February 20th is the next meeting

The Guild meets each third Friday of the month at 10:30 to noon. When there is a holiday falling on that week, it will be rescheduled usually the following Friday. After each meeting all are welcome to sit and sew on their projects. This newsletter will be sent to you once per month after the Friday meetings have taken place. Meetings generally consist of show and tell items, information exchanges, questions and answers, Sewing/quilting problem solving, themed fat quarter drawing, demonstrations and reports of different shows and stores others have visited.

New members are always welcome. There is No cost to join this guild.

FEBRUARY is the next month for "SCRAP EXCHANGE DAY" It will become a regular event bimonthly on the even months. Gather your scraps from your scrap pile/bag/basket and place them in a gallon zip lock bag. The scraps need to be at least 2-1/2" - 3-1/2" or 5" scraps long. Put as many scraps as you want, bring it to the guild meeting and exchange it with someone else. Use whatever scraps you need, and add others to the bag. Bring the bag back to exchange with another quilter. Requests can be made for whatever project you are working on and need certain colors or designs. Be prepared to share again next month....

Scrap Exchange Challenge: Use the scraps obtained in December to make any kind of project to show next meeting or before the next Scrap Exchange. Be inventive, let your imaginations run wild! Be creative - Anything goes!

Ruth made several projects from the scrap exchange bag such as: placemat, preemie quilt, small boys' quilt, lap quilt string quilt.

Marian used some of the scrap bag fabrics to make a wine bottle holder sewn together in a tube, added circle for the bottom and a handle on top. Simple and usable right away.

2015 MONTHLY FAT QUARTERS 

ONGOING PROJECTS

Quilts for Kids, Inc. http://www.quilts/ will be a new project for the guild. Kits are available from Bonnie or Vicki at every meeting. These quilts will be distributed to those children who are hospitalized with life threatening illnesses throughout North Carolina. ****Sew Happy Quilt Guild has completed 35 Quilts for Kids. Keep up the good work!!

Conkerr Pillow Cases - Sew pillow cases for the cancer patients in the local hospitals. Donations given at Sew Happy. Patterns available upon request. NOTE: We have been informed that they are running out of pillowcases. SUGGESTION: Set aside a date to have a pillowcase sew-in for ConKerr. **** Naomi shared that she knows a 22 year old young man who has leukemia, diagnosed when he was younger. He was thrilled to receive a Pillow Case from ConKerr. We are touching people just by sewing a simple pillow case. Our efforts go a long way to bless those who need a simple touch of love. ******

NEWS:

QUILTS for KIDS were turned in for distribution. Keep them coming!

UFO (Unfinished objects) days are coming! Check with Sam or Carol. Challenge-------bring in a finished project every two or three months to show.

CONKERR Pillow Cases: Sew Happy has donated over 3,000 pillow cases. Don't stop sewing!!! Pillow Case Drive for Con-Kerr - coming soon, no date set. 100 ready to go!

JELLY ROLL RACE - coming soon NEWS AT January's MEETING: Try to bring UFO's to the meeting to work on and finally finish!!!!!

Carolyn Howell's church had a retreat to finish those UFOs

Bring in any ideas, unfinished projects to display on the design board and get input from the Guild members. Share unresolved projects or problem projects...... Many eyes can certainly help to finish the project.

Marian showed the Christmas stocking made from same plain tan fabric but decorated by fusing scraps of Christmas fabrics on the heel, toe and cuffed top. So sophisticated and eye catching using the tan fabric as the background. Who would have thought???? Yes, only a quilter!

Joann showed us the ribbon yarn necklace. Just what's in fashion today!

Vickie is currently making a scrappy "I spy" quilt. She showed us the blocks and plans to finish it shortly.

Naomi had made some "pocket prayer quilts". Small quilts left at the church for people to take and keep with them to remind them of God's love for each of them.

Carolyn Howell presented her "falling charms" block table runner. The blocks and colors used were stunning. She also shared her latest quilt made for her grandson, age 22 who is legally blind but is able to see bright colors. She used the 3.5" x 6.5" blocks like a charm quilt pattern.

Carol Broughton showed us her piano keys border made from her leftover batiks from previous quilts. So simple to bring a different border to any quilt. She also showed us a Christmas Tree wall hanging copied from one that her mom had - but would not give up! Great job. Looks like an original.

Peggy Reichold showed off her latest tote for the winter made from upholstery fabric. She said it was a little hard to work with the bulky, loosely woven fabric, but she overcast the edges and used interfacing that is washable. And on a smaller scale, Peggy made a small clutch purse with pockets and a magnetic closure with a small bangle. She also showed her pillow cover which was using "quilt as you go" method in a log cabin design.

Classes at Sew Happy

*** See our website for pictures!***

www.facebook.com/SewHappyFabrics  

Sit N Sew- Every Friday 1:00-Until FREE

Sew Happy Quilt Guild - 3rd Friday of every month FREE

See you Friday, February 20th at 10:30 a.m.

~Debbie