Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild

Meeting was called to order by President Tamara Watts-McPhail.  There were 57 members and 4 guests present.  New members and guests were recognized.  Tamara reminds us the Quilt Show has a new date this year, July 6^th and 7^th.  She announced there is a retreat at the Polk City Library on Saturday, 4-14-2012 from 10-4.  The retreat is titled, Quilts of Valor, and has a $10 fee.  There is another retreat available in Emmetsburg, Iowa on 3-30-12 to 4-1-2012 focusing on embroidery.

Vice President Jenna Ingle encourages us to contribute to the donation quilt project.  She has 20 so far and would like to get at least 100.  She has patterns available if you need some inspiration.

Quilt Show Chair Janeen Pearson calls us to the Friday night sewing on February 17^th.  The last Friday sewing will be held March 16^th.

Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady has set up a shop hop during the retreat to be held April 19 – 22.  The shops participating are:  Gingerbread House – Webster City, Tilly’s Quilts – Fort Dodge, The Family Quilt Shop – Fort Dodge, Lee’s Quilt Shed – Jolley, Quilting on Main – Pocahontas and Towne Square Quilt Shop – Lake City.  She has arranged for a massage therapist to relax your tired muscles at the retreat.  Sign up for your time.  Registration will now be opened up to non-members.  If you have a friend that would like to go to the retreat with you, contact Connie.

Director-At- Large Sharon McCarthy and Debra Dickerson announced the fat quarter lottery this month goes to Ann Kruse.  By membership vote, Janet Neuschwanger won the President’s Challenge.  Door prizes were awarded to:  De Tapper, Brenda Wilder and Kay Huntimer.  February birthdays were celebrated.  Show and tell was appreciated by all.

Program Chair Janet Neuschwanger tells us The Woolen Needle from Williamsburg will be showing us their Trunk Show in March.  Tonight we welcome Stephanie Brandenburg from Cedar Rapids, sharing with us “From Concept to Quilts”.  Stephanie began designing fabrics in 2005, with the goal of making her fabrics unique.  The Fern Hill Iris was her first collection.  She took us through her process of what happens from the idea to getting it onto fabric.  Her Dandelion Days was inspired by her daughters.  Who doesn’t have fond childhood memories of dandelions?   She painted the picture for us of standing out in her front lawn with her paints and canvas creating the next line of fabric with luscious colors.  Stephanie announced her exciting news of her own fabric company, Frond Design Studios.  We will be looking forward to many more fabric lines to come.  Stephanie brought fabrics and patterns for guild members to purchase.

The meeting was adjourned and ended with treats and fellowship.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Evers

Members present were Tamara Watts-McPhail, Connie Lovelady, Jenna Ingle, Janet Neuschwanger, Janeen Pearson, Debra Dickerson, Jan Hart, Marilyn Cory, Sharon McCarthy, Anita Allwood, Deb Pierschbacher, Linda Schlenker and Kathy Evers.

Meeting was called to order by President Tamara.  The secretary minutes were read.  A motion to approve the minutes was made by Jan Hart and seconded by Marilyn Cory.  Motion carried.

Treasurer Jan presented the treasurer’s report.

Feb. Treasurer’s Report

REVENUE

QS Vendor booth fees                             1075.00

Retreat deposits                                      1465.00

Member dues                                           150.00

Guest fees                                                 60.00

Total Revenue                                          2750.00

EXPENSES

Holy Trinity rent                                         125.00

Door Prizes                                                 17.97

QS Advertising WRBG, Inc.                        108.50

Programs – Jan Patek                                 476.00

Total Expenses                                         727.47

Ending Bank balance                                11118.89

Money Market                                           8646.95

A motion to approve the checks over $100 and the treasurer’s report was made by Sharon McCarthy and seconded by Anita Allwood.  Motion carried.

Vice President Jenna said she has 15 donation quilts so far.  She will encourage more to be donated from the guild members at the meeting.

