An Amazing Group of Quilters Get Ana Buzzalino

When the Board of Directors of CQA/ACC landed in Lethbridge AB back in June of 2015 we had no inkling of what was going to take place during the week of Quilt Canada.  Let me clarify that! We knew that the Local Organizing Committee  (LOC)had been working tirelessly for 2 years to prepare for this conference. We had no doubt they would put on an incredible show and be well organized.

But what we weren't prepared for was the hundreds of extras they did for CQA/ACC. They had their cars with Quilt Canada logos on them, every meeting room had their special touches added to them. And the organization blew us away. They introduced us to a 'jump sheet' where they knew what was happening minute by minute, where it was and who was in charge!

And that is not even the best part. These quilters (and Merv) were genuine, delightful and happy.  They constantly smiled and laughed, despite the hours of work they were putting in... and what I will never forget is when we finally had to say goodbye, it was like they took a part of our hearts.

Leading the LOC was Kathy Oliver, and here is what she has to say:

The Local Organizing Committee for Quilt Canada 2015 was thrilled when the CQAACC granted them a $1,500 bursary to sponsor a workshop using a Canadian teacher.  After much discussion, we decided to ask Ana Buzzalino, a well-known teacher from Calgary to come and teach two workshops on April 23 and 24, 2016.  

Some of the committee preferred more traditional quilting and some leaned more toward art quilts so we decided to ask Ana to do both. 

Ana was willing to take up to twenty students so we agreed to open up the workshops to other members of the Lethbridge Centennial Quilters Guild who had provided so many hours of volunteer work for Quilt Canada. The hall at Parkbridge Estates is our favourite venue for workshops and it was available for rent that weekend.  The bursary did not cover all our expenses but it allowed us to cover Ana’s fee and her expenses.  Each participant then paid a small registration fee that covered the rent and provided lunch and refreshments for 40 eager learners. 

Janet Thompson hard at fun.

The first day was devoted to learning Ana’s method for making a New York Beauty block that would be used for a funky pillow top.  She uses fun-dation paper to paper piece the arcs and it does not have to be removed.  Yeah! No more picking out pieces of paper forever.  

Ana demonstrating

Ana was a patient and knowledgeable instructor who guided the group through sewing curves and using partial seams to put the pillow top together. She loves free motion quilting and generously shared her expertise with us.

Wendy Bushell

The second day started with a demonstration of using inktense pencils on fabric.  Ana has a fantastic ability to blend colours and create realistic fruits and vegetables.  She provided numerous images to the group and each person worked on their preferred choice.  

The afternoon was spent learning how to use Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) and again everyone worked on different projects.  We purchased kits from Ana which contained a number of images that we could play with in the future so the fun will continue.

It was a great weekend of sharing and camaraderie which everyone enjoyed.  We had a lot of fun working together on the Local Organizing Committee for Quilt Canada and it was wonderful to get together again.  

We certainly appreciated the bursary and extend our heartfelt thanks to the Canadian Quilters' Association for making these workshops possible. 

Submitted by Kathy Oliver, Chair of Local Organizing Committee for Quilt Canada 2015 in Lethbridge, Alberta

WOW! What a Conference

The show is over, but all the wonderful memories of what went on in Lethbridge, AB this year at Quilt Canada 2015 will live on.
 

Beach Sculptures by Judy Leslie

A record number of people went through the National Juried Show to see all the exciting quilts. Of course, everyone just had to see the BEST of Show. This quilt, Beach Sculptures, was made by fibre artist, Judy Leslie.


All the winners of the NJS are available to be seen on the CQA/ACC website. There are some amazing quilts there - absolutely stunning - by some talented quilters.

Elaine Quehl

And talking about talented, CQA/ACC Teacher of the Year (or TOY as we call it) was presented at the AGM to Elaine Quehl. Elaine has been a teacher at our Quilt Canada conferences, a quilt artist, designer and is well-known for her fabric dyeing and hostas. Congratulations Elaine!

Presentation of cheque to Children's Wish Foundation

A cheque was presented to Ginny from Children's Wish Foundation (Western Canada) at the final banquet. From all the quilts and cards sold in the travelling show, It's Time for Colour", we were able to present a cheque for $10,000. Amazing! Thanks to all who helped with this show, and in particular, those who purchased the quilts and cards. Good Job!



