At our last Executive meeting our Program chair Andrea Cowie said, “What are the chances of having two presenters in a row who do not seem to know the meaning of a ‘small’ quilt?” Indeed. Lynne Fanthorpe, a quilter and machine quilting artist, treated us to a most enjoyable talk and trunk show. She is a member of the Fraser Valley Quilt Guild and she brought their Show Raffle Quilt and sold tickets to our members. She had a very busy evening. Truly, a one woman show.

I want to thank those members who jump up and volunteer to help with our Show and Tell portion of the meeting. With our UFO/ TGIF/ etc. projects in full swing there are many, many, quilts to see and hang for better viewing. So, thank you so much for making that part of our evening move quickly and smoothly.

Somehow, a table for ‘free items’ has sprung up at our guild meetings, much like our spring flowers. And that is okay. If you are doing some spring cleaning on these fine days and come across sewing room items which need a new home please do bring them to guild meetings. But, you MUST take any of your treasures home with you if no one wants them. At our Executive meeting Rosalind was looking for a home for a sewing tote. She found a delighted taker. It really is a win, win situation all round. Please give me a heads up if you need more than the portion of one table so we can accommodate you.

I announced at our last guild meeting that we have a Raffle Quilt Committee. The chair is Becky West, along with Norine McCaffrey, Suzanne Patchell and myself, Betty Clarke. We are a very keen group. At our March guild meeting I was really pushing the FUN factor of being on a committee.

And as luck would have it we still have a committee which needs filling and that is? You guessed it – Workshops !!! Personally, I never thought much about the benefits of guild sponsored workshops until we discussed them at the Executive meeting. I just think they are fun to go to. But, not only are they fun to go to, but quilts that are produced at Workshops often end up being on display in our Quilt Show or as donations to Community Quilts. I have donated at least 5 different quilts that I have made at Workshops to our Community Quilts program. Maybe you have taken one or more of the following workshops we have had in the past year or so: Twist-and-Turn Bargello, Bonnie Hwang’s workshop, Needle Turn Applique, Mystery and Seminole quilts along with many others. I am registered for Thread Play in May and can hardly wait. I know we will be seeing some of these workshop creations in our June 2014 Album of Quilts Show. WE NEED WORKSHOPS AND WE NEED A COMMITTEE TO ORGANIZE THEM FOR US !!!

For those of you who enjoy the Guild Retreat Marg has booked the next two years. Here are the dates so you can mark them in your calendar: Feb.27-March 2, 2014 and Feb. 26 – March 1 (2015). The Ridge Meadows Quilt Guild will be guests at our April meeting and they will be bringing their raffle quilt to help advertise their Show on May 3/4. There will be no Workshops table at our next meeting so if you are interested in registering for Thread Play on May 4th please contact or speak to Joan Herrin. She has graciously agreed to help with this workshop. Don’t forget your mug, library books, cheque book, cash for 50/50 and raffle tickets and overdue library books, “goodies” if you were an April baby and of course all of your Show and Tell. See you all on Tuesday April 23rd.

Happy Quilting,
Betty

We have two more workshops planned (by Joan Herrin, past Workshop Coordinator) for this Spring, April 20th with Lorna Shaprio, which is full, and May 4th – Thread Play with Cindy Scraba.

We have no workshops planned for the Fall and, if no one steps up, there will be no workshops forever and ever or until someone volunteers. Perhaps several people could come together as a committee. They could even take turns coming to the Executive meetings. We will be flexible.

If someone wants to please volunteer to be Workshop Coordinator, they can get in touch with either of the two Members-at-large: Joan Elliott or Terri Gerath.

April showers bring May flowers! It also allows us quilters a good reason to stay inside and quilt! So not only does rain bring flowers, it brings Quilts!!!!

Now that you have renewed your membership, did you remember to pick up your new card? This year’s colour is yellow! Your membership number should remain the same as past years. Be sure to keep your membership cards handy when going shopping as some quilt/fabric shops may offer a discount if you are a guild member in good standing. Membership also allows you to sign up for workshops, and borrow library books.

We currently have 129 members registered and we had 94 in attendance at the last meeting. If you know of someone who has been a member in the past, remind them to renew their membership. Although this is not a quilt show year, in order for a member to show quilts in the show of June 2014, a member must be in good standing as of the beginning of December 2013. So why not renew sooner rather than later and enjoy the benefits of membership.

A membership list is now ready for distribution. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to email me.

Remember to bring your nametag in order to win the door prize. Congratulations to our March winners: Sandi Hill, Karen Wong, and Suzanne Patchell. Be sure to remember to be wearing your nametag in order to claim your prize, should your name be drawn.

