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March 20, 2022

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2022, meeting recaps, Uncategorized

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March 2022 Guild Meeting Recap

Hello quilting friends! We had our monthly meeting on March 17. We had 38 people joining us and a very special guest speaker.

We started out with a little guild business. The election of board members in coming up in June. As a reminder, the president and treasurer are 2 year commitments and the others are 1 year. The president and treasurer trade off in election years-president in odd years and even for treasurer. This June our treasurer and programs positions will be open. Programs works well being co-chairs. If you are interested or have any questions, please reach out to anyone on the board.

We moved right into our guest speaker, Audrey Esarey of Cotton & Bourbon. “Finding my voice in quilting” was the theme of her lecture and it was fascinating to see the evolution and trajectory of her work over time. She got started quilting after being invited to a class by her, then, future mother-in-law. Inspired by Caryl Bryer Fallert Gentry, Jonathan Lawes, and Nancy Crow, Audrey works with a lot of hand died fabric and curves, but is always interested in challenging herself (and the limits of EQ8). It was lovely having Audrey share with us. We are hosting a workshop with Audrey on April, there are still some spots open. You can sign up here. Come play with foundation and curved paper piecing in the Ultraviolet Radial workshop.

We had an update on our charity quilting. Ellaree made a list of Kennel quilts we know were made. If you made and sent on your own, let Ellaree or a board member know so we can update the tally!

We have started to bring some of our quilts and pillowcases to an amazing place for donations.
The American Friends Service Committee, is a Nobel Peace Prize winning program that has been working with refugees for over 100 years. They are a leader on immigration issues in NJ since the 1980’s, supporting through community organizing, education, advocacy and providing legal representation in immigration cases. The Immigration Rights Program has 2 offices in Newark and 1 in Red Bank. Elinore delivered some quilts that went to displaced families, many with small children, who are dealing with immigration and asylum issues. They are extremely appreciative by the generosity of our members. These quilts will be well loved. Please email Rachel (president at njmqg dot com) or text Elinore (info found in members only section of website) if/when you have quilts or pillowcases to donate. A drop off or pick up can be coordinated.

Next we talked about all things WIP! Anyone who sent in a WIP was entered to win a prize…

2 baby quilts. One on left too labor intensive to continue, so will add some sashing or borders.

Simply Woven pattern by Moda A back 1/2 pieced 1/2 solid

Pappersaxten Hold punch Workshop 6 point stars w/scraps

This month’s winner of the fabulous Tula Pink Butterfly 2 quilt pattern is… Jackie! Congrats! Can’t wait to see when you finish it 😉

We then moved right along to our Show and Tell

Paper pieced with EQ8 for Teacups group and learning photography lighting

After show and tell we talked quickly about the survey that was going out about getting your opinions on starting up some meetings in person. If you did not get that email, please reach out to anyone on the board and we can forward the link.
Also our MQG Community Outreach group quilt did not sell at Quiltcon, so the board has voted on, and agreed to donating it to AFSC. We’ve had a request from a few more people hoping to see it in person before that happens, so let us know about how you feel in the survey!

If you are interested in sharing a little more about yourself with the guild, please reach out the Aubrey (secretary at njmqg dot com) You can answer some getting to know you questions and be featured on our Instagram page!

Hoping you are all staying healthy and enjoying the spring weather! Warmer days are *hopefully* here to stay for a while!

Until next time, keep on quilting!

Peace,
-A

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NJMQG Secretary

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January 21, 2022

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2022, meeting recaps

January 2022 Guild Meeting Recap

Happy New Year! Hope the new year has brought you good things. We had a nice meeting, with 47 people joining us over zoom. A special welcome to our newest member, Valerie, joining us.

Guild Business

First our reminders and business. We are in our renewal period. If you need to renew your membership, please go here and fill out the form. Don’t forget to do the second step of sending payment, too! You don’t want to miss out on all the great things we have coming up for 2022.

Watch your email to see if you’ve been chosen to share a little about yourself! About once a week we are going to be doing a getting to know you member spotlight thing for our Instagram. Since we haven’t been meeting in person, I feel like we miss out on getting to know other members. No pressure to share, though, if you don’t want to, just let us know.

Treasurer

Lenny gave us a perfect overview of the quarter 4 treasury report. You can always find all of that information on the members only section of the website. If you ever have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask any board member.

Programs

Sam got us all excited for the year ahead with a preview of some of the lectures and workshops we have coming up in 2022. It’s very exciting indeed!

The Chore Coat class, with Daniela, is coming up! There are still a few spots open if you want to jump in. Find out more info and sign up here.

We are asking everyone to make some No Stress Kennel Quilts for the Humane Society of Boulder Valley. Do you have Orphan Blocks? Fabrics you don’t know what to do with? Batting scraps? Do you love quilting? Maybe you just want a small quick project to do to get your sew-jo going? Then this is the project for you! Kennel quilts are little quilts that finish at 12×18”. You can find a pattern here. They are made to fit in the bottom of a small animal kennel used during disasters to house homeless and lost pets. They are easy to make and no binding is needed (they can chew off the bindings). An email went out with all the info, but if you didn’t receive it, reach out to a board member. If you have more questions, reach out to Wanetta or Ellaree.

