your complimentary guide to specialty shopping and events
TRANSCRIPT
®July - August 2017 Available across the U.S.A. & Canada
Your Complimentary Guide to Specialty Shopping and Events in Oklahoma • Texas • Arkansas
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USA• Alabama: Beverly Bainbridge, 218 Kingsview Drive, Weirton, WV 26062, 304-723-8934• Arizona: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• Arkansas: Richard and Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597• California & N. Nevada: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950 Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797• Connecticut: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P. O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319• Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, 706-340-1049• Idaho (N): Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028• Idaho (S) WA & E. OR: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• Illinois: Lenda Williams, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597• Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P. O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319 Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, 641-751-2619• Kansas: Cindy Baldwin, 988 9th Ave., McPherson, KS 67460, 866-966-9815• Kentucky: Brandie Ledford, P.O. Box 458, Marion, KY 42064, 712-660-2569• Maine: Gail Hageman, 221 Winslow Rd, Albion, ME 04910, 207-437-2663• Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Massachusetts-RI: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217 Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211• Minnesota: Kim and Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, 763-754-1661• Missouri: Richard and Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597• Montana: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028• Nebraska: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• Nevada (N): Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803 New Hampshire: Kathleen Graham, 330 North Road, Deerfield, NH, 03037, 603-463-3703 • New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P. O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319 New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797• New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• N. Carolina: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• North Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028• Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, 937-652-1157• Oklahoma: Richard and Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597• Oregon: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• Pennsylvania: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• S. Carolina: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• South Dakota: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028• Tennessee: Brandie Ledford, P.O. Box 458, Marion, KY 42064, 712-660-2569• Texas: Richard and Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 405-470-2597• Utah: Available. Contact Barbara Floyd, 602-321-6511• Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Wash. & E. OR & S. ID: Barb Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950• West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, 866-825-9217• Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, 715-838-9426• Wyoming: Dee Sleep, 132 W. Hudson Street, Spearfish, SD 57783, 605-722-7028CANADA• Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0, 780-889-3776 British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, B.C. V0H 1Z0, 1-800-784-6711• Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, 306-736-2441• Ontario: Harriet Ramos, 115 - 1803 St. Joseph Blvd., Orleans, ON K1C 6E7, 613-424-6420
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P.O. Box 32581 • Oklahoma City, OK 73123 • [email protected] • www.countryregister.com/oklahoma
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LENDA & RICHARD BROWNPublishers
2 Events
The Country Register of Oklahoma, Texas & ArkansasJuly/August 2017 Issue
The Country Register is published every other month. Copyright ©2017. Reproduction or use, without written permission, of editorial or graphic content in any manner is prohibited. The Country Register is a registered corporation and is registered as a trade name in the states of Oklahoma, Texas and Arkansas.
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SubscriptionsThe Country Register is distributed as a complimentary gift from its advertisers, and we encourage you to stop by your favorite shop every two months to pick up your new copy. However, for the convenience of those who may not be able to get to a shop, we do offer subscriptions for $18.00 per year (Continental U.S.) to cover the cost of postage and handling.
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Just Between Us…by Lenda Brown
We are so excited to announce, that starting with this issue, we are combining the Missouri and Illinois papers. How much fun! You will now know about the unique shops in both states and will be able to participate in the Shop Hops and Quilt Shows. We feel that this is a win, win for the advertisers and you, the shoppers.
Have you ever thought about the history of Independence Day/4th of July? We think of July 4, 1776, as a day that represents the Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America as an independent nation. But July 4, 1776 wasn’t the day that the Continental Congress decided to declare independence (they did that on July 2, 1776). The Continental Congress approved the final wording of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. In 1870, almost a hundred years after the Declaration was written, Congress first declared July 4 to be a national holiday. In 1941, July 4 was declared a paid holiday to all federal employees.
Why do we shoot off fireworks? Because John Adams wanted us to. Before the Declaration of Independence was even signed, he envisioned fireworks as a part of the festivities. ... The first commemorative Independence Day fireworks were set off on July 4, 1777.
Hope you have a safe and happy July 4th!
July / August 2017 Events 3
About Our Cover Art... Marla RaeMarla Rae is not just an artist; she is a woman who
wears many hats. Over 20 years ago she and her husband Brian founded the Barn Festival, a unique shopping experience out in the country on their property. The Barn Festival has grown into an event they host in May and September each year, bringing tens of thousands of customers out on a dirt road, surrounded by corn fields, to shop over 150 vendors’ unique wares from across the country. Marla has been in the gift industry for 30 years, always working from home...which just happens to be the upper two levels
of a 1930 Sears and Roebucks Barn. In 2011, after selling an international candle company that her husband and she founded and grew for 12+ years before giving up to ‘simplify’ their lives, Marla started her career as an artist with publisher Penny Lane. The timing could not have been more perfect...something she likes to refer to as a “God thing”. She is always thinking of what might be next, but hopes to continue with her art work for years to come, as that is what brings her the most enjoyment of all. Recently, she started to teach String Art Classes once a month at her daughter Alyssa’s “Art Bar” in downtown Hastings, Nebraska. She calls it her social outlet. Each day for five days straight, 40+ students gather to enjoy a little art, fellowship with friends and a drink or two.
