Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild

There were 45 members and 1 guest attending the December Guild meeting. The evening began with a potluck. There was so much delicious food. We have a lot of good cooks in our guild! After eating, members made their bids on the Dutch auction. There was a nice assortment of items up for bid. The final tally for the fundraiser was $277. Thank you to all who participated!
Louise called the meeting to order. The membership booklets are now available. If you were unable to attend this meeting, you can get yours in January 2011. Vice President Tamara thanked everyone for helping to make the pillowcases to the troops such a success. The pillowcases were distributed through the chaplain and were very much appreciated. Quilt Co-Chairs Janeen and Tamara spoke about the November Free Friday night sewing event. There were 32 in attendance. The next Friday sew is scheduled for January 14, 2011. Please let one of them know if you plan to attend so they can set up the tables. Quilter’s Cupboard is the sponsor of the January sewing night. They will be demonstrating a variety of table toppers. Retreat Chair Mary Lee advised us the sign-up sheet for the retreat is now ready on the web site. She will also have paper copies for us at the January meeting. Remember that your spot cannot be held until you pay your fee. She is also asking you to vote for your choice of food for the Thursday evening meal if you plan to attend. The dates for the retreat are April 7th – April 10th. Program Chair Sharon advised on January 11 the program will be Best of Show featuring three winners of best of show awards from area quilt shows. Please contact Sharon Lesan if you would like to join them for an early supper at Yanni’s at 5:00 before the meeting. Cathy Wierzbicki will be in Ankeny this spring and is willing to do a workshop on Pineapple Nine-Patch on Saturday, March 19. Sharon has registration forms and supply lists available for anyone interested in taking the workshop. Karen from the small group “Material Girls” spoke to us with their Good Feeling Story. Their group meets every Wednesday at Dahls from 9 – 4. They have been very busy this past year making donation items. They make pillowcases, quilts and doll clothes. They invited anyone to come to help with their projects. There were many heartwarming stories of quilts and pillowcases delivered to those less fortunate. President Louise knows many of us have Good Feeling Stories and she encourages other small groups to share things they are doing as well.
The fat quarter drawing was Christmas fabrics this month. The door prizes were given and birthdays were honored. Show and tell finished out the meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Evers

Members present: Louise Whitlow, Connie Lovelady, Sharon McCarthy, Sharon Lesan, Tamara Watts-McPhail, De Tapper, Jan Heddinger, Mary Lee Martz, Linda Schlenker and Kathy Evers.
Louise called the meeting to order and the secretary minutes were approved. The treasurer’s report was read by De and approved. The upcoming potluck was discussed. Set up will be at 6:00 pm and the dinner to start at 6:30 pm. Jan has prepared papers for the Dutch auction.
Vice President Tamara reported 311 pillowcases were sent to the troops in 8 boxes and have been well received! Donation quilts will be given to homeless families. St. Joseph’s family shelter also received donated quilts. Five vendors at present have been confirmed for the Quilt show. Many more volunteers are needed to assist with the Quilt show. There are opportunities in the areas of: Set up, Take down, Vendors, Raffle quilt ticket sales, Entry forms/booklet printing, Country store and possibly Kitchen. Please consider helping. The November Friday night sew night was a great success and attended by 32 people. The next event is in February sponsored by Quilter’s Cupboard. Pins for the quilt show are done.
Program Chair Sharon reminded us the January meeting with be “Best of Show” with three experienced quilters sharing their stories.
Director at Large Jan advised there is a shortage of door prizes and only one will be given per meeting.
Retreat Chair Mary Lee advised the retreat planning is on track. The cost for the retreat will range from $95 (for 3 days sharing a room) to $195 (for 4 days with a private room). There are several options in between with all the choices being posted on the web site. Registration forms will be available on the web site soon and sign up will begin in January.
Communication Co-Chair Linda discussed advertising on the web site. Their committee had been approached about adding advertising links on our web site. After discussion the board voted to do no advertising on the web site at this time. Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Evers

Merry Christmas everyone!

I love this time of year!! I can’t wait to see what Santa brings me!! Mrs. Clause allready got me somthing really really nice!! I will have it at the retreat this year with all of the other cute Featherweights!!!
Speaking of retreat, here are the prices!

Private rooms:
3 days – $135
4 days – $195

Semi Private Rooms:
3 days – $115
4 days – $160

3 or 4 Person Rooms
3 days – $95
4 days – $135

Remember to vote for Thrusday night dinner and that Saturday night’s dinner is NOT included in these prices.
Thanks
MaryLee Martz
Retrea Chair

We’re having an auction at our guild meeting on Tuesday night. This is a benefit auction with all proceeds going to our guild. Please bring ANYTHING you think fellow guild members would enjoy and will bid on. It can be a quilting related item like books, fabric, tools or sewing projects. It can be Christmas related like ornaments or holiday decorations. Bring a food item or special holiday treat. Clothing, hats & mittens–anything that you think other guild members would like to purchase. Be creative! Remember, It can be quilting related things but it isn’t limited to only quilting items.

The auction will work like the Country Store auction at our quilt show. There will be a piece of paper where you will write your bid down for each item. You can see the previous bid so you can bid accordingly. The highest bidder goes home with the item! Remember, the guild member that brings the item that receives the highest bid will win a prize too.

Don’t forget to bring your unused and no longer needed suitcases to the December meeting.  This time of year can be a very needy time for many of the battered women & children in our community seeking assistance.