DONNA POSTER NEWSLETTER
                                                            JAN’08

Ah-h-h-h --- the holidays are over and we enjoyed the times, but now we can get on with life again!  It was a strange few months for us here.  If anything could go wrong, it did.  And if anything couldn’t go wrong, it did anyway!!  Nothing serious, just annoying.

We did, however, have a great time with Eliad.  I collect Dept.56 village pieces and every year, for one month during the holidays, I set up quite an extensive village.  Haven’t done that, though, since Eliad’s arrival but he’s listening pretty well these days (for a three year old) so decided to try it again this year.  We set up a stepstool for him with the rule that he could look, but he couldn’t touch anything unless a grownup was with him.  Pretty tough for a little guy, but he really did try --- though it was obvious he didn’t see any reason for such an idiotic rule.  So one day he called his mother in to watch the following demonstration (keep in mind this was all done with dramatic flourishes worthy of Tallulah Bankhead)  First, he mounted the stool, turned to the table, picked up a small piece, held it up high for Zoe to see.  Then he said,  “Watch --- I put it back”, turned back to the table and, very carefully, set it down.  Then he turned back to Zoe, spread his arms wide, took a small bow, and announced, “See!  Nothing happened!!”  We just cracked up when Zoe told us!  He’s a handful these days but a lot of fun and cuter by the minute!!

Good news --- the two new Foldy Stuff patterns are almost ready for you!  They just need a few last minute finishing touches then off to the printers!  I’m so excited --- I know you’re going to love them!  After this we will be working on about ten new applique and pieced patterns.

I’ve had so many requests for permission to teach the Foldy Stuff that when I received this question from Jody Beitzel, (who has entered quilts in our Show-And-Tell section) I decided to share my answer with all my quilting friends.  It makes a great class, whether you’re teaching a small guild group or a formal class in a shop --- just a lot of good, easy fun!  Try it!

Jody writes:
> Hi Donna,
> I am fortunate enough to be teaching a Foldy Stuff class this fall. I
> just started working at a quilt shop, Quilter's Corner in Chadds Ford, Pa.. Do you have any hints or tidbits you can share with me on teaching this class?  I am aiming towards making a small sampler of a few different designs.  Any pointers you can send my way will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Jody,
So glad you're going to be teaching our Foldy Stuff --- as you know, it makes a fun class.

A few suggestions:
1. For a project oriented class, I like the Amish wall hanging I have in the free Foldy Stuff projects.  

2. For an easy, fun class of variety blocks, try offering a choice of Log Cabin, Courthouse Steps or Chevron made with their own scraps.  These all use two inch strips and are done in similar ways. I did this as my first foray into teaching the Foldy Stuff --- it was the least confusing for me. I generally gave them the option, in the afternoon session, of trying more blocks or doing the Pineapple.

3. Have several demonstration "packs" precut and ready to stitch. Also have one strip long enough to demonstrate "cut as you sew". I definitely encourage the students to use this method in class because it gets them to sewing much (much!) faster.

4. An embellishment class is lots of fun --- I tell the students to bring whatever they have at home --- lace, buttons, ribbons, etc. In class we just pick something out and say, "OK - how can I use this?" We do a lot of sharing of ideas.  The secret here is to relax and have a good time!

5. I like to be very flexible. If someone wants to do a Foldy that isn't on the agenda (such as a Whirling Cabins) I explain that the cutting is different than what I'm teaching that day and they'll be following the instructions themselves --- but I'll be glad to help if needed. If that's OK with them, it's just fine with me.

6. If it's OK with the owner of the shop, I take one transfer of whatever I'm teaching that day so the students have a chance to try out different styles before they buy whole packages. Take only one of each and mark it as a sample. I do this only in my "variety" classes and only with the approval of the shop owner!

7. As you become better at teaching the Foldy Stuff, you'll find you can handle more students and/or more variety of blocks. Do this at whatever is your own comfort level. Don't push yourself too fast --- you should be having fun, too --- it makes a better class! Enjoy!

Mr. Donna will be glad to see this answer as he's been trying to get me to write up some teaching hints for the Foldy Stuff --- people love teaching it and he gets a lot of requests for the same hints you asked for. If you come up with any hints of you own, I'd love to pass them on.

We had a wonderful visit with Laura and Michael (our youngest daughter and her fiance) --- they were here from San Diego for a week.  Thank goodness it wasn’t bitter cold --- California people aren’t used to our winters!  I made one of my favorite dutch meals and they liked it so much, I thought I’d pass it on.  Like my Foldy Stuff, the key word here is, “Easy!”

SAUSAGE & LIMAS CASSEROLE*
1 pkg. sausages, (not smoked) plain, hot or whatever you like
1 pkg. lima beans
1 large can whole or cut up tomatoes (garlic flavored if you like)
crushed garlic, to taste
salt & pepper
Fry sausages on both sides till brown. I stick a knife in them at several places so the juices/fats come out and I fry them in that. Add garlic when there is enough fat so it doesn't burn. Cover to cook through.
Add tomatoes & limas, simmer about one hour.
* The ingredients list is awfully casual --- just get enough of each to make 4 to 6 servings.

There are several new projects in the “Show And Tell” section of the website <http://Quiltwithdonna.com/> 

Hope your holidays were fun!!  Now it’s time to get back to our stitching!!
Enjoy,


Donna