“I love my life! I am so blessed and do not take a single day for granted. Each day is given as a gift, and it is up to us what we do with that gift. I am choosing to live my dreams, and am living life to its fullest”. Travel is important to Marla and Brian as well. They make sure they get away as often as possible to explore different cultures throughout the United States. “We hope to get our passports soon, but until then, we continue to enjoy our little trips from the east to west coast. We both grew up in rural Nebraska, just a few miles from each other. We live a simple life. It really doesn’t require much to completely enjoy ourselves...A bike ride on the bike trail through Hastings is as close to heaven as anything, as well as Taco Tuesday. That is pretty close to heaven too, according to Marla Rae.
To view Marla’s art prints, go to www.PennyLanePublishing.com or call Penny Lane Publishing at 800-273-5263 for more information.
In this IssueAbout Our Cover Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Arkansas Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8, 13
Designs, Stitchery & Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3, 14
Kansas Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Missouri Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Oklahoma Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4, 5, 8, 9, 16
Texas Advertisers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Recipes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9, 13
Our Search for Cover Artwork —Across the U.S. and Canada, you can always tell The Country
Register by it’s cover. Our publishers seek to find cover art or photos from the state the paper represents. To that end, we are seeking the work of artists from Oklahoma & Texas to feature on our covers. The art must be in good taste and consistent with the theme of the papers.
If you would like your work to be considered, please send an email indicating your interest to [email protected]
Countryberries LLC
Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden
330 North Road Deerfi eld, NH 03037
603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com
Designed by Kathy Graham
This pattern is free for you to use. Please give the artist credit. Not for com-
mercial use. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. This pattern was de-
signed for wool applique and embroidery but can be needlepunched, hooked
or even painted. Have fun!
Countryberries DesignsSummer Picnic
4 Northwest OK
Candy’s Vacations
by Deb Heatherly
Many people travel with their dogs, but have you ever taken a cat on vacation? I did, and it is definitely an experience I will never forget.
Miss Candy came into my life many years ago in a most unusual way. For some reason, I was scrolling through the classifieds and ran across this ad, “Abandoned, now abandoned again. Please help save these cats and dogs.” My curiosity peeked; I dialed the number.
I was told that all the animals had been taken in by a lady who volunteered at the local shelter. Each of the animals, I was told, had special needs and had been too hard to adopt out, so the nice lady had stepped in to offer them a home. Sadly, the nice lady had recently passed away and all of the animals needed new homes and needed them very quickly.
“Well I can’t take them all,” I said. But I could certainly take one and if others do the same, then all should be well.
“Funny,” he said, “others have said the same thing. From the phone calls and promises I’ve received, once everyone is picked up, I will only have 1 cat left.”
“Well that’s great news,” I said, “Tell me about this kitty.”
He went on to describe her and stated that, while the others animals had problems that were easily apparent, he did not see anything abnormal about her. I told him I’d be right over and off my daughter I went on our rescue mission.
Candy, it turned out, was a semi longhaired Calico. She was thin but other than that seemed fine. She purred and warmed to us immediately. “We’ll put some weight on you sweet girl,” I said, “and you never have to worry about being abandoned again.”
As we headed home, I though a hamburger might be in order and we headed through the nearest drive through. After cooling it and tearing it into pieces, we offered it to Candy. She sniffed it but was not interested. Ok, I thought, we’ll try tuna or wet cat food when we get home. I did, and received the same reaction. For the next 24 hours, in spite of being offered a number of things, Candy ate nothing and I was pretty worried. I realized she was probably stressed from a sudden change in her life, but she had to eat. She was skin and bones as it was.
A trip to the vet seemed in order so off we went. Turns out Miss Candy was old. I mean really, really old, and only had two teeth. The vet said that while it was difficult to know her age for sure, she guessed that Candy was 18-20 years old. The two teeth she had left were infected and had to be pulled. No wonder she would not eat. After dentistry and antibiotic, our new charge perked up.
Her care required soft food only and it had to be given in small amounts four times a day. She also had to be fed in a quiet location, away from our other furry kids so that we could make sure she actually got to eat. This posed a problem as we had a two-week vacation planned the next month. I had a pet sitter who would come in twice a day for the others, but what would we do with Candy?
As it turned out, the only solution was to take her with us. We called ahead to each motel or cabin rental, explaining the circumstances and getting permission. Then, off we went with Candy in tow.
I’ve seen happy animals before but Candy seemed to thrive. She loved sitting on the back of the seats and watching the world pass by and she enjoyed the one-on-one attention away from our other cats. In all, the two weeks of travel passed quickly and pretty much without incident. Well, except for the time she put her paw on the automatic window and rolled it down as we sailed down the Interstate. (Thankfully she did not try and jump out and my heart stopped pounding a few miles down the road.)
Oh, and the night we heard her crying at the top of her lungs while we were staying at a cabin in Tennessee. This furless mom jumped up and ran to rescue her ‘baby’ only to realize that Candy had simply gone to the top of the stairs, and could not figure out how to come down. (The next day she was delighted to show off that she had not only figured out how to run up them, she would announce herself very loudly and run back down them as well.) I had never seen her move this quickly but it seems this old gal was very proud of her new trick and wanted us to praise her.
