October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

As a self-challenge, why not incorporate a breast cancer awareness ribbon into your quilt(s) this month... whether it's a pieced block, on the label, painted or appliqued on the quilt, or in the quilting motif. It could be hidden in plain sight, as caricaturist Al Hirschfeld used to do with his "Nina" line in the NY Times.

Block of the Month
Renea Bailey, Chair

The theme for the 2006 Block of the Month is the latest craze in quilting -- Postcard Quilts!  They are quick, uncomplicated blocks, so no UFOs will be sitting around to be quilted. You can complete several postcard quilts in no time flat!  Each month I will make a postcard quilt and post it along with a template so that you can create a similar postcard.  Or, let your creativity flow and create a postcard based on the theme for each month.  Have fun, and bring your postcard quilts in for show and tell.

The theme for October postcards is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Renea's rendition. Please use any facial silhouette for this month's postcard. The earring was painted on.

Community Quilt Project
Felicia Few

October is also Community Quilt Sit n Sew Month for Uhuru. This year, quilts will be donated to the Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home, Washington, DC.

		All members who turn in a quilt will receive this lovely puzzle pin made by Patricia King.

As quilters, we do not have to limit our contributions to just lap quilts. Some patients could use wheel chair bags, walker carriers, pillows, or even wall hangings for the recreation rooms. Snuggly quilts are great for the cold days ahead. If you would like to do a wall hanging with a medical/nursing/caring theme, please do so.  The Nursing Home would love to display it.

Whatever your fancy, come and join Uhuru for Community Quilt Month. Sit and sew, fellowship, and complete your quilts. Quilts should be turned in no later than November's meeting (November 18).  I will also accept any completed Community Quilt at October's guild meeting.

As soon as I can arrange a presentation date with Ms. Joan Collins, the contact person, I will pass the information on to you.

Hospitality
Renea Bailey, Chair

October is a scheduled sew-in; anyone who may be attending would you please contribute very light refreshments, i.e. beverage, fruit, veggies and dip or cookies. Since we are going to be sewing the entire time allotted for our use of the Center, food items will be available until 30 minutes before we have to begin cleaning up. Trash bags will be circulated so you can dispose of unfinished food and drinks.

When you bring food, please assist me in the cleanup after refreshments have been served. We want to ensure that the room is back to its original order before leaving the Center.
 
Thank you in advance for your participation and cooperation.

Sew Help Me. . .
Tips to boost your creativity

(1) If you use Thangles or Triangles on a Roll, try lightly spraying the paper with a basting spray. This eliminates the shifting you sometimes get if you use pins.

(2) Hand quilting - use a deflated balloon to pull your needle through layers of fabric.

(3) Try storing your needles in a bar of soap; it keeps them clean and sharp for a long time.

Just Sew You Know

… and a big Birthday grin at Charlene Marshall (14th) and Jeanette Bayliss (19th) ... a belated happy birthday to Barbara Brown (Sep 27th)

New Fabric Line

Kansas City fabric artist and storyteller Sonie Ruffin embraces and celebrates the spirit of community with her new collection "My African Village," by Andover Fabrics. The rich, exuberant colors and matching coordinates invite you to tell your own adventurous and exciting story in your next quilt project. The line was inspired by designs of the Ndbele tribe in South Africa. Look for it in fabric stores.

Your Quilt on a Stamp

Do you have a quilt you're really pleased with, one that you'd like to memorialize? Well, you don’t have to be a Gee’s Bend lady to have your quilts on a postage stamp. Read the USA Today article “Push the Envelope” (http://www.usatoday.com/ life/lifestyle/2004-08-10-stamps_x.htm), then check out the PhotoStamps website http://www.photo.stamps.com/Store/learn-more/

There’s even a stamp of the year contest:  http://www.photo.stamps.com/Store/photocontest/

U R Sew Welcome!
Sheryl Smith, Membership Chair

Meet Uhuru’s Newest Sewmates At September’s meeting Uhuru Quilters Guild welcomed new members Anika Gzifa (left) and Dawn Felix (right). Both are new to the quilting world and have completed one quilt...with the help of Uhuru, we know that's going to change! When you see our newest members, give them a Hug, Handshake or Hi!