Quilt Show Chair Janeen Pearson advised she has 8 vendors so far for the July quilt show.  Haines Woodshop and Nolting Long arm are both new vendors this year.  Janeen is using the Quilt shop navigator web site for advertising this year. Their website is:   http://www.wrbqinc.com/ .  This is the organization that actually publishes directories that quilt shops sell.
In the directory and on the website will be information about our quilt show.  The information on the posters includes our sponsors:  Tracey’s Tables, Quilting Connection and The Quilters Cupboard. For a fee of $108 the show will be on their web site and we will receive 308 posters to put up.  The quilt show will also be advertised in the Country register in March, April, May and June for $179.  Bookmarks with the dates and classes offered during the quilt show will also be printed and distributed at local fabric stores.  At the March guild meeting, the sign-up sheets for volunteers will be available.  February 17, 2012 will be the next Friday night sewing at the church. It will be sponsored by Quilting Connection from Ames. The last UFO night will be March 16^th.  That one will be sponsored by Adel Quilting and Dry Goods.  Janeen will get the guild’s gambling license in March, so that we can begin selling raffle tickets.  Debra Dickerson has volunteered to be in charge of the ticket sales again this year.  There will be three baskets available for adoption for the quilt show.   Ticket prices for both the quilt show and raffle tickets will remain the same. ($1 for 1 ticket, $5 for 6 tickets and $5 admission fee for the quilt show)  There was some discussion about the vendors requesting longer hours to set up their booths.  Additional volunteers will make the time frame a little longer and Janeen will let the vendors know.

Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady said the last private room has been filled for the retreat in April.  There are 23 members signed up so far.  After next week’s meeting, the retreat will be opened up to non-members as well.  They could handle up to 60 quilters.  Connie has organized a shop hop for the retreat with 6 shops participating.  The shops are in Webster City, 2 in Fort Dodge, Jolly, Lake City and Pocahontas.  The information about the shop hop is also on the web site.

Quilt Co-Chair Elects Janet and Connie advise that the 2013 raffle quilt is in progress.

Program Chair Janet Neuschwanger will have supper with the speaker next Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Guadalajara’s.  February’s speaker is Stephanie Brandenburg.  The string piecing class to be held this Saturday is lead by Shelly Berge.  It will be from 9-4 at the church.  In March the Woolen Needle will present a trunk show.

There was some discussion about programs for next year’s meetings.  Program Co-Chair Elects Anita and Marilyn have lots of ideas.  They are working towards getting the programs lined up before the quilt show so that bookmarks can be distributed there.

Director at Large Sharon McCarthy reminds us the fat quarter lottery for February is Pink flowers and March will be green flowers.

Retreat Chair Elect Deb Pierschbacher is looking at places for the next retreat.

President Tamara asked if there had been any comments about the trivia game on the web site.  No one had heard any comments.  The president’s challenge is due next Tuesday.  Sharon McCarthy and Debra Dickerson will help with getting the projects numbered and hung for guild members to vote on.  The board retreat in Conrad was voted a success.  There will be 2 board meetings in June; June 5^th and June 26^th.

There was discussion about moving the quilt show to a bi-annual event.  Janeen made a motion that a committee be assembled following the 2012 Quilt Show to gather facts and information that can be presented to 2012-2013 Board for discussion on the future of the Quilt Show—whether it should be annual or bi-annual event.  Jenna seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Evers

REVENUE

QS vendor booth fees                           1075.00

Retreat deposits                                      1465.00

Member dues                                            150.00

Guest fees                                                     60.00

Total Revenue                                         2750.00

EXPENSES

Holy Trinity rent                                     125.00

Door prizes                                                   17.97

QS Advertising – WRBG, Inc                108.50

Programs – Jan Patek                              476.00

Total Expenses                                           727.47

Ending bank balance                              11,118.89

Money Market                                             8,646.95

Submitted by Jan Hart

Stephanie Brandenburg will be at the AAQG quilt show on Valentine’s Day. She will share exciting news about her latest venture int his wonderful world of fabrics and quilting.  I hope you all will be able to attend. She will have fabrics and patterns for sale. We will meet Stephanie at 5 p.m. at Guadalajaras for dinner.

As a reminder – Shelly Burge will be here on Sat., February 11, 2012 from 9 to 4 pm for a String Piecing Workshop. The class will be held in rooms 1A,B,C, D at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. On her web site www.shellyburge.com is the supply list. If you are having trouble finding it, please contact me.  There is still room if you have found an empty space in your calendar for this Saturday. The cost is $25.00 – what a bargain!

In March The Woolen Needle from Williamsburg will be showing us their Trunk Show. More about that program later!

Happy Valentine’s Day -

We all know Stephanie Brandenburg as a very talented designer. We’ve been to Fern Hill in the Amana Colonies. We’ve seen her at quilt shows, in magazines and maybe even at Starbucks!  Well, she will be at the AAQG meeting on February 14, 2012 at 7 p.m. to tell us all about a new venture. I am not going to spoil the surprise, but it is very cool!  And to all of you who have asked – YES – she is bringing items that will be for sale. Bring your checkbooks!!! sbrandenburg@fronddesignstudios.com

Dinner will be at  Guadalajaras on Delaware just south of First Avenue – 5 p.m.

