Tangled up in Blue - Mabry Benson

Take a peek at what is on Mabry Benson's Design Wall -

In my never quest to use up the mass of fabric in the sewing room (a

quest that never seems to get closer to realization), am working on

the batik collection. This is a pile of triangles from a mostly
turquoise color range.

The Pile

Working Outward

Almost Done

Filled In

I will now let this simmer while I do some machine quilting.  There are still plenty of triangles for more - quilts for my sisters, nieces & nephews. - Mabry Benson

Children's Quilts Update - 8/4/13

Such a happy quilt!

Children's Quilts Update - 7/28/13

Sure to put a smile on someone's face, don't you think?

Japanese Puzzle Quilt by Mabry Benson

I made my first Japanese Puzzle quilt in 1993, after my friend Ann spotted it in a Quilters' Newsletter Magazine, and I figured out how it was made.

I later realized that it would be possible to make this with no two pieces the same shape. I collected 2 cubes of red & black fabrics, which got buried in the back of the closet. Last year during 'deep search' those cubes surfaced, and I decided to do the quilt. I got it half done in August:

I almost finished the top this February. I intended to whack off the irregular edge and sew on the border, but found that the edge wasn't in a straight line. It would have been difficult to sew on by machine, so I decided to hand sew it - this from 'the not-a-hand-stitch-in-it' queen.
As you can see I have a ways to go:

VIC 2014 Quilt Challenge!

After months of hard work and planning, VIC 2014 Quilt Challenge has been launched! 

Spend some time visiting the website to appreciate all the effort that has gone into this project.

WWII Home Front Quilts

More Postcards from Susan Dague

Postcards

Just so there are some fun pix on this site this week, here are a few of the latest postcards made by EBHQ members.  I'll put them in the EBHQ Postcards Gallery, too.

I hope this postcard project is fun for all who try it.  I'm loving the results, and I know the Guild is appreciating the efforts.

Oklahoma Quilts

EBHQ quickly sent 16 quilts to Mission of Love to be delivered to tornado survivors in Oklahoma. Luana Rubins of eQuilter Fabrics helped deliver the quilts and just posted the following on her newsletter:

"Today was one of those days that I will remember for the rest of my life. Today Sam (my daughter)  and I flew to Oklahoma City, went to the Town Hall, starting spreading out some of the 400 donated quilts, and then met the people of Moore, Oklahoma who lost their homes and loved ones. Then we went on a tour of the tornado's devastation in the town, including the Plaza Towers Elementary School where 7 children died. I met 2 mothers who had lost a child, and lost their home. Then we went to a nearby hotel where so many homeless families are waiting endlessly for a place to call home. Everywhere we went, we personally gave your handmade donated quilts to those who had suffered a grave loss. We also gave a quilt to a young woman who was a first responder, who is still recovering from what she experienced. We gave a quilt to the first grade teacher who had her kids put all the desks in the corner, and then they played a game crouching under the desks, singing as loud as they could as the tornado screamed towards their school. When I hugged the 2 mothers who had lost a child, and let them pick out a quilt, I told them that with these quilts comes the love and comfort of 400 quilters who sent us these quilts as soon as they heard we were doing a quilt relief project for Oklahoma. One woman repeated over and over again - "You have to tell all these quilters thank you for being so generous - for thinking of us and sending these beautiful quilts!" There were many tears to go along with the hugs. ...and this was only for a few hours this afternoon. Tomorrow we'll be at the Moore City Hall from 9 am to 5 pm, meeting families and hugging every person who receives a quilt made by all of you wonderful quilters. The outpouring of love from so many of you, is palpable as we spread out all the colorful quilts. I will do my best to transfer this love and caring to every person I meet tomorrow, who has suffered a great loss. Many thanks to Kathy Price and her co-pilot Karen who drove the truck full of quilts down from Ohio. My thanks also to EE Schenck and Patty Reed Designs, for the 400 sturdy pink "Hope" tote bags that are being matched up with each donated quilt. Most of all, my humble thanks to all of you who rushed to send your comfort quilts for the people of Moore, Oklahoma. Your love and caring is an amazing gift of selfless generosity for these families who have lost so much. Best wishes and Happy sewing," Paul and Luana Rubin