Yes, having to pack up a litter box, food bowls and the like might seem like an inconvenience, but for Candy it was worth it. The next summer she accompanied us on a weeklong trip to the World’s Longest Yard Sale and was with us for several months after that before cancer took her from us and she crossed the rainbow bridge.
I will never know what her life had been like before I answered that ad but I do know that her last two years were lived to the fullest. She traveled to NC, TN, KY, IL, and MS just to name a few. She stayed at the Marriott, (where she even had room service), and stayed at some of the nicest cabins you’d ever want to see. She loved meeting new people at each stop and relished the attention. She seemed to look forward to each new adventure and readily jumped in the carrier to go wherever we were headed.
Although our time with her was short compared to many of the others we’ve loved through the years, she definitely captured a special place in our hearts. As our only cross-country traveler, our Candy will never be forgotten.
Deb Heatherly is a Creative Grids® Designer and author of the books, ‘Cat’itide, Strippy Stars, and 4-Patch Panache. Her books are companions to the Creative Grids® Cat’s Cradle tool, Strippy Stars tool, and Turbo 4-Patch tool, all designed by her. Deb travels to do lectures and workshops and can be reached at [email protected]. Visit her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/DebscatsnquiltsFranklin and join her Facebook group “Grids Girls.” Visit her website at www.Debscatsnquilts.com.
QQQOn your SHOP HOP JOURNEY, drop in and take advantage of OUR SALES!
917 Main • Woodward, OK • 580-254-0464M-Th 9:30-5:00 • Fri. 9:30-3:00 • Sat. by Appointment
NEW BEAUTIFUL LOCATION • Sewing Classes NEW Fabric continually coming in • NEW Patterns & Books
July / August 2017 Northeast OK 5
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees Guild Quilt Show
LAKE LIFE IS GRANDFriday, JULY 21 • 9 to 5
Saturday, JULY 22 • 9 to 4Grove Civic Center
1702 Main Street • Grove, OK
Over 100 quilts will be on display. There will also be vendors with fabric & sewing notions from the 4-state area. There will be classes, demonstrations, bed turnings, a “man cave” for
spouses, on site concessions, quilt appraisals by appointment, lots of parking and bathrooms!
Proceeds from the Quilt Show are used by the G.L.O.C. Quilt Proceeds from the Quilt Show are used by the G.L.O.C. Quilt Guild to fund their yearly donations of quilts, lap quilts,
Dignified Removal Quilts for Veterans’ Homes in Oklahoma, Christmas stockings for Abundant Blessings clients, and
pillow cases for children with life changing illnesses in the children’s hospitals of Tulsa and Oklahoma City.
Come see the many beautiful quilts sponsored by our own Come see the many beautiful quilts sponsored by our own Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees Quilt Guild.
For more information: glocquiltshow.com
This could be your ad with rates beginning
at $95 for 2 full months of advertising.
Published both in print and online.
What a Deal!
Essential Oils
TEA TREE (Melaleuca alternifolia)
By Wanda Headrick
The last several months many customers, friends and acquaintances have asked what essential oil would help with ticks. My answer is always Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia). There seems to be a heavy infestation of ticks throughout the area and multiple reports of people seeking medical treatment for tick bites. Tick bites need to be taken seriously, so if you have symptoms of a bite you should seek medical care for treatment soon and not delay or “wait to see.”
Because we live in the country, ticks are a part of life, which we do take seriously. If we find a tick we get the Tea Tree essential oil, place a drop on the tick and wait until it releases. Then, remove the tick. This has worked successfully for us for our animals and ourselves for many years. It will occasionally require a second drop on the tick before it will release, but that is not the norm.
The Aborigines in Australia have been using the indigenous Australian Tea Tree in their medications for centuries. They simply crushed the leaves of the Tea Tree in the hand and the volatile oil was inhaled to relieve colds and headaches. The name “Tea Tree” was first used by Captain Cook in 1777 when the leaves of the melaleuca or leptospermum tree were brewed to make a tea to prevent scurvy. The name Melaleuca is derived from the Greek word melos (dark, black) and leukon (white). This name was thought to be given to the first species described, M. leucadendron, which had white paper bark on the higher stems and branches and a black lower trunk. The common name of paperbark
(story continues on page 13
Grand Lake O' the Cherokees Guild Quilt Show“Summertime and the Living is Easy”, at least that’s what the famous
song says. Members of the Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees Quilt Guild say that this summertime is busy, as they prepare for their 2017 Quilt Show.
This year’s show, held in the Grove Civic Center, has the theme “Lake Life is Grand”. It will be held on Friday July 21st from 9-5 and Saturday, July 22nd from 9-4. Admission is $6.
Besides the over 100 beautiful quilts on display there will be an appraiser on hand who, by appointment, will appraise your treasured quilt, be it one from great-grandma, or your own handiwork. There will also be vendors from the 4-state area selling fabric, sewing notions, quilt kits, and more.
Attendees will be wowed by the transformation of the Grove Civic Center entrance from cement blocks into a waterside fishing scene. They will also see the “Winners Wall” of quilts that won a ribbon, along with the beautiful, intricate work of award winning featured artist Jane Anderson from Vinita, OK.
There will be something for everyone attending the show, including classes, demonstrations, bed turnings, silent auctions both days, a boutique, a book stall, on site concessions, door prizes, and a “Man Cave” for spouses.
