It must be spring at last ! The green garlic shoots are up and looking good (with only a few bunny nibbles) and the robins are busy feathering their nests.
It’s a busy time for guild, too, with final preparations for our QUILT SHOW.
ENTRY INTENT FORMS should be forwarded to Eleanor/Cathy without delay. They have the responsibility to prepare all the paperwork and signage before the big day. Please get your forms in as quickly as you can.
The VENDORS are set and ready to go.
Remember, SHIRLEY IS LOOKING FOR 5” CHARM SQUARES (pinked edges if you can), to serve as favours for show attendees.
Shirley also has the VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP SHEETS and Judy W. and Ann V. will have FOOD DONATION SIGN UP SHEETS at the May meeting.
PENNY AUCTION: Items continue to come in for the penny raffle. Everything from potholders to pin cushions to place mats to purses. (Your item doesn’t have to start with “P”). Handmade items for the sewing room, kitchen, home décor or gift giving are welcome. The more items we can collect, the better our display and the more profit we can generate. We appreciate every contribution ! Keep them coming !
RAFFLE QUILT: The raffle quilt is almost completed and tickets will be available shortly. (Many thanks to Judy C. for completing the quilting). This is an important fundraiser for the guild, which also supports My Sister’s Place and Matthew’s House. Only 1000 tickets will be printed. If each member sells just two books of ten tickets, we will easily reach our sales goal. If you have any questions, please see Ann V. who has graciously volunteered to oversee ticket sales.
MAY MEETING HIGHLIGHTS: It’s DEMO NIGHT at guild. (Chatelaines have been moved to November). Our demo theme is “FINISH IT UP”, with four stations to help with those last steps to completing our quilts for the show. Senora will demonstrate continuous bias binding, Sally will have tips on labelling (including printing on fabric), Judy C. has a binding tool to show and I will discuss mitered binding corners.
Also, we look forward to Nancy S. who will be our Quilter of the Month. She made her first quilt about 34 years ago. After that single quilt, her interest was reawakened in 2003 when her sister became interested in quilting and Nancy took a machine quilting class. Both her mother and grandmother had been quilters, but both were hand quilters. Her proudest quilting accomplishment is a baby quilt made for her great niece in Montreal. Nancy enjoys quilting in her basement studio with full height windows where she opts for batiks and their jewel tones. She is currently working on her One Block Wonder Challenge and will soon be hard at work in her garden which, on her 10 acre property, takes most of her time during the summer months. (Actually, Nancy mentioned something about needing a machete). She belongs to three bridge groups and is active in her church and at a retreat centre in Orangeville. Nancy hopes to complete some individual quilts to donate to Singing Waters Ministries. We are also grateful to Nancy for the special comfort quilts she has donated for our guild use, some of which we have earmarked to be used as raffle quilts should any local charities ask for our assistance.
Her QoM presentation promises to be a highlight of our May meeting.
Also featured at our May meeting – Colour Theory continues, Sally’s Awesome AQS Adventure in Lancaster and more !
JUNE: Final show prep and quilt intake. Most of our evening will be taking in, measuring and documenting our quilts, final volunteer assignments and committee meetings. We’ll also have an evening of hand sewing – kits for Grandmother’s Flower Garden blocks will be available (no charge). Please bring needle, neutral thread, scissors and a few pins. If you have other hand sewing projects to work on, bring them along, too. We’ll also continue Colour Theory, Secret Siblings and the usual Show ‘n Tell, raffle, etc.
LOOKING AHEAD – The updated program has been posted. July is our potluck and presentation to My Sister’s Place, Martha Schellingerhoud is our special guest in August and our International Sunbonnet Sue Challenge will begin in September.
Spring Events:
CREATIV FESTIVAL – April 26 and 27 – Toronto, www.csnf.com
QUILTS BY THE BAY – April 27 – 28, North Bay www.quiltsbythebay.ca
MOUNT FOREST SPRING QUILT SHOW – May 3 and 4 www.fourcornersquiltersguild.com
FEELINGS IN FABRIC – May 3 – 5, Peterborough, Contact: kqg2013@live.ca
QUILTS IN BLOOM – May 4 – 5, Newmarket, www.regionofyorkquiltersguild.ca
BRAMPTON QUILTERS GUILD SHOW – May 4 and 5 – http://bqguild.wordpress.com/show/
GOOSE ON THE LOOSE SHOP HOP – May 9 – 11 – http://www.lilaclanequilts.com/shophop.html Participating Shops: Cobwebs and Caviar, Country Concessions, Lilac Lane Quilts, Sew Jax and Quilter’s Line
QUILTED TREASURES – May 25 – 26, Lindsay, Contact: quiltshow13@gmail.com
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND:
PEGGY F – Peggy sends along her gratitude for all the generous donations for her Africa outreach. When asked what else she might still need, she’s looking for scissors, bright solid fabrics or batiks, rulers and pieces of batting, either 15” square, or 15” strips.
PLOWING MATCH BLOCKS – due for reveal in October. If you’ve completed your block and have extra fabric, please bring it along in case someone else has run short.
SIT ‘N SEW – We had another productive and fun-filled day together on the 13th with our best ever turnout. Thanks to Sally and everyone who came early or stayed late to set up and take down, or who brought snacks. By day’s end there were at least 10 completed tops and several more well on their way. There are also some top/batting/backing sets available to be quilted. Again, our thanks to everyone who came to the Sit ‘n Sew, others working on their own, the long arm quilters and binders, fabric donors, sorters, cutters and storers, and special thanks to Senora for overseeing and documenting this important initiative.
MEMBERSHIP: If you have not renewed your membership, please remember to see Maxine at the May meeting. You must be a member in good standing in order to enter your quilts in the quilt show.
NEXT MEETING: MAY 7TH – Things to bring to the May meeting – Show ‘n Tell, Secret Siblings, membership renewal, comfort quilts, mug, raffle change, name tag