Bead Seminar on Sunday July 14 in Emeryville

I know a lot of us have bead stashes, for embellishing quilts and wearables and, oh yes, for making jewelry.  So I'm planning to attend this talk:

beadsocietyofnorcal.org/events.html

"Cord & Thread + a Tour of Bead & Fiber Jewelry
Presented by Marion Hunziker-Larsen

As a studio artist, Marion Hunziker-Larsen has worked with thread all of her life, producing a large collection of limited edition and one of a kind jewelry pieces since the late 70’s. She uses various fiber techniques including, but not limited to micro macrame, Cavandoli knotting, Kumihimo braiding, Chinese knotting and cordmaking with gemstones beads and cabochons." The talk is free to Bead Society members -- so for only $20, I'm going to sign up tomorrow. -- Rachel Holmen

"

QUILT CAMP is coming up July 10

Quilt Camp at Asilomar (just south of Monterey, CA) is a great way to spend time with your fellow quilters, get a project completed or start a new one.

Details:  https://sites.google.com/site/ebhqbanner3/activities

(The quilt above was one Gwyn McMillan worked on during last year's camp.)



-- Rachel Holmen

Children's Quilts Update - 7/7/13

This week in Children's Quilts

This big quilt was designed using a collection of fabrics from a quilter's personal stash.  The amusing contemporary design and bright colors will make a cozy spot in the first apartment of an older teen who has just timed out of foster care.

4th of July

Happy Birthday America!

Mary Rockhold Teter's Stars and Stripes quilt

In the Smithsonian Institution

This Stars and Stripes quilt was made in 1861 by Mrs. Mary Rockhold Teter of Noblesville, Indiana for her son George, who served in the Union Army during the Civil War. In the center is a thirty-two-inch blue square set diagonally on a field of fifteen red and fourteen white 2-1/2 inch stripes with a 6-3/4 inch blue border. Thirty-four white stars are appliqued on a blue center, and the same number on the border, representing the number of states in the Union from July 4, 1861 to July 4, 1863. The date 1861 is quilted on one of the center stars. Some of the stars in the lower left corner of the border are quilted 'Ab Lyncoln', 'Abe', 'Scott', 'Butler' and 'Genral Lyon'. The pattern for this quilt was published in Peterson's Magazine in July 1861. Details from Smithsonian website Mary’s quilt was donated to the Smithsonian by George’s grandson, Eugene, in 1940. This quilt survived the Civil War. And we are so glad it did!

Children's Quilt Update - 6/30/13

This week in Children's Quilts

Stitched up from the directions supplied in a disappearing nine-patch quilt kit, this modern palette of colors will appeal to Baby and her Mom.

Arleen Kukua's current quilts-in-progress

 Arleen writes to us:

This is what I am working on.   These are all silk fabric scraps.  I have been cutting silks for about a week now. Luckily, I have about another hundred fabrics to cut into triangles.  From each fabric, I cut three pieces and try to short them in to categories. So far the categories are white, dark, red, yellows, etc.

At first I tried putting them on my design wall, a tablecloth pinned on the wall.  The silks would not adhere to the wall.  Then I placed a sheet on the bed and used that as my design wall.  Taking a picture of it really allows you to see the separations of the light and dark.

There are problems with silk that I have been pondering, but haven't made a decision yet.  Should I put on an interface backing.  Some of the silks are very flimsy and sheer.  Should I hand piece them?  

I still have a long way to go.  But it is taking shape.  Now back to cutting more triangles.

 

 

 

Posted by Rachel Holmen

Children's Quilts Update - 6/18/13

This week in Children's Quilts

EBHQ's Children's Quilts come into being many different ways. Because we now collect and give away almost 1200 quilts a year we can no longer remember the stories of each one.  The blocks in the quilt below may have been cut from a salesman's donated samples and the sashes and binding cut from the personal stash of the volunteer making up the kit. Another volunteer would have taken the kit home and stitched it up before returning it. Then another volunteer would have quilted it. Finally, another volunteer stitched on the binding before giving it to another volunteer to hand sew down the binding.