Feb 7, 2012 – Are you getting excited about the upcoming quilt retreat?  I sure am.  I’ve been gathering ideas to share with you at the retreat as well as coordinating some fun activities such as our own Ankeny Quilt Guild Retreat Shop Hop.  These shops will probably be new ‘finds’ for some of you and they are excited to welcome in our group.  Each shop will be giving away a small gift that can be used in some of the classes that we are also offering during the retreat.

Shops Participating:

Gingerbread House – Webster City

Tillies Quilts – Fort Dodge

The Family Quilt Shop – Fort Dodge

Lee’s Quilt Shed – Jolley

Quilting on Main – Pocahontas

Towne Square Quilt Shop – Lake City

In addition to the shop hop news I have also lined up a massage therapist who will be onsite during retreat to massage those sore shoulders and stiff necks – oh the price we pay for non-stop quilting fun!

Guests outside of the guild membership will be allowed to join the retreat after our February guild meeting.  Don’t forget to print your registration form and have your payment ready to reserve your seat.

Connie Lovelady – Quilt Retreat Chair

Just a reminder for those signed up for this workshop

Room at HTLC (1A,B,C,D)

STRING PIECING – Building on Tradition
by Shelly Burge
This workshop will demonstrate the technique of adding string pieced fabrics to
traditional quilt block patterns to create unique new designs. It is a fun and creative
class with lots of room to explore. Students will learn to look at quilt blocks in a whole
new way.
Supply List: Bring an assortment of fat quarters or 1/4 yard pieces of fabrics (10 to
15 fabrics) in your choice of colors (select light, medium and dark values), you could
also bring some large scrap pieces of fabric, a drafting ruler (I like the Quilter’s SeeThru Drafting ruler), 1/4 inch graph paper, colored pencils, scissors, neutral color
piecing thread, pins, medium size rotary cutting mat with ruler and rotary cutter,
sewing machine with extension cord, iron and ironing pad.
©1997 Shelly Burge Lincoln, Nebraska burgequilt@windstream.net
Visit Shelly’s website at www.shellyburge.com

Happy 2012 everyone!

I hope the New Year is treating you well and you are having a wonderful time planning and creating in your sewing rooms.  As we discussed (and a reminder for you) at the January meeting, our annual quilt show has been moved up a week and is now the first week in July and will NOT be held in conjunction with Ankeny Summerfest.  This is a change from previous years; so please be certain to mark your calendars.

Many thanks to those of you that entered the trivia contest last month; I hope you are enjoying this as much as I am.  Look for this month’s trivia question…

Shelly Burge is teaching a class Saturday, February 11th and there are still openings for the class.  If you are interested, please contact Janet, our wonderful program chair and she’ll see that you get all the information you need to join this fun class!

Our next Meeting is Tuesday, February 14th; don’t forget to bring your completed President’s challenge (Window to the West – original design with embellishment(s); no size limitations but please have your entry completed.)  Please bring your entry to the meeting in a bag of some type so we can hang them and do a viewer’s choice vote.  I can’t wait to see what you all have been creating!

The guild has received an email reminding us of the Kalona Quilt show and sale is scheduled for April 26th through April 29th; located in the Kalona Community Center, on the corner of 6th and D Avenue in Kalona, IA.

The board is traveling to Hen and Chicks Studio in Conrad for a mini retreat!  It should be a fun time quilting, eating, and shopping.  Hopefully, we will also have a couple laughs alone the way!

As always, thanks so much for all your support!  Take care and see you at the February meeting, if not before!

Tamara Watts-McPhail

For a state-by-state listing of quilting guilds or to connect with a virtual organization, check out The Modern Quilt Guild national directory.  Modernquiltguild.com.

The John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, offers dozens of quiliting workshops throughout the year.  folkschool.org

Purchase a starter kit from the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective, a renowned African-American guild from Alabama.  the-quilt-rack.com

Who calls herself ‘an exiled rock princess on a throne of bolts and bobbins?’

