I am writing this message earlier than usual.  On Monday, April 4^th, I will take the next steps in my bionic reincarnation as I undergo a knee replacement.   Suzanne Patchell, our wonderful VP, has kindly agreed to step in for the next two months while I focus on recuperation.  Please give her your full support.

The response to Terry Aske’s trunk show at our March meeting was very positive.  Many of you expressed to me an interest in her circle techniques.  Our workshop coordinator, Jane Andrew is currently investigating opportunities!

At the April meeting, Suzanne will be reaching out for individuals to help Jane Andrew with workshops.  Please consider lending a hand.  At this time, there are no new workshops scheduled before the end of summer.  The Executive agreed that most members would be focused on completing projects for the Quilt Show, and June workshops are never popular.  Gardening anyone?  As always, monthly COPs days provide the camaraderie and quilting meet-ups, and of course help from quilting friends for anyone struggling to complete a project.

The Raffle quilts are beautiful!  The committee (Becky West, Suzanne Patchell, and Betty Clarke) has done an excellent job.  A reminder to pick up raffle books to sell to your friends, neighbours and co-workers.

In March Linda Dunlop won the 50/50 draw.  The total amount raised was $104.00, and Linda received $52.00.  The balance is given to Community Quilts.

Enjoy our next meeting on the 26th of April. I hope to see you soon.

Bena Luxton

The Quilt Show is almost upon us!! Have you been working hard to get that last stitch in the binding, putting your labels on and, oh, don’t forget the need for a 4” sleeve. Not sure how to do something? Ask your fellow quilters as we all are a great resource for one another.

To date we have 122 members in our guild. Do you know someone who might be interested in quilting and would like to join us? Bring them to a meeting – the first visit is free. After that there is a $5.00 drop in fee, payable at the membership table or a membership is $55.00 a year. Please remember that the prorated rate of $27.50 is for New Members only and comes into effect September through December. However, membership is currently $75.00 until after the Quilt Show and includes your membership and four tickets to the quilt show.

To be a door prize winner, be sure to be wearing your nametag at the meeting. Congratulations to our April winners: Sharon Bovee and Jane Ellis.  Nametags are available for $1.00 each if you forget to bring your own.

The new membership lists were emailed out to all members just after the April guild meeting.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact: membership@lionsguildquiltersguild.com

See you in May and at the Quilt Show,
Joan Herrin

Our March speaker, Terry Aske, brought a load of quilts I wish I had quilted, and now intend to quilt, especially the circle ones which don’t require hand sewing or difficult curved piecing. Workshop please! Also intriguing were the portrait quilts, including one with her face in pink and green stripes – I’ve seen similar effects on my monitor thanks to a last-legs video card, I just never thought to make a quilt of it. Her artistry was a reminder to actively allow myself be inspired.

Laurel Hickey
Programs Coordinator

Hello Quilters,

Exciting news!  We are starting to book our workshops for next fall and winter, and the first two are going to be great!  In September, we have Terry Aske coming to teach her Circles workshop.  Terry came and did a presentation at our March Guild meeting, which was very well received.  You can have a look at some of her work on her website, www.terryaskeartquilts.etsy.com.  Then, in November, we have a Landscape class with Susan Jensen.  Sue comes to us by recommendation of one of our members, who is also an incredible art quilter.  Sue’s website, www.quiltedescapes.net, shows some of her work, or you may have seen her at the Creative Stitches show in Abbotsford this spring. Registration will be available at our April Guild meeting.

Jane Andrew
Workshops Coordinator

Do you love the look of circles in quilts? But are you intimidated by sewing curves?  Me too! I use a variety of techniques to create my circle quilts that are simple, easy and effective.

The workshop will cover:

• an easy method to draw a circle any size
• making and using freezer-paper templates
• how to create accurate circles using a freezer paper pattern and flat seam sewing
• circles with raw edges, covered with bias tape, couching or decorative stitching
• circles with turned-under edges, which are topstitched in place

I will teach you to design your own 12 to 18 inch square circle block pattern. Then you will make the blocks using a variety of techniques. The blocks could become a small wall-hanging, a pillow cover, or the start of a larger quilt.

DATE: September 24/16
TIME: 10:00 am to 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: St. Agnes Lutheran Church, 530 East 12th Street, North Vancouver
COST: $55.00

In this class you will learn the techniques to give you the confidence to create a landscape quilt from any of your own photos.  Learn how to create landscape elements and what fabrics to use and how to enhance your piece with paint and stitching. The techniques include raw edge applique, kraft-tex elements, painting highlights and shadows to give your piece depth. In this workshop you have a choice between 2 photos to work from to start your landscape journey.

DATE: November 5, 2016
TIME: 10 am to 4 pm
LOCATION: Highlands United Church, 3255 Edgemont Blvd., North Vancouver
COST: $40.00

Susan’s Bio:

Creativity has always been in my life thanks to my Dad. He wanted each of us to realize our own creative path and the joy it would bring into our lives. “All work and no play” was not good for the soul he would say. He instilled the love of nature and to appreciate the beauty around us and I shall always be truly grateful for that.