Or, one happy volunteer may have done all those jobs.  Love those bright colors!

Children's Quilts

Deanna Davis, EBHQ President and our Children's Quilts Coordinator has been busy putting together sets of donated tops, batting, backing and binding and will bringing them to all June gatherings. Please "Adopt-A-Top" and take home a set or two to finish into a quilt over the summer. The children will be so grateful for the warmth and love of your quilt and Deanna's husband Bob will be so grateful to get his car back into their garage again!

Carolyn Weil's Voices in Cloth - a work in progress

Carolyn  has been a busy quilter! Thanks for sharing, Carolyn!

John Marshall Workshop

Here are a few photos of the John Marhshall workshop in May. Lots of yummy indigos!

Past Event: Opportunity Quilts on view at Live Oak Fair

The EBHQ opportunity quilts will be on display Sunday at the Live Oak Craft Fair in Berkeley -- take Shattuck north of Cedar and go past the CVS pharmacy when Shattuck "forks".  (The left fork changes its name and actually becomes Henry Street.  To reach the park and the fair, take the RIGHT fork.)

You might buy the winning ticket at the drawing held next spring at our quilt show.

Here are photos of the two quilts: http://www.ebhq.org/quilt-shows/vic2014 and the dates for next year's show as well.

-- Rachel Holmen

More Fabric Postcards

More fabric postcards 

read the whole story on Susan Dague's latest post to her blog: Susan Dague Quilts

Quilts for Hurricane Sandy survivors

Did you know that EBHQ collected and distributed 78 large quilts to give to Sandy Hurricane survivors?
Read the wonderful post and slideshow by Melissa Quilter on our website.
https://sites.google.com/site/ebhqbanner3/community-quilts/sandy-hurricane-quilts

Melody Johnson's Colorful Quilts

Need a a little more color in your life this morning?
Enjoy Melody Johnson's Flicker pages
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/melody-johnson-quilts/



You might need a bowl of strawberries, peaches, and blueberries to savor at the same time.

Alameda County Fair

Hi EBHQers

Anyone entering something in the Alameda County Fair and would like to split the driving with one of our members who is entering a quilt for the first time? If so, give me a call or email and I'll put you in touch with each other.

Deanna Davis

EBHQ President

Quilt Drive for Oklahoma Families

Efforts have begun for collecting quilts for Oklahoma Tornado Families. If you wish to donate a quilt to a family in need, below is the shipping address. They will make sure it is placed in the right hands!

Ship to:

OK Quilt Drive,
c/o Ellen Medlock Studio Store, 
10032 S. Sheridan Rd, Suite H-1, 
Tulsa, OK 74133.

Fabric postcards and a quilt by Susan Dague

Click on the link for a blog post by Susan Dague on the VIC Postcards project!
Susan Dague Quilts

Past Event: Remember that May Meeting is Always Early

Our May meeting will be Monday evening, May 20.

John Marshall will show us some AMAZING Oriental fabrics.  Most will be available for a huge discount if you are a guild member.  (Membership applications will be available that evening.)

Click this link to see a PDF from John about our meeting.

-- Rachel Holmen

Check back soon for some EBHQ Eye Candy!

Postcards for Voices in Cloth 2014

Mabry Benson produced a stack of about 50 layouts for the post card sales at our VIC 2014.

Deanna Davis is now having  fun adding the finishing stitches to these happy lil' projects. 

She finished her heart collection yesterday and started on the dinosaurs today.

"What fun to make the sewing machine hummm and not think!"  - Deanna Davis

Thanks for sharing, Mabry and Deanna!

Past Event: Monday Meeting: Show and Tell -- My Favorite Things

Monday's meeting will feature a display of "My Favorite Things", items members have created which might - or might not - get displayed at our every-other-year quilt show.

The guild will also be showcasing our longarm quilters; several have promised to bring a quilt that demonstrates their skills.  These will be on display in the lobby before the meeting.