A big thank you to all the sponsors and quilt guilds who donated prizes and money to this conference. We really appreciate your commitment to quilting and quilters in Canada. 

A special thank you to the LOC (Local Organizing Committee) from Lethbridge, AB. The LOC and all the volunteers helped to make this year's conference a big success. They've been working hard for the last two years to make sure this year was a wonderful show.

A huge thank you to the University of Lethbridge. There were many positive comments about the staff and the facilities.

And finally to all of you who attended, in being a part of bringing quilters together from all across Canada and beyond, and also for supporting quilting in Canada!

Trend Tex Challenge

What a wonderful display of quilts made with this year's challenge Trend-Tex fabrics!








There are over 80 entrants. Thanks to Trend-Tex Inc. for sponsoring this event again this year for the 27th time. 


Stop by to bid on one of these beautiful quilts. (in the 1st Choice Savings Credit building with the other shows)
 
 

 Also can be seen on the CQA/ACC website under galleries  http://www.canadianquilter.com/photo-gallery/trend-tex-quilters-challenge.php?year=2015


These quilts will be up for show until Saturday June 6th at noon. This silent auction will be CQA/ACC's only fundraiser. When the quilts are taken down, winning bidders may pick up these quilts at the CQA/ACC table.

. 

Trend-Tex fabrics

Lollygagging - Final Leg

We have left the Okanagan (Penticton and heading towards Kelowna and Salmon Arm) on our way to Lethbridge.
Will we make it in time? 

We're headed back to Banff and then onto Calgary. 
Thanks to some of you who have been storing some inches (we've been getting some really big numbers) and all the other guilds who have regularly sent in their inches, we did it.

We're now able to head straight to Lethbridge. And with just a week to go!

YAHOO!
We can spend some time in Lethbridge checking out the venue, quilt shops, maybe even a guild meeting with the Lethbridge Quilters - that's if they have time in their busy schedule getting ready for Quilt Canada June 4-6th.

 In particular, I'd like to thank the following guilds for their phenominal numbers to help in our journey:

Victoria QG
Ocean Waves Society of Cape Breton (NS)
Huron Perth QG (ON)
Vernon Silver Star Quilters
Nanaimo QG
Abbotsford QG
Cactus Rose QG (Medicine Hat)
Cochrane QG
Sudbury & District Quilting & Stitchery Guild
Quilted Mouse Guild of Calgary

Quilt Canada - Nearly here!

Quilt Canada 2015 is rapidly approaching.  In less than a week, the LOC will begin to hang the quilts in anticipation of an amazing show that will leave you Blown Away!  But there are some practical matters that I should address here.  In order to enjoy the show, you have to get to the show.  

Time for some directions!

The University of Lethbridge is in West Lethbridge, and it is quite easy to get to.  If you are coming from the Lethbridge Airport, you can take a taxi to the University. As mentioned in a previous post, Royal Taxi is offering a special flat rate of $30 for the trip.  You have to specifically mention that you are in town for Quilt Canada to get this special rate.  

If you are driving in from out of town, whether you're coming from Calgary or Saskatchewan or Southern BC, you will be coming into Lethbridge on Hwy 3.  You will need to take the exit for 'West Lethbridge' and head South.  This will take you onto University Drive.  Continue South on Univesity Drive for roughly 5 km until you reach Valley Road W, and then turn left into the University.  

Head for Lot E (marked on the map in light blue).  There is free parking here for those attending the quilt show!  The building marked in green, the First Choice Savings Centre for Sports and Wellness, is where Registration, the NJS show, merchant mall, and Weeks Ringle lecture are.  The Closing Banquet is in the Student's Union Building, marked in pink.  The building you are in for workshops will depend on which workshop you are taking.  I recommend printing out the MAP, which you can find in this link, and taking it with you.  

For those are staying overnight at the University of Lethbridge, you will be staying at Mount Blakiston Residence, marked on the map in tan.  To get from the Residence to the show, you will need to walk along the path marked in blue.  It will take you approximately 7 minutes to walk to the First Choice Savings and Wellness Centre where the quilts are being displayed.  

