1

The Scrap Bag Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Guild of Bella Vista, Arkansas

Volume 24, #7 calicocutups.org July 2017 calicocutups01@gmail.com

A Message from Our President

The Quilt Fairy

What is on my mind today?

In 2008 my mother had her second knee surgery scheduled and her time outside was going to be limited for a while. She loved to read, but you can only read so much of the time. We happened to go to Hobby Lobby and I suggested she get some embroidery supplies. I knew when I was young she did some embroidery. She turned to me and said “What I would really like to do is quilt like you do.” That was that.

We lived five and a half hours apart. So, fast forward a few weeks and I was working on a mystery quilt and it hit me. She could do this. She knows how to sew and had made many garments, so that was not the problem. The overall finished quilts were too intimidating.

So I bought the fabric and cut all the pieces for the first step, put it in a brown envelope and mailed it to her from the Quilt Fairy, along with a note that said “Step 2 coming soon”. She had no idea what the finished product would look like. Just follow the directions one step at a time.

In the meantime, I picked up a rotary cutter, rulers, good scissors and all the supplies she would need to finish the quilt. Dropped them in the bottom of a large box and added Step 2 in a brown paper envelope, Step 3 etc. with a total of 7 steps. With big red writing on each envelope, “Do not open until finished with previous step”. Before I could get the box wrapped and mailed she was on the phone telling me the Quilt Fairy had better hurry up. I wrapped the whole box in some really pretty pink polka dot paper and mailed it to her from the Quilt Fairy. I had to laugh when she called and told me the mail lady had delivered the box to the house a mile off the road because she had to see what the Quilt Fairy was delivering. Less than a week later she had her quilt finished, ready for quilting. It was just what she needed to get her started.

My mother passed away in February, nine years, almost to the day, of her first quilt finish. She had 33 finished quilts in her spare room, her children, grandchildren, and friends had already received quilts. She also bartered several for cow hauling and donated to two different organizations each year.

Encourage don't discourage... Grace Moritz, President

2

The Quilt Fairy Quilt

The last pieced quilt Grace’s mother finished in January 2017.

The Bonnie Hunter Mystery "En Provence".

3

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR OUR JULY MEETING Due to the church not being available to us on the 4th Monday in July, our meeting in July will be on the THIRD Monday instead. That is July 17th. Same time, same location, different Monday. Please plan ahead for this date.

FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS

JULY WORKSHOP by RAYMOND HILL July 17, 2017

-Morning Workshop-90 mins. Start at 10:00. Fee -$20. I. How to service your machine II. How to troubleshoot III. Operational Helps Bring your machine as this is a hands on workshop. If time allows, we will test sew and adjust as needed. Bring thread, fabric swatches to do sew out, instruction manual, basic machine tools, and feet that come with machine. Contact Sharon Moravits at sharonmoravits@gmail.com to register.

Calico Cut-Ups helps the Shepherds’ food pantry. Bring your donations to the guild meeting and receive an extra door prize ticket. July: Cake Mix and Frosting

Cathy Beaver, Chairperson, Special Projects Kay Gaudian, Co-Chair

UPC LABELS FROM HOBBS BATTING When you use Hobbs batting, be sure to save the UPC labels. Give them to Cathy Beaver. She can use them to get a good discount for batting to use for donation quilts.

The Scrap Bag Newsletter is published each month by Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Guild of Bella Vista, Arkansas and may be viewed on the guild website: calicocutups.org Contact Editor Bob Harmon at Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Guild, P.O. Box 5481, Bella Vista, AR 72714.

4

JULY MEETING

Monday, July 17 First United Methodist Church (Enter around back in Becker Hall) 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR Workshop 10:00 Meeting & program: 1:00 pm

Remember to wear your name badge. It helps new members get acquainted (and old members, too). If you forget, a 25 cent fee is due and will be added to the general fund.

WEATHER POLICY In the event of inclement weather and the Bentonville School system is closed, guild activities will be cancelled.

GUESTS Our membership meetings have a $5.00 guest fee that helps defray program costs if we have a paid speaker. This fee is applied to your membership if you choose to join our guild the same day as you visit.

JULY VENDOR Bittersweet Quilts from Joplin, Missouri.