-- Rachel Holmen

Past Event: Saturday Workshops Taught by EBHQ Members

Tomorrow, EBHQ will feature short workshops taught by our own members. You should be able to see all the demos, since each will be brief, and each demo will be repeated throughout the morning or the afternoon.  Join us for a fun day!

Members can see ALL the demos for just $10.

Here's a list of the demos, including the name of the member who's demonstrating.


Morning session,  9 am – noon

• Hawaiian Folded Designs (Sharon May)
• Thangles (Kerry Hansing)
• BabyLock – Sashiko Machine (Deanna Davis)
• Portable Design Wall for $20 (Giny Dixon)
• Portable Cutting Table (Pamela Jensen)

Afternoon session,  1 pm – 4 pm

• French Braid -Table Runner (Valerie Yeaton)
• BabyLock – Sashiko Machine (Deanna Davis)
• Binding Technique (Ann Grundler)
• Liberated/Wonky Star (Claire Sherman)
• Portable Cutting Table (Pamela Jensen)
• Smocking (Rachel Holmen)
• Paper Piecing (Cynthia Hilton)

-- Rachel Holmen

Think about entering your quilts in the Alameda County Fair

The online entry deadline is May 22 (and probably you can't actually enter yet -- I'm writing this post on April 8).  But it's definitely time to start THINKING about what quilts you'll enter.  I believe the online entry begins April 23.

The fair website says, "If you can Make it, Take it, Grow it, or Show it!  You can Enter it into the Alameda County Fair! For entry questions please call 925-426-7611 or email Exhibits@AlamedaCountyFair.com".   The website for the show is http://acfairexhibits.com/ and there is a small entry fee for each entry, which must be paid online by credit card.  Entrants get one free ticket to the fair, so entering is the least expensive way to get a ticket!

Once you've entered your quilt (or pie, or jam, or ...) you need to bring your entry to the fairgrounds in early June.  The entry site will have the exact information and location for your particular class of entry.

-- Rachel Holmen

Past events: Quilt Shows April 7 and 21

The Guild of Quilters of Contra Costa County had its annual show this past weekend at Centre Concord; hours Sunday are 10-4.

Two weeks from now, Amador Valley Quilters present their show at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, including a special exhibit of Quilts of Valor.  The show features guest artist Alex Anderson.


-- Rachel Holmen

Past Event: EBHQ Craft Sale

Holiday Craft Fair in Albany, CA, Saturday mid-day; all items hand-made or home-grown.

Indigo - free online exhibit

In October, during the Taos Wool Festival, I watched a new film called BLUE ALCHEMY; it's now available on DVD, and it explores indigo dyeing in four countries, where it's reviving local economies.  There's a free trailer online:  http://vimeo.com/24131498

Searching online for the DVD, I found an online exhibition about indigo, from the International Quilt Study Center & Museum in Nebraska.  Now, it's 35 degrees today in Nebraska, but you can view the online exhibit while cozy in your pajamas if you want to! 

Here's the link for the exhibit:  Quilt Study Museum

And for Blue Alchemy:  New Deal Films

-- Rachel Holmen

Past Event: Sign up for October Workshop

There are still spaces in the workshop a week from tomorrow, Oct. 27, with Bobbi Finley.  Tile quilts were popular in the late nineteenth century, but they have a look that's also very contemporary. TWO fabrics are all you absolutely need -- maybe one print and one solid. (The blocks shown below require four prints and a solid.) Spend a fun day in the company of your EBHQ friends.



Bobbi has her own blog at bobbifinleytilequilts.blogspot.com-- check out some of the blocks made at workshops held by other guilds.

October 27, Saturday

Making a Tile Quilt Block - Bobbi Finley

 

See ebhq.org/classes for details.

Will the Winners Come Forward?

Several EBHQ members were winners of awards at PIQF.  Please tell us who you are!

Email reh at sff dot net, and use the word PIQF in the subject line.  Tell me your name and the name of the award.  Thanks!

-- Rachel Holmen

Past Event: Last 2 days of Big Quilt Show

Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 13 and 14, are the last two days of Pacific International Quilt Festival.

