Highlights from August 2017 Meeting

Flying Birds: Open to Interpretation & Imagination

This years GMQG's annual quilt challenge was inspired by a pattern called "Birds in the Air" from Nicole Neblett's blog Mama Love Quilts.

Our challenge was to interpret the pattern with a modern twist. As you know, there were few required criteria for this challenge, so that we could be guided by our imagination. 

......Drum roll, please.....

Here are the results.....We had eight (8) members who joined in the challenge and as you can tell there are no two alike.

Eight members submitted their interpretation of "Birds in the Air" for the Annual Quilt Challenge

Left to Right  Valerie Fitzgerald and Valorie Kasten

Left to Right:  Sandy Helsel and Carol Alperin

Left to Right:  Cindy Lammon and Faye Jones (3rd Place Winner)

Left to Right:  Cheryl Brickey (1st Place Winner) and Paige Alexander (2nd Place Winner)

The design, the colors and the quilting detail were all wonderful to see up close. The hard part was voting. We all had opportunity to vote on our favorites. We thank each of you for your participation in the fun. And, this year's challenge winners were: Cheryl Brickey, Paige Alexander and Faye Jones. They received gift certificates to our favorite store, Bernina Sewing Center. Congratulations!!!

It was good to see each of you this past Saturday. Paige Alexander reported we had 27 in attendance with 24 members and 3 guests.

GMQG celebrated last month our 2nd year as part of the national Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) organization.

Announcements

• Anderson Area Quilt Show - A Celebration of Quilts is next weekend August 18th & 19th
• Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 has a new category for modern quilts. The hosts of the show, Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, has invited GMQG members to consider entering quilts in this category. The registration form and deadline for the show is September 1, 2017.  For those that enter the show, Faye Jones has volunteered to take our quilts to the show as well as bring them back.
• Asheville Quilt Guild has their 35th Quilt Show coming up September 29th - October 1st.
• Foothills Piecemakers Quilt Guild is hosting Liz Florom for a workshop on using your scraps on Friday, September 8th from 9am - 3pm. The fee is $45. For registration form, email Cindy Lammon at cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com
• MQG items to note:
• Quilt entries and registration are now open for QuiltCon 2018 coming up February 22-25th
• For the upcoming QuiltCon, there will be a webinar on August 31st regarding Jurying and Judging information
• MQG- QuiltCon 2018: Check out the two challenges both with deadlines November 30, 2017:
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge. 
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese. 
• In addition, individuals can sign up for the QuiltCon Charity Quilt 
• Other news:
• Be looking for Paige Alexander's quilt to be featured on MQG Quilt of the Month. It should be posted soon.  Congratulations, Paige.
• QuiltCon Magazine is currently accepting submissions for both quilt patterns and articles. 
• "Fresh Quilting", the MQG show is airing on our local PBS channel on Fridays at 6 am and noon
• Cobblestone Quilt Guild is hosting a workshop for "Introduction to Quilt Judging". It will by taught by certified judges Lorraine Covington & Kate Eelkema of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judging on November 10th and 11th. 

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM)

Whimsical stripes.....fun, fun, fun.... 

Cheryl's August Block of the Month is just that Improv Stripes.  Here is the information:

Block name: Improv Stripes Block

Designer: Debbie of A Quilter's Table

Block size: no defined size, any width and height

Skills this block builds: improvisational piecing

Fabrics/Colors: Any fabrics, any colors

As Cheryl described to us, this pattern is so versatile that creativity is limitless.

Cindy Lammon liked the pattern, so she tested it out this week to bring and show us her version of Improv Stripes. First, she cut and sewed improv stripe squares, then cut them in varying bandwidths, stacked them to make vertical stripes. 

Cindy Lammon- Improv stripe charity quilt

Look at July BOM results!!!!!! 

July's Block name: Modern Beauty Block

Designer: Alyssa of Pile O'Fabric

Thank you to our particpants. 

Philanthropy

We had a total of four (4) quilts submitted this month for GHS and Julie Valentine Center. I think we all secretly would love to be a recipient of one of these quilts, so what a neat blessing and hug they will be to the kids coming out of distraught situations.  

