May Show and Share

Thanks to Sandy A. for diligently taking notes and pictures, while Michele was absent in May.


1. Sandy's bra purse with matching hat

2. Sandy's messenger bag and small bag with metal ruler closure

3. Sandy's checkered garden hat with a size 48 DD bra for the top of the crown

4. lining of the garden hat with misspelled word in the title (bra decorated fabric)

5. partial photo of Lynda's woven piece

6. beaded bracelet made by Karen

7. beaded earrings made by Karen

8. Julie's make over tote bag with new fabric pocket

9. Lois' technique for creating new fabric covered with netting

10. Lois' tote bag using newly created fabric; window in the side of the bag

11. Lois' recycled corduroy bag with prairie points on the exterior

12. Julie's red bra purse

13. close up of window in Lois' tote bag

May 2009 Newsletter

Minor schedule change (see below for details) – May will be “Bag Lady Night” and we’ll have our Paintstik experience in June. It will be ultra cool.
--Katy
Recap of April Meeting (April 30, 2009)
It was a small group, but we had fun swapping our accumulated “stuff” and working on projects. Lois brought in some scary ugly fabric, and showed us how she does “ugly fabric rescue”: get it wet and crunch it up. Let it dry and then fuse it down, in “crunched” form. It turns into a beautiful textured surface.

Show and tell was fun as usual: Lois’s quilt caught my eye because her “Tiny Bubbles” piece featured two of my favorite colors – orange and purple! It’s gorgeous. Karen finished her lighthouse quilt, and we love the sparkle she incorporated in it. Michele’s pictorial quilt skills just grow and grow – we loved her piece from a Wendy Butler Berns class featuring glue baste appliqué.

May Meeting (May 28, 2009)
Because of some staffing changes at Richeson’s, we’ve had to delay our Paintstik night. So, May will be Bag Lady Night. Bring any fiber art bags/purses/totes that you’ve made for show and tell and Q&A. We’ll make it a work night focused on bags. If you don’t have any projects already cooking or ideas you’ve been meaning to try, why not try one of the Quilting Arts patterns that came out recently?

Announcements and Reminders
The Shiva Paintstik night will be held at Richeson’s on June 25 in lieu of our regular meeting. We’ll join up with the Sew Savvy group, and one of the Richesons will take us through some demonstrations and exercises. They’ll have “stuff” available to buy at the end, too, if you would like. This is a huge opportunity to learn from the source, right here in our hometown. (We’ll have to reschedule felted pincushions, which was originally slated for June.)

Upcoming Events
May 28, 2009: May meeting, 6:30, Bag Lady Night
June 25, 2009: June meeting, 6:30, Shiva night at Richeson’s
July 30, 2009: July meeting, 6:30, Demo night
August 27, 2009: August meeting, 6:30, Artist Trading Cards or Inchies

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

April 09 Show and Share

Only 4 of us at the April Meeting. Here's what we brought to show :

Lois Wolfe's art quilt. At the meeting, she was adding beadwork, so we'll be interested to see the finished piece!


Another piece by Lois Wolf. This work was the result of a class with Sue Benner (?)


Karen's piece from the Sue Benner class.


This is the result of the online Faces-in-Fabric class Michele has been taking with Terri Stegmiller at Two Creative Studios. It combines applique with fabric painting.


Lois shared a method for saving ugly fabric : Scrunch it up, spritz it with water, and steam the heck out of it to add texture. There may also be some fusible interfacing on the back to help it keep it's new shape.


Karen brought these surgical scissors that are wonderful for "un-sewing."

April 2009 newsletter

Clean out those sewing rooms! It’s time for our swap meet!
--Katy

Recap of February Meeting (February 26, 2009)
The joke was on us with a wild snowstorm! February’s meeting was canceled.

Recap of March Meeting (March 26, 2009)
We had an absurd amount of pent-up show and tell. Karen finished her bracelet. Michele shared a moving journal quilt, plus a bunch of new dyed fabric. Lynda had a huge, amazing, and gorgeous felted piece. Sandy had a bodacious Bra Bag (44D, in case you wondered!) Gill had a new notebook cover, but we were really enthralled by her gourd bowl, from a class with Terrylou Adler. She also had a class at the Milwaukee Sewing Center that combined machine needle felting with Copic pens for shading. Julie shared information about the Richeson gallery – she’s working on scheduling a Paintstik night for us.

We enjoyed trying our hands at Korean Pogaji with Gill. If you used the technique on a new project, bring it in!

April Meeting (April 30, 2009)
April’s meeting is a work night; Betty plans to be on hand to help finish your bracelets. Plus, it’s TRASH TO TREASURE night. Clean your sewing room and bring your extra “stuff!” We’ll have a swap meet. Set your own prices or arrange your own barters.

Announcements and Reminders
The exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt,” is still running (last day is May 10, Mother’s Day). Visit www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.

Upcoming Events
April 30, 2009: April meeting, 6:30, Work night and swap meet
May 28, 2009: May meeting, 6:30, Tentative Shiva night at Richeson’s
June 25, 2009: June meeting, 6:30, Felted pincushions
July 30, 2009: July meeting, 6:30, Demo night
August 27, 2009: August meeting, 6:30, Artist Trading Cards or Inchies

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

March Show and Share

Karen took a floor loom weaving class in Minneapolis. This is her first effort at weaving : a Chevron Pattern.