Of special interest will be the “Hearts to Hands” donation quilt, which will be won by a lucky ticket holder to be announced on Saturday evening. This beautiful quilt was made by members of the Guild who were given a packet of four fabrics and challenged to make a block showing their idea of lake life. The blocks that came back were beautiful and varied. The quilt is indeed a work of art.
Don’t miss this year’s quilt show. There won’t be another one until 2019.
For more information go to: www.glocquiltshow.com
End of Bolt Sale EVERYDAY!!Quilt Fabric & Supplies • Singer Featherweights
Classes & Machine QuiltingOPEN TUES-SAT
100's of Books & Patterns
NANCY'S RETREAT IS NOW OPENVisit our website to make reservations
Now selling the Ever Sewn Sparrow line of sewing machines. Quality machines at an affordable price
9211 W. Main/33 Hwy • Ripley, OK • 405-413-5037(1/2 way between Perkins & Cushing on South side of Hwy 33)
www.nancystrunk.com
Nancy’sTrunk
6 Southeast, Southwest OK
Northcott announces THE PONY EXPRESS
BLOCK PARTYCelebrating a unique part of American History
Northcott is pleased to announce the launch of the Pony Express Block Party for states on the Pony Express Trail. Brick and mortar quilt shops in Missouri, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Nebraska, Kansas and California are invited to participate in this exciting event taking place September 9 to 24, 2017. Participating shops are creating a free block pattern to represent their shop using Northcott’s Pony Express collection. During the event, shops will distribute their block pattern for free. Consumers are encouraged to travel from shop-to-shop across the Pony Express states to fill their passport with shop stickers and pick up free block patterns. Shops will provide a fabric prize worth $75 to the first consumer to present a full postcard with 12 stickers.
Northcott’s Design Director Deborah Edwards has collaborated with the Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph Missouri to create a fabric collection that honors this unique part of American history. The collection features a panel that is an authentic replica of the original Pony Express Route Map and a wide range of patterns created from the Pony Express archives. In addition to the fabric, the collection includes a Pony Express pin with coordinating charms for each of the 8 states along the Pony Express route. Participating Pony Express Block Party shops will receive their fabric shipment in July to prepare for the event. The collection is available to shops not participating in the event and to shops outside of the 8 featured states; however, their delivery will not arrive until October when the event is over.
Consumer Quilt ChallengeConsumers can create a quilt using a minimum of 6 blocks collected
from the Pony Express Block Party and submit a photo of the quilt to Northcott for a chance to be selected as a finalist by November 4, 2017. The top 5 finalists will be required to send their quilt into Northcott for examination and photography. The 5 final quilts will be featured on Northcott’s social media platforms for a viewer’s choice vote and the winners will be selected by December 11, 2017.
About Northcott
Northcott Silk Inc. is an International Distributor and Converter of fine cotton printed fabrics for the quilt, craft and home decor industries. Northcott is known for “cottons that feel like silk” and popular brands such as Stonehenge, Naturescapes, Artisan Spirit, ColorWorks Premium Solids and Toscana. Northcott fabric can be found in retail stores and quilt shops world-wide. Click here to view the website.
For further information please contact:
Jennifer Bernaudo, Northcott Marketing [email protected] EXT 322
July / August 2017 Events & Fun Stuff 7
Quilting with BarbaraQuilting with Barbara
A Year in the Life of a Guild Have you ever wondered about quilt guilds? What are they? What
do they do? How does one become a member? Should I join one?
What is a guild? A guild is defined as an association of people for mutual aid or the pursuit of a common goal (Oxford English Reference Dictionary) and, to a great extent, this definition of a guild in medieval Europe remains valid today. But a quilt guild is so much more!
What are the membership requirements? Most guilds welcome anyone who likes to sew and/or is generally interested in crafting with fabric. Some larger guilds limit their membership to a certain number and have smaller groups (bees) that are offshoots of the main group, but this is rare in small centres.
What does a guild do? An account of one year’s activities of the small guild I know best – the one to which I belong – may help to answer this question. Keep in mind that different guilds have different programs and guidelines, but most will be similar. Our program varies somewhat from year to year, but the year detailed below is typical.
Our guild year runs from September to June, coinciding with the school year. We elect our executive and program planning committee in May or June so we are ready to go at our first September meeting. This year our first meeting was full of surprises and happy exclamations as members returned the round robin challenge quilts (which had circulated the previous year) to their owners. Oohs, aahs and cries of delight! At the same meeting the coming year’s program was presented to the membership, as was information about our upcoming biennial quilt show. The quilt show committee had been working hard over the summer, and their plans were immediately set in motion.
We have found that two meetings a month is a workable format for our group. This year the first meeting of the month was devoted to business and the demonstration of a skill or small project by one of the members or the viewing of a relevant video. Bob Purcell’s video concerning the properties and uses of threads was both informative and entertaining. The highlight of these meetings, however, was Show and Tell time. Our guild is small but prolific, and an admiring audience always appreciated the variety of really beautiful items, from simple to complex, shown by members. We all basked in the appreciation of our efforts.
