This & That

A "Thank You" from our Presidents--What a great Holiday Luncheon! Thanks go to Gigi Corbin and Beverly Krysa for organizing the whole affair and the beautiful decorations. Some lucky members even got to take the centerpieces home. The food was delicious and the company delightful. We had a great showing of Christmas quilts and decor. What a great way to get us all in the Holiday spirit.

Cathy and Beth (who was there in spirit)

Holiday Sale and Coupon at G Street Fabrics. Go to http://www.gstreetfabrics.com/ for more information.

New Quilting Magazine to Launch-- The first issue of Machine Quilting Unlimited, a magazine devoted to the home-quilting enthusiast who quilts on a domestic sewing machine or small frame system, will be available to subscribers this month. The magazine was launched by Fort Lupton, Colorado company Meander Publishing. Machine Quilting Unlimited will be published four times per year and is available through subscriptions and will soon be available in shops and machine dealerships. For more information, visit http://www.upquiltmag.com/

New TV Show on Quilting--Quilting Arts TV" will premiere nationally on PBS at the end of this year. Patricia Bolton is the host of this new program. First season guests include: Laura Cater-Woods, Jane Dunnewold, Robbi Joy Eklow, Lesley Riley, Pam RuBert, Susan (Lucky)Shie, Shelley Stokes, Mary Ann Tipple, and more. Go to: http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/ or see the blog posts just for the PBS program: http://www.quiltingartsblog.com/quilting_arts_blog/qa_tv/index.html

Quilt Show Deadline -- Don't be caught off-guard! Mark your calendars for the QU Quilt Show entry deadline: February 29, 2008. Read all the Quilt Show details (including how to submit a digital photo of your quilt -- a new procedure this year) at http://www.quiltersunlimited.org/

Big QU Newsletter Now Online - Editor, Connie Doberenz has out done herself again, with a newsletter chock-full of interesting QU news. If you haven't seen it yet, the QU Quarterly Issue 35, Vol. 2 is now available on the QU website at the following link: http://www.quiltersunlimited.org/

Just a Reminder-- January 8, 2008 is Mt. Vernon Challenge Tuesday. Be sure to bring in your "What's Black, White and _____ All Over ?" challenge quilts for the big reveal.

Winter Quilt-In Volunteers
This is a list to remind volunteers of their jobs. If anyone can help fill in the blank slots, please talk to Cathy Hanratty.

Set Up 12:00 – 1:00
1. Cathy Hanratty
2. Mary Mazzuchi
3. Pat Alfredson
4. Carol Kunkel
5. Mary Stauss

Sign In 1:00-2:001. Kathy Edwards
2. Mary Mazzuchi
3. Pat Alfredson
Sign In 2:00-3:00
1. Kathy Edwards
2. Margaret Chandler
3. ________________________
Sign In 3:00-4:00
1. Kathy Edwards
2. ________________________
3. ________________________

Food Table 1:00-2:00
1. Gail Franchi
2. Andrea Gribble
Food Table 2:00-3:00
1. Gail Franchi
2. Andrea Gribble
Food Table 3:00-4:001. Gigi Corbin
2. ________________________

Block Table – collect, sort, “kit up” blocks 1:00 – 4:00
1. Dotty Eisenhour
2. Joyce Keating

Clean Up 4:00 – 5:001. Cathy Hanratty
2. Margaret Chandler
3. Tammy Fletcher
4. __________________________
5. __________________________

Mistress of Ceremonies
Barbara Edler

Games
1. Barbara Edler
2. Margaret Chandler

Quilters Go Green!

Here’s your chance – the Winter Quilt-In offers creativity and fun, plus a worthwhile theme – taking better care of our environment!

When: Sunday, January 13, 2008 from 1 – 4 PM
Where: Cafeteria Falls Church High School, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church 22042

Join us! Please bring a dessert to share, some handwork (no machines), blocks for the drawing—see below, your latest project for show-n-tell and come enjoy an afternoon with friends and members of other QU Chapters.

And, don’t forget, wear something green!

Bottled water will be provided (and the bottles recycled). If you want other types of drinks please bring your own.

“No Pattern” Blocks (four options) — Blocks should be 8.5” square to finish at 8”. The more you make and bring, the greater your chance to win!