“Bittersweet Quilts will always endeavor to provide the highest quality fabric at a fair price, in a friendly environment, to teach, inspire, and encourage our customers, while passing on the knowledge and love of quilting will always be our goal ". This message was taken from the Bittersweet web site. The staff, Robbie, Donna and Raymond use this as their standard with their customers. If you have never visited their shop, it is well worth the drive to visit them. Please check out their ad in our Yearbook and on our website.

Sharon Caton Chairperson, Ads and Vendors

JULY PROGRAM Raymond Hill.

1. Overview of machine service 2. Troubleshooting 3. Operational Helps 4. Product Demonstration

CALICO CUT-UPS DATES TO REMEMBER July 17: Calico Cut-Ups meeting, 1:00 pm, Becker Hall (Date change). August 28: Calico Cut-Ups meeting, 1:00 pm, Becker Hall. September 25: Calico Cut-Ups meeting, 1:00 pm, Becker Hall. October 23: Calico Cut-Ups meeting, 1:00 pm, Becker Hall. November: No meeting December: Christmas Party.

UFO Reminder If you have paid your UFO entry fee, be sure to let Bob Harmon know each time you show a UFO so he can record it to be entered in the prize drawing. See February Scrap Bag for full details.

Ads may be placed in the Scrap Bag newsletter for upcoming for-profit classes, vendor ads, member for sale ads and other quilting related ads. Cost is $10 per issue and must be paid in advance to Calico Cut-Ups. Contact Bob Harmon. mebobh@cox.net

5

The Crazies Are Returning! August 28, 2017, 9:00-12:00

Crazy quilting has enjoyed a sort of revival in the last couple years. It may simply be following on the heels of

the renewed interest in tried-and-true methods such as English paper pieced hexagons and the classic Yo-Yo. At

any rate, you will be learning something about the history of this type of quilting, learn to make a block using silk,

velvet, wool, beads, threads, ribbon and laces. And hopefully join many of us in the renewed interest of this

fun method!

Crazy Quilt Workshop Supply List You may bring your sewing machine or sew by hand. We will make one Crazy Quilt block. Supplies are included in the kit but in addition you will

need the following: Please bring: Sewing Machine, (optional), basic sewing kit, fine line black

permanent marker, thread and filled bobbin (if using machine), Rotary Cutter and Mat, fabric scissors, thread, regular sewing needle.

Crazy Quilts usually include the following and will be in your kit. You are

welcome to bring extra of any of the following items to use or to share. Velvet 1 piece, 6” x 8”

Silk 1 piece, 6” x 8”

Wool, 1 piece, 6” x 8” Lace, 1 yd.

Ribbon 1 yd. each of small and large width Silk Ribbon 1 yd., 7mm wide or smaller

#3 Pearl Cotton, 3 colors of your choice or embroidery floss Beads, 1 small bag, assorted colors

Buttons, 3 small and 1 fancy Straw needle #10 (in the kit)

Chenille Needle #18 (in the kit) Glue stick

OR,

Crazy Quilt kits can be purchased at the workshop for $20.00 each. The kits

will include needles, beads, wool, lace, ribbon, velvet, silk, pearl cotton

thread, other fabrics. You will still need to bring your items listed in the first paragraph.

Preregistration is required to attend the workshop. Only 15 seats

available! To sign up for this class please contact Sharon Moravits at sharonmoravits@gmail.com or 479-268-4396 (home) or 417-434-6943

(cell).

6

Calico Cut-Ups New Bees

For those of you who don't know, Calico New Bees is a small group of the Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Guild. We exist so you can get better acquainted with some Bella Vista area quilters.

We have no rules and no QUILT POLICE; just bring something you're working on and stay as long as you like (or just come & visit & get acquainted). We have all levels of quilters attending-- so there's plenty of help on hand if you need it, or plenty of "opinions" if you just need quilt-y advice.

The place we meet is First United Methodist Church (in Room 23). Enter by the basketball goal and go down the ramp. First room on the left. There are tables, plug-ins, great lighting. We have rotary cutting mats, iron & ironing board.

The "official" day we meet each month is the 2nd Wednesday - anytime from 9am to 3pm; if you stay all day, bring something to eat (there's a kitchen with a microwave and fridge).

