December Newsletter

Notes from the President

Laurie Ferber

Another year—where does the time go? 2012. I would encourage everyone to take stock of this last year. Were there things left undone—new challenges you didn't get to? UFO's piling up? Time is valuable—what would you like to see yourself try or finish this year? Be realistic. We can't do it all, but try for one new challenge this year. One of our biggest challenges this year will be to have a great quilt show. I would like to challenge everyone to have at least one item in the show. if you gave a quilt away this year—ask for it back for the show. In January, Fran will be giving some challenges, incentives and encouragements. Connie Bauer will be unveiling the Monarch Challenge. Her green challenge a few years ago had about 30 participants. Lets try to equal or best that number. Sandi Lacey gave a preview of the new block of the month. The blocks can be assembled into one big quilt or several smaller items--that could be sold at the boutique. Elizabeth will be revealing the programs and workshops for this year—new techniques to learn or to be reinforced. There will be something for everyone at our January meeting. I mentioned at our December meeting that we may be changing our Salida meeting location. That will NOT happen in January. We will meet at the Vineyard church as usual for our January meeting. Refreshment people should not show up until 8:30 am when the building will be opened for us. At the meeting we will discuss moving to the Lutheran Church on F and 13th street in Salida. It’s a little bigger than our BV location but similar layout. The lighting is great, tables adequate, kitchen great, plenty of outlets, easier for set up, cheaper in rent—the only issue is there are about 6 outside steep steps to get into the meeting room. Good hand rails are available. There is a chair lift for anyone with physical handicaps, however just to haul machines, refreshments and library equipment might become an issue. I felt there needed to be more time put into the change and more notice of the change. So I would like your input at this meeting. But for January we will continue to meet at the Vineyard. Financially we did good this past year, thanks to all areas who tried to cut costs. Instead of going about $2000 over budget, we cut that to about $700 over our intake. We still had money in reserve so we were not in the red. Hopefully between being fiscally responsible, and having a successful quilt show, we can save for more community outreaches and challenging programs and workshops in the future. It’s been a privilege to serve you this past year along side our other officers: Elizabeth Shelby, Laurie Gillingham, and Bev Scanga. Also, the meetings wouldn't come off without all the heads of committees doing their part. Thank you for serving so faithfully last year. Please encourage the new ladies—and as all of us have busy lives—be flexible with change and step in to help if someone needs to be out of town. You ladies are wonderful at doing that. Thank you also to all who made the December Christmas party fun. Another great show and tell ladies! So here 's to all of you—for another great year of encouraging one another in quilting. I am excited for what is to come! Happy New Year!

REMINDER: 2011 and 2012 Committee Heads are asked to submit their committee’s budget needs to Laurie Gillingham either before or at our Jan 4th meeting at Laurie Ferber's at 9:30, 2100 E Ouray Ave Poncha Springs. Discuss with the previous head what are the needs and wants for your committee. We will present a budget at the February meeting as per bylaws.


Roving Reporter by Susan Huggins

Today's bio is on Joanie Barbier

Don’t miss Joanie’s trunk show at our February meeting!
Where were you born? Where did you grow up? I was born Lake Placid, N.Y. grew up there too.

How many siblings do you have? Any funny stories??? Just one sister 6 yrs. older. We'd play "pretend" most nights as we lay in bed. She'd pretend to have all these boyfriends, mostly high school quarterbacks . . . . I'd fall asleep as i was never in the scenario.

What did Mom and/or Dad teach you about hobbies and /or crafts? Nothing. Mom was a night nurse and was asleep during my adolescent days. Dad was too busy cheating on my mom.

Did you go to college? Where and what degree did you get? Syracuse University. I hold a B.F.A. degree in Illustration, minor in Weaving.