Appliqué – on a light green or ecru background, illustrate something on the earth that you cherish and/or want to help save. Can be very simple. Examples: trees, flowers, mountains, animals. All colors are fine as long as you use some green and/or ecru.

Patchwork – should relate in either its design or (if a traditional block) its name to something on earth that you cherish and/or want to help save. Examples trees (pine?), mountains (delectable), flowers, stars, homes (log cabin). All colors are fine as long as you use some green and/or ecru.

Blank Block – plain, no needlework – if solid must be green or ecru, if print must pertain in some way to the theme and must contain some green and/or ecru.

Or

Fat Quarter – Need to “grab and go”? Bring in a fat quarter. Again, if solid, must be green or ecru; if print, must pertain in some way to the theme and must contain some green and/or ecru.
Directions to Falls Church High School: Take 495 to Route 50 exit 50B-A towards Arlington (1.3 miles), turn right onto Jaguar Trail, at fork continue to the right. Go to the back of the school and enter through door number 7 to the cafeteria.

Holiday Luncheon Recipes

Barbara Elder's Cashew Shortbread

1 cup butter (2 sticks), softened

2 cups unbleached white flour

1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

3 Tbs granulated sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 cup finely minced cashews

1. First you have to grind the cashews. We use unsalted "raw" cashews (actually they're not really raw, that would be poisonous --they're dry roasted I think). I dump about 1-1/4 cups into the food processor and smash 'em up pretty good, then measure out one cup, which will be almost all of 'em.
2. Soften the butter, about 30 seconds in the nuker or however you prefer.
3. Beat butter and sugars in large bowl at high speed for about 3 minutes.
4. Stir in the cashews
5. Sift the flour, salt, and baking powder directly into the bowl (hooray, no other bowl to mess up).
6. Mix the dough with your hands, doing it quickly as can, until it holds together.
7. Somewhere in here, depending on how long your oven takes to heat, turn it on at 375 degrees. 8. On floured surface, roll dough until 1/4"- 1/2" thick.
9. I just cut 'em into squares/rectangles, but you can use cutters and do simple shapes.
10. Put on ungreased (hooray) cookie sheet.
11. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375, or until lightly browned on the bottom (you have to take 'em out of oven and sorta turn one of 'em over to find this out).
12. They're really hot! Let 'em cool 10 minutes or more before eating or putting on serving plate.
NOTE 1: this was originally from a totallymarvelous cookbook copyrighted 1982 and 1995-- "The Enchanted Broccoli Forest" by MollieKatzen. (Ten Speed Press, Berkeley CA)
NOTE 2: my adaptation (above) is for shortbread lovers, who will think it's fabulous! Those who aren't into shortbread will wonder what the fuss is about

Tammy Fletcher's BLT Pasta Salad

1 lb bow-tie pasta
salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz bacon cut into 1 inch pieces (I used bacon bits)

1/2 cup regular or reduced fat mayonaise

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, preferably Parmigiano-Reggiano, divided

1 teaspoon ground pepper

4 cups grape tomatoes cut lengthwise

1 cup chopped sweet red onion

1 1/2cups cleaned stemmed coarsely chopped arugula

Boil pasta until al dente stage, drain and toss with olive oil. Fry bacon until crisp and drain on paper towels. Mix mayo, vinegar, 1/2 of the cheese and pepper together. Toss well to coat the pasta with the dressing and add bacon, tomatoes, onion, arugula and cheese .

Pat Alfredson's Sauerkraut Salad

1 qt. sauerkraut, well rinsed and drained 1 onion, diced
1 carrot or pepper, diced 1 cup diced celery
1 cup sugar ½ cup vinegar
½ cup oil

Combine the sauerkraut, celery, onion, and carrot/pepper. Separately combine sugar and vinegar and bring to a boil until clear. When the sugar mixture is cool, add it to the sauerkraut mixture and mix well. Pour in oil and stir. Let stand in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours; 2 days is better. This will keep in the refrigerator for a month. Lois Altz says she serves it with meatballs on the side as a meal.

