Do you love the quilt show? How about the guest speakers? Show and Tell? Workshops? Community quilts? Refreshments at the meetings?

All of these happen through the efforts of our volunteers, and once a year, we look for some new blood to take on the work of the guild. February is election month, but it’s never too early to start thinking about how you might contribute over the coming year.

The following elected positions are up for grabs:

• President: manages the guild; prepares agendas for, and chairs, general and directors’ meetings; receives communications from members and the public; prepares a report for each newsletter issue
• Secretary: keeps minutes of all meetings; prepares correspondence & notices as requested by directors
• Workshop Co-ordinator: arranges workshop instructors, venues, and schedules; announces workshops; collects & reconciles fees and submits to Treasurer
• Membership Co-ordinator: 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 if you’d like to nominate someone, please contact Joan Elliott or Terri Gerath (contact information is on the membership list).

This versatile and roomy over the shoulder tote comes with options! Make it with a custom strap length just for you and choose between two outer pouch pockets, or two zipper slash pockets for extra security and a streamlined appearance. Learn how to install a flush zipper and magnetic closure. Both design options can be accommodated in class. Fusible fleece gives the bag structure and the clever design lets you show off a feature fabric or two (see the samples at the October guild meeting). Home dec, lightweight denim or corduroy, linen blends or quilting fabric will all work with this pattern designed by Anna Graham at http://www.noodle-head.com/

This class is taught with Anna’s permission.

DATE: Saturday, February 2nd, 2013
TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
PLACE: St. Agnes Church, 530 East 12th, North Vancouver
COST: $55.00 (includes $8.00 pattern cost)

Did you know CQA is having a Stitch Across Canada challenge? Guilds across the country are participating in our quest to stitch across the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia in six months. It is very fun and easy to participate in. Some guilds have appointed an ‘inch collector’ to do the gathering of the inches. Details are at http://www.canadianquilter.com/events/how-far-stitch.php

We are hosting an easy and fun Pin Cushion Challenge for ANYONE to enter, with 3 chances to win fabric prizes. Find out more at http://www.canadianquilter.com/events/pincushion-challenge.php, please encourage your guild members to participate.

Happy Fall! The colours of this time of year are as inspiring as they are in Spring. The yellow, gold’s, oranges and reds are so vivid and crisp. Fall is a great time to bring a friend to a meeting and for new members to join. From now until renewal in January, a new membership fee is $25.00.

Thank you everyone for coming to the membership table and signing in. For a first time, it was quite successful. We had 93 members attend according to our sign in Membership By Kate Burzuk, membership coordinator Lions Gate Quilters Guild Page 6 of 12 sheet. Currently we have 155 members in our guild.

Remember, if you are coming in the side door from the parking lot to come and sign in at the membership table. Have you made your nametag yet? I saw some really nice ones at the last meeting! If you forget yours it $1.00.

Kate Burzuk,
Membership Coordinator

The Executive met the first week of September and there were a few items that were discussed that I need to bring to your attention. The first was a request from a potential member that the guild meetings be “fragrance free.” Now I am sure most of you have heard that term in the big, outside world where more and more people are suffering from allergies and sensitivities. Please keep this in mind when you get ready for our next guild meeting on Tuesday, September 25th.

Over time members of the community contact the Guild with various sewing/quilting requests. Last Christmas, a lady was looking for someone to make her two daughters quilts as presents two weeks before Christmas. She decided that she really did not want to buy them the promised puppy and hoped that the quilts would substitute nicely. The Guild does have a list of members who are interested in earning a little money from custom and perhaps not so custom projects and if you would like your name added to that list please contact me.

In July, Brenda Sangster organized a bus trip to Sisters, Oregon. I was on the bus and what a lovely time we had. There were a few tense moments on the bus when it overheated at the top of a mountain but everyone took it as an adventure. There was much laughing, talking and of course, shopping, when he hit the stores. The quilt shops we went to were beautiful, but then I am partial to all fabric stores. There were one or two other bus trips during the summer and I hope many of you were able to participate.

With September comes a workshop called “Art Tips for Quilters.” I have registered and I am keen. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at St. Agnes Church and maybe we can get caught up. October is close and we have a Hallowe’en Potholder exchange happening at the Guild meeting this month. I participate in these activities because I know that I will learn something. I “lost” my potholder loop 3 times before I finally figured it out. And the “unpicking” I did was almost marathon. Who would have thought that a potholder could take so long. The video I watched took only 8 minutes to make my particular choice in potholders. I was clever in that I worked on this project two weeks before the guild meeting. So I gave myself plenty of time.

On a sad note, one of our current members, Lorna Ruelle, passed away early in September. Carol Piercy forwarded me this information and said that Lorna worked in the boutique for several Guild Shows along with her pal Marilyn Sewell. Pat Gormely and Paula Wohlgemuth were also close friends with Lorna. Our condolences go out to all of her friends and family. I have a request and it is directed to everyone.

Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee, your preference, and then sit in front of your computer and go to the Lions Gate Quilters Guild web site. Go to Quilt Shows and you will find a “Smilebox” program which Dianne Ritter has produced for pure enjoyment. WATCH IT!!!!

I shall see you on the 25th with your pot holders, name tag, guild membership card (needed for sign in), mug, money for 50/50, blank cheques or lots of cash for workshop registration or Retreat registration and lots and lots of Show and Tell.

Happy Quilting,
Betty

Set-in circles are scary to many experienced quilters. As a result, many hesitate to undertake making a quilt that uses set-in circles as part of the design. Truthfully, there is nothing to fear. With instruction in some simple techniques and a bit of practice, anyone can learn to easily cut and sew blocks with set-in circles. Beyond the technical skill is the art of using the design of background blocks to create a sense of movement and flow that enhances the drama of the circles, which form a focal point for the quilt. This workshop builds on ideas presented in Reynola Pakusich’s “Circle Play” book, and adds a number of practical techniques for both design and construction.

DATE: Saturday, April 20th, 2013
PLACE: St. Agnes Church, 530 East 13th, North Vancouver
TIME: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
COST: $60.00