May 2017
Lezley Zwaal is on deck for May.
She will share her journey which is more than just Quilts of Valour, which is pretty impressive in itself.
The Program Committee is looking forward to Lezley ending the EDQG season with a bang; at least the Program committee’s part.
HELP WANTED The Program Committee is looking for an enthusiastic leader for our team for the 20017/18 quilting season. The EDQG is in for some exciting events and Program is an essential part of the excitement ahead
April 2017
Our speaker for April is Kathy Logan de Chavez, a long-time guild member and Past President (2011-13). Kathy has roots in traditional quilting but ventured into smaller art-oriented pieces when she realized that they held her attention a bit better and afforded her a better completion rate! She favors brighter colors and appliqué, but confesses she has never met a color she doesn’t like and has just completed a pieced bed quilt (with some appliqué on it!). Kathy is always up for a challenge related to quilting; she strongly advocates that the EDQG challenge is a great way to keep learning and stepping outside our comfort zone. Kathy was the Guild Grant recipient in 2015 and travelled to Port Gamble, Washington, where she took two classes with fibre artist Hilde Morin. Her goal was to explore improvisational technique in different formats. Come hear about the beautiful setting, unbelievable rain, gorgeous flowers, ghost hunting, and of course, Kathy’s experience with a talented teacher and artist.
March 2017
This month we have collaborated with our friends from Focus on Fibre Arts and are pleased to hear from Anne Morell Robinson who is in Edmonton to teach a series of classes for FFA.
Anne Morrell Robinson has fibre in her genes. Her ancestors were quilt makers, weavers, embroiders, knitters and seamstresses. She started sewing as a child, making doll clothes and then moved on to making her own one-of-a-kind garments.
The revival of quilt making in the 1970’s inspired her to start designing and stitching her own quilts. With almost 600 quilts to her credit she still finds great joy in the whole process. With what seems like an endless supply of fabric and ideas waiting to be turned into quilts and rugs the journey continues.
Anne also makes hooked rugs, art dolls and jewelry. Artworks can be purchased at her studio – KingRoss Quilts and Fibre Arts as well as local galleries. Anne Morrell Robinson is one of Nova Scotia’s most renowned quilters who has won many awards for her work and has written numerous articles for quilt magazines. She also enjoys teaching and inspiring her students to do original work.
Anne’s studio is attached to a restored century old farmhouse nestled in an off the beaten track valley located in the heart of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. Her work is influenced by the history and environment that surround her.You can check out her beautiful quilts and studio at https://www.kingrossquilts.com/
February 2017
A Quilter’s Journey to Quilt Canada 2016
Elinor Burwash is a passionate long time quilter who joined the EDQG in the first few months after it was formed in September 1978. When Elinor discovers something new, she wants everyone she knows to hear about it too. After a four-year (self imposed) apprenticeship in half square triangles, Elinor began teaching and sharing both her knowledge and enthusiasm for quilting at Earthly Goods quilt store. There is just about nothing in the quilting world that Elinor hasn’t tried or isn’t willing to try. She believes that life is a learning journey and a day is not complete unless she has learned something new. That is why it is fitting that Elinor was the EDQG guild grant winner for Education 2016. Quilt Canada 2016 provided learning opportunities for Elinor. She chose to take two classes with Julie Plotniko to work on improving her machine quilting skills. She has long been interested in Art Deco and Art Nouveau so she also took a class in machine appliqué technique with Jane Sasseman, which promised tobe a great delight for Elinor. Join us to hear Elinor share her journey in quilting through power point and trunk show as she travelled to Quilt Canada last June.
January 2017
Our January Guest Speaker will be Judy Dube who will share with us her experiences with “THE GANG” The Grandmothers of Alberta for a New Generation. Uganda National Grandmother Gathering Can you imagine … over 400 Ugandan Grandmothers gathered together sharing how HIV/AIDS affected their families and destroyed their communities? Travel with us to the 1 st National Uganda Grandmother Gathering to hear from these African Grandmothers. Their stories illustrate how, with support from community based organizations, these courageous African women are raising their AIDS orphaned grandchildren while demanding their human rights are met. Judy Dube, a member of The GANG … Grandmothers of Alberta for a New Generation … had the opportunity to attend this historic event in Oct. 2015 as a delegate with the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Judy will share through pictures and stories the strength, resilience, and hope displayed by Ugandan Grandmothers as they and their communities move forward.
Judy (pictured here on the far right) has been a member of the GANG since it began in 2006. She is just completing her responsibilities as Grandmother Regional Liaison between the Grandmother groups in Northern Alberta and the Stephen Lewis Foundation. And yes, you will hear more about The GANG too! The GANG support the Stephen Lewis Foundation that was launched in 2006 as a Canadian grass roots response to the emerging crisis faced by African grandmothers as they struggled to care for millions of children orphaned by AIDS. African grandmothers became parents anew in the midst of the HIV and Aids epidemic. A decade later, thousands of grandmothers and grand-others are more
committed than ever to raise awareness, build solidarity, and mobilize funds for community based organizations that support African grandmothers and the children in their care. It takes a village to raise a child and The GANG
are here to be part of that village. http://edmgrandmothers.org/
November 2016
SHARE JANE….THE JOURNEY CONTINUES
Kim Caskey will be the guest speaker at our November 16, 2016 guild meeting at the Royal Alberta Museum at 7:00 PM. If you attended her first presentation in March, 2016….you will not want to miss Share Jane….the journey continues.
The incredible success of the global, collaborative Share Jane quilt project is worth revisiting.
The “Share Jane” quilt project started with a simple suggestion between friends, Kim Caskey and Jeltje van Essen (The Netherlands), to make a stylized version of the original Dear Jane quilt. Their little idea has blossomed into a worldwide phenomenon, gaining recognition and attention from Moda Fabrics, Aurifil Thread and Patchwork Europe in France.
Their collaborative Share Jane quilt has been produced with the help of block makers from all corners of the world – including many Edmonton & District Quilt Guild members!
Kim will update us with the continued journey of Share Jane – through France, Scotland and Houston. Her travels (with Jane) have taken her far and wide with exciting adventures and tales to tell.
Kim Caskey with her Canadian ”EH” Team in attendance at Patchwork Europe in Alsace, France in September, 2016 where “Jane” was introduced to a world-wide audience.
Join Kim for her entertaining powerpoint presentation and enjoy traveling along with Jane. Just wait till you hear where she is headed next!
October 2016
For the Love of Sewing and Sewing Machines
When Allan Kelly was four years old, he was shown how to make a nine-patch quilt block and how use a sewing machine by his mother. At that moment his interest was piqued and he continued to learn until he had mastered the craft.
Allan has had the opportunity to work in several related industries that have all led to what he is doing now…. mechanics – alterations – fashion – bridal are all part of his history with the sewing machine, in fact he has become a collector of antique and vintage sewing machines which he will enjoy sharing with the EDQG at our October 2016 general meeting.Since he has been using sewing machines himself for a very long time, he hasworked with several dealerships before starting his own company in 2003. He hasrecently moved his business into a new location in Red Deer, Alberta. Now he wants to pass his love of sewing and sewing machines on to you in theEDQG.