Mary W. Kerr Lecture & Trunk Show

Mary W. Kerr of Pieced of Olde awed and inspired us with her lecture and collection of quilts made from rescued quilts and orphan blocks on November 27, 2007. The quilts shown here show many examples and ideas for working with vintage textiles, period clothing, feed sacks and more to make one-of -a kind quilts. Don't forget, Mary is a certified AQS Certified Appraiser and will be at the Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show, June 6-8, 2008. Be sure to look her up and have your quilting treasures appraised and evaluated. http://www.marywkerr.com/

Show & Tell, December 11, 2007

Simone Pointon's beautifully hand appliqued and hand quilted floral quilt

"Nativity" by Joan Bingman

Nancy McGlasson's 2006-2007 "Pine Tree" Round Robin

Beverly Krysa's Block of the Month applique Christmas quilt

"Mom's Garden" by Kathy Edwards

Beverly Krysa's Round Robin "Holiday Star"

"Autumn on Meadow Mountain" by Barbara Dove

"Trees Up! Lights On!" by Rhonda Adams (pattern available at http://www.piecesfrommyheart.net/awStore/store/awStore_viewItem.asp?idProduct=4144)

Andrea Gribble's "Trees and Holiday Lights"

Pat Alfredson would like to share the last two quilts which are the work of "away" member, Phyllis LaPlante. She sent these pictures in a holiday card to Pat and wrote, "I did win a blue ribbon at the county fair and am most proud it it. I finished the blue and white block quilt that you all gave me.. I miss you guys all the time and so wish I could get down there on one of your meeting days."

Mount Vernon News
Quilters Unlimited
December 2007

Mount Vernon Chapter Officers 2007 – 2008

Co-Presidents—Cathy Hanratty and Beth Smith
Co-Vice Presidents—Joyce Keating and Rhonda Adams
Secretary—Dotty Eisenhour
Treasurer—Barbara Dove
Nominating Chair—Tammy Mannarino

Presidents’ Message
We hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. It is hard to believe that on December 11th, at 12:00, we will have our annual Holiday Luncheon. Where did the time go? It is potluck, so please bring your favorite dish with you.

We will also have a grab bag gift exchange. If you wish to participate, please bring a $10 gift wrapped in a brown bag.

This is also the time to bring in any quilt you wish to donate to the “For Children’s Sake” home. Cathy has made wonderful labels for the back of each quilt so the child can put their name on their quilt. What a wonderful way to start the holidays.

Last month we started a "White Elephant" table to be held at each business meeting. You may bring in any item you wish, and the proceeds will go to the treasury. What a great way to clear out your closet, and help our chapter.

Aby Dolinger presented her “bow tie” block for the block exchange. Not only does it look wonderful, it is an easy fast block to sew. Please let her know if you would like to participate, as the blocks will be exchanged in April.

Speaking of blocks…don’t forget that the challenge handed out by Rhonda and Joyce is due January 8th. It should be a fun time seeing all the different interpretations of the fabrics.

January also brings us the Winter Quilt-In. It is being held on January 13 from 1-4 pm at Falls Church High School. We will have the room from 12-5 pm for set up and clean up. Mount. Vernon is in charge of this event so please sign up on the volunteer list which will be available at the Holiday Luncheon. It is a great time to meet other chapters. Please plan on attending.

We both want to wish everyone a most happy and safe holiday, and a wonderful New Year.

Beth and Cathy

Join us!

Mount Vernon’s Holiday Luncheon

December 11, 2007

12:00 pm

Hollin Hall Senior Center

Bring your favorite dish to share,

Some holiday cheer,

And a $10 gift for the brown-bag gift exchange (optional)

See you there!
Volunteers needed for set up at 11:00 am.

"White Elephant" Sale

Cleaning out those cupboards and closets and can't bear to throw it away? Here's an opportunity to share those unwanted items with someone who may give it a good home. In an ongoing effort to raise funds throughout the year, the Fund Raising Committee has established a "White Elephant" sale table.

On the second Tuesday of each month, you may bring in items (quilting related not necessary) with a price on it and place it on the sale table. All monies raised will go to MVQU. The catch… if it doesn't sell, you must take it home with you or discard it. The first sale netted around $40. Thanks to all who brought in items to sell in November.

Mount Vernon Bird-in-Hand Retreat
The Mount Vernon (2nd Annual) Retreat at Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania, will be held on February 18—20, 2008. You may sign up for either 2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days. This schedule should provide participants plenty of additional time to work or shop.

Approximate prices follow:

· Single room for 2 nights costs $173; 3 nights costs $247.

· Shared (double) room with another quilter for 2 nights costs $110; 3 nights costs $153.

