is Sunday, August 26th!  Just three more days (I need to get signed up myself!)

If you are unsure about using the mosaic maker and didn't sign up for the last swap because of that, please don't let that stop you--just ask for help!  We'd be happy to walk you through it.

I had to share this awesome tutorial I came across today (this is SO going in my favorites mosaic!):

From Penny


GO SIGN UP ALREADY!!!

Upcoming Event: DMAQG Sale and Auction

The Des Moines Area Quilt Guild will have their annual Mall in the Hall (quilter's "rummage sale" of sorts) and Charity Auction on Tuesday, August 28, 2012:

Women's Health Auction    Tuesday, August 28, 2012 West Des Moines United Methodist Church 8th & Grand West Des Moines   Mall in the Hall In the Fellowship Hall 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Charity Auction In the Sanctuary View 5:30 to 6:00 p.m. Auction 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.

All proceeds are donated to health programs/initiatives that support Women's Health.  You do not need to be a DMAQG Member to attend.

Mug Rug Swap Announced

We’re excited to announce our guild's next swap. If you’re familiar with the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug Swap, ours is similar. But instead of mailing mug rugs to each other, we’ll swap them in person at our October 18 meeting. These are the swap requirements, and all of them must be followed in order for this to run smoothly:

• You must have an online Flickr account and you must post a mosaic of some of your favorite quilt blocks, mug rugs, fabrics, or color combinations. Please create your mosaic BEFORE proceeding to the next step. (See below: “How to Make a Mosaic”). Because we are members of The Modern Quilt Guild, we're using all the online conveniences we have available to us. If you don't yet have a Flickr account, sign up. It's free! You should also join our guild's main Flickr group.

Birdie Swirl mug rug by Sandy in Buenos Aires via Flickr

• The swap is secret, but to let your partner know your personal tastes and preferences, you must complete a Google Docs online form AFTER you create your Flickr mosaic. Go to this link to fill out the form. Please be as specific as possible about your likes and dislikes. Indicating your preferences will make it much easier for you to create, and your partner to receive something you'll both love.

After submitting the completed form you’ll be paired with someone with similar sewing skills and design interests. Then, you’ll receive your swap partner's name, and list of likes and dislikes. Use the list and her Flickr mosaic as a guide to help you make a mug rug that suits her. Please understand that this swap is about making something your partner likes, not what you like. Consider fabrics, designs and colors that your partner has specified she prefers. You may be required to buy some new fabrics in her style or colors. While you aren't required to buy the exact fabrics your partner lists, it's very considerate to do so.

Teapot mug rug by veryerryberry via Flickr

How to Make a Mosaic

Go to www.bighugelabs.com. In the middle of the screen, click the pull-down menu "Jump to…" Select "Mosaic Maker.” Choose as many images as you want in your mosaic. Then copy and paste into URL boxes, the photo links for your mosaic. If you already have photos in Flickr Favorites, use those photos as your links. When all your photo links are in the boxes, click “Create” to see your mosaic. Copy the HTML code in the box below your mosaic. Click on the Share button at the top and select Flickr. Paste the HTML links into the Description box if they aren't already in there. Click Upload. Your mosaic should appear in your Flickr photostream with hyperlinks for each photo below it. If the hyperlinks aren't showing up in Flickr, paste the type again in the Flickr description box.

Please select at least nine photos for your mosaic to give your partner a good idea of what you like. More photos are even better! If you're new to Flickr and want to look for mug rugs to add to your mosaic, check out the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug Swap pool here.

If you have any questions about this process, e-mail Veronica at vkoh159 (at) mchsi (dot) com.

A DSMMQG Flickr Swap Group

A new Flickr group has been created just for DSMMQG swaps and exchanges. After you have created your Mug Rug Swap mosaic, post it in this new group. Here's the link: http://www.flickr.com/groups/dsmmqgswaps/

We’ll also use the Flickr discussion forum to:

- ask and answer questions without revealing partners,

- and, provide links to online tutorials and techniques

If you join the Mug Rug Swap, you are committed to making a mug rug cover for someone else, and completing it by Thursday, October 18. You don't have to be at the meeting, but make sure that your completed mug rug is.

We hope many of you will join Mug Rug Swap. It promises to be as much fun as our pillow swap!

The deadline to sign up is Sunday, August 26. By September 2, you’ll receive your partner's information.

Posted by Veronica Koh Eischeid, Programs/Education Chair

MEETING August 16--Something New & Different!!!

At next week’s meeting Veronica Koh Eischeid and Doris Brunnette will be presenting a 12-Minute Tip on different BINDING METHODS as a follow up to Janet’s 12-Minute Tip last month. 