Show & Share

Darlene Sanford - a cheerful, spry quilt for charity

Didi Salvatierra - Zippy-do-dah quilt inspired by things in the garden

Didi Salvatierra - Left: Improv quilt using fabric with Words  Right: Table runner for Henderson County Open Studio Tour

Debbie Graves: Rainbow heart quilt for a friend's child in France

Lynne Harrill:  Two quilt projects "in the works" for the upcoming Asheville Quilt Show using fabrics she dyed

Michele Blake- Transformed GMQG's Block of the Month (April/May) into the stunning Star quilt on the left for charity 

Johnnie McKenzie- beautiful art series of quilt squares utilizing Fibonacci Sequence 

Johnnie McKenzie - Left: Vibrant baby's room wall hanging using Log Cabin pattern  Right: Blue Flower using batik fabric

Paige Alexander: Christmas pillow with family member hands & their initial  Right: MQG September Quilt of the Month
*Note:  Zipper tutorial Paige used for pillow

Christina Strickland - did her version of Cheryl Brickey's pattern called "State of Being" 

Cindy Lammon:  Left: vibrant triangles quilt for Charity   Right: Quilt using her stash of Bonnie & Camille fabrics

Next Month

We look forward to hosting Miriam and Emily Coffey. These ladies are modern quilters bringing their knowledge and creativity to us. We hope you will Save-the-Date and join us on Saturday, September 9th from 1pm - 3pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

Come see the Birds in the Air -- August 12th

Yes, that's right we hope to have Birds in the Air all around Bernina Sewing Center because.......

This Saturday, August 12th is the day to bring your "Birds in the Air" Challenge Reveal quilting projects. 

GMQG Challenge this year was a pattern called "Birds in the Air" shown on Nicole Neblett's blog called Mama Love Quilts.

You still have a few days to prepare and create your imaginative interpretation with this quilt pattern.

As a reminder, here are the criteria for this year's prize-winning challenge:

• Quilt size - not to exceed 36" on one side
• Pattern name: Birds in the Air
• Use at least three (3) of the 8 elements in modern quilt design listed below:
• bright/graphic color palette
• negative space
• minimalism
• no borders
• improvisational piecing
• alternate grid work
• asymmetry
• exaggerated scale

This will be a fun time for all whether participating in the challenge or not. We hope you will come to enjoy the creativity of this annual event.

We also invite each of you to bring your quilt and sewing projects because we plan to enjoy seeing your Show & Share, Philanthropy projects and Block of the Month.

August is a hot month, so join us for a cool afternoon this Saturday, August 12th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

See you soon.....

Highlights from July 2017 Meeting

Cheryl Brickey's, new seminar, Subtracting for Minimalism, was inspirational this past Saturday, as well as, fun to watch as she walked us through her step by step process of how to remove quilt composition elements for a minimalist quilt design.

Some of the classic quilt blocks (like Ohio Star (shown above), Log Cabin, Pinwheel Pop), she applied her technique and amazingly by removing parts of the whole, the quilt pattern took on a new refinement, that yes, was more minimalistic, but at the same time unique with a contemporary flair.

Cheryl Brickey (left) walking us through her process and (right) Her quilt called State of Being was featured in MQG 2016

Interestingly, for each of her examples, your eye completes the design of what should be there, while at the same time, appreciating the new design for what is not there!

Thank you Cheryl for your preparation, discussion and showing us how to apply the minimalist technique with or without software. We all walked away with invaluable information and thoughts of possibilities ;-)

August Challenge - Coming Next Month

It's not to late to get started.....Here are the criteria for this year's prize-winning challenge:

• Quilt size - not to exceed 36" on one side
• Pattern name: Birds in the Air
• Use at least three (3) of the 8 elements in modern quilt design listed below:
• bright/graphic color palette
• negative space
• minimalism
• no borders
• improvisational piecing
• alternate grid work
• asymmetry
• exaggerated scale
• Note: the interpretation of this pattern is "open" to your imagination!!!!!

Show & Share

Did you notice? Each person who showed their quilting project(s) this month added a "unique factor" to their project. I like that....it's those personal elements that make each quilt -- one of a kind.