If you have any questions or suggestions, just e-mail or call.

Elaine Sick 479-721-9899

Pearl of Grace update The opening for the Pearl of Grace girl’s home in Oklahoma has been delayed again. The executive director’s father has cancer and will not be able to move to Oklahoma to do the necessary training and start-up until after the first of the year. I do not need any more donations until then. Bob Harmon

Dog beds will NOT be accepting scraps in the months of July and August. We will resume accepting in September. We will use those months to make beds with the scraps we already have. Thanks to everyone who has contributed their scraps. So far this year, we have made and donated 60 beds.

Elaine Sick

Get your sewing machines ready to go! I was just donated nine trash bags of material plus 5 ½ boxes so we have a lot of material to use for donation. Thanks for all you do! Cathy Beaver/Special Projects

7

Sunshine and Shadows Do you know of a Calico Cut-Ups member that could use a card for good news, a celebration or some sad news? Please contact Norene Harmon at (479)271-7109 or peacelady@cox.net Thank you for your help. Sunshine! - Katherine Alldredge has a new baby boy born Tuesday, June 27.

HISTORICAL PHOTO ALBUMS There will be several historical photo albums on display during our July meeting. These were produced by our longtime historian, Carol Sanders. Feel free to look through them. These are valuable historical records of Calico Cut-Ups Quilt Guild. Carol spent a lot of time and effort preparing these albums over the years.

HISTORIAN NEEDED

Our longtime historian, Carol Sanders, has moved from the area and is no longer able to attend the meetings. If you are willing to step up and take Carol’s place, contact President Grace Moritz or Vice President Laurie Davis. You will need to be able to attend most of the meetings and bring a camera to take pictures. The guild will supply the camera and you will have a budget for albums and supplies.

Quilting Tip If you don’t want to mark designs for machine quilting on your quilt top, draw the designs on tissue paper. Pin the paper to the quilt. Machine quilt through the paper; then, tear away the paper.

Small Groups There are several small quilt groups that meet monthly. They include both new and experienced quilters and would love to have you. If you are interested, please call Shirley Wenger (316) 992-7757. I would like to talk to you and get you connected with a group that best suits you.

A new small group just getting started is Anytime Stitchers. The project we are primarily working on for this year is making weighted blankets for the Children's Shelter. We also will be making bags for the Children's Shelter. "Show and Tell" follows the group activities. The place we meet is First United Methodist Church, Room 23 in the lower level on the 3rd Wednesday of the month from 10:00 - 12:00. (Room 23 can be accessed by entering by the basketball goal. First room on the left.) Contact Retha Kiphen (479) 855-9418.

A small group that has room for more is The Quilt Study Group. They meet the 3rd Wednesday of the month at the Peel Mansion Museum in Bentonville from 1 – 3pm. They talk

about the history of quilts, fabrics, dyes, patterns and share old quilts and textiles. Contact

Alice McElwain (479) 644-1813.

8

MONTHLY FAT QUARTER FABRIC EXCHANGE JULY FABRICS:

Kid’s Camp a success! Kid’s Camp was attended by two sisters, Heavenlee, age 8, and Chasidy, age 13. The Calico Cut-Ups members assisting were Brenda Askland, Shirley Wenger, Norene Harmon and Bob Harmon. We met in Room 23 Monday through Friday mornings, June 26 – 30. The girls had no previous sewing experience. We supplied the fabric and sewing machines to use during the camp. The first day, we had them practice sewing ¼” seams. Brenda supplied fabric to make small tissue holders. The girls liked to make those so much that they each made 10 or 12 during the week. We brought several jelly rolls and let them pick the colors they wanted to use and let them design the layout of their quilt top. The girls did all of the piecing of the strips and added a border. By Thursday, we were helping them do the quilting. Brenda and Bob then put on the bindings Friday and the quilts were completed. The rules were the girls were not to use the iron or a rotary cutter. They kept Shirley busy pressing all of the seams. The girls were very proud of their finished quilts and we are very proud of their progress. They have been invited to attend the July meeting to show their quilts.

