2013 Holiday Exchange

I know, I know. I’ve harassed you enough. I just wanted to give one more reminder for our Holiday Exchange, which is happening on Elfster.com in a Secret Santa-style swap. We’re exchanging handmade tokens or fabric in the $10-15 range at our December meeting on the 19th. Names will be picked by Elfster tomorrow, so today is the last day to sign up if it sounds like fun.

If you have already signed up, think about adding something to your wishlist. Maybe you have a closet full of pin cushions, or you are collecting yellow FQs for your stash. Let your Elf know by clicking on the Elfster logo, then looking along the top menu for “Add to Wishlist.” It’s right under the pink bar, next to “Start Gift Exchange.”

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Then it will encourage you to add products to your list. We just want to add messages, so click on the “Text” tab and type whatever you’d like to let your Elf know.

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Let me know if you have any questions.

I can’t wait to see who I get!

Quilty Question?

Hello, again!  Ashley here with another Quilty Question, so don’t be shy.  This topic is near and dear to my heart as I’m currently obsessing over an upcoming decision myself.  What is your dream sewing machine?  I just started this crazy journey less than a year ago, and I’m still tickled pink with my Bernina 215 that I purchased when the quilting bug bit.  However, the more I dive into quilting and making larger quilts I can’t.stop.looking. at the Bernina 710.

In fact, I took on a second job as an adjunct professor to both challenge myself professionally… and build my little Bernina nest egg.  Great life planning, right?  Agreed.

Some of you lucky ducks may even have your dream machine already, so don’t be shy – share it anyway.  You should be proud – even if I’m a little jealous.  What do you look for in a dream machine?  What feature does your dream machine have?  For me it’s the extra space for quilting, and the stitch regulator, and the dual feed…

What’s your dream machine?

October Meeting Recap

Another fabulous meeting full of inspiration and laughter is over, and most excitedly we have passed the dues for next year.  Our proposed dues of $45.00 were presented by the fabulous treasurer, Jessica (self proclaimed Penny Pincher) and they were unanimously passed by the guild.  These dues will be due by the December meeting so that we can pay the National Dues in January.  If you know that you won’t be able to make the December meeting, feel free to bring your dues to the November meeting.  You can make the checks out to NJMQG, and of course you can still pay with cash.  We are looking forward to a new year with exciting events, speakers, and trips!

Holiday Gift Exchange

You should have received an email inviting you to the holiday gift exchange for our meeting on December 19th.  Signup will close on Thursday and names will be sent out, so please follow the link in the email and respond Yes or No.  If you didn’t receive the email, be sure to contact Melanie so that she can send you the invitation before the partners are assigned.  For the exchange, the spending cap is $15.00 for a small handmade gift or fabric goodie.  The wonderful thing about the exchange is that it gives us a chance to get to know someone better and research what they might like!  Of course, if Show and Tell is any indication, we will all ooohhhh and ahhhh over anything!  There is a place to add your own preferences– click on Add to Wishlist and select the Text tab at the top. Then mention anything you’ve been coveting.

Again, email Melanie or njmqginfo@gmail.com before October 25th if you haven’t received the email from Elfster!

Oh, and – the Holiday Party will be white wine friendly.  (You know, to protect the fabrics!) Bring a favorite holiday treat.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe

On November 11, 2013 we will be joining the Garden State Quilters for their event with Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  They are hosting us for FREE at the Chatham United Methodist Church in Chatham, NJ. Hospitality will begin at 6:45 and the Meeting will start at 7:00.  Since they are waiving our fee as members of NJMQG, be sure to bring identification as other guest will be charged $10.00.  We hope to see you there!

Open Sew

After such a success for the first open sew, we can’t wait to see everyone for the next open sew on November 7th.  We will be meeting once again at the Church of Latter Day Saints in North Caldwell at 209 Mountain Ave.  We are so thankful to Stephanie’s church and her efforts in spearheading our charity quilts.  Let us know if you would like to volunteer in those efforts!  We’ll post another blog post before this and you can RSVP in the comments.  Don’t forget to bring an extension cord with your machine if you are planning to sew.  Otherwise there is plenty of table space.

Guild Quilt

Next month we will be passing out fabric in our new logo’s color scheme to create a guild quilt.  Be on the lookout for more information as we create something special that represents us as a whole!  After the fabric is passed out, we’ll be sure to give a 2 month deadline for this project – of course, it will be hard to wait that long to see what everyone comes us with!

Cloud 9 Block Challenge

How exciting to see the winning blocks – (Way to go Jessica, Aubrey, and Josie!).  Next up – the finished quilt!

Block Party Bee

The newest Block Party will be kicking off next month and continue for the next 13 months.  It will be so wonderful to see these talented ladies contribute to 13 unique quilts over the next year.  I know I’m already looking to next August when it’s my turn to be Queen!

Quilting Retreat

Be on the lookout for more information on the retreat.  We will post an announcement soon with final details for this trip hosted March 21-23.  Don’t let “camping” fool you – there will be double beds and wonderful food.

And here it is, what you all came to relive – Show and Tell!