Volume 14, Issue 5 A bi-monthly newsletter of Macomb County Quilt Guild Pieces Paper May/June 2015

In memory of PFC Joseph Miracle… Quilters Checklist>>>

 Wear a name tag and Carole Carroll of Miracle Quilts to Speak a smile at meetings PFC Joseph A. Miracle was the baby of his family.  Bring your Row by His six siblings doted on him when he grew up in Ortonville, Row Quilt for Show where he played football at Brandon High School. He joined and Tell in May the service in 2005 and was assigned to the US Army Air- borne of the 173rd in Vicenza, Italy. In 2007 Miracle’s unit  Remember to bring a was deployed to Afghanistan and life for his family would Pot Luck dish for the never be the same. Tea Party in June While patrolling a village in the Kunar Province he  Donate non-perishable was hit by enemy small-arms fire. Miracle was killed on July PFC Joseph A. Miracle cans, toiletries or pa- 5, 2007. Just 22 years old, Miracle had only been in Afghanistan 35 days. He is per products to Trinity buried at Guardian Angels Cemetery in Rochester Hills. Lutheran Church Much loved in life, the memory of Miracle has been preserved in Mira- cle Quilts. The mission of this volunteer group is to create handmade quilts In This Issue>>> for veterans hospitalized at Walter Reed National Medical Center, VA hospi- tals, Fisher Houses, for individual veterans and for children at the VFW Na- President’s Downton tional Home for Children. Abbey Tea Party in June This project was started in 2009 by Carole Carroll, who will be the Charity Cutting Party guest speaker at the MCQG May 4th meeting. “We started the group on a shoestring and now we are proud to say that we have quilters in eleven Meet a Member — states,” she boasted. For her trunk show, Carole will display quilts made by Marilyn Woods her volunteers. Camo Quilts “Miracle Quilts is very different from national groups that do this. We Marj Bryen travel journal take any size, shape, color or theme of fabric. Quilts do not need to be patri- otic. We also take female quilts. Each quilt is packaged into a pillow case for Deadline for the next delivery. Also enclosed is a letter. It talks about PFC Joseph Miracle and his service and sacrifice to our country. I describe our volunteers, aged seven to edition of Paper Pieces 95. Then, I thank them for their service to our country,” Carole explained. is August 15, 2015 Carole personally makes all the deliveries for Miracle Quilts so she can assure donors that the quilts get to where they are promised. See Page 8 Guild Board 2014-2015 Committees

PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP CHARITY Jill Stiger Sunny Howe Claudia Baker, Mary Ellen Zajac & Crew VICE EDUCATION SUNSHINE PRESIDENT Cathy Riley Sue Rakowski Sue Sharkey WEBSITE SECRETARY NEWSLETTER Tracey Shock Marilyn Woods Colleen Belli RETREATS MEMBERS AT Diane Tocco TREASURER LARGE Diane McMinn Marcia HISTORIAN Gramzow Kathy Wallace PAST & HOSPITALITY PRESIDENT Marj Bryen Kathy MacFarland, Carol Holloway, Kathy Santo Peggy Lau, Amy Pribac & Dianne Stall

Retreat & Fest News>>>

Fests are held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Clem- Fallfest October 24, 2015 ens, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Retreats are held at Lake Huron Retreat Center, north of Port Huron in Burtchville Township. 2016 Winterfest January 16, 2016 2015 Lakeport Retreat February, 25-28, 2016 Springfest Saturday, May 2, 2015 Springfest May 7, 2016 Lakeport Retreat September, 24-27, 2015 Lakeport Retreat September, 22-25, 2016 MCQG Programs>>>

Remember to bring your 2015 Row by Row quilts in May. It will be interesting to see all the patterns. We May 4 — Carole Carroll, Miracle October 5 — Pam Achatz: Tradition- are having a Downton Abbey theme Quilts: Patriotic Quilts for Soldiers al quilts for the President’s Tea Party in June. and Veterans November 2 — Elsie Vredenburg: Think pretty table cloths, fancy tea June 1 — President’s Tea Party and Pictorial quilts pots and cups, table runners, two-tier Potluck (members only) December 7 — Christmas Party and plates and fresh flowers in vases! September 14 — Kathy Hellebuyck: Potluck (members only) Sue Sharkey—Vice President T-Shirt quilts