Heavenlee’s quilt

Bring fat quarters of good quality GOLD fabric and enter our drawing for July. You will get one chance for each fat quarter you enter up to 3 entries. You may win!

Rosalyn Sloan, Chairperson, Fabric Exchange

9

Chasidy’s quilt

Editor’s Corner

Show ‘n Tell video wanted Verna Bottjen will check with the church to see if equipment may be available to use for this. Webmaster backup

Myrlene Zimmerman has volunteered for this position. Articles welcome I would treasure any appropriate articles you would be willing to submit for publication. I will pay you a percentage of what I’m paid to compose the Scrap Bag. In fact, since I haven’t had any takers, I’ll up the pay equal to my full month’s pay as Scrap Bag Editor. (Don’t get your hopes up, as I don’t get paid anything. I do get the satisfaction of volunteering and you will get the same.) Membership Our membership is currently at 143 which is an increase over last year. Know someone that likes to quilt? Invite them to a meeting.

Bob Harmon, Scrap Bag Editor

10

BLOCK OF THE MONTH FOR JULY

Block Seven: Jewel Box (12 inch finished) We are still meeting the second Wednesdays from 9am until 11am at New Bees to demo the blocks. Join us if you need help.

This month we will continue using the half-square triangle technique and our use of four-patch units. The block is called Jewel Box and is slightly more challenging than the past couple of blocks. Hope you enjoy making it.

Cut: Four different 3 7/8” squares. Two different strips 2” x 17” (or sixteen 2” squares) Background: Four 3 7/8” squares Two strips 2” x 17” (or sixteen 2” squares)

1) Pair one 2” x 17” strip with one background strip. Sew long side. Crosscut into 2” segments. Use two segments to form square 4-patch unit. Repeat with rest of segments. (You should have four 4-patch units.)

2) Using other Strip and Background strip, repeat Step 1. (You should now have a total of eight 4-patch units.)

3) Pair one 3 7/8” square with one Background square. Sew using Half-Square Triangle Technique. Repeat with rest of squares.

4) Referring to diagram, sew first horizontal row. (Use one Step 1 unit, one from Step 2, two from Step 3.)

5) Sew other horizontal rows. (Use similar combination of units.) 6) Sew rows together vertically. 7) Press.

Rita Fugate, Block of the Month Chairman

Quilting Tip Combine three parts rubbing alcohol, one part water, and a squirt of CLEAR dish detergent to make a solution to remove pencil marks from fabric. Saturate a cotton ball with the solution and rub over the pencil marks.

Full versions of last month’s Treasurer’s and Guild Minutes are available at guild meetings on the bulletin board or from the secretary or treasurer.

11

UPCOMING DATES 2017

July 14-15: “Pieceful Friends Quiltfest, Hot Springs Convention Center, Hot Springs, AR. Entry information: www.hsaquiltguild.com/quiltshowinfo.php July 21-22: “Lake Life is Grand” quilt show. Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Grove Civic Center, 1702 Main St., Grove, OK. August 8 12: Benton County Fair. Enter your quilts before this date.

September 15-16: Green Country Quilters’ Guild will host a “Ricky Tims Luminarium” in Glenpool (Tulsa), OK. October 19 – 21: Autumn In the Ozarks. Hill ‘N Hollow Quilters Guild Quilt Show. Mountain Home, AR.

October 26-28: Quilt Congress, Q.U.I.L.T. Guild of NWA. Guest speakers: Jan Krentz and Raija Salomaa. For more details, visit www.calicocutups.org/local-happenings/

Quilting Tool Tip by Judy Boese I tried to be very careful when changing or disposing of my rotary cutter blades, and just happened on to using my seam ripper to pick up the blade by placing the pointed part of the seam ripper into the hole in the blade and picking it up. The other side of the pointed part holds the blade in place.

Please submit newsletter items to Bob Harmon at mebobh@cox.net by August 8 for the August Scrap Bag. Earlier if possible.

12

Tumbling Blocks Workshop June 26 With Kelly Ashton

Ready to get going with Kelly. Barb Vaz checking to see how it’s done.

Judy Boese making progress. She looks like she’s having fun!

Quilting Tip Place a piece of rubber non-slip shelf liner under your sewing machine foot control to keep it from crawling away from you while you sew.

13