Cost includes the price of your room, the use of the meeting room (3:00 p.m., Monday, February 18th, through 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 21st), and some snacks, bottled water, and quilting goodies. If you have any questions, please call Rosemary Coller at 301-630-3243.

There will be sign-up forms available at the Christmas luncheon on December 11th. If you cannot attend the luncheon, she will be happy to e-mail or snail mail you a form.

A non-refundable deposit (50%) will be required when you sign up for a spot at this retreat. The remainder will be due in early January. Like we did last year, we will choose our roommates and car pool buddies when we sign up.

Calendar Events for December

December 4, 2007—Bee, 12:30, Room #216 Hollin Hall Senior Center
December 11, 2007—Mt. Vernon Holiday Luncheon, 12:00, Hollin Hall Senior Center
December 18, 2007—Bee, 12:30, Room #216 Hollin Hall Senior Center

Calendar Events for the Future

January 13, 2008—QU Winter Quilt-In, 1-4 pm

January 22, 2008—Aby Dolinger, "It's Not About the Quilts"

February 18-22, 2008—2nd Annual Mount Vernon Retreat, Bird-in-Hand, PA

February 26, 2008—Lynda Poole Prioleau, "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly"

March 4, 2008—Paula Nadelstern, “Symmetry & Surprise: The Kaleidoscope as Design Inspiration”

March 11, 2008—Paula Nadelstern “Needle Stars” Workshop

April 21, 2008—Barbara Olson Workshop (title to be announced)

April 22, 2008—Barbara Olson Lecture (title to be announced)

December Birthdays

December 5 Aby Dolinger
December 11 Paula Mason
December 17 Joyce Matherly
December 29 Lynn Poulin

January Birthdays
January 1 Janet Betz
January 6 Elizabeth Eastmond
January 19 Ann Marlin
January 25 Nancy Burns
January 22 Patricia Sen
January 28 Joyce Nicholas
January 28 Dianne Tippins
January 31 Patti Turner

Minutes of the 11/13/07 Business Meeting
The meeting was called to order at 12:30 PM by Cathy Hanratty

Minutes
The minutes of the October Meeting were presented. They were approved as written.

Refreshments
Food for today was provided by Gigi Corbin, Janet Betz, and Frankie Carroll.

OLD BUSINESS
There is still a need for volunteers to study the bylaws.

COMMITTEE REPORTS
Newsletter/Blog
Beverly Dasch was thanked for her great work on the blog. Beverly said that she will post on the blog twice a month – first for the newsletter and articles of importance and second for other news and fun things!

Treasurer's Report
This report is in the email that notified you of this post (MVQU Newsletter attachment)

Quilt Show
Nancy McGlasson reported that Marge Barondes and Libby Dudley have been attending meetings and working hard on plans for the show. It will be held again at the Expo Center from Friday, June 6th until Sunday, June 8th. The entrance fee will be $10 for Friday and Saturday and $8 for Sunday. A three day pass will be $20 and volunteers will be able to get a three day pass for $10. Mt. Vernon is in charge of finding all the volunteers (300+). The committee is working up a new application for quilt entries which will appear on the Internet when finished.

Quilt Collector
The quilt collector, Marianne Urban, will need lots of help as they want our information on excel spreadsheets, digital photos to go on a CD and photos on the entry forms.

Programs
Rhonda Adams reported that Mary Kerr will present a lecture/trunk show called Motherless Quilts on November 27th. The “black and white” quilts are due on January 8, 2008. Sign up sheets for Paula Nadelstern and Barbara Olson workshops will be out soon, with payment due when signing up. Since Rhonda will be retiring as Vice President/Program Chair at the end of this fiscal year, she would like to have suggestions for future programs, workshops, lectures, etc. It is necessary to plan out ahead for any special speakers or instructors.

One of our Quilt Pink quilts was purchased by a fellow guild member, Joan Clemmons. She sent the quilt back to Rhonda so that all the members of our guild could sign the back of the quilt. It was wonderful to see this beautiful quilt again!

Block Exchange
Aby Dolinger introduced the block exchange project for the year. Each member who wishes to participate will make a minimum of 18 bow tie blocks and then swap with the other members who are taking part. Each group of 18 should be made out of the same fabric. She had available the directions and a sign up sheet for those interested. The blocks will be due in April. The quilts will be “guy” quilts so the blocks should be made of dark color bow ties and light shirting fabric for the background.