From the President>>> James In Charge Jill Stiger My son James is an art major at Wayne State and I was delighted to find out that he would be sewing something in his 3-D Design class this semester. At last, he might begin to understand my passion for quilting and creating something beautiful. Maybe we could go to quilt shops together and maybe he would enjoy going to shows with me. (That will probably never happen. I think he remembers how I dragged him with me when he was young enough to not have a James focuses on sewing for a college class. choice in the matter.) A few weeks ago he learned how to thread a sewing machine (Husqvarna) and wind a bobbin. He is supposed to create something representative of Nature. I was anticipating the joy he would develop in this aspect of artistic endeavor…and then…he wanted fabric...MY fabric. Now, I have more fabric than I can EVER use. I should be happy that some of it will be put to use rather than sitting on my shelves (where I can take it down and fondle it from time to time). So, why am I having such a hard time giving some to him? As I pulled greens and browns and reds from my stash I reluctantly held them out for him to choose. Of course, he chose some of my very favorites -- I guess that’s why I haven’t used them yet. I do enjoy looking (and fondling) them so much. But I let those pieces go, after telling him that I wanted every piece back that he didn’t use. I’m looking forward to seeing what he creates from them. I just hope he doesn’t want to start using my machines! Jill Stiger, President

Membership Renewal Begins in September This is a reminder. Guild dues for the 2015-2016 year will NOT be col-

lected until September. The dues will remain the same as last year, $30. A new membership form is available on our website. It is to be completed by both new and returning members. Please turn it in with your dues in Sep- tember, not before then! Sunny Howe, Membership

MCQG Programs>>> 2016 World: How to Submit Quilts for Recreation Center January 4 – TBD Publication May 16 – Cathy Miller and John February 1 – Debbie Grifka: April 4 -- Quilt Show meeting Bunge: The Singing Quilter Modern quilts April 21 – Quilt Show Set Up June 6- Presidents Tea Party and March 7 – Carolyn Vagts, Quilter’s April 22-23 -- Quilt Show, Roseville Potluck (members only) Meet a Member… Marilyn Woods, Seamstress and Quilter Five-year-old Olive Woods has learned how to browse the internet and choose a new outfit – complete with dress, jacket, hat and a purse. And then, ever so sweetly, Olive says that she really wants Grandma to make it for her. And Marilyn Woods just has to say yes! After rais- ing two sons and welcoming two grandsons, Marilyn waited a long time to indulge a little girl. Marilyn, who serves as secretary of Macomb County Quilt Guild, lives in Clinton Township with her high-school sweetheart and husband of 44 years, Larry. Their grown sons, Matthew and Brian, live nearby. Brian married his high-school sweetheart, Sheila, and they have three children -- nine-year-old Henry, seven- year-old Duncan and pretty little Olive. Although her Mom didn’t sew, Marilyn took a sewing class during summer vacation when she was 12 years old. An opportunity came up a few years later in which she honed her skills. Marilyn explained, “Friends of my Mom arranged for me to join lessons given by a woman who was the head fitter for Hudson’s down- town store.” Back in the 60’s fashion was fitted and Hudson’s was the place to shop. “Mrs. Lemmer was a fantastic teacher. She also did bridal gowns and formals,” Marilyn said. “She taught all about different fabrics, how to use them, how to fit a garment, and that the inside needed to look as finished as the outside. I made dresses, suits, coats, everything.” By the time she was in high school Marilyn made most of her own clothes. The ‘Home Ec’ (sewing) teacher learned Marilyn liked to sew and asked why she didn't sign up for her class. Marilyn knew the class always started by making an apron. “I probably had on a dress or something I made and asked her if she could teach me any better than that,” Marilyn said. “The teacher was surprised but admitted that she didn't even sew that well,” The teacher was not offended and was always nice to Marilyn. Meanwhile, classes continued with Mrs. Lemmer. Actually many ladies taught Marilyn, for she was the only girl. “Mrs. Lemmer’s classes were in her home and only had about 10 ladies. There were never any other ‘young’ people while I was there. But all the ladies were friendly, like quilters,” she said. They were so nice that Marilyn stayed a long time. “I started when I was 15 and continued un- til after I was married, 22.” Marilyn wanted to make her own wedding gown but her Dad had other plans. He wanted her to enjoy planning without the added pressure of making a gown. Instead, he let Marilyn design the dress of her dreams and choose the fab- ric. Then he hired a seamstress for the job. It was after the wedding that Mari- lyn’s quilt journey began. When Marilyn visited Larry’s relatives in Tennessee for the first time, she received her first quilt. In her own words, Marilyn answered the following questions. See Page 5