Who am I you ask?

• Designer of Quilted Escapes Pattern Design, desgining for Northcott Inc. with my patterns being sold across North America and Internationally
• I recently joined Trend-Tex Inc. as their In-house Desginer and Creative Director
• I teach at quilt shops, trade shows and guilds
• Recently opened my new studio where I teach and create fibre art in Maple Ridge, B.C
• Fibre Artist and a member of the Fibre Arts Network
• On the editorial committee of the Quilter’s Connection Magazine
• I’m happily married to my husband of 31 years with 2 beautiful children, 2 beautiful grandchildren. We have 2 dogs and a cat who thinks he’s a dog!

As I spend time out in this glorious province it’s exciting to really look at nature, the sunshine and the shadows, the textures and the colours are just some of what inspires my desgins. I want my fibre art to give the viewer the feeling that they are actually there, that they could walk right into the piece and touch the trees or open the garden gate or get their feet wet down by the water.

My hope is to inspire my students to look at nature with a whole new perspective, and, using what they learn in the classes I offer, create their own masterpieces. In this class you will learn the techniques to give you the confidence to create a landscape quilt from a photo.  You have a choice of 2 photos to work from to start your landscape journey.

 

Thanks to everyone who came out to support the AGM.  The business portion of the meeting was over in record time!  It seemed like almost everyone enjoyed the song writing and singing of Cathy Miller and her husband.  It was fun to join in songs about quilting, using known acronyms, and we were provided a glimpse into her quilting style as seen through the trunk show.   Penny Dyer won the 50:50 draw, receiving $44 of the $88 raised.

I am pleased to welcome the following people to the Executive:

• Suzanne Patchell in her new role as Vice President
• Suzanne (Sue) Forshaw as Treasurer
• Anne O’Brien as Newsletter Editor
• Laurel Hickey in her new role as Programs Coordinator (assisted by Norine McCaffrey)
• Paula Bohan as Librarian and
• Sonia Milanez in her new role as a Member-at-Large.

The other Executive members are continuing in the second year of a two year term.

March 3-5 saw many members contributing their talents to Community Quilts.  The efforts of the Committee are significant in making the days so easy in which to participate.  I appreciated being able to pick up a pre-cut quilt, begin sewing and even leave my trusty Featherweight machine overnight. Coffee, tea and sweets were always ready and we were able to order lunch.  Kudos to Anita Jones Gould and everyone on the Community Quilts committee for their ongoing effort and dedication.  For those of you who could not make it, Community Quilts has kits available at our guild meetings.  Your efforts in creating these quilts will result in bringing comfort to others.  I know that Anita is looking for others to join her Committee.  Do volunteer!

Once again, a reminder to bring in your registration forms for the quilt show and quilt show volunteer submissions. All quilts must be registered by March 31st.

June is almost here.

Bena Luxton

“Be kinder than necessary for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.”

Contributed by Dianne Ritter

HAPPY EASTER!!

Spring is in the air and has been for some time.  My camelias and daffodils have finished blooming and my rhododendrons are not far behind.  Before it gets too warm we need to take advantage of this cooler weather to finish our quilts for the show.

We had 73 members in attendance at the February meeting. Currently we have 112 new or renewed members as of the February meeting.  You must have renewed your membership by March 31st in order to enter a quilt in the quilt show.  Our membership forms are on our website, can be typed on and then printed off to be brought along with your cheque to the March meeting.

Your membership cards and quilt show tickets will be available to be picked up at the March meeting.  The new membership list will be emailed out with the April newsletter.  If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at:    membership@lionsgatequiltersguild.com

Remember to wear your nametag in order to win a door prize.  Congratulations to our February winners:  Karen Marshall and Marsha Mac Kay.  If you forget your nametag I will have sticky tags for a donation of $1.00.

The Membership Renewal form can be found on our web site.

Happy Quilting!

Joan Herrin
Membership Coordinator

Hi all,

March will be my first meeting as Librarian, and I’m looking forward to it!

There are no new books in the library this month, because I’ve been learning the ropes. There will be new books next month! I want to thank Sonia Milanez for her encouragement, training and words of wisdom. She was a great librarian and teacher!

I’m going to have a quick questionnaire for you at the meeting. I would like to get an idea of what types of books members like the most and if they feel there are any gaps in our collection. Are there any books you’d like to see in the library? Are there any topics related to quilting that we should cover? Please think about these questions and bring your input to the meeting.

Please keep sending your suggestions to librarian@lionsgatequilters.com.

In the meantime, you can browse our library listings here: https://lionsgatequiltersguild.com/library/.  If you would like to reserve a book, please let me know at the above email.

Don’t forget to bring back your overdue books! And remember, there is a $1 fine per book per month. All fines collected go into the budget to buy new books – that should take the sting out of the fine!

Thank you,
Paula Bohan, LGQG Librarian