pincushions to swap

Hello Modern Quilters! How are you all? I hope you are enjoying some happy sewing days. Have you made a pincushion yet for our swap in May? Mine is done and ready (unless, of course, I become very attached to it, In which case I will make another!) Do you need some ideas to give you a jump start? Well today is your lucky day.

Here are a few of the awesome pincushions that I have received in swaps. I just love displaying them in my sewing space. They are a constant reminder of the stitchy friends who made them for me. I would love to add one of yours to my collection!

There is no end of ideas on the internet for pincushions to make. I have created a pinterest board full of ideas I love. Some of them are just pictures from blogs or flikr, but many link to free tutorials. Here are just a few of the many free pincushion tutorials online:

pincushion in a cup
tuna can pincushion
pincushion cottage
victorian pincushion
mouse pincushion
chicken pincushions
cathedral window pincushion
sugar cube pincushion

You may be wondering what to fill your pincushion with when it's finished. Some of the patterns call for stuffing or fiberfill. If you choose to use this, you will want to fill your pincushion up very tightly to give it some substance and weight. I personally prefer to fill mine up with crushed walnut shells. These make for a nice sturdy pincushion. Also, the walnut shells help to sharpen up your pins when you use your pincushion.

Now before you go running off to the kitchen to crush walnut shells (wow, that would be messy, wouldn't it?) get your car keys and head to the pet store. Yes! You heard me right. You can purchase a good sized bag of Lizard Litter at the pet store fairly inexpensively which is, you guessed it, crushed walnut shells! You will have enough leftover to fill many many more pincushions. I keep mine in a plastic storage bin with a lid and a scoop inside.

Once you start making pincushions you won't want to stop! They are a fun little birthday gift for your sewing friends, mothers day gift for moms who stitch, treat for a new young sewer.... oh and the perfect swap item for your Modern Quilt Guild buddies!

I can't wait to see you all on May 6 at our next meeting (6:30 at Stitched With Love). Bring your pincushion in a paper bag to keep it a surprise.

Happy Sewing!
Ellyn

April Meeting Minutes

 The meeting was called to order by President Sarah Huechteman on time.  20 Members were present and there was 1 guest.

Committee Reports were called.  It was announced that minutes are not posted as of yet to the website.  Lori was induced and had her baby the previous day.  Sherry M.  delivered the Treasurer’s Report.

Sarah H presented a change to the by-laws.  A new executive position has been added which is the Vice President of Membership.  Rules and Regulations were updated to match what each role is already performing.  Current board includes:

    o   President

    o   Vice President of Communication

    o   Vice President of Events

    o   Vice President of Programming

    o   Vice President of Membership

    o   Treasurer

    o   Secretary

A motion was made on the floor to nominate Janet Plotkin of VP of Membership.  Motion was favored and Janet was elected as VP of Membership.

A motion was made on the floor to nominate Lisa Lake-Johnson as Secretary.  Motion was favored and Lisa was elected as Secretary.

Sarah presented all forms of Communication for our guild.  This includes the following:

    o   Facebook – it was requested that everyone “like” the page

    o   Blog - Mckinneymodernquiltguild.blogspot.com – All minutes, upcoming

            events and meetings, swaps, and general information will be updated on the

            blog and will be the general form of communication for announcements.

    o   Email – mckinneymodernquiltguild@gmail.com – Group messages may come

            from this email as mass communication.

    o   Instagram – the following hashtag will be used for pics posted relating to the

            guild in general: #McKMQG

Sarah discussed focus on community service and that we did not meet the goal of donating 10 quilts to Alberta’s Hope.  Sarah requested someone to volunteer as the Chair for community service.  No volunteers as of yet.

Ellyn presented the Michael Miller Challenge and invited all to sign up and receive a fat eighth bundle of fabric for the challenge. Due Date is June 3^rd and must be a paid member to participate.  Only Michael Miller prints should be used with challenge fabric, however ANY solids may used.  Stitched With Love will have 4 of the 6 fabrics on hand to purchase.

Ellyn announced that May’s meeting activity will be a pin cushion swap.  Everyone is encourage to bring a pin cushion in a gift bag to swap next meeting.  Each participant will receive an extra door prize ticket.

Birthday certificate was distributed.

Trivia game was played led by Jessie L.

Show and Tell occurred.

Door prize raffle occurred and it was discussed that volunteers talk to Sarah about asking local quilt shops for door prizes.

Meeting was adjourned timely.

Things to bring to May’s Meeting:

    o   Pin cushion in a bag for swap

    o   Items for Show and Tell

Items, Blogs, and other interesting items mentioned:

    o   Quick Curve Ruler

    o   Sew Together Bag – Sew Demented – QuiltBarn Walkthrough

    o   Craftsy – Free Patterns