Marilyn Woods loves to travel. Marilyn Woods… from Page 4

Where did you grow up - city, state? I grew up on the upper east side of Detroit and went to Osborn High School where I met my husband. How long have you been a guild member? Have you served on a committee or the board? Do you belong to any other guilds - if so, which ones? This is my third year as a Guild member and I am currently serving on the board as secretary. At what age or year did you start quilting? Describe your first quilt. My first exposure to quilts was soon after I was married when we visited some of my husband’s relatives in Tennessee. His great-aunt was a quilter and gifted us with a quilt. Then I started to research quilting, but only found information from a historical perspective. I made small items, like purses, pillows or baby quilts; they were all hand pieced and quilted. I made my first large quilt about 30 years ago. It was a sampler quilt and I still use it. How does your quilting reflect your life experience? What is your favorite quilt pattern? Why? I did keep trying to quilt, but there was little information out there. I’ve learned so much since joining the guild; especially at fests and the retreats. Other members are always willing to share their knowledge. There are also so many web sites. I don’t really have a favorite pattern or a favorite quilt. Each time I try something new (and it turns out) I like it best. What is your favorite color or colors when making a quilt? I tend to choose blues, greens, and browns; but I do force myself to look at other color combinations. Do you prefer hand or machine quilting? While I do send quilts out to be long armed (especially the big ones), I always have a quilt on my frame that I am hand quilting. I find it very relaxing. What technique in quilting would you love to learn? More about applique and sewing on a curve. Describe your most memorable quilt, event or quilt road trip. My husband takes me to Shipshe- wana every summer. Whenever we are in Tennessee I go quilt shop hopping with my husband’s cousin Connie, a great quilter. We both evolved into quilting at the same time and then were surprised to find out we were both doing this. Stitcher's Garden in Franklin, Tennessee, is really an awesome experience. Fabric is stacked to the ceiling in the store, about the size of a CVS. It is grouped (Christmas, batiks, re- productions, etc.) and the staff is helpful. But sometimes, I just come away totally overwhelmed. What other hobbies do you have? I like anything to do with fabric and fiber. I knit and crochet and I have a small loom. Larry and I have always loved to travel. When we didn't have much money, we camped. I'm a little old for sleeping on the ground now. We love cruising! It's like taking your hotel with you. We've gone to the Caribbean a few times, as well as Alaska and Hawaii. This fall we will cruise from Boston up the New England coast and the Maritime Provinces. We were to Ireland a few years back. And we do a lot of car-tripping that now includes quilt-shopping. What is your favorite movie of all time and why? I like comedies and mysteries. What is your favorite food? Even though my heritage is Polish, I LOVE Italian food the best. If you could interview anyone in the world (dead or alive) who would it be and why? I dabble in genealogy. I would love to have been able to talk with my grandmothers. They immigrated to the United States from Poland as young girls. They left their families knowing they would never go back or see them again; how brave! Happy May and June Birthdays>>>

Cindy Zielke – May 3 Terri Brown -- May 10 Linda Couzens – May 10 Kathy MacFarland – May 11 Sandi Miski – May 12 Win a Prize! Sue Sharkey – May 14 Kathy Stevens – May 15 Congratulations to Kitty Kenning, who found her birthday published here in Donna Tavalieri – May 18 the last edition of Paper Pieces. Janne Postma – May 19 If your birthday falls on March 16, be Helen Fleetwood – May 22 the first* to call Colleen Belli at (586) 263- 9795 to receive a $20 gift certificate to: Lillian Georgianna – May 22 Sew Many Things Eva Dishman – May 23 *If more than one birthday falls on the Kathy Wallace – May 29 date above, the first to call wins. There will Dawn Holtz – June 3 be only one prize. Gina Kaszynski – June 4 Peggy Lau – June 4 Donna Mead – June 8 Diane Wezner – June 9 Marsha Blakely – June 11 Cutting Up for Charity Marilyn Gross – June 11

The Charity Committee would like to Kaye Crandall – June 12 thank all MCQG members who participated in Dawn Nelson – June 13 making quilts for Miracle Quilts. We will be do- Barbara Shock – June 15 nating 40 quilts. If you still have a quilt please bring it to the May meeting. Elaine Krause – June 18 There will be a charity cutting party on Nancy Branigan – June 18 Saturday, August 15th at the North Macomb Susan Rakowski – June 23 Sportsmen’s Club in Washington Twp. The club is located at 3231 Inwood Rd. We will be cutting Marilyn Philips – June 26 and sewing from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please Louise Osborn – June 29 bring your own lunch as well as basic sewing and cutting supplies. If you have a birthday in May, please bring a treat to share May 4th. From the Past President>>> Planning Ahead for MCQG