The second meeting of the month was the “mystery meeting.” We brought our sewing machines and appropriate materials from the list previously e-mailed to members, but we didn’t know what we would be sewing until that night. We knew only that the project would be fun and useful, and that we would be able to finish it by the end of the meeting. Items completed at these sessions include micro-wave bowls, infinity scarves, zippered pouches, casserole mitts, and some cross-stitch. The element of surprise piqued our interest and built anticipation.
One day a month, usually between the two regular evening meetings, we met to work on a full-day project often taught by a member of the group. Until the New Year these day-long sessions were devoted to making items for ourselves or for gifts, e.g. a one-day charm-square quilt. After the New Year, our full-day sessions were used for charity projects. One such activity was the construction of “slab quilts.” Our national organization (Canadian Quilters’ Organization/Association Canadienne de la Courtepointe) as this year’s sesquicentennial (150 year anniversary) project set its goal at 1000 quilts made by members to donate to Ronald McDonald Houses nationwide. Our guild was pleased to be able to donate 21 completed quilts to this cause. As a group we have sewn for
the organization Days for Girls for a number of years. Accordingly, one of our all-day sessions and a couple of follow-up sessions supported this worthy group.
However, the “work” of the guild, enjoyable though it is, was just part of the year’s program. Members were challenged to produce a wall hanging consisting of exactly 150 squares, one for each year of Canadian Confederation, to be displayed at the year-end quilt show. Quilters do enjoy a challenge! Twice during the year representatives of neighbouring quilt shops spent an evening with us, teaching and/or presenting small trunk shows (displays of their work). In addition they showed us their latest fabrics, patterns and notions; many of us went home with lighter purses. In the spring the guild hired a bus and driver for a “field trip” (read “shop hop”) to shops farther afield, an enjoyable day indeed. And then there are the parties… quilting related of course!
An underlying current of the above activities was the preparation for our year-end quilt show. Unsurprisingly, the theme was Canada’s Sesquicentennial. Planning, organization and fund-raising (half the proceeds for our local Health Centre) were ongoing. After the show we discussed what went right (almost everything) what went wrong (very little) and what we will do differently next time.
Why should you join a guild? Fellowship, support and commitment to the community all come to mind. What is more life-enriching than spending time working and playing with people who share your passion? Lifelong friendships and bonds are formed in guilds. We could all use a few more of those, no?
Barbara Conquest writes her column from Blue Sky Quilting in Tofield, AB. © Barbara Conquest.
305 S.W. 89th Street • Oklahoma City, OK 73139 • (405) 635-1441
8 Events & Fun Stuff
U Vintage, Antique v Home Decor U
I-49
• Repair, Parts and Accessories for all Makes of Machines and Sergers.• Lots of Fat Quarters• Sewing Classes• Machine Embroidery & Software Supplies• Drop by We’d Love to Meet You!
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July / August 2017 Events & Fun Stuff 9
The Stitching Postwww.sewbargain.com
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THE FARMER’S DAUGHTER
THE HISTORY OF BUTTONS By Bernita Hill
When I was growing up, everyone had a button box or jar. When a garment was no longer usable, the buttons were cut off to be recycled onto another one. Hence, every household had its collection of snipped off and saved buttons.
Ours was no exception. In our case, it was a large round tin which originally held floor wax (another remnant from a time period when a housewife’s status was defined by how shiny her wooden floors were). And yes, I still have it but since I collect buttons,
I display mine in antique glass fruit jars. Inter sprinkled within those jars are some of the original buttons from the button box.
The earliest known button (more like an ornament than a fastener) was found at Mohenjo-daro in the Indus Valley. Made of a carved shell, it is believed to be about 5,000 years old.
Until the Middle Ages, buttons were ornaments or jewelry. People wore them to display their wealth or just to be fashionable. Since buttonholes were not invented until the 13th century, they fastened their clothes with clasps, brooches, pins or tied them with some sort of a belt.
The first button makers guilds began to appear in Europe around 1250. It wasn’t until the 18th century that buttons became widely used, appearing first on military uniforms. As the Industrial Revolution set in, buttons became cheaper and more available.
In early history, buttons were made of stone, pottery, jet, bone, wood, shell, flint, the horns of deer, ivory, bronze or gold. Buttons for Royalty were more luxurious including gold and glass.
From the fifth century, round fences(another name for button) were flat or decorated with geometrical figures. This pomp declined in anticipation of the first millennium(1000) which was predicted to bring about the end of humanity. Nothing happened so, with the high standard of living back, garments were richly decorated with gold and silversmiths added buckles and hooks, pins and brooches. Fastenings were also done by locksmiths in iron, tin and brass.
It was during the Crusades(11th-13th century) that buttons became more important, particularly because clothes were narrower around the body. Another use of buttons was because people had to sew the sleeves of their garments together each morning and take them apart in the evening. Ironically, some women thought button-sleeves lawless but wore garments with lateral slits in the vest, upper dress and in farmer skirts to show a bit of skin! This immodesty was frowned on by the Church and buttons were censured. Only laces were allowed for closure.
Job descriptions for button makers were clearly defined in the 13th century. Horn, bone and ivory were reserved for rosary makers but button makers received the rights to copper and brass while goldsmiths got the precious metals and glass.
Styles of the 14th century were a boon to button manufacturers as women were accentuating their waist. A garment might have up to 38 buttons on the front, 20 more on each sleeve and one to hold a fold around the neck like a jewel.
