BeeArtful

Can you imagine the picture I would have used if I had been contemplating my navel?

Today, I read an article on being a butterfly. So my question, "What is a feather?" doesn't seem too far out.

Anna Maria Horner created the pattern above, and an independent maker chose Kaffe fabrics for this version. (I verified it raised $1,000 for M. D. Anderson Hospital in Texas in 2023.)

I love the quilt. It's colorful, and the design is well-formed. It reminds me of our BeeArtful group.

We may be the feather circle inside the large square. We all come together to celebrate each other and our art. Sometimes we're embraced by the outer square and praised for our creativity.

Sometimes we seem to be the round circle in a square hole. Nonetheless, we are all part of the larger picture and the sum of its parts.

On a personal note, my feathers may get ruffled, but as long as I can return to the circle, all is well.

And if every quilt we created magically became a feather, our nests would be soft and cozy.

See you at retreat,

Janice

For the past few years, we have used time at the November retreat to decide on programs and a tentative schedule for the following year. Geri will once again facilitate this process but she needs your help. Please send your ideas for programs to Geri (email at geri_beam@yahoo.com or text to 707-479-8963) ahead of the retreat if possible so she can be ready to go with a great list compiled by all the Bee Artfuls!

The retreat will be held at the firehouse in Scaly Mountain. The cost for renting the firehouse for the week is $185 in total. This price includes cleaning. The cost per person is ~$20 (depending on number of attendees but regardless of how many days you attend). The fee will be collected at the October Bee Artful meeting. Everyone is responsible for their own lunch each day. There are two refrigerators, two stoves, and a Keurig maker. Supplies for the group will be brought by the usual suspects.

On Wednesday Geri will teach a class in the morning on making sewing kits (see picture above) and a repeat in the afternoon making tiny books with a tin case for the books (see pics in the October newsletter). If you are attending the retreat and want to take one or both of these classes, the cost is $5. If you are just coming for these classes on Wednesday, 11/12/25, the cost is $10.

Silke has offered to provide some big florals for appliquéing (see examples in pictures below). Bring possible background fabrics (black and white has been suggested for a cohesive Bee Artful 'group project') and your choice of fusible. This will be presented on Tuesday with the option of working on this through the week.

Bring examples of Bee Artful projects to show at November guild meeting (poster projects, bobbin work, silk scarves and silk ties, Geri's boxes and sewing kits, pin cushions, Guardians (been a while), ice-dyed and indigo dyed examples, improvisational piecing, etc)

Another idea for hanging : metal furring strip from Home Depot attached to wall with Command strips - then either magnets in sleeves or as shown magnets on furring strip then metal pole in sleeve.

https://nancysnotions.com/add-hand-embroidery-to-clothes-and-shoes-its-easy/

How to Have More Meaning Conversations About Quilts

By Frances O’Roark Dowell

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/talking-about-quilts-how-to-have-more-meaningful-conversations-about-quilts/

Quilting Arts (Where We Work):

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/where-we-work-quilting-arts-podcast

New Haptic & Hue podcast link:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/haptic-hue/id1530400722?i=1000682370590

Podcast with local flair:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-thread-podcast/id1508572777?i=1000663499933

Her upcoming book is: Marking Your Time by Tommye McClure Scanlin

Marking Time with Fabric and Thread: Calendars, Diaries, and Journals within Your Fiber Craft https://a.co/d/71Q7u8N

Podcast on Tales of Textiles:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/haptic-hue/id1530400722

Need the password for member section for the guild (www.mlqg.org) website? Contact Linda Barron (linda.barron@gmail.com)

Silke uses Superior thread 100 weight (micro quilter)-blends in well.

Kathy I. uses 100 weight silk thread by Yli (order from Amazon or another vendor online).

https://www.janedunnewold.com/resources/critiques

One is a checklist that can be used as a guideline when looking at a quilt - this is published on her website as part of her creative strength training class.

The second is a detailed essay she wrote concerning the process.

I hope that these documents will help the Bee Artful group conduct critique sessions that are productive.

I am finishing the newsletter at my daughter's house in Fairfax VA. We came here via the Shenandoah valley where I have friends I have known for 45 years. It has been a spectacular trip through fall colors. Everywhere I look I am inspired by the colors and textures of nature. I will be home for a week and then I will join you at retreat which I am looking forward to. Enjoy your newsletter!

I am happy to convey all of these wonderful "goings on" via this newsletter. Try to get things to me in advance of the end of the month via email (mandmoliver@gmail.com) or text. If you put the word "newsletter" somewhere in the message line I will be able to find it easier (if using email). See you soon.

Melinda