Kathy Santo I spoke with Patti Mitrowski and I believe is not made anymore. She graciously gave me hers she’s on board for Vice President, 2015—2016. and said we could keep it for our Guild. My plan this Whooo Hoooo! summer is to cut all my stash that is stored in boxes I would like to thank Sharon Miner and to make a pineapple quilt. Dawn Nelson for stepping up when Lee’s Lines had I saw Gyleen Fitzgerald on The Quilt Show to cancel in April. A few weeks ago I asked Sharon for and purchased her book and tool, Trash to Treas- a half-inch die for my Go Baby, and she said that die ure. Kathy Santo, Past President The Camo Quilt Project Early in 2006 Linda Wieck of Plymouth, Wisconsin learned that her son-in-law Todd would be deployed to Iraq. Todd asked Linda to make him a quilt. And he wanted it made of lightweight camouflage material. While training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, Todd’s fellow unit soldiers asked for quilts, too. Linda scrambled and completed 48 quilts before they deployed that July. News of the quilts spread quickly and there were more and more requests for quilts. Linda recruited help, and the Camo Quilt Project was born. In the last eight years more than 23,000 quilts have been made for active duty soldiers. Linda has a group from the Franklin American Legion Post 387 in the Plymouth area that work tirelessly for the project. Each quilt is made big enough to cover a cot and lightweight enough to carry. Ties are sewn on one end so soldiers can roll it up like a sleeping bag and hook the quilt onto the bottom of their backpacks so it doesn’t take up valuable space. Regular camo print sold in retail shops won’t match the military’s pattern, which can be unsafe, so military fabric is used. A supplier agreed to sell surplus material at a deep discount. A local storage company donated warehouse space – rent free. Linda offers a free quilt to any active duty soldier, asking only to be reimbursed for postage. Tucked inside each quilt is a card signed by the volunteers who made it, thanking the recipient for their service. The group gets requests to make quilts for one soldier or an entire unit or platoon. The group will honor all requests. Linda believes there’s no greater reward than a ‘Thank- You’ from a soldier. Recently, I contacted Linda Wieck by email and requested a Camo quilt for a family friend, an Army soldier who will deploy in December to Afghanistan. I already received the quilt and it is made very well!! I showed it at the April meeting, perhaps you saw it. It is bittersweet to receive this quilt but I know that it will keep him warm at night when he’s away from his family. Should you need to request a quilt for that special soldier in your life, by all means, contact Linda Wieck. Information is available to request a free quilt or quilt kit at: CamoQuiltProject.blogspot.com

To offset the price of fabric, donations can be submitted to: Franklin American Le- gion Post 387, c/o Steven Bender N7417 Bittersweet Rd. Plymouth, WI 53073.

Sue Sharkey shows a Camo Quilt. Sue Sharkey, Vice President Miracle Quilts… From Page 1

”We want to say thank you to our beloved troops in the hospital. I go to Michigan VA Hospitals, ship to the Fisher House in Landstuhl, Germany, Fisher Houses in the U.S. and have delivered to two Wounded Warrior Camps,” she added. “We have no corporate backing so it is really incredible to see what can be accomplished on donations. Miracle Quilts is a branch of Desert Angels. I operate under the Desert Angel 501c3 status. When peo- ple make donations, I can give them a tax form.” The volunteers here in Michigan meet the second Saturday of every month at Independence Village, a sen- ior living community in Oxford. The residents of the fa- Volunteers proudly show quilts made for Miracle Quilts. cility help as best they can. The group also meets at the Oxford Public Library. Every year in June, Miracle Quilts has a Quilt Show to display the handiwork of its volun- teers. In 2014 more than 300 quilts were shown. This year the show will be held on Saturday, June 13 from 12:00– 3:00 p.m. at Independence Village, 701 Market St., Oxford. Also honoring the memory of PFC Joseph Miracle, Desert Angels prepares Miracle Boxes for active troops. Based in Auburn Hills, this non-profit collects, packs and mails a variety of items including granola bars, instant food packets, hard candy, dried fruit, socks, fun stuff, letters from home and a whole lot of love. Each Miracle Box contains a Prayer Cloth or Pocket Flag to remind soldiers they are in the thoughts of many people. Founded by Louise Carol Ann Downs, the troops named her ‘The Desert Angel’ because out of the desert comes a box from someone they don't even know and it must be an angel. Louise was spurred to make boxes for our troops after 9/11. In 2007 the boxes were renamed Miracle Boxes in honor of PFC Joseph Miracle. Carole Carroll has been a member of Desert Angels, even before starting Miracle Quilts. “One day, I got an email about a young man from Louisiana that drove over a bomb. He was severely injured. I couldn't stop thinking about him,” Carole explained. An avid quilter, Carole decid- ed to send him a quilt, and then another quilt to another soldier, and another and more. Soon Miracle Quilts became a division of Desert An- gels. “That is how we started five years ago. I never thought it would be as big as it is today,” she said proudly. Although Carole never met Miracle, she has become friends with his mother Judy. “She goes with me when I deliver quilts to Washington D.C.,” Carole said. “Joe's Mom has told me how pleased she is with how many people this project has touched.” All the work truly is a miracle, in Stars and stripes are popular quilts. honor of PFC Joseph Miracle. On the Road Again… Happy Summer Marj Bryen at the Wheel Birthdays Margrette Farah – July 1