Karen finished her Ndebele beaded bracelet.


Katy's Rain Wall hanging.


Katy's Star Table Topper.


Katy's Tryptic 1


Katy's Tryptic 2


Katy's Tryptic 3


Michele shared a personal Journal Quilt called What Have You Lost.
Read more about it here.


5-part gradation dyes from Michele. Bark and Antique Rose.


Parfait Dye (Color-by-Accident) method by Michele


Lynda's amazing Felted piece. [Looks like Northern Lights to me!]


Sandy's 44D Bra Purse (components courtesy of Goodwill)


Gill's Gourd and egg


Gill's notebook cover.


Gill's needle felting


Gill's Needle Felting (small case)


Betty's beaded pin.

Meet the CinC Artist at Oshkosh Public Museum

Hey--That's Katy's quilt on the banner and postcards! She's one of us!

On March 21, the Oshkosh Public Museum held a Meet the Artist Event.
5 CinC quilters have pieces in the show running through May 10, 2009.
3 of us were able to attend the event.


Katy with one of her pieces.


Sandy with her Fly Fishing Trout



Detail of Sandy's Trout


Michele with Oliver (aka The Bubble Boy)






Lois also has a few pieces in the OPM Show.

The show runs through May 10 in Oshkosh, WI. It's a worthwhile exhibit. Over 30 artists showing over 100 pieces that will amaze you ... It's a show that is expanding people's ideas about what's possible with quilting!

February Newsletter

Our room situation in February was resolved – a room opened up at the Library. We’re good to go for Thursday!
--Katy
Recap of January Meeting (January 29, 2009)
Thanks, Michele, for handling the notes. Show and tell was rich as always. Theresa shared a new book: Creating with Fabric by Jill Haglund. It contained lots of collage ideas, story quilts, and dolls. Julie coined a new term for a fabric stash : Fabricologist Resource Center. Karen shared a wool felt fabric collage project, and the collages she did with the dyed paper towels from a few months ago. Pat shared a simple purse with a covered button closure. Michele shared her latest Fiber-in-Form samples on adding color. Katy (via proxy!) shared the Christmas stocking she made for her family with Lois' challenge fabric samples. Connie used her samples to make everyone little pin cushions stuffed with Kaytee walnut shells. Everyone who made project out of Lois' challenge fabric samples was entered into a drawing, and Connie won a set of Chickadee wall-hangings.

Betty led the group in learning to do Ndebele beadwork. Everyone seemed to get a good start on this project.

February Meeting (February 26, 2009)
Gill will be leading us in learning the technique of Korean Pajagi. Please bring:

• Sewing machine
• Sewing machine needles for sheer to heavyweight fabrics
• Fabrics…you can bring your own, or Gill will supply fabrics for samples at a very nominal cost. Pajagi is traditionally done in solid color silks or linen which is also called ramie or hemp. Because this technique uses a single layer of fabric and is not layered like a quilt, crisper/stiffer fabrics help define the seams and support the structure. Gill typically use silk organza, silk dupioni and various weights of linen. Sheer polyester drapery fabrics and decorator cottons that have not be washed are also suitable.
• Threads…you can choose cotton or polyester in colors to match or contrast with your fabrics (creams, white, black)
• Scissors for cutting fabric. If you have an appliqué scissors with a duck bill, bring those too.
• Rotary cutter, mat and rulers.
• Ironing boards/mats, irons (we will just need a couple to share).
• Optional: beads, beading needles and thread.

We need to plan the rest of our year – there are no programs scheduled beyond February! Bring all your ideas!

Announcements and Reminders
The Sewing Expo is happening at Fox Valley Tech in Oshkosh March 13-14, 2009. Wendy Bulter Berns will be offering a Photo Album Quilt Workshop, sponsored by Lakeside Quilt Guild in Oshkosh. Workshop date is March 18, 2009; 10 am - 4 pm; cost is $40.
Michele sent all current members with email an invitation to join our new Conversations-in-Cloth Yahoo email Group. Be sure to acknowledge the invitation and do what it takes to Join Now. We want all members to be part of the continuing conversation. See Michele with questions.

The exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt,” opened Saturday, and word is it’s fantastic! Be sure to check it out; it runs through Mother’s Day. Visit www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.

Upcoming Events
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

January Show and Share

Karen's beadwork and charms :


Julie's beadwork necklace made for Katy's wedding :


Pat's nifty purse :


Karen's Collage #1, made from the dyed paper towels we made a few months ago :


Karen's wool felt piece :


Karen's Collage #2 with medallion :


Karen's Collage #3


Michele shared some class samples from the online Fibre-in-Form class :

See more here.

A few months ago, Lois issued a challenge to use a set of tapestry/upholstery samples into a project of our choice.

Katy made Christmas stockings for her new family :

Connie made pin cushions to give to all CinC members present that night. They are stuffed with KayTee walnut shells.