Michele Blake - Baby quilt from Jaybird Quilts using Tiny Dancer Pattern

Ruth Freyer- Two quilts for charity (left) Vibrant patchwork colors and (right) Bjorn Bear pattern by Elizabeth Hartman

Teri Krugman - her final project from a Jane Sassaman workshop

Faye Jones - two charity quilts (left) Flamingos with spiral quilting (right) Vibrant squares & dots using ruler quilting

Johnny McKenzie - (left) Eclispe wall hanging (center) Earthquake shifting plates (right) Fun pillows using solids

Cheryl Brickey - Arrow Point Path 

Philanthropy

Faye Jone's report of how GMQG Comfort quilts make a difference in children's lives is always so meaningful and touching.  But, as she mentioned this time, even the staff are touched as they watch the children pick out a quilt to hug and hold on too.

As we enter into the second half of 2017, Faye thanks each of you for your dedication to the success of our Comfort Quilts for Children. She will have four (4) quilts to take to GHS in July.

Also, for those who would like to sew the GMQG label on their charity quilt, Faye and Cindy will have the labels available at each of our meetings for your convenience to pick up.

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM)

The results of June's BOM called Herringbone by designer Alissa Haight Carlton of Handmade by Alissa for Sew Mama Sew.

We had a couple of participants who did a wonderful job in recreating this bold and graphic design.

Thank you.

July's Block name: Modern Beauty Block

Designer: Alyssa of Pile O'Fabric

Block size: 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished, (12" x 12" finished)

Skills this block builds: Modern machine applique

Fabrics/Colors: Same colors as in the Pile O'Fabric tutorial, you can use solids, prints, or a mixture of both:


Background - low volume

• Fabric A - yellow
• Fabric B1 - dark blue
• Fabric B2 - pink 
• Fabric C - lighter pink than B2

Applique: You may use any applique stitch you would like to stitch down the applique shapes: straight stitch, zigzag, satin, blanket, etc...

Additional items to note:

• What a fantastic turnout for July.....with 41 total attending!!! It was also great to welcome our five (5) guests. Thank you Paige for your update report to us.

• Sew-In with Cindy Lammon at:  Bernina Sewing Center - Friday, July 14th from 10:00a.m. - 4:00pm. If you have any questions, please email Cindy @ cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com
  

• Check-out Bernina Sewing Center July calendar for sewing and quilting classes. 
• Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 has a new category for modern quilts. The hosts of the show, Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, has invited GMQG members to consider entering quilts in this category. 
• The registration form and deadline for the show is September 1, 2017. 
• For those that enter the show, Faye Jones has volunteered to take our quilts to the show as well as bring them back.
• MQG- QuiltCon East 2018:  Check out the two challenges both with deadlines November 30, 2017: 
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge. 
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese. 
• Cindy Lammon shared with us the opportunity to participate with Bernina Sewing Center in "Global Journey" a special formed group of 20 quilters from the USA and other countries who will be visiting Greenville next May 25, 2018. The goal of the group is to experience the uniqueness of the area through local residents and quilters like ourselves. Here is the website to learn more about this program called Friendship Force Western North Carolina. We will keep you posted as this event nears next year.
• Cobblestone Quilt Guild is hosting a workshop for "Introduction to Quilt Judging". Below is the information to learn more of the details of the workshop. It will by taught by certified judges Lorraine Covington & Kate Eelkema of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judging on November 10th and 11th.   See below for more information: 

We hope you continue to enjoy your summer and be inspired by the adventures and outings you take. Go ahead and save-the-date for next month's meeting on August 12th.

We look forward to seeing you at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

Subtracting for Minimalism - July's "Hot" Topic at GMQG

We hope to see you this Saturday to learn more about this intriguing subject:

Subtracting for Minimalism

Our own, GMQG member, Cheryl Brickey will be our featured speaker this Saturday.

As a quilt designer and avid quilter, Cheryl is going to be walking us through her technique of how to remove quilt composition elements for a minimalist quilt design."

This will be a fun visual lecture as well as opportunity to participate.



Come join us.....and please do not forget to bring your Show & Share, Philanthropy and Block of the Month squares. It all begins Saturday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

Highlights from June 2017 Meeting

We hope you came and enjoyed yourself this past Saturday, June 10th. It was great to see everyone catching up with each other before and after our meeting.  We are a growing group and to help us better stay in touch ...... we now have a GMQG Membership Directory.