Several of our members have won awards for their top-quality work.  (I'm trying to get a complete list -- if you have won an award, please email reh@sff.net with the word PIQF in the subject line, and tell me the name of the quilt and the exact name of the award.)

In addition to hundreds of vendors offering fabric, patterns, gadgets, notions, even shoes and jewelry, there are at least a dozen special quilt exhibits:  from a variety of foreign countries, on the topic of "Discovery", a fun set of quilts that exemplify "Vitamin Q" -- the invigorating quality of quiltmaking, New Quilts of Northern California, quilts featuring specific artists such as Janice Gunner, quilts based on tile patterns found in Bristol Cathedral (England), and more.  Where else can you see a quilt entitled "Gorilla My Dreams" ?

Show hours are 10-6 Saturday, and 10-5 Sunday.  If you pay for entry on Saturday, re-entry on Sunday is included.  If you can only attend on Sunday, there's a special low price.  Free parking.

Website:  http://www.quiltfest.com/activities_detail.asp?id=50

 -- Rachel Holmen

CANCELLED: Catch the bus to the biggest quilt show of the year!

UPDATED:  The bus trip has been cancelled; we only received about half the number of reservations we'd have needed to pay for the bus.  

 -- Rachel Holmen

Past Event: Meetup for Modern Quilters - come Dec. 13

Past Event: Cheap Books!

C&T Publishing is having an online sale of some of their craft books.  The sale begins at 8 pm Friday, ends Monday.  The following weekend, you can go to their warehouse in Concord and buy books and patterns in person.  Full details at ctpub.com

-- RH

Past event: August workshop not yet filled

We still have room in the workshops being held at the end of August. See the workshop list for more information about the two classes being taught by Barbara Shapel.

If you'd like to know more about Barbara, she has a website at barbarashapel.com, and a blog at barbarashapel.blogspot.com/, plus at least one video on YouTube.

 To sign up, please contact Work Shop Chair Arleen Kukua, EBHQWorkshops@gmail.com, and pay the class fee. Enjoy!

-- Rachel Holmen

EBHQ Affiliate Member website list

In case you are looking for a list of the EBHQ Affiliate Members -- the quilt shops and long-arm quilters and other professionals who support us -- the full list is here. -- RH

Past Event: Amazing Stash Sale

An international fabric collector, Jonathan Shannon, is selling off his stash. The sale is Saturday and Sunday at New Pieces.

Past Event: Big Craft Show at Fort Mason, Friday - Saturday - Sunday

http://shows.craftcouncil.org/sf

Fort Mason has huge spaces for shows like this.  You can buy tickets online, and there's a free shuttle from the Marina Green.  Come out and support fellow crafters.

Past Event: Small quilt show in Pacifica ends Aug. 12

The Sanchez Art Center has quilts on display until Aug. 12, 2012.  The quilters whose work is displayed are Joyce Goode, Judy Woodfill, Janet Mednick, Laureen Neilly, Julie Scribner, Juna Carle, Merrilyn Scott, and Tama Blough.  Several of these women are also quilt teachers and lecturers; at least one has published quilting books.

The gallery is located at 1220 Linda Mar Blvd. in Pacifica, "about 1.5 miles east of Highway 1".

Here's the show announcement. -- Rachel Holmen

Is someone else going to do your quilting?

If your primary activity as a quilter is to design and piece your quilt, but not do the actual quilting, several of our affiliate members have posted guidelines on the web.

Guidelines for having a top quilted, or an old quilt restored, from Madelin Wolf, and Quilt Preparation, from New Pieces. -- RH

More sad news: Kathy Sandbach has died.

From the C & T blog.  See http://www.ctpubblog.com/2009/08/25/kathy-sandbach-update/ and then http://www.ctpubblog.com/2012/06/14/remembering-kathy-sandbach/

Her son Ken posted on June 13, 2012: "...she passed last week here in Las Vegas. We’re planning a celebration next month on the 14th in Lodi CA and then we’re looking to scatter ashes in Bandon. No time set for that trip yet.

Thank you for your concern. You can feel free to pass along this info and can reach me at ksandbach@hotmail.com"


-- Rachel Holmen