 

We, the LOC, hope you are Blown Away by the beauty of both the University and its setting in the coulees, as well as the quilts that will be on display.  We look forward to seeing you there.  Only 8 more days!

Shena Boes

Countdown to QC2015

We have started the countdown to the start of QC2015... There are just a few weeks to go to the opening on June 4th. 




WOW - where has the time gone?






If you are attending, have you booked your flight, shuttle, accommodation?
Have you signed up for special events such as banquet, extra daily trips, or your favourite workshop(s) - there's still room left if you haven't. (Contact Jackie Philpott to do this)

Have you checked out the merchants/vendors who will be there? And their websites - in case there's something you desparately need!!!

Did you get your maps sorted out and printed so you know where you're going? Did you download your map of the campus of U Of Lethbridge?



 
Have you checked the weather to know what clothes to bring?




 

I'm sure there's something else too - I've started my checklist too.
Hope to see you there soon.

National Juried Show (NJS) - A Must See Show

Alaskan Nasturium -
Catherine Sloan & Janet Rice-Bredin
2014 Winner

Quilt Canada 2015 is just over 5 weeks away, and everything is starting to come together.  The jury has completed their very difficult task of deciding which quilts have made it in to this prestigious show.  There are 129 gorgeous quilts in the National Juried Show this year!  I can't wait to see them. (To see who made it, see blog on the Finalists)

Canada is very well represented at the NJS. A quilt or two from almost every province!  There are even international entries: two from the United States and one all the way across the ocean, from Great Britain.  CQA/ACC and the LOC are thrilled with the response from quilters who answered the Call for Entry and they can't wait to get the quilts up and hanging so that these amazing works of art will be seen by people from all across this great country of ours.  I personally am looking forward to being Blown Away!

Windswept Snow - Tracey Lawko
2014 Winner

 

And after you've seen the NJS, you can take in the other quilt (or concurrent) shows, that will be on display at the same time at the University of Lethbridge.  

EVERYONE is welcome!

There will be the:

• Trend-Tex Challenge show, featuring quilts made with a specific challenge fabric that will be auctioned off,

• Fibre Art Network display,

• Invitational Show, featuring quilts by LOC members, teachers and CQA/ACC board members, and

• Travelling Quilt Show – It’s Time for Colour!, which features 36 quilts that have made a long journey all across Canada before being displayed in Lethbridge.  

That's 5 different, and fabulous quilt shows - all being held at one location at the same time!  No wonder Quilt Canada 2015 is a destination event! 

Mark it on your calendar and start counting the days.

We hope to see you there! 

Shena Boes

Member Approach - 4

Lezley Zwaal continues to work on her Trend Tex Challenge quilt....

Tracing, Tracing and more Tracing
It’s amazing how much time one will spend on a project that is close to your heart.  HOURS whiz by – dear hubby has long since gone to bed.  Here I am tracing, re-drawing a little, tracing over those lines with a dark marker so I can see through the backside of the fabric.  Yes, it’s late.  Some of the tracing was done during the day, when I can use the window.  Oh, I know there are those great light boxes – but my windows are bigger.
After making the backwards copy of the outlines, I trace the backwards copy of the individual pieces that will be appliquéd, adding room for “under” lap onto the paper side of the fusible web. 

back of Wonder Under

These pieces are numbered so that they can be placed properly on the background fabric, with the “behind” pieces going down first (not pressed yet), and the foreground pieces on top, with a bit of overlapping the under pieces so no space shows between sections of the kite. 

piece layout

The next step is to determine which fabrics will be used for the pieces – and sometimes they are re-traced for a different fabric if the first chosen really doesn’t work well.  The traced fusible web paper pieces are cut beyond the edges of the actual pieces and laid out on the side of the desired fabric.  The batik/bali fabrics are great because you can be very fussy where you choose colours or pattern to aid a 3D look.  The pieces are then fused to the backside of the desired fabric with a dry heat press (big difference between pressing and ironing) and ready to cut on the line.

ensure stick down

You must be sure the fused pattern piece are entirely fused to the fabric. The fabric is easier to cut with the larger-than-needed fused paper left on outside the lines.
The backing paper is left on so I can remember what piece is what.  