During the Renaissance and the beginning of the sixteenth century, buttons with stones decorated hats, shirts, sleeves and jackets of the wealthy. They were small with silver and gold backgrounds, artistically drawn and often filled with enamel, pearls, diamonds, rubies and emeralds. The lower class wore bone, wood, tin, copper, bronze and possibly glass.
During the sixteenth century, buttons on men’s jackets were small, numerous and functional but these were only for the men. Women closed their garments with lace or ribbon.
In the 17th century, buttons were really gems. Scottish Queen Mary Stuart had many jeweled buttons. When she was beheaded, she wore buttons of jet and pearl, shaped like small acorns.
Although those kinds of buttons are rarely found, the Dutch silver button from the 17th century may be. Large buttons were the fashion in the last quarter of the 18th century. That began to change about 1850 when the Industrial Revolution saw new materials and mass production. Leon Baekeland created the first true plastic in 1909. Bakelite was used to make everything from buttons to telephones.
The most popular button of the 19th century was the black glass button, mainly pearl-shaped. This was made in mass quantities in response to Queen Victoria’s use of black jet buttons as mourning buttons following the death of Prince Albert.
So, we see early buttons didn’t fasten anything but were for decoration. European craft guilds organized craftsmen and guilds; one of which was the button makers. Buttons dictated the trends of the time; work was incredible with emphasis on quality. Buttons were marked. Records were kept documenting each artisans craft. Staggering amounts of money were spent on buttons. They have been found buried with prized jewelry; bequeathed in wills and listed in household inventories.
I don’t imagine anyone has ever listed Velcro among their valuables.
Copyright, Bernita Hill, 2017
July / August 2017 Events & Fun Stuff 11
A Bag of ScrapsBy Bernita Hill
A recent issue of AMERICAN PATCHWORK AND QUILTING magazine featured an article entitled “Made from Scraps”. It is based on a newly published book A BAG OF SCRAPS by Edie McGinnis.
The article opens by stating “while conventional wisdom says the previous generation of quilters used fabric scraps from garment making in their quilts, there is another possible source for those scraps.”
It goes on to state that if you find several prints of the same fabric pattern but in different color waves in the quilt, it may have meant the maker either shopped at a local garment factory or sent away for a kit or bag of scraps from a dress factory cutting floor. It was a common practice from 1920 to 1950.
The article focuses on the Kansas City (MO) garment industry which at its peak employed over 4,000 workers, second only to the stockyards. They made ladies dresses, mens suits, children’s play clothes and sportswear for labels like Styline, Debbie Dare, Nelly Don, Mary-Lane and Gay Gibson. It was said that by the 1950’s 1 in 7 women owned a piece of clothing that had been made in Kansas City.
Taking a cue from Henry Ford, the garment industry utilized the assembly line method of production. But before the sewing, fabric pieces were cut with layer upon layer of fabric stacked on the cutting table. If the cutter was especially skilled, he could carefully place the patterns so waste was at a minimum. Scraps were allowed to fall on the cutting room floor, then put in barrels to be sold to jobbers who would in turn distribute the fabric to businesses who needed that type of material. Wool scraps from coats were often used in roofing material.
Magazine ads of that era indicated that many of the fabric scraps were packaged into kits or sold as fabric squares. An ad in “Better Homes and Gardens” magazine offered a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt kit containing 3,694 precut hexagons. Precut pieces for a Lone Star quilt could be ordered for $2.50; a Dresden Plate kit of 500 pieces plus border and binding could be had for a $1. “Capper’s Weekly”, a Topeka-based newspaper, ran an ad saying it had an arrangement with a company to supply it with leftover scraps at .75 cents for 2 pounds.
Certainly, we now know one reason there are so many Dresden Plate and Flower Garden quilts in our area. And, many of us remember the Nelly Don factory in Nevada and the Pendleton factory in Pleasanton where fabric could be bought for dresses, skirts and coats.
Copyright: Bernita Hill, 2017
12 Tea Time
Summer Spontanei-TEAsOur new deck and sunny Seattle afternoons beckoned me to serve
tea outdoors. Simple spontanei-TEAs. As I did so, I gathered a few tips to share with you.
Tea with Our GranddaughterOur six-year-old granddaughter, Anna, was the first guest I served
on our new deck. No matter what the season, she loves having an egg hunt as part of her snack or lunch. I keep colorful plastic eggs in a kitchen drawer, and together we fill a dozen eggs with foods she likes. Often she selects small crackers, candies, apple slices, carrot circles, and cubes of ham or cheese. We make sure to include a sampling from different food groups, not just sweets. Then I hide the eggs, and Anna enjoys the hunt. After she finds them, she sits at the table and empties the contents onto her plate.
This time Anna’s egg hunt was extra special since it ended outdoors. I had spread a colorful tablecloth on the deck table and added a bouquet of sweet-smelling white and purple lilacs from my yard. Together we enjoyed the sunny warmth as she nibbled her foods. Sometimes Anna enjoys peach herbal tea sweetened with sugar cubes. But this time she chose another favorite beverage—chilled mango nectar. Our shared time was plenty sweet without the sugar cubes.
Tip 1: Prepare foods you know your guests will enjoy.
