Spotlight on our members

Sharon Guffey Lewis has loved quilts all her life and started quilting herself a couple  years ago.  Sharon prefers small wall hangings, table runners and lap quilts. 

Sharon was a teacher for 20 years. She then went to seminary and became a pastor in the United Church of Christ.   Besides her work in the ministry she enjoys sewing and gardening, along with quilting, of course.

Sharon really enjoys our group and especially enjoys the sew days, where she feels she learns a lot.

Even though she hasn't been quilting long she has 6 totes, 2 chests, 2 hampers, and 2 piles that consist of her stash.

Sharon married Steve Lewis in 2001.  Together they have 5 children and spouses and 9 grandchildren.

September 16th meeting

Dorine called our meeting to order with 13 members present.  The minutes were read by Charmayne and approved.  Shelly noted that 2 checks had been written for the shop hop drivers and Dorine was given a check for  quilting our John Deere quilt.  Shelly also issued a check for postage and cards to Charmayne, so that she can keep them on hand.

Roxie talked about the walker bags and brought lots of quilt blocks that had been squared up by Shelly and are ready to go for bags and quilts. All members were encouraged to take them home and work on them. The next work day is October 18th at 9:30 at Roxie's.

Sharon reported on the shop hop for the group.  Roxie and Vivian each won one of the drawings at quilt shops that we visited.  Betty told us about her "shop hop" in Kentucky and Tennessee and brought us all book marks from Eleanor Burns shop. 

We discussed the final plans for the Christmas party.  It will be Dec 9th at 6pm at Dorine's home.  We are to bring our secret quilter's Christmas gift and a homemade gift with the approximate value of $10. Also everyone is to bring a finger food to share and beverage of your "choice". 

The one yard Challenge quilts were displayed.  Roxie won best of show, and Elaine most unique .  Sharon won best use of color.  ( I hope that is right).. It was fun to see all the interesting uses of the 5 fabrics.  Photos will follow.

UFO's are due at the November meeting. 

The program for the night was done by Elaine.  She showed us a very clever way to make hexi's from a circle.  Some made perfect hexi's... unfortunately some couldn't quite get the technique down... lol

Several ladies brought show and tell.  Shirley displayed a beautiful Red and White quilt.   Again, photos to follow.

The October program will be Roxie, Origami Bags. 

A reminder that the Des Moines Expo is October 1-4.

We played quilto... and I am sorry, I didn't write down who won... They got the fall leaves strips. 

The next meeting will be Oct 21.. If anyone remembers what we are bringing for Quilto....let me know... I will add it to the blog.... ( I must have been distracted when I was making my notes..... glad I am not the official secretary!!)

Meeting was closed.  Hope you are all enjoying the lovely fall weather.

Spot light on our members

I am a little slow getting our monthly spotlight out... sorry, Where did August go... did anyone see it leave?

Our spotlight this month is on Fran Dixon.  Fran has been quilting for about 20 years, but sewing since she was about 10 years old.  She has always been fascinated with quilts.  After Fran retired, she happen to take a class and the rest is history.

Fran says she doesn't have the patience for mini quilts and prefers larger quilts with traditional patterns. 

Fran was a stay at home mom for a lot of years, then got a job in an office and was a legal secretary at a large prominent law firm in Alaska.  She had four children. Carla, Paula, Lynnette and Greg.  As many of you know, Greg passed away in 2013.  She has 10 grandchildren.  Fran is originally from Maine, but spent the last 35 years before moving to Carson, Iowa in Alaska.

Fran enjoys sewing with groups in Council Bluffs, Quilts from the Bluffs. They are a charity group. She is largely responsible for the quilting group that meets in Oakland every  other Thursday at Fellowship of Faith church.

Crocheting, embroidery, and reading are her other hobbies. I also know that she is a wonderful long arm quilter.

When asked how big is your stash.... she just says  too BIG!!!!  I can attest to that... well not toooooo big, but big.