In January I went out to California Margaret Bernard – July 7 to visit my daughter Jill and her family for Sharon Kendall – July 13 five weeks. This time I flew! Of course Karen McDavitt– July 18 while there I found time to visit a few new quilt shops and an old favorite. Phyllis Wink – July 18 By far my favorite shop in San Die- Joyce Stafford – July 21 go is Rosie’s Calico Cupboard where there Karen Walsh – July 20 is a great selection of fabric at reasonable prices with helpful staff. I like the ar- Lillian Fortuna – July 22 rangement of fabric by color and theme, Pamela Thompson – July 22 making it easy to find things. I am col- lecting plaid fabrics to make a quilt for my Shirly Ward – July 22 2-year-old grandson’s big boy bed. Bonnie Kaster – July 23 Another stop included a visit to the Margaret Weinand – July 24 Temecula Quilt Shop which is a small shop Colleen Belli – July 25 This cute shop is in Temecula, California. featuring wool and traditional fabric, in- cluding Civil War fabrics. I bought a Sharon Emerson – July 25 small kit to do hexagons that I plan to work on soon. The next stop was at The Susan Richter – July 28 Quilt Loft in LaMesa which is in a restored house. It features a lot of wool and primitive projects. I picked up some wool and a cute Valentine kitchen towel Jill Stiger– July 29 kit. I enjoyed these excursions with my daughter. Letty Gabelmann – August 7 In March Jill and her family moved cross country to Albany, Georgia. At Carol Sonntag – August 11 Easter time I was back on the road! I drove down to pick up my grandson, Lo- Sandra Martin – August 20 gan. Albany has the usual JoAnn’s and Hobby Lobby but no quilt shops in the immediate area. On the way back to Michigan with Logan, however, I did stop Cheryl Burck – August 21 at two shops in Georgia. The first was A Scarlett Thread in McDonough which Dianne Stall – August 21 is a great shop just off I-75. It is billed as Georgia’s largest, just south of Atlan- ta. It has all the latest kits and fabrics with plenty of ideas for projects. In one Kitty Kenning – August 23 corner of the shop there is a table and videos for the kids which my grandson Eileen Carroll – August 25 found to be very entertaining. He did not want to leave! The shop offers clas- Barbara Cook – August 27 ses and I intend to schedule one to coincide with another visit to Albany. Diane Holk – August 27 I also made a stop at Tiny Stitches in Marietta, Georgia, a nice shop that moved since I shopped there a few years ago, cute ideas and helpful staff. Karen Kerner – August 28 I always have a positive response to a shop when the staff greets you and is Sharon Miner – August 30 helpful. Marj Bryen, Board Member-at-Large Cynthia Kavanagh – August 31

Miracle Quilts Show 2015 CAMEO QUILTERS Presents Saturday, June 13 Noon to 3 p.m. A Quilter’s Paradise Quilt Show FREE ADMISSION June 5 - 6, 2015 Independence Village Friday 10 a.m.—6 p.m. 701 Market Street Oxford, Michigan Saturday 10 a.m.—4 p.m. Daily Admission $6.00 *Quilt RAFFLE Madison Place 676 Horace Brown Dr. *Sewers/Quilters GARAGE SALE Madison Heights, Michigan *CRAFT SALE Raffle Quilt Door Prizes Auction

Macomb County Quilt Guild P.O. Box 180671 Utica, MI 48318-0671 www.macombcountyquiltguild.org