Programs is also bringing back the WIP challenge!!! We want to focus on getting stuff done! What is a WIP? WIP stands for Work In Progress. You can decide what qualifies as a WIP and which ones you want to work on. Take a minute to make a list of your top WIPs that you want to finish in 2022. Sam sent out an email with some handy sheets attached to use, or just jot some down somewhere. Make sure you keep it in an easily accessible place so you can look at it often. Throughout 2022 we’ll be reminded to work on our WIPs. Each month that you finish one and submit a photo to programs, you will be entered into a prize drawing! Before our February meeting make your WIP list and Choose one WIP from your list to complete. This month’s theme: Just Get It Done… Choose a WIP that only needs a binding or a sleeve or a label, something simple that you can finish quickly and check it off your list! Let’s clear some of that clutter and just GET IT DONE! WIP it good! (come on, I had to)

A **very** small portion of Aubrey’s WIP pile

If you are looking for a swap project to do, Happy Sew Lucky has made another fabulous (and customizable) pattern to celebrate International Women’s Day 2022.
From Berene…Inspired by women’s strength, and the power of women holding women up. Now thru March 31, 2022 the profit from the pattern will go to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre in Vancouver, BC, Canada. They offer a safe, non-judgmental environment for self-identifying women (cis, trans, 2S), from all walks of life, who live and/or work in the Downtown Eastside. They provide: Meals, counselling, advocacy, emergency shelter services, self-help rehabilitation and recreational activities. To double down on the concept of women working together for change, we are offering the opportunity to participate in a worldwide swap, to pattern purchasers.
SIGN UP DEADLINE for swap: Friday, February 4, 2022
Find the pattern and more info here

Show and Tell

Since we didn’t have a show and tell last month we had a very healthy one this month. So fun to see all of the end of 2021 finishes!

Puff quilt for grandchild Dropcloth sampler

Faced quilt for best friend’s mom Quilt for best friend

Log cabin Jelly Roll loved by her kitty Pillow for brother

Quilts made many years ago seen again recently

GE Designs 1 day quilt along- June (back/front)

Baby quilt (perfectly christened) based on antique rug

Puff quilt for brother- Low and Behold Stitchery

Baby quilt for mother’s goddaughter’s daughter in England

Seeing Double by Then came June, for grandchild

Quilt for grandchild to keep in car made from grandfather’s jeans and old clothes

Quilt Improv Studio monochrome challenge Nini Culottes (FQ pants) Quilt for daughter inspired by favorite dress

Don’t forget to keep an eye out for the emails, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you didn’t receive any or have any questions! Let’s start on those WIP lists and get sewing! Happy 2022, y’all!

Stay healthy! Peace
-A

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NJMQG Secretary

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November 27, 2021

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2021, meeting recaps, Uncategorized

November 2021 Guild Meeting

Hello, everyone! Sorry for the delay in the recap, the beginning of holiday season coincides with lots of school days off and goings on and I let it slip. I hope everyone had a relaxing day of thanks…

We had 49 people joining us over zoom and started our meeting with our guest speaker Cindy Grisdela. She gave us a great lecture all about color. One thing that she said that stuck out for me was using the color wheel to help in your quilting (and beyond), but what if… What if you take a tried and true color wheel combo, but then shake it up? My take on it, was there are rules that can be followed, but you should also try playing around with them and changing them up! (I myself love to not follow rules) We would love to get some other takeaways. Leave a comment below!

After a nice Q&A, we got down to some guild business. We had a very comprehensive review of the budget, by our very thorough treasurer, Lenny. We then voted on the 2022 budget and it was approved 100% by members. If you want to read the details on that it can be found in the members only section. (and,as usual, if you need the password, send a board member an email and we can get that to you)

We got a glimpse of our Quiltcon Community quilt top that was pieced by Crista B. and Carolyn M. has offered to quilt it for us. Thanks to all the members that took some time to make a block or help in any other way.

Raffle prize time!…and the winner of the mini iron wand is… Penny M! Congrats!

Let’s talk about next month. Instead of our big December holiday party get together we talked about the activities we have planned. On Saturday December 11th, we are having a “Winter Wonderland Meet and Greet Tailgate” in the parking lot of the LDS church, 209 Mountain Ave, Caldwell. From 11-2 we will be socially distanced ‘chilling’ with our chairs and perhaps a favorite quilt draped over your lap? We will have hot cocoa, tea, coffee, maybe play a game or two, but most importantly, getting out and seeing some quilty friends, or meeting some new friends! Don’t for get to bring a chair, a mug and a quilt or at least an extra scarf!

In lieu of our regular meeting, we will be having a Pajama Party! Friday December 17th, 7:00, join us for a virtual open sew! There may be a little bit of guild business to cover in the beginning, but let’s chat and sew and also open, or share if you couldn’t wait, our Party Poppers!

Programs updated us on sign ups for Holiday Poppers which closed on November 21. The names were sent out for all participating. Don’t forget to get them in the mail by December 1!

Also for anyone who is interested in the Patchwork and Poodles Chore Coat class, there are still spots open, and there is also a new location and dates! Let our very own Daniela D show you how, January 29th and February 5th at Sew Leana, 12 W South Orange Ave,South Orange, NJ from 12:00-4:00. It is $70 (+pattern and you need the to have the quilt/quilted pieces prepared!) Sign up here.

Show and Tell time!

Joann told us that the Bonnie Hunter 2022 mystery quilt has been introduced, if you are interested you can get more info here. And congrats goes out to Joann for the new opportunity at teaching at the Mid Appalachian quilt retreat in Gettysburg college. Can’t wait to hear more about that in the coming months.

I hope to see you all on December 11th and 17th! Any questions or anything you think I’ve missed or we should know about for next month, you can always email a board member! Stay well and warm!

Peace,
-A