We extend a huge "thank you" to Nancy de Jong, our Membership board member, for her time and work in making this possible. She did such an awesome job with the cover and the layout inside. I know we will all appreciate this useful "quilting" tool.  For those unable to attend, Nancy will have copies for you next month.

Celebrating Pathways

Trunk Show featuring Paige Alexander & Lynne Harrill

We had two wonderful, fun and inspirational ladies in our limelight this month. Our meeting was a mini Trunk Show featuring our own guild members Paige Alexander and Lynne Harrill. Each of these ladies shared a distinct pathway of discovery and progress as modern design quilters. I think I can safely say on the Guild's behalf that we thoroughly enjoyed their presentations.

Paige Alexander

For Paige, it all began around 1979 in Mississippi where her Grandmother taught her to sew on a Singer sewing machine. Paige had a special relationship with her Grandmother. When she moved to South Carolina, she brought flower bulbs from her Grandmother's garden to plant in hers. Little did she imagine then, that it would be the inspiration for her first show quilt in 2011 called "Grandmother's Legacy of Flowers" and to this date remains her all time favorite quilt.

From her first quilt in 1983 to the present, Paige has challenged herself in modern design, quilt & sewing techniques and fabric dyeing by attending lectures, classes and workshops. She also steps out of her comfort zone by entering quilt challenges and shows. Below are some of her award winning quilts entered at American Quilters Society (AQS) and QuiltCon.  From the viewers vantage point, you see in each piece her pursuit and love of quilting. It is becoming quite a "portfolio" (more can be seen on her blog: http://www.quiltedblooms.com/)

What is next for Paige? Well, her newest work below "Positively Transparent" is going to be featured soon in a prominent place but as a full size quilt!!!!  and in process, with Stash Books, is a forthcoming book co-authored with Cheryl Brickey.

Left: 1983-First quilt for Aunt's newborn   Right: 2011-All time favorite quilt called "Grandmother's Legacy of Flowers"

Left: 2005-Results from an ugly fabric challenge    Right: 2005-Handkerchief quilt called "New Hanky's"

Left: 2014- at AQS received Honorable Mention   Right: QuiltCon 2nd place for "After Dinner Mints"

Left: Modern quilt with concentric circle quilting  Right:  AQS 2015-Charlotte 2nd Place for "Leafy Lines"

Left: "Peak of Perfection" inspired by Pikes Peak pattern  Right: 2017 - Newest work called"Positively Transparent"

Lynne Harrill

For Lynne, it all began in 1977, when looking at a magazine, a quilt caught her eye. It was a log cabin pattern she would make in earth tone fabrics and hand quilt. Her second quilt was inspired by a Georgia Bonesteel pattern and was also made with fabric colors of the day and amazingly hand quilted. These have become loved family quilts.

The next decade would move Lynne to Georgia and Florida for her husband's work. It was in these transitions and alone-ness, she discovered something new about herself: a love of art, color, fabric dyeing and textiles. At the same time, Lynne was also becoming acquainted with the works from modern quilters (ie. Michael James, Nancy Crow....) that challenged her imagination. She made it a part of her learning experience to attend lectures, classes and workshops. Through the years, her perseverance to explore, experiment and take chances as won her several art and quilt awards.

Today, Lynne exudes creativity and color. She is a textile artist. Her work shown below is a sampling of her passion for interpreting art in textiles. You can see more of her works at her website lynneharrill.weebly.com .

(Left): 1977 First quilt pattern in Family Circle Magazine (Right):1982 "Monkey Wrench" pattern by Georgia Bonesteel 

(Left): 1999 Inspired by Michael James Free motion workshop (Right): Inspired by a modern quilt show in Atlanta, GA

(Left): 2001 Original quilt work called Mr. AtoZ from Star Trek (Right) 2005 Original quilt with wine glass "Fiber Glass"

(Left): 2006 Full Phathom Five (Five colors, 5x5)  (Right): 2012 Black & White called Libation Lane

(Left): 3 colors won 2nd Place at Foothill Quilt Show  (Right): 2013 Interpretative quilt-graining cut threw the mountains 

Additional items to note:

• Welcome to our visitors. Thank you for coming. Together with our Members we had 28 in attendance. 
• MQG is publishing a book soon. Kudos to Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander who have quilts that will be featured!!!!!  
• Check-out Bernina Sewing Center June calendar for sewing and quilting classes. 
• Sew-In with Cindy at:  Bernina Sewing Center - Friday, July 14th from 10:00a.m. - 4:00pm.
  
