Unfinished Fabric Obsessions-UFO Auction

One month after joining the Guild, 5 years ago, I found myself caught up in the bidding frenzy that occurs every February at the UFO auction. Lots of cool, gotta-have-it stuff!!! YES, good stuff. One particular item beckoned me….a huge box filled with solid colored, polyester and cotton, twill weight fabric; EVERY color of the rainbow, but mainly BRIGHTS! Just Gorgeous I think, no one will want them, its polyester! Being inexperienced, I failed to recognize the gusto, the fevered pitch, the determination of MVQ quilters and I quickly lost the bidding war. I suffered massive bidder remorse, depression, and then was obsessed about my loss. I approached the “winner” to ask to buy her out…..and luck was with me as she quickly said “let’s split it”. And so began the next journey of this FABULOUS fabric which has been sitting in my sewing room since that day, five years ago. Stop me if this story sounds familar.

We all know, you can never have enough fabric, so when inspiration struck this summer …I was READY! I attacked those polyester and cotton textiles with a vengeance. I made: 2 personalized “coloring book” tote bags for the great nephews birthdays, they held all of their gifts and goodies; 16 tote bags to hold personal care items for a battered woman’s shelter (a few great accent fabrics added more pizzazz); 2 larger tote bags for shopping green instead of choosing “paper or plastic”; 3 – 17″ Nancy Crow style pillows for the cabin of our sail boat, highly washable; 2 ditty bags to hold wallets, keys, cell phones and items we didn’t want to lose overboard; 2 large ditty bags for containing spare oak mast wedges and a collection of miscellaneous engine parts; and 4 “superperson” capes for the same 2 great nephews and their super friends.

Phew, I’m done, $5 well spent, and a terrific bargain among many great UFO bargains! While sharing this story I just realized, there are bits and pieces of fabric remaining…..absolutely TOO good to toss….Perhaps my chocolate labrador would like a new dog bed! So I’m back to stitching like mad and thinking maybe the rest of this FABULOUS fabric will show up at this years UFO auction on February 18th ….you know, it is possible. ——————————————————————————–

A Former Guild Member Passes

The following is a note I received from the daughter of a former member of the guild.

My mom, Gail McKenna, was a member of the Merrimack Valley Quilters for many years before she moved to Florida a year and a half ago.  She passed away a couple weeks ago and I wanted to pass it along to anyone that may have known her.  We are having a “celebration” of her life on Saturday, November 21 from 2pm to 6pm for anyone that would be interested.  It will be held at the clubhouse at Ledgewood Hills condo complex in Nashua, NH.  The address is 3 Dogwood Dr Nashua, NH 03062-4402.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.
Robbie McKenna via e-mail

President’s Block 2009-2010

Instructions for the president’s block.

Click Here

Also available in the November December 2009 Newsletter.

Holiday Party 2009

The holidays always come so quick.  I can’t believe it’s November already.

In lieu of a November and December meeting, there is a Holiday Party held on the first Thursday of December.  This year’s party is on December 3rd.  There will be a pot luck buffet.  A sign up sheet was sent around at the last meeting.  Click here to see a copy of what you signed up to bring.  If you didn’t get a chance to sign up, check the list to see if there is something not listed you can bring.

We will be collecting canned or boxed goods to donate to a locate food pantry.

There will be entertainment this year.  Girl Treble, an all female a Capella quartet will be there to serenade us.

What you need to bring to the party:

• Donation for the food pantry
• Place setting for yourself (plate and silverware)
• Your contribution to the buffet
• Your smile and holiday cheer

See you all there,

Cathy Harnisch

Assistance with Charity Quilts

It has been brought to my attention that some of you are in need of some help in making/finishing your quilts.  Or maybe would just like to do yours in a social setting?  I will have a sign up sheet at our December meeting for anyone who may be interested in getting together after the holidays for a day of quilting and learning.  Please indicate if you would prefer a week day or a Saturday.  You can also email at Vice President.  This should give me a good indication on how much space I will need to find.

Thanks and Happy Holidays!

Sue Molin