Now for the NEW & DIFFERENT:  Do you love to shop for new fabric and quilting supplies?  Do you love it even more when you find a great bargain?  Who doesn’t, right?!  

In lieu of a full program at our August Meeting, the DSMMQG will host a  

Swap and Shop!

This is your chance to get rid of supplies you no longer want, and find some new treasures to bring home! 

So, here is what you do: 

• ·        Sort through your fabric, magazines, books, patterns, trims, notions and decide what you would like to get rid of

• ·      Divide it into three categories:  SELL, SWAP, GIVEAWAY

• ·      Follow the Rules below to prepare your items for the Swap and Shop

• ·      **BE SURE TO BRING CASH WITH YOU (SMALL BILLS AND CHANGE)  Some of us are able to take debit/credit cards via the Square app on our phones, but most will be cash exchanges.  For the “SELL” items--you will pay the seller directly or swap them for something of yours

•  ·      When you arrive Thursday, please place your PREPARED items on the corresponding table: SELL, SWAP, or GIVEAWAY

RULES—(very important to make this run smoothly)

• ·      For SELL Items:  Package fabric in a seal Ziploc-type bag MARKED with:  YOUR NAME, AMOUNT/YARDAGE CONTAINED, TOTAL PRICE (should be garage sale prices $1-4/yard) 
• ·      Bring Designer-quality fabrics** to SELL, please, large scraps are okay, scrap bags are okay if you estimate very closely the total amount of fabric contained.  **Note: Non-Designer fabrics are okay for GIVEAWAY or SWAP
• ·      Books, etc. to SELL should be MARKED with a SALE PRICE, and your NAME
• ·      For items to SWAP, if it is fabric, please bag it and mark it as above, but mark it SWAP instead of adding a price.  Be sure your NAME is on all items.
• ·      GIVEAWAY:  Mark it FREE with just your NAME only.

VERY IMPORTANT:

• ·    ANYTHING STILL ON THE TABLES at the end of the evening MUST BE RECLAIMED by its original owner and taken back home.
• **No one should have to clean up and haul everyone’s leftovers home!!!

We anticipate this will be a FUN evening and a chance to get to know other members of the guild better in a more social atmosphere.  Our Executive Board agrees that the best thing about the development of this group in 2011 is the connections we have been able to make with others who share our love of quilting!!!!

Remember to bring your NAMETAG (you want people to be able to identify you easily!)  and bring small bills, change, and or a checkbook to buy some treasures!!! 

SEE YOU AT 6:30 On THURSDAY, AUGUST 16

at the URBANDALE LIBRARY!!

Mug Rug SWAP Coming Soon!

Our Programming Chair, Veronica, is organizing another fun swap for us!  This one will be similar to the Flickr Scrappy Mug Rug swap and the pillow swap we completed this Spring. Participants will be paired according to skill levels and interests. Everyone will fill out a preferences form online like they did for the pillow swap and they'll be notified by e-mail who their secret partner is. 

Mug Rug I made for Amanda Jean

Veronica will introduce the swap at the August 16 Meeting, and here on the blog, and the deadline to finish your mug rug will be the October 18 meeting.  


PLEASE NOTE:  You don't need to be present at the August or the October Guild Meeting to participate in the swap, however your Mug Rug DOES need to be present at the October meeting!  ;-)  We don't anyone to leave empty handed.  

Mug Rug made by Monika

Mug Rug made by Susan

Some of the awesome pillows made for our last swap can be seen here.

Community Service Opportunity

One of my sweet friends, Jessica, is organizing this event and I would love it if people from our guild could contribute (and there are lots of great giveaways too if you get involved :) ).    Simply make 2 bibs to be in the drawings for prizes and bring the bibs to the next guild meeting (August 16).  I will be collecting them there and will handle shipping them to her.  

To entice you even more to help, if you bring two bibs to the August guild meeting, I will put your name in a drawing for just our guild for a little prize!  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me ccepat@hotmail.com  Thank you!

-Crystal

Bibs for Babies- A Charitable Event for Crafters

Bibs for Babies is exactly that- bibs for babies! We want to use our talent to share love and bless others who may be in need of a little bit of kindness!

The goal is to collect over 100 bibs made by YOU for a special donation to Operation Baby Shower!

Operation Shower is about celebrating and honoring military families. Operation Shower is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides joyful baby showers for military families to ease the burden of deployment.

Read More about Operation Baby Shower at http://operationshower.org/

Join the flickr group here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/2040278@N21/