AUCTION EXTRAORDINARE!!

SUCCESS!!! OVER THE TOP!!! AMAZING!!!

Not sure how to describe our 2nd auction. This year it was held at the Litchfield Sportsmen's Club.

The gals brought their items by the bag fulls, boxes, suitcases, carrying them and lined the outside walls with so many things we thought maybe it would take all day to sell and the plan was...'if I brought it I had to take it back home if it did not sell.'

IT ALL SOLD IN 3 HRS with a 15 min. break. Our auctioneer Barb, President, skillfully along with 5-6 runners coordinated the items and led the bidding.

We also sold chips and sweets plus 4 delicious whole pies made by members.

So let's give you a peek at our morning meeting.

Sherry, our joyous auction co-record keeper...greeting each one with a smile and giving them their paddles to bid with.

 Helen, coordinated along with Kat tended to our 'sweet table' This is just part of what was brought. 

 This is the left side of the building with items.

 This is the right side as gals were arranging.

 The front 

 Towards the back with people milling around waiting to begin.

 LET'S BEGIN - Barb, auctioneer...Sherry and Sandy recording what sold and $$ amounts.

 An item being put up for bid

 Here we are in full swing!!

Some of the attendees 

It is finished and everything is gone!! 

Can I say 'WOW' again....We were very successful in the amount we raised to help our chapter meet our expenses.

A JOB WELL DONE!! And the best part we cleaned out things we did not want anymore and then bought things we thought we needed and of course there is always a place for more when we go shopping.

Bye for now...until next time.....

September 5 Meeting

 Tacoma Lakes met for their first meeting of the 2012-13 season. It was a business meeting   to discuss the plans for the year. We are a busy chapter and the women are excited. Our new board took their positions. L to R - Donna, Barb, Jona and Sandy. We have a beautiful facility at the Plains Baptist Church in Litchfield that accommodates everything we need.

We always have Show 'n Tell and the first one is SUANNE - The pattern and batiks were from her 'secret sister' last year. She made this bright 'Suduko' quilt.

JANET  'Squash Blossom"  She purchased the fabric at her first shop hop.

 PEGGY - made this for a wedding gift using 'Ten Minute Block' pattern

 PEGGY  embroidered this stunning quilt for her great grand-daughter. 

 HELEN - made this pretty bag from a diaper bag pattern without the side pockets.

 RAINEY - She became a pen pal with a gal from a sister chapter in Australia over 20 years. This quilt has special meaning because her friend passed away recently. 

 SUE R - Scrap quilt called "Xmas Lights" designed by Bonnie Hunter.

 SUE - "Holidays at Home"

 SUE 'Strippy Quilt' She has done several and she says it gives her good practice on her quilting machine. Wonderful for children.

 MARGO - Block of the Month. 8 and 9 in a series of 12.

designed by Amy Heaton of Country Junk'tion

 MARGO 'Ohio Collection' Started in '03-'04 with blocks finished. It stayed in the box for 8 years. Blocks ranged in size from 4" - 19" with no pattern to show how to put together. It had to be laid out and 'fillers' used.  Now it waits for the border and quilting. 

 Our chapter has several projects planned for the year.

"BARGELLO WITH A TWIST'  will be our challenge that will go in the 2013 Maine Quilt Show.

 A very versatile pattern that can be arranged in many ways. 

Below is one lay out. 

 Workshop - STAINED GLASS WALL HANGINGS

 Workshop - CIRCLE MAGIC

Workshop - THREAD CADDY

Work Shop -  LITTLE DUFFLE

There are several other projects and demo's...a road trip....charity projects. It will be a fun year and something for everyone. 
We are having an auction at the Litchfield Sportsman's Club September 19th AT 9:30 AM. FLIERS ARE IN SEVERAL SHOPS AND LOCAL STORES. EVERYONE IS INVITED!!

Fall into Winter Fall Shop Hop

The Fall into Winter Fall Shop Hop 2012 kicks off September 29 and runs through October 7. For a registration fee of $5.00, you'll receive this adorable quilters tote (passport), a free star block pattern kit from each participating shop, and free downloadable directions at www.quilterscache.com. You can register at any of the participating shops.

A grand prize basket valued at $450.00 is offered, along with 9 second place prizes of $25 gift certificates.

Participating stores include:

A Straight Stitch, Brewer
The Cotton Cupboard, Bangor
Country Creations, Jefferson
Cozy Cottage, Augusta
The Fabric Garden, Madison
Mystic Maine Quilts, Gardiner
WhipperSnappers, Hallowell
Stitches Fabric and Yarn, Newport
The Yardgoods Center, Waterville

Support Your Local Yarn Shops

For knitters and crocheters, there are three new yarn shops I wanted to let you know about. One is located in Skowhegan, and we may get a chance to visit that one on our road trip in October.

There's another new shop located in Freeport next door to Cottonweeds quilt shop. I understand they have not yet had their grand opening, but they are open for business.

The last one is Hook, Yarn, and Stitcher, located in Farmingdale, next to Webber's Ice Cream. The owner, Nina Tilander, was kind enough to allow me to snap a few photos in her shop. The main room of the shop is spacious and bright, and Nina has a nice selection of yarns, including sock yarn and some specialty yarns; a selection of books; and a complete line of floss for cross stitch. Nina has display models around the store for both her knitted and cross stitch items.

There are also three smaller rooms off the main room. One is a small lounge area where Nina envisions knitters might sit and chat; another room that is primarily a small show room; and a room with a large table where I believe Nina might conduct some classes. To my knowledge, a schedule of classes is not yet available.

This shop might also have some appeal for cross stitchers. Nina's small showroom has a display of items that are representative of the cross stitch work she does. At first, I thought these models were needlepoint, but they're actually made with cross stitch floss. I particularly liked the one with the leaves because it reminded me of a scrappy leaves quilt. Her work is quite lovely. She has a few books that feature patterns for this type of cross stitch.