Tea with NeighborsFor my next spontanei-TEA, I invited our neighbors to come see our
new deck. Robert and Sara live two houses down the street, and Robert is a talented handyman. Since he has helped us with tasks around our home and built his own deck, I knew he would enjoy seeing ours.
They gladly accepted our spur-of-the-moment invitation, even though Robert is recovering from a stroke. I quickly spread a cloth on the deck table and served them homemade rhubarb dessert à la mode. For beverages, I offered tea and sparkling cider. Together we christened our deck and enjoyed a sunny visit.
Later, Sara told me our invitation meant so much to Robert that he mentioned it to his speech therapist the next day. It made me realize that some of the simplest things we do can brighten someone’s day.
Tip 2: Something that seems ordinary to you may delight someone facing challenges in life.
Tea with My SisterA few days later, my sister Ruth e-mailed that she would be in the
area for a ladies’ brunch and could stop by for a cup of tea afterwards. Although I had planned to run errands, I changed my schedule and shared a spontanei-TEA with her.
I covered the deck table with a blue-and-white pinstriped sheet and added a blue table runner Ruth had sewed for me. My orchid in a cup became the centerpiece, and yellow paper plates and napkins made the table look as sunny as the day. Since she wasn’t hungry, I used my miniature forget-me-not children’s tea set and served mini cheese balls with crackers followed by hazelnut and salted caramel ice cream in tiny teacups. Ruth preferred iced tea, so she sipped mango black tea with a splash of mango nectar, served in a tall glass with a fancy straw. We enjoyed our leisurely chat, and my suntan proves we shared a warm
time.
Tip 3: Be flexible, and make memories while you can. People are more important than projects.
Summing Up These Summer Teas
In each of these spontanei-TEAs, food was not the focus. Friendship was. I kept things simple and served foods I had on hand. None of these teatimes required a lot of fuss. Being available to bless others was what mattered.
If you are cold, tea will warm you;
If you are too heated, it will cool you;
If you are depressed, it will cheer you;
If you are excited, it will calm you.
—William E. Gladstone
As nice as it is to share tea in the summer sun, you don’t need sunshine to create memories that warm hearts. Rain or shine, I’m ready to share tea with others. Will you join me?
Lydia E. Harris holds a master’s degree in home economics and wrote the book Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting (AMG Publishers). Her grandchildren call her “Grandma Tea.”
July / August 2017 Arkansas 13
COUNTRY HOUSE QUILTING AND QUILT SHOP
16324 N. Hwy. 94 • Pea Ridge, AR • 479-451-8978Open Tue-Fri 9-5 • Sat- 10:30-2:30
Beautiful Fabric • Batiks • Brights Reproduction Civil War Prints • 108" Wide Backing
Books • Patterns • Notions • Machine Quilting • 30's Fabric
Row by Row Patterns & Kits available starting June 21stRow by Row, Arkansas Crossroads
June 21st thru Sept 5th
2900 Green Mountain Dr. Ste 205Branson, MO 65616 • 417-239-6503
★ Ozark Quilt Trail Block Shop Hop from April 1 to July 31 ★
10-5 Mon-Fri • 10-3 Sat
From Lydia’s Recipe File: Summer Sippers
1. Refrigerator-Brewed Iced Tea
1. Place four teabags in a quart jar. Fill with cold water and cover.
2. Steep in the refrigerator for three hours.
3. Remove teabags and serve over ice.
This works well with any flavor or type of tea.
2. Sparkling Rhubarb PunchMild-flavored and delicious
3 cups chopped rhubarb
3 cups water
3/4 cup sugar
1 6-oz can frozen pink lemonade (or use half of 12-oz can)
1. Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan; simmer on medium heat for 10 minutes.
2. Strain. (Pulp can be used as sauce separately.)
3. Chill thoroughly before serving.
4. When ready to serve, combine equal parts of punch base and 7-Up, Sprite, or lemon-lime soda.
Tip: Prepare punch base ahead and freeze. Before serving, thaw it slightly; then break it apart with a fork. Add soda pop and stir. This makes a refreshing, slushy punch.
Frosty glasses: For a sweet touch, moisten the glass rims with water and dip them in sugar. Chill glasses in the freezer until ready to use.
refers to the paper-like bark, which can often be peeled from the larger trees in broad strips. The common name of “Tea Tree” applies to several species of leptospermum and melaleuca. Tea Tree essential oil is water or steam distilled from the Melaleuca Alternifolia Tree which produces a pale-yellowish green to almost clear mobile liquid with a warm, spicy, aromatic odor. Tea Tree oil was first distilled in Australia in the 1920s. W.R. Penfold, Curator and Economic Chemist of the Sydney Technological Museum states “An analysis of an essential oil extract from a variety of tea tree growing in profusion on the North coast of New South Wales was brought to my notice about 12 months ago, showed that it was non-toxic, non-irritating and 11 to 13 times stronger than carbolic as a germicide (Rideal-walker coefficient). “
The article continues describing ways tea tree had been used during the analysis. Today Tea Tree is considered to have antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic, bactericide cicatrisant (promotes formation of scar tissue), expectorant, fungicide, immune-stimulant, insecticide, stimulant and sudorific properties. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of tea tree oil are well documented through clinical studies. Tea Tree essential oil and all other pure essential oils should always be stored in a dark-colored glass or aluminum bottle with a tight fitting lid and kept out of direct sun light.