  Please purchase a 1/2 yd. of fabric at Bernina for the drawing. 
• Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 has a new category for modern quilts. The hosts of the show, Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, has invited GMQG members to consider entering quilts in this category. 
• The registration form and deadline for the show is September 1, 2017. 
• For those that enter the show, Faye Jones has volunteered to take our quilts to the show as well as bring them back.
• MQG- QuiltCon East 2018:  Check out the two challenges both with deadlines November 30, 2017: 
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge. 
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese. 
• August Quilt Challenge announced!!!!! Here are the criteria for this year's prize-winning challenge:
• Quilt size - not to exceed 36" on one side
• Pattern name: Birds in the Air:  http://mamalovequilts.com/2013/01/tutorial-birds-in-air-quilt-block.html . Use at least three (3) of the 8 elements in modern quilt design listed below:
• bright/graphic color palette
• negative space
• minimalism
• no borders
• improvisational piecing
• alternate grid work
• asymmetry
• exaggerated scale
• Note: the interpretation of this pattern is "open" to your imagination!!!!!

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM)

Look at our April/May Block of the Month submissions using:

Block name: Half Square Triangle {Scrappy Strings Style} by Designer: Karen from Blooming Poppies

Good job.....we had several of you test your skills. The vibrant colors look great all laying next to each other.


Are you ready for June's BOM Challenge. Cheryl Brickey has selected "Herringbone:

Designer: Alissa Haight Carlton of Handmade by Alissa for Sew Mama Sew

Web address: http://www.sewmamasew.com/2012/01/modern-block-of-the-month-bom-january-sew-along/

Block size: 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished, (12" x 12" finished)

The following are instructions with fabric colors.


Fabrics/Colors:

1. Fabrics A/B - same color with A darker than B (for example A can be dark blue and B can be light blue) 
2. Fabrics C/D - neutral color with C darker than D (for example C can be dark gray and D can be light gray) 

Tip: Before sewing on the final portion (portion number 9) check to make sure that you can cut a 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" block which how Alissa has portion 9 positioned. I had to move my portion 9 (so my off-set in step 6 was about 3 1/2" instead of her recommended 2") so that I could cut the full block.

Philanthropy

Look at Faye's bundle of awesome-ness!!

What a delight to see in Show & Share (below) the "Comfort Quilts" you brought for the children at GHS and the Julie Valentine Center. This month Faye will be able to deliver eight (8) quilts.

In addition, we had a queen size quilt donated that will be presented to the Greenville Habitat for Humanities.

Faye expresses her thanks to each of you and to Madeline Faner for help in delivery to Habitat.

Show & Share

Lynne Harrill - two philanthropy quilts

Carole Alperin - quilt made from our GMQG January's BOM squares 

Debbie Graves-(left): Dad's quilt with remote controls called "Click, Click" & (right): quilt for a young friend "Minnons" 

Madeline Faner - Philanthropy quilt for a little girl

Didi Salvatierra- called Cave Man Square Dance. Contact her on how to make

Linda Cassell - made a Christmas pillow at a Paige Alexander workshop

Faye Jones - Philanthropy quilt made from our GMQG March BOM squares

Faye Jones- using a technique called Ruler Flip Quilting

Nancy de Jong - philanthropy quilt 

Valorie Kasten (left): Quilt with Riley Blake Rock Star fabric line  (right): Project result from last month workshop with Michelle Wilke

Valorie Kasten - two GMQG Philanthropy quilts (the right one could be a checker board game-neat idea)

Cindy Lammon - (left): Nautical quilt using Cheryl Brickey's pattern Canvas Lines (right): Pop Star @ My Quilt Infatuation

Cindy Lammon- Philanthropy quilt using Riley Blake fabric  

Leslie Riekert - Philanthropy quilt to be donated to Greenville's Habitat for Humanities

Next Month

Save July 8th in your calendar. Our program is featuring Cheryl Brickey. Her lecture is entitled "Subtracting for Minimalism: How to remove quilt composition elements for a minimalist quilt design".....Intrigued?  We hope you will join us from 1:00pm to 3:00pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031