When did you get married? Where did you live after marriage? Do you have children? How many? What sort?!

i got married the day we graduated from S. U. We lived in Aspen the following winter and then went to Frankfort, Germany for a 4 yr. stint in the army. My daughter Brooke was born there and 3 yrs. later in Colorado, my son Ben born in Gunnison, CO

Were/are you employed? At what? We taught art (me) and French (he) at a private boarding school in N.Y. state. Then following my divorce 5 yrs. later, I shared galleries and co-ops with other artists in CO.

When did you move to this area? 10 yrs. ago.

When did you start quilting and what do you like to do in quilting? I'm not a serious quilter as in bed quilts—I do pictorial quilts in the zig zag machine way. I also do renditions of children's art and pet pillows, most of them commissions.

What other hobbies and interests do you have? I taught skiing for 6 yrs. For the past 15 yrs, I’ve ridden a BMW motorcycle. I also have a Kawasaki 250 dirt bike when I just want to tool around on dirt roads around the Arkansas Valley. The Beemer is for long trips like to New Zealand

Why do you come to Monarch Quilters? What does it give you? With Monarch Quilters, I find the camaraderie appealing. I love to see what others do with their stash and their time. It gives me inspiration to try new things.

If you could be given 3 wishes what would they be? Or what superpower would you like most and why? I would wish for good health, zero population growth for the planet's health, and a coming together of our divided political powers. Superpow-er?? Mother Teresa or St. Francis—if they could be called a superpower, but since they are not—i don't like superpower any-body.

What is your most wonderful / fun / embarrassing (and repeatable!) moment ever? I can't reveal my most embarrassing moment as I would get embarrassed . . . . but my most wonderful moment might be climbing 600 stairs to the top of a cliff to look out at the ocean at 6 am in New Zealand to watch the sun rise from out of the ocean on the day of the new millennium 2000—to a toast of champagne with fellow rider, Randy, a German tourist, a Brit and a kiwi who were already up there ahead of us and had the champagne already open and ready to share… so special…

Monarch Challenge 2012

Tall and Skinny or Short and Wide

Which one are you?

2012 is the year of the rectangle for Monarch Quilters.

Challenge yourself to create a masterpiece!

Requirements:

All entries must be your original design, assembled, quilted, and finished by you.
Your masterpiece must be 3 layers; top, batting, and backing and of course quilted. The edges must be finished in some manner. The dimensions are up to you but the long side must be at least 3 times the length of the short side.
Make a table runner, a bed runner, or a miniature quilt but make it great. Your ‘work of art’ should be able to be viewed as either a vertical or a horizontal quilt. As in previous years; first, second and third places will be viewers choice voted on by the membership.

You can take a few of your favorite blocks, piece them together, and add boarders.

If quilting is your thing, challenge yourself to quilt a rectangular design on a lovely piece of cloth.

Use that fat quarter bundle sitting in your stash to fashion an interesting rectangular wall hanging.

Create a landscape, think of the view out your window.

Embellish a simply pieced background using a technique you have wanted to try.

The challenge is to have fun creating something lovely to look at and to have it completed by the June meeting. If you have questions . contact Connie Bauer, lodgecon@yohoo.com




Programs 2012

Please give me or Elizabeth Shelby ideas and sugges-tions for programs you would like to see in 2012.
Faye Tingler - fatingler@yahoo.com  719-207-1546


Why We Quilt??

In becoming familiar with the different types of quilts, we can also expand the limits of our design creativity. Combining elements from different quilts can yield exciting results.

Quilts of Necessity

Some quilt designs arose from a basic need. Nine patch and scrap quilts, for example, made use of available material to create a source of warmth. Created to fill a need, these quilts were often also beautiful in their simplicity.

Quilts for a Purpose

Some quilt forms were created to commemorate a specific event or person. These quilts are testimony to our lives and relationships, as well as objects of beauty. Album, Friendship, Wedding and Memory quilts all mark important occasions.

Quilts for Beauty

Some quilt forms showcase their creator's skill. Designs such as Baltimore Album feature ornate appliqué and embroidery blocks. Watercolor quilts arrange small pieces of fabric in a manner reminiscent of Impressionist paintings. Such designs allow quilters to display artistry and skill.