Magic on one of my oqn quilts

Oh – and if little Magic decides to help scatter the pieces, I have a chance of putting them back correctly. 

using large scissors

 Something I have found after doing many appliqué style quilts, is that the tiny scissors hurt my hands.  I use the really large scissors–and turn the fabric rather than turn the cutting hand.  I have much better control cutting deep slices and points such as these.


You are then ready to cut out the pieces.




In order to place the pieces onto the background as per the pattern – more tracing is needed!
Lezley


Coming next is the final edition of the work in progess from Lezley and just in time to get it to the Vice President by the deadline of Mar. 31, 2015.

An Aftenoon at the Museum

Quilt Canada 2015 Day Excursion
The Galt Museum is located along the edge of the coulee that marks the start of the River Valley in Lethbridge.  It has one of the most spectacular views in all of Lethbridge.  The building has worn many hats in its history, from hospital, nursing school, and rehabilitation centre to get to its current function as Galt Museum and Archives.  It has permanent displays on Southern Alberta’s history, as well as travelling displays on various topics, and also a lovely gift shop where many unique things can be purchased. 
The museum has previously partnered with the Lethbridge Centennial Quilters Guild to bring in speakers, and is excited to have an opportunity to do so again in sponsoring a lecture during Quilt Canada 2015, on Saturday, June 6, from 1pm-4pm.  The cost is an extremely reasonable $6 at the door (seniors $5).
To get to the museum from the University of Lethbridge, a chartered bus will pick you up.  This is free of charge, courtesy of the City of Lethbridge Civic Hosting Grant.  
The first lecture, Sewers and Savers: Caring for Grandma’s Quilt, runs from 1:30-2:30.  Gail Niinimaa, Textile Conservator, will share her knowledge on quilt conservation.  She will cover a broad range of topics: basic care, handling, storage, and cleaning.  She will also take you through a discussion on her conservation efforts during and after the devastating High River flooding in 2013.

The second part of the afternoon, A Pile of Quilts, will let you get up close and personal with some heritage quilts from the Galt’s own collection.  It runs from 2:30-3:30. Curator Wendy Aitkens will show you examples of fine needlework, done by the hands of both men and women, in antique quilts that date back to the 1830s.  As an added bonus, you will also see the first quilt made by the Lethbridge Centennial Quilters Guild.  This quilt was made before my time in the guild, but it is an amazing homage to Southern Alberta and the City of Lethbridge. 
After a half hour, which you can use to visit other exhibits or visit the wonderful gift shop, the chartered bus will pick you up at 4:00 and bring you back to the University.
It is not required to pre-register for this event, but if you would like to attend, please email Audrey Christiansen  as seating is limited to 35. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about antique quilts!  For more information on the Galt Museum, please visit their website.
Shena Boes

Lollygagging to Lethbridge --5

It’s time for the next report on our trip to Quilt Canada in Lethbridge, AB for June 4-6, 2015. Our last stop was in Medicine Hat, AB. It seems that we are getting closer to our destination and leaving some of the cold behind too. This part of the country has been bragging of their spring/summer-like weather for awhile.

We are heading up the Trans-Canada Highway towards Calgary where there seems be a fair number of guilds and quilt shops to visit.  Several of these guilds have been supplying lots of inches to help with this trek. Calgary Silver Thimbles and

Piecemakers Guild of Calgary have had great Show & Tells - if the number of inches is anything to go by. Battle River Quilters’ Guild and Cochrane Quilters’ have also been gathering inches for us to get on the way.

While in Calgary, we stopped at Along Came Quilting . We saw a neat idea for that little someone -  Burrito Baby Wrap. This cute little pattern was available there.
We made another stop - this time to Quilting from the Heart in Camrose for their shop hop on National Quilting Day and to check out all the kits and fabric too (Judy Niemeyer quilts and patterns seem to be popular here). Then onto Addie’s Creative Fabrics of Cochrane, AB. They're preparing for their booth in Lethbridge merchant mall (QC2015).

I’d like to thank Chatham Kent Quilters for their large contribution of inches this month - They had a blitz on making Cuddle Quilts this month - way to go!!
As well, notable inches came from the Abbotsford Quilters (BC), Nanaimo Quilters (BC) and Huron Perth Quilters’ Guild (ON). Thanks to everyone who have sent in their guild’s inches each month.

