June Meeting Roundup!

I hope everyone had a wonderful July 4th!  Summer is in full swing, and everyone is beating the heat by sewing and staying busy at the South Florida Mod Guild.  Here is a recap of the meeting from June:


1.  We made introductions, recapped the last meeting and had an icebreaker.

Love the Florida souvenir-style fabric!

2.  We discussed the potholder swap.  Everyone made beautiful potholders in various styles and sizes (unfortunately, I forgot to take photos)!  

One of hte potholders in the swap!

3.  Topic of the Day:  Incorporating quilting items into the home.  Some great ideas:


--Mug rugs, mini wall quilts and seasonal quilts, table runners, shower curtains, drapes, potholders, dish towels, scrap catchers, coiled bowls (classes available at Stitchcraft!), kindle and iPad covers, makeup pouches, water bottle straps, keychains, coffee cup cozy, coasters.

Quilted iPad Covers

4.  Quilt News:  
--The Ruth Funk Center for Textile Arts in Melbourne is hosting a Florida-themed quilt exhibition through August.  Click HERE for more information.

--The Boca Raton Museum of Art will be hosting a show called "Politics Not As Usual:  Quilts with Something to Say" starting in September!  Click HERE for more information.





 
5.  Quilt Events:
--Quiltcon, the Modern Quilt Guild convention, will be hosting a quilt show in February.  We discussed making a Florida-themed group quilt for entry.  We will monitor the entry dates and requirements.


--The Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild is hosting an EZ-Dresden challenge, with great prizes!  Photo submissions are due in early September.  Click HERE for more information.


--StitchCraft is hosting its summer challenge!  Pick up half a yard of their free, fun fabric, and make something with it.  Entries are due in early September.  



6.  We looked at the beautiful Bee blocks for June, and we exchanged the Round Robin quilt.

The latest Round Robin piece!  Love the gnome in the corner.

June Bee blocks.

Alternate layout.

7.  We discussed summer meetings and hands-on ideas.  For the July meeting, we will have a hands-on demonstration of a self-binding quilt technique and a quick how-to on paper piecing.  

Self-binding quilt.

8.   Swaps:  We are having a zipper swap for the July meeting!  Make anything (pouch, bag, etc.) containing a zipper for our swap.
--Future swap ideas: scissors cover, needlebooks, cup cozy, set of coasters.

9.  Apron Challenge:  Make or bring in a homemade apron for show and tell!  This can be a summer-long challenge.


10.  We discussed making a South Florida Mod Pinterest Board, for sharing ideas and inspirations!  We started one at:  http://pinterest.com/patchworkduck/south-florida-modern-quilt-guild-projects-and-insp/ .  I'll send around an email soon, explaining how to become a contributor to this board.


11.  We had beautiful show and tell!




















We look forward to seeing everyone for our next meeting on Saturday, July 21st at 10am!

May Meeting Roundup!

Happy June!  I wasn't able to make it to the May meeting, but Charlotte was a wonderful Guild hostess.  She sent me some photos and a recap of the events that I wanted to share with everyone:





1.  We discussed pincushions and displayed some beautiful examples of pincushion styles.  Lots of fun options and information!  We also discussed pincushion fillings:  
--Wool roving
--Sand
--Emory sand
--Crushed walnut shells
--Flax seeds
--Steel wool (they sharpen needles and pins, but there was concern about rust in the Florida humidity)
--Rice (inexpensive, but there was also concern about the Florida humidity)








2.  Amy came up with the idea for a potholder swap for June's meeting!  
--Charlotte has some great examples on her Pinterest board:  https://pinterest.com/charlottenoll/pot-holders/
--You can also see some great examples on Flickr:  http://www.flickr.com/groups/potholderpass/


3.  We admired the Round Robin quilt addition, and Carolyn took the block for the next go-round!  Can't wait to see how it turns out!





4.  We talked about upcoming quilt events:
--Project Linus is having their annual "Make a Blanket Day" on Sunday, June 24th at Temple Torah in Boynton.  It is on the corner of Jog and Gateway.  Come to the next meeting to find out more information about this wonderful event, or email me for more info!


--The Coral Springs Quilters is having a special event in June!  On June 27th at 7:15pm, Debby Jones is having a lecture about her beautiful landscape quilts, and how fabric scraps can become fine art.  On June 28th from 10am to 4pm, Debby is hosting a workshop to help you create your own fabric masterpiece!  You can see more about Debby's work here:  http://www.debbiejones.com/.  The lecture is $5, and the workshop is $45.  Email me for more information!


--The first ever Quiltcon is coming up in February, which will bring together all of the Modern Quilt Guilds around the county.  They have some great block challenges and quilt contests coming up!  Check out:  http://www.quiltcon.com/get-involved/quiltcon-block-challenge/ for more information!  


5.  We discussed topics for upcoming meetings:
--Labels for quilts
--Self-binding quilts
--Totes and bags
--Hand applique
--Tips and Tricks
--Appraisals


6.  We had the idea to start saving selvages for a challenge!


7.  We admired the Bee blocks from previous months and upcoming months.  Lots of beautiful flowers!








8.  We admired the completed Project Linus quilts, had show and tell, and adjourned the meeting!  Here are some great photos of the May meeting:

See you at our next meeting THIS SATURDAY, June 16th!