Outdoor Spray to Discourage Ticks 4-ounce aluminum or Amber glass bottle with an atomizer spray lid1 ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil ....................................80 drops Pure Citronella Essential Oil ......................................20 dropsPure Lavender Essential Oil ...................................25 dropsPure Thyme, Red Essential Oil ..................................15 dropsPure Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil .............................20 dropsPure Clove Bud Essential Oil ...................................20 drops 4 oz Distilled Water Blend all the oils in the 4-ounce bottle, add distilled water to fill. Shake
well. Spray over clothes and body before going outside for activities. Shake well before each application. Do Not spray around eyes as it may cause burning.
For Pure Essential Oils and other natural products or empty containers go to www.flinthillsaromatherapy.com. You may also call: call 620-394-2250 or e-mail [email protected]
(story continued from page 5)
14 Texas
September 22-23, 2017 • 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at the MPEC • 1000 5th Street, Wichita Falls, Texas
Admission $6, for Seniors 60+ is $5 100+ Quilts • Vendor Mall
Quilts of Valor • Door Prizes • Guild Boutique Fat Quarter Basket • Demonstrations
Quilts Available for Purchase
July / August 2017 Events & Fun Stuff 15
Road Trip…
QUILT CONTEST Guilds, Groups, or Individuals welcome, the one who donates the most quilts size 40x45 will win a $100 gift certificate. Start date Jan 1-September 1, 2017. Quilts can be made out of any fabrics and quilted any way you like. Quilts will be given to the Resthaven Nursing Home on Dec. 1st. Call for more info 1-660-826-4788.
OZARK QUILTING TRAIL • APRIL 1ST- JULY 31ST
Giving away a Janome Sewing Machine Each month. Grand Prize in Aug. 6600P Janome value - $2499.
CHRISTMAS IN JULY 29% OFF SALE • JULY 13, 14, 15 (not valid with any other event)
3620 S Marshall Ave, Sedalia, MO 65301 • Hwy 50 to east side of town, South 1 3/4 miles on Marshall, email: [email protected]
Hours: 9-5 M-F and 9-4 Sat • dandtquiltshop.com • 660-826-4788
• LARGEST SELECTION OF FAT 1/4’S, THOUSANDS TO PICK FROM, $1.50 ea. • OESD STABLIZER • ISACORD EMBROIDERY THREAD
• AUNT MARTHA’S IRON ON TRANSFERS • TEA TOWELS SIZE 28X28-7 FOR $16.00 AND 33x35 -7 FOR $22.00 • 5” CHARM PKS 10” CAKES AND JELLY ROLLS • FLAT FOLD PRICE $5.99 PER YD.
2017 participating Quilt ShopsAsk in any shop or see Facebook for details & on the web at
CentralKansasQuiltShopHop.4t.comNeedle in a Haystack
207 Q Road, on Hwy 400, Severy, KS 67137(620) 736-2942 NeedleNAHaystack.com
Picket Fence Quilt Co,7011 W Central, Suite 129, Wichita, KS 67209
(316) 558-8899 PicketFenceQuiltCompany.com
Prairie FlowePrairie Flower Crafts205 Pioneer, Alden, KS 67512
(620) 534-3551 PrairieFlowerCrafts.com
Stitches Quilt Shop102 S Main, McPherson, KS 67460
(620) 241-2986 StitchesQuiltShopMcP.com
Charlotte's Sew Natural710 N Main, Newton, KS 67114(316) 284-2547 SewNatural.net
Cottonwood Quilts126 N Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501
(620) 662-2245 KsCottonwoodQuilts.net
Field to Fabric Quilt Co.Field to Fabric Quilt Co.907 Main, Winfield, KS 67156
(602) 229-8540 FieldToFabric.com
Hen Feathers Quilt Shop110 N Rock Road, Wichita, KS 67206
(316) 652-9599 HenFeathersQuilts.com
Hop into all 8 shops during Shop Hop weekend for select discounts in each store and educational information. Each shop will have a unique SAMPLER QUILT made using a
specially chosen palette of beautiful cotton prints and one EXCLUSIVE FABRIC, all around our theme, QUILTED GARDEN.
PRIZESGift Basket drawing will be held in each shop.
GRAND PRIZESWWinners chosen by drawing from completed passports turned in at the 8th shop visited.
1. VINTAGE SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT sewing machine2. OLISO SMART IRON
Map & more details atwww.CentralKansasQuiltShopHop.4t.com
Central Kansas Quilt Shop Hop
October 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2017 It Takes YOU to Start the Trend
Support the local businesses who support the area where you live, work & play
Shop Local.Eat Local.
Spend Local.Enjoy Local.
Now your only exclusive authorized dealer of both Husqvarna-Viking and Pf aff brands of sewing and embroidery machines.
5125 N. Portland Ave. in OKC • 405-942-2700 and 211 N. Perkins Rd. in Stillwater • 405-707-0700
We are NOT a house divided!
Join us for the Row by Row
Shop HopWhile on your Shop Hop journey, drop in to see
all our Sales!
Bring in this coupon for an
extra 15% OFF end of bolt purchase