Connie was also the winner of the prize Lois made available to all Challenge participants :

January 2009 Newsletter

I’m bummed to miss this month’s meeting, because Betty’s beading project is SO COOL! If you need a kit, be sure to call her in advance; see below for details. I have to travel for work, so group, please delegate a note taker and someone to collect dues if there are any more renewals.
--Katy


Recap of October Meeting (October 30, 2008)
On the Saturday before our meeting, Lynda hosted a dyeing day, and word is that she’s pretty good at spinning dog hair, too! Pat (I think…oops) showed off the bendable sewing light she won at the FVTC sewing retreat; check out http://www.bendablebrightlight.com/ to get your own. Sandy learned an interesting dimensional technique at the Cedarburg quilt show – you can curl fabric by backing with a fusible like Pellon and ironing around a pencil. Theresa enjoyed Rosemary Eichorn’s class through DNQG. Ann showed her fabrics from Mickey Lawler’s DNQG class (we loved them) and told us about some sewing classes she took at a recent event. The group’s favorite was “Boob Fitting” (!) but Ann also enjoyed some classes on making buttons and beading on fabric.


When we finally settled down from all the show and tell, we enjoyed the Laura Murray DVD, which focused on Paintstik techniques with a bonus segment on foiling.


Please welcome our newest member, Connie.



Recap of December Party (December 4, 2008)
The nice sedate old folks dining at the Out-O-Town club never knew what hit them! We had a great time, and the non-procrastinators among us who had their challenge pieces ready to go proved very inspiring. We agreed to postpone the end of the challenge until January to encourage more participation. Congrats to Lynda, who won the popular vote for most bizarre and amusing White Elephant gift. Ask her how you, too, can be an “electronics whiz.”


January Meeting (January 29. 2009)
Don’t forget your challenge pieces (recall that Lois issued a challenge to “make something” using her upholstery sample books. Lois will draw a name for a prize!

Betty is teaching Ndebele Herringbone weave. If you would like a kit ($10), you must contact her in advance so she can prepare it. The deadline is January 22. If you want to use your own supplies instead, bring:
· Size 11 seed beads
· Accent seed beads, triangles, hexes, etc. in various colors from size 15 to 6.
· Beading needle and thread the color of the main bead you choose. For thread, choose Nymo, Rice's Silamide size A or B, or Betty’s choice is Fireline 6#. It's a fishing line and you can get it at a fishing store
· Bee's wax or Thread Heaven
· Decorative button for a closure


Announcements and Reminders
I have included a membership list listing everyone who has already renewed for 2009. If you’re not on the list, you can renew in January. ($5 for email newsletter; $10 if you want it mailed. You are welcome to write your $5 check straight to the library, or I can handle it in aggregate.)
Uh oh! The library has no rooms available for our February meeting date. We need to find a new “one-night-only” locale. Please, someone take charge or we’ll miss out on Gill’s Korean Pojagi! Another option is to take a field trip or a bye in February and move Gill out to April or later (I believe she’s off on another jaunt to the tropics in March!)


Also, in March, we will have the “big room” instead of our usual room. We have not chosen a topic yet for March.


Sandy is helping collect items for an exhibit at the Oshkosh Public Museum, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt.” This is an opportunity to get our art “out there!” The curator, Deb Daubert, is looking for items created by Wisconsin quilters, including items with visual impact, items that are nontraditional patterns: wall hangings, handbags, clothing, threadpainting, photos incorporated into a piece, possibly tee shirts incorporated into a quilt/wall hanging, etc. Each item submitted must be accompanied by a photo, background information on the item , and a suggested value for insurance purposes. Deb would like to begin collecting and photographing items for publicity posters as soon as possible since the exhibit is scheduled to open on Feb. 21. You can contact Deb at http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org if you'd like more information.


Upcoming Events
January 29, 2009: January meeting, 6:30, beading with Betty
February 26, 2009: February meeting, 6:30, Korean Pojagi with Gill

Conversations in Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:30 at the Menasha Public Library.

Not Your Grandmother's Quilt : Oshkosh Public Museum Exhibit

The Oshkosh Public Museum is planning to have an exhibit of non-traditional quilts, "This is Not Your Grandmother's Quilt", from February 21 until May 10th.

The curator, Deb Daubert, is looking for items created by Wisconsin quilters, items with visual impact, items that are nontraditional patterns: wall hangings, handbags, clothing, threadpainting, photos incorporated into a piece, possibly tee shirts incorporated into a quilt/wall hanging, etc. That will give you an idea of what will be displayed.

Each item submitted must be accompanied by a photo, a suggested value, the name of the person submitting the item and background information on the item. Items will be insured by the museum, that's why the photo and the cost estimate is needed.

Deb would like to begin collecting and photographing items, for publicity posters, as soon as possible since the exhibit is scheduled to open on Feb. 21.
You can contact Deb at www.oshkoshmuseum.org.if you'd like more information.

My role is to contact people who might be interested in having their creations on display. The period involved will be Feb. 9 through May 18.

Please let me know if you are interested in submitting one or more of your nontraditional items or if you can suggest someone else for me to contact.

[Posted on behalf of ...]
Sandy A.