Only one more meeting until election time so please, start thinking about this great opportunity to get more involved with your guild, meet more people and to learn about the inner workings of this organization!

The election of Directors is held at the AGM in February of every year, but only for half of the Board each time. The coveted, two year positions which will be available in 2015 are as follows:

President
Manages the guild – Prepares agendas for, and chairs General and Directors’ meetings – Receives communications from members & the public – Prepares a report for each newsletter issue

Secretary
Keeps minutes of all meetings – Prepares correspondence & notices as requested by the Directors

Workshop Coordinator
Arranges workshop instructors, venues and schedules – Announces workshops – Collects & reconciles fees and submits to Treasurer

Membership Coordinator
Collects dues – Provides information to new members – Maintains membership list

Member-At-Large (one of two)
Presents quilts at Show & Tell – Sells 50/50 tickets – Sends cards to members to comfort, console or celebrate

If you would like to run for one of these positions, or you’d like to nominate someone, please contact either Joan Elliott or Norine McCaffrey.

We are very pleased to have Eileen Wright, from Parksville, returning to present her two-day Bargello workshop. Eileen will be offering a choice of 4 patterns from her books. These choices are: Island Sunset, Aurora Borealis and Cosmic Twist from her first book “Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts”, and Glacier Bay from her second book “More Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts”. Cosmic Twist is a little bigger quilt but is a little easier to make.

You will need to wash and pre-cut your fabric before the workshop (batiks are wonderful in these quilts).

You will also need to purchase one of Eileen’s books “Twist-and-Turn Bargello Quilts” or “More Twist-andTurn Bargello Quilts”, whichever contains the pattern you choose to make (both are available in our library). Stephanie at Stitch & Bobbin will bring in books if you pre-order.

Everyone take note: Eileen is happy to do a book signing over the lunch hour for anyone who has either of her books, even if you are not taking her class!

DATE: Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2015
TIME: 9:30 am to 4:00 pm each day
PLACE: St. Agnes Church, 530 East 12th, North Vancouver
COST: $110.00 for 2 days

Mola appliqué is neither simple appliqué nor reverse appliqué, but rather a technique that is unique to the Kuna Indians of Panama, and is an artistic representation of the their lives and their environment. Mola designs are characterized by a central motif surrounded by ribbons or channels of high contrast, saturated, solid colour. Traditional Mola appliqué is entirely hand made using invisible needle-turn appliqué. In the workshop we will make a small panel as an introduction to the Mola appliqué technique, that could be incorporated into a small bag or small project afterwards.

DATE: March 28, 2015
TIME: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
PLACE: St. Catherine’s Church, 1058 Ridgewood Dr., North Vancouver
COST: $65 (includes kit cost of $15 and provides all fabric needed for the workshop)

Happy New Year!

This is a time for quilting and friends. It is also time to renew your membership for 2015. A renewal form can be found on our website. Just go to the “Members” menu and select “Join or Renew.” This is a PDF which will allow you to type in your information, print it, sign it and then drop it off at the membership table with cash or a cheque for $55.00 made out to Lions Gate Quilters Guild or LGQG. This form cannot be saved.

Be sure to come in a few minutes early so you can sign in and drop off your completed form at either the January or February guild meeting. In addition you may mail in your renewal form with your cheque to our guild mailbox. The address is printed on the membership renewal form.

I will also have blank renewal forms available at the January and February meeting if you do not have access to a printer.

We currently have 134 registered members and we had 87 members in attendance along with 9 guests at our November guild meeting. Congratulations to our door prize winners: Leslie Forbes and Sherry Jonn.

Be sure to sign in and be wearing your nametag in order to claim your door prize, should your name be drawn. Nametags are available, if you forgot to bring yours, and are $1.00 each at the membership table.

Should you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact me.

Happy Quilting!
Joan Herrin

FRIENDSHIP…….just that one word has such meaning to me!

Some would say that Ms Judy Greenwood stalked me when I moved to Maple Ridge 6 years ago. I on the other hand I would submit that she enthusiastically pursued a friendship.

An invitation to Tea at her home in Pitt Meadows: I was enthralled by her painted and stitched art … in truth I was astounded … gob smacked might be closer to the truth. She happily donned her painting shirt, pulled out her inks and proceeded to work on a whimsical fairy piece on her design wall giving me a demonstration when I asked, “How do you do that?” Of course, I could learn, did I use Superior thread and were not Highlight Colours Great? Her enthusiasm had me trapped into believing! So began a wonderful learning period and the start of a friendship.

I reciprocated and invited Judy to my newly created studio … I will never forget her reaction standing at the entrance, nor her delight in exploring how she could create a similar space. Lawrence returned with her the following day. Tape-measure in hand and carrying one of Judy’s special painted rocks as a gift … a thank you for helping her to create a new space. Little did Lawrence suspect that this visit would result in building a new home with the perfect studio for Judy! We know she generously shared her studio with friends.

Since everyday was Saturday for Judy and she knew the area, we became great shopping buddies … the joke became, “Transfer some funds, I’m going shopping with Leslie!” And what fun we had! I think our biggest shopping spree was our Houston visit where we shared Judy’s big moment. “Lucy” was awarded a ribbon!!! How proud we were that Judy was realizing her dream of winning a ribbon in Houston in the Art Category. Annemarie and I were like proud parents and Judy just glowed and bubbled with happiness.

Judy’s friendships knew no bounds, they were a reflection of her many interests. Whether it was “The Quilt Batts”, “Knotty Needlers”, Quilt Guilds or our small Art Group, her enthusiasm was never contained. She loved exploring new techniques, constantly learning, volunteering to help and generously sharing her time and knowledge.

There is a saying, “There is a destiny that makes us brothers, None goes his way alone, All that we give to the lives of others, Comes back into our own.” If anything, I regret that Judy will never be able to explore her love of teaching which was blossoming … that goal was interrupted by cancer. She loved teaching and I think she never knew how good she was at inspiring people…she totally underestimated her gifts and the love and kindness she so easily gave to others.

Our last Tea Party in the hospital was a heart breaking good bye. I will forever associate Judy with English Breakfast Tea and Egg Salad Sandwiches with the crusts cut off. I will never forget her last words to me, “I am so glad you are my friend!”

So. I smile through tears, Judy knew what it was to be a friend and that was the gift she gave us all.

When we gather to celebrate Judy we must remember to have a group hug … her specialty … no occasion was exempt. Annemarie will remember the look of horror on the faces of an American Couple (think American Gothic Painting) when Judy suggested, in an elevator, “Let’s Have a Group Hug!!!!!”

That was “Our Jude” and if love is a profound gathering of kindness then we were well loved by Judy … for we all were recipients of that kindness.

Judy often called me “Her Little Friend … or The Hummingbird”.

I am blessed with a heart overflowing with gratitude and love for her gift of Friendship.

Rest in Peace. Love and Hugs, Leslie