Thursday, July 28, 2016

July 21, 2016 Minutes of the Central Alabama Art Quilters

Thursday July 28, 2016
Minutes of the Central Alabama Art Quilters
Julia Graber greeted the attendees and gave an update on the upcoming opportunities for SAQA members, and opportunities for all quilters in the coming months. Julia explained the difference in the 12” X 12” quilts that benefit SAQA, the educational and other opportunities of the organization.  She passed out brochures for membership for those that were interested.  Julia explained not all members needed to join, but there were a lot of resources to learn and participate within the organization. http://www.saqa.com
Julia explained the difference in our trunk show pieces of fifty (50) quilts sized 7”X 10” and the journey, as they will travel for three (3) years. The finished quilts “Royal Blue and Light Bulb” were shown at the meeting. We certainly have some innovative quilters! The MS., Pod meeting in Ridgeland has chosen an 8”X 10” size to be placed on black fiber board, with the name of the quilt, the date, and the challenge name on the back.  The “Royal Blue and Light Bulb” should have the following typed information for Julia to put on the fiber board backing from the Alabama Pod to complete the framing process. Please type them out and bring them to her at our next meeting.
For SAQA members only in our region, (AL/AR/LA/MS), you may participate in this regional only show. The show will be held in Little Rock, AR.  The theme is “Treasures Within and With Out”.  The deadline is August first (1) 2016.  You may have a completed a quilt that fits the criteria. See the SAQA website under regional shows. This call for this entry and other invitations can be found on the calendar website.
http://www.saqa.com/calendar-detail.php?ID=5077

Loretta stepped in as facilitator for the groups meetings. She agreed to take up the challenge of our little group. Anyone open to programs should call her. We do need to have a program chair.  Anyone knowing a fiber artist to do a work shop or showing in the area would we would be delighted to encourage them and to keep the group informed.
All agreed to bring water or light munchies.  Maybe we should have a hostess to coordinate? Please volunteer for these openings at our next meeting the third Thursday of September.
Many of us traveling enjoyed having lunch with Julia and will be meeting at the Diplomat Deli again before our next meeting in September at eleven-fifteen (11:15am) for lunch and getting to know our membership. It is a great time to get to know each other.
We discussed a name for the group and will continue the search for a guild name at the next meeting.  Please be at out next meeting in two months to contribute to the name of this pod. The perimeters were to name the area (Central Alabama), and include “art” quilting without excluding all forms of quilt art expressionism. Some of the suggestions’ are as follows and we all look forward to any other options at our next meeting.  We do plan to choose to name our pod in September.
Central Alabama Fiber Art Quilt Guild
Fabric Collage Artists
Fabric Art Collage

Show and Tell:
The “Royal Blue and Light Bulb” challenge was shown by all. What exciting diversity! We continued with other “show and tell” pieces. The creativity continued with diverse elements shown; all were encouraged for their artistic ability.
 The Program was given by Loretta, explaining the “Treasures of Thrift Store Finds”. Her mermaid was a wonderful example of what one can find from your local thrift shop.
Pictures were taken and will be posted by Julia soon.
Our next meeting will on: The third Thursday of September (9/15/16) at 1:00 pm at the Saint Mark Presbyterian Church, 2901 Columbiana Road, Vestavia Hills, Al. 35216.  The church phone: 205-822-5980.
Meeting Minutes submitted by Anita Haddad ah1haddad@earthlink.net      

Monday, July 25, 2016

AL Pod Show and Tell

At our recent meeting in Birmingham, AL we enjoyed a lot of inspiration from these artists.
Here are just a few.

Vasha Rosenblum with her over achiever lady.

Margaret and her Mona Lisa Margaret.

Dottie West with her landscape of Ireland.

Murry Johnston collaborated with a weaver to make this sweater.

These pieces will be made into wearable art as well.

Four depictions of mobile homes by Laura Strouse.

Laura also made this mermaid from recycled fabric.

Linda Kocisek made this quilt with fibonacci in mind.