We have enough inches to get us into British Columbia, but not as far as Salmon Arm for this section of the trip. So we’ll stop off in Banff, AB or maybe Lake Louise to see some of the sights there before we move on... Hopefully we’ll make it to Penticton for our next stop and then back to Lethbridge in time for QC2015.
Don’t forget to keep those inches coming in to the Director at Large (diratlarge@canadianquilter.com).

Tablet bags for Lethbridge

Every year at Quilt Canada, all attendees of the final banquet receive a gift for attending. At the show in Niagara, those who enjoyed the final banquet also got a lovely handmade wine bag to take home as a memento. For this year's show in Lethbridge, Blown Away, the gift of honour is a tablet bag. 

Sample tablet bag

Every year the host city for Quilt Canada chooses a gift and local guilds from Atlantic Canada all the way to the West Coast use the given pattern to make the item and then send them along to the host city. These efforts are hugely appreciated by the host city and then afterwards by the lucky recipients of the gifts. On average, 200 of these gifts are given out every year. That means that quilters Canada-wide donate their time and materials to make 200 of whatever the chosen item is. This speaks to the amazing generosity of the quilting spirit. Many are donated by people who are not able to attend the conference, but wish to still do their part.
 

LCQ working on tablet bags

The local guild, Lethbridge Centennial Quilters, recently held a sew day to make tablet bags. The sunshine streamed through the windows as they stitched and chatted away. If you would like to make a bag, the Local Organizing Committee would be exceedingly grateful. The pattern, by LOC member and guild president Pjam Swen, can be found here. Please send the completed bags to Pjam before March 31st. Her address can be found on Quilt Canada's site. Thank you in advance for your time and generosity.
Shena Boes

Canadian Quilt Talk Podcast on Quilt Canada 2015

I often listen to podcasts, and one of the shows I listen to is Canadian Quilt Talk, hosted by Brandy Lynn Maslowski. To give you a bit of an idea of what she talks about, I'll use her own words. This quote is from her website: "Canadian Quilt Talk is a weekly online podcast that aims to inspire quilters and fibre artists alike with tips, tricks and the latest products. We aim to highlight the stellar Canadian teachers, quilt shops, and products and keep you buying local first before turning to online buying or over the border adventures. We’ll dig into the history of Canadian quilting and explore how far we've come with the gold mine of Canadian talent."

Since I am a few episodes behind, I was not aware until another member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) mentioned to me that Quilt Canada 2015 was featured on Canadian Quilt Talk this past week! As soon as I had a chance, I gave it a listen. It is chock full of information about the conference, from the different instructors and where you can find accommodation in Lethbridge, to details on the different quilt shows that Quilt Canada is hosting.

Here is the link to the latest episode and all the other previous episodes on the Canadian Quilt Talk site. Just click on 'Play Now’ under each listing and you'll be taken to the page where the episode will play automatically.

Then simply sit back, enjoy your cup of coffee, and learn all about Quilt Canada 2015!

Shena Boes 

LOC 

Top Ten Reasons to Attend Quilt Canada 2015 in Lethbridge

Windswept Snow - Tracey Lawko
NJS 2014

1.   An all-star line-up of teachers and their workshops are filling up fast.





2.    Great chance to meet up with “old” quilting friends and to also make some new ones.

Pillars of Strength - Veronica Puskas
NJS 2014

 3.    See the latest gadgets and fabrics in our wonderful Merchant Mall.






 4.    See the “cream of the crop” quilts in the National Juried Show.

Earthscapes - Janet Rhind
NJS 2014

  

5.    Enjoy a phenomenal speaker/lecturer Weeks Ringle (Transforming Traditions: Modernism and Quilts)

Alaska Nasturtium - Catherine Sloan
NJS 2014

 

 6.    Get inspired by all the wondrous works and you might be invigorated to start a new project or finish a UFO.

 



 7.    The opportunity to learn some interesting machine quilting skills.


 8.    Stay in an up-to-date residence with microwaves, fridges and TVs.

Tours

9.    Visit another distinct part of Canada that you may not visit on your own.




10.    Attend the closing banquet of the conference with a celebration of quilting, friends, a delicious meal, gifts and entertainment.

Delft - Jim Wilford
NJS 2014