Nametags are available, if you forget to bring yours, and are $1 each.

Have a wonderful month, and Happy Stitching!
Kate Burzuk

Thank you to the almost 90 members who came to our AGM in February. Not only did we discuss important topics like our Budget but we acknowledged Executive members who were leaving and we welcomed new members to the Executive, although we only have one new member at the present time. Paulette Morton kindly volunteered to be our Secretary and at our Executive meeting this week she seemed right at home taking notes. We still need some people to step forward and take on Workshops. And I may have to do some serious pestering in the next few months. Rosalind took a moment to thank Edna Simpson for all the time and effort she has given to our Community Quilts Executive over the past many, many years. And we did not forget about many other people who are behind the scenes helping us all enjoy guild activities.

I just reread the newsletter blurb of Andrea’s description of our Program presenter we had in February. Let me quote Andrea. “I love Marika’s use of colour and design. She is fearless and her embellishing is magical.” I am talking about Marika Dauberman who is a member of our guild and apparently very shy. Marika, you did very well indeed for a shy gal. You were “fearless”. It does take a lot of courage to get up and speak in front of a bunch of people even when they are lovely members of a quilt guild. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I bet more people will know your name now and be able to say hello.

“Giving is Good for the Soul.” That was the headline of an article written by Drs. Oz and Roizen in one of this month’s Province newspapers. I like the next bit too. “Generosity is an essential nutrient. It fuels the body with good energy and strengthens not just relationships, but the heart, immune system and your desire to be good to yourself, too.” I saw much generosity during the two days of sewing we did for our Community Quilts Program on March 8th and 9th. Just think of all the good “stuff” we were doing for ourselves as we gave of our time and energy to help others in our community. There is a great deal of preparation that must be done in order for these two days to be a success. Many hands do indeed make light work or rather lighter work. Our Community Quilts Committee must be highly commended for their efforts. Everyone who took a quilt kit or two this year or in the past and all of you folks who have thought about finishing a quilt that you intend to give to Community Quilts have about three months to finish your projects. At our June meeting we are going to be treated to seeing our efforts on parade. I can hardly wait.

Here I go with the pestering business I mentioned earlier in this write-up. I just received an email on a possible Program and Workshop speaker who is setting up a travel schedule during the next few months and I feel very frustrated in that I cannot forward it to someone. We are missing out on some fun, educational and exciting quilting adventures. Interested parties, please contact me ASAP.

Our next meeting is on Tuesday, the 26th of March (the fourth Tuesday of the month). Remember your mug; your cheque book if you want to sign up for our May workshop called Thread Play; all of your TGIFs, UFOs or simply those unfinished projects you have now finished; cash for those 50/50 tickets and for quilt show raffle tickets being sold by the visiting Fraser Valley Guild; and if it is your birthday in March please bring us a little bit or a lot of your birthday cake. We enjoy our treats.

Happy Quilting,
Betty

1) Paulette Morton has graciously volunteered for the position of Secretary. Three Cheers for Paulette!!!

2) ____________ has graciously volunteered for the position of Workshops Coordinator. (BOOOO, I say)

We have two more workshops planned (by Joan Herrin, past Workshop Coordinator) for this Spring, one in April on the 20th with Lorna Shaprio, which is full, and one in May on the 4th called Thread Play with Cindy Scraba.

We have no workshops planned for the Fall and, if no one steps up, there will be no workshops forever and ever or until someone volunteers. Perhaps several people could come together as a committee. They could even take turns coming to the Executive meetings. We will be flexible.

If someone wants to please volunteer to be Workshop Coordinator, they can get in touch with either of the two Members-at-large: Joan Elliott or Terri Gerath.

Shopping Notice to all Quilt Guilds

Are you ready for some online shopping with great deals and discounts for Canadian Quilters?

You are invited to visit the Virtual Marketplace, created by CQA/ACC to celebrate Quilt BC 2013.

Beginning April 1st, the Virtual Marketplace will offer special deals and discounts from Quilt BC 2013 Sponsors, Merchant Mall vendors, CQA/ACC Member Shops and Quilt Professionals.

Check out the site to search for the deal that’s just right for you and use the coupon you’ll need to complete your purchase in-store or on-line. This site is open to everyone, members and non-members. Nothing beats finding awesome bargains from the comfort of your own home! Get ready to go shopping April 1, 2013.

http://www.canadianquilter.com/shopping/marketplace-information-search.php

We greatly appreciate your support!

Jackie Philpott
Administrative Assistant, CQA/ACC