Sunshine
Marge Barondes will send a card to Barbara Dove who suffered a twisted ankle.

December Luncheon
Beverly Krysa announced that the December luncheon will be held on December 11th beginning at 12:00. There will be a show and tell of holiday quilts. Also if you wish to bring a gift, please bring it in a brown bag. She will need volunteers to set up about 11:15 that day. Also at the luncheon the quilts For Children's Sake will be due.

June Luncheon
Pat Alfredson and Mary Mazzuchi will be in charge – more details later.

Subscription Sales
Nancy McGlasson will be taking renewals or new subscriptions for the Fons and Porter magazine.

Fund Raising
Pat Alfredson, Mary Mazzuchi, Joyce Keating, Kay Brill, Tammy Mannarino, and Anne Poulin will be in charge of fund raising for this session. Pat said that we will need to advertise the silent auction earlier next year to get more folks from outside the guild to attend. The fixed price items and the services offers went very well this year. The group will be offering the left over items for sale at the meetings and there will also be a "White Elephant" table.

A silent auction sewing circle will start on January 15th and be held on the first bees of the month. Members will be making small items for the auction.

Nominating Chair
By January we need to attend the Big QU meeting with at least one name of a member who will agree to run for a Big QU office.

Winter Quilt In
Cathy announced that Barb Edler, Margaret Chandler, and Jim Melton will need help with this event. We need someone to be in charge of food, block exchange (if we have one) sign in area, program, mistress of ceremony and theme for the day. The Quilt-In will be held on Sunday, January 13th from 1 pm to 4 pm at Falls Church High School.

NEW BUSINESS
Round Robin Quilts
Tammy Mannarino, Anne Poulin, Beverly Dasch, Pat Alfredson, and Aby Dolinger participated in a Round Robin project recently. They started with each one doing one block and then passing it on to the next person to add a block. They each showed the completed blocks which were great!

Big QU Annual Meeting
Carol Doak is the speaker for the annual meeting. She will teach classes at G Street Fabrics, 7 Corners. There will be an all day class for $60 and a ½ day class for $40.

QU is 35 years old
The chapters have all been asked to submit the highlights of our group for the last 10 years.

Community Service Projects
Beth and Cathy will be collecting a list of community service projects that members have participated in this year. Please give the information to one of them.

Alzheimer's Quilts
Kathy Edwards reported that the sale of the quilts made by our chapter raised $1,000 for the initiative. Some of our quilts are still for sale on the site.

Show and Tell
Members participating: Cathy Hanratty, Lynne Fishburn, Dotty Eisenhour, Libby Dudley, Frankie Carroll, Jim Melton, Carol Conahan, Gail English, Marjorie Parkyn, Pat Alfredson, Mary Mazzuchi, Kathy Edwards, and Aby Dolinger.

Door Prizes
Winners were: Beth Smith, Rhonda Adams, and Dotty Eisenhour. (Since Mary Kelleher will be moving, we will need a new door prize chairman).

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 1:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Dotty Eisenhour, Secretary

Please submit items to Beverly Dasch, MVQU Newsletter Editor, at mvqu.news@gmail.com the first of every month. Have a wonderful holiday season.

December BOM (Blog of the Month)

Rhonda has sent instructions for this month's BOM.

And now, part three of our BOM quilt…you will actually be making blocks for two rows from this set of instructions. The first row will be sewn just below the pinwheels and the second row will be used later.

You will need 3” strips or squares that have contrast, or are light and dark. If you are using strips, cut them in half so you will have more variety. The finished size of each square in this checkerboard is 2 ½”, which is relatively large so feel free to use larger prints either for the light or the dark, but not both. Using a busy print for both will cause the checkerboard design to disappear.

Let’s get started:

(click on the box to enlarge for printing)1) Using either 3” strips or squares, sew two strata as pictured: dark, light, dark, and another, light, dark, light. Cross-cut strips at 3” intervals. You will need 12 of each. Sew together, alternating strata to create a row of checkerboard. Sew this row beneath your row of pinwheels.

2) Repeat the process as above to make a row of checkerboard as pictured below. Reserve for later.

If you are making a twin size quilt, construct a second row of checkerboard using step number 1. Reserve for later.

Begin piecing your rows together as you finish them. As a recap, the first row consists of the split nine-patch, below that is the row made up of six pinwheels and now you will add the checkerboard row you made using step 1 above.