Good luck!!  :-)

Meeting was called to order by President Tamara Watts-McPhail.  There were 61 members present and 6 guests.  Tamara reminds us that next month is the President’s challenge, Window to the West.  There is a change in the date for the quilt show this summer.  It is July 6th and 7th – At Faith Baptist Bible College.  This is the week BEFORE Summerfest.  There are several shop hops coming up in February.   Tamara reminds us if we want to sign up for the upcoming workshop in February, we need to do it tonight.  It is only $25 and is taught by Shelly Berge, String Piecing on February 11th.   The trivia drawing was done.  This is promoting members to use the web site, so be sure to check next month for the new trivia question.

Vice President Jenna Ingle said she has 6 donation quilts so far.  Last year there were 100 quilts donated.  She wants to encourage members to make donation quilts.  The places chosen for the donation quilts this year are:  Children and Families of Iowa and Youth Homes of Mid America.  Right now there are 18 youth at the Youth Homes of Mid America, with one of the young women pregnant.  Jenna would like to be able to give a quilt to each of them along with one for the baby.  If you were not aware, the scraps that people bring to the guild meetings go to My Brother’s Keeper through Linda Schlenker.

Quilt Show Chair Janeen Pearson announced the Friday Night Sew for January 13th – this Friday.  It will be sponsored by Platte Branch.  Janeen has 2 classes set up for the quilt show and 1 lecture.  The classes will each be about 2-3 hours and will not require that you bring your sewing machine.  Heidi Kaisand will teach English paper piecing and Kathy Sanders will teach wool appliqué.  On Saturday Virginia Berger will give a lecture on “My Grandmother’s Quilts”.

Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady showed some samples of classes for the retreat to be held April 19th-22nd.  You will need to sign up soon to reserve your spots.  If the places are not all reserved by our guild members, she will open the registration up to other guilds, so remember to sign up soon.

Program Chair Janet Neuschwanger shares that the February speaker will be Stephanie Brandenburg, “The Future of Quilting”; March’s meeting will be The Woolen Needle Trunk Show from the Amanas.  Tonight we welcome Jan Patek with “Quilts as Refrigerator Art”.  Jan is from Cameron, Missouri.  Janet tells us that Jan is very organized because she only made final ‘contact’ with Jan last Friday to remind her of our upcoming meeting.  Jan knew we had our meeting in January, but wasn’t sure of the date.  Once Jan got here, despite the problem with her car’s battery, she did not disappoint!   She has been designing for Moda for 18 years.  She and her husband both worked jobs in Kansas City, an hour away, in her early years.  When their children grew enough to join activities, she knew that she needed to do something closer to home.  Quilting became her answer!  They live on a farm outside Cameron and many of her quilts reflect that background.  They tell the story of her life.  She delighted us with stories of each of the quilts she brought to share with us.  We were able to purchase some of Jan’s wares after her presentation.  Jan also generously gave patterns to 3 lucky winners as door prizes.

Director at Large Sharon McCarthy welcomed our guests.  Elaine Kimberly won the January fat quarter white flower lottery.  Lois Harmon won the quilt calendar door prize.  There was only 1 January birthday to celebrate.  The evening finished out with Show and Tell, treats and fellowship among quilters.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Evers

Members present were Sharon McCarthy, Debra Dickerson, Denette Stoll, Marilyn Cory, Anita Allwood, Connie Lovelady, Janet Neuschwanger, Janeen Pearson, Tamara Watts-McPhail, Jan Hart and Kathy Evers.  President Tamara called the meeting to order.  She reminded us there will be two board meetings in June.  (June 5th and June 26th)  The secretary minutes were read and approved.  Jan Hart presented the treasurer’s report.  It is as follows:

Treasurer’s Report January, 2012

Item                                 Category                            Amount

REVENUE

Dues                            Dues                                      60.00

Retreat fees                Retreat fees                         400.00

Dutch auction              Garage Sale                         486.00

Vendor Booth              QS Vendor Booth fees       1200.00

Expressions in Thread,

Quilter’s Portable,

At the Heart of Quilting,

Nolting Longarm

Total Revenue                                                         2146.00

EXPENSES

Holy Trinity Church    Rent                                        125.00

Postmaster                Post Office Box Rent                 42.00

Total Expenses                                                          167.00

Starting Balance                                                      7117.36

Ending Balance                                                        9096.36

Money Market                                                          8646.61

Treasurer’s report was approved.  Communication Chair Denette Stoll advised there were 42 members that did not join this year.  She prepared a list for each board member.  The board will contact these previous members to ask if they would like to join now.  President Tamara checked on our liability insurance.  She found out that if a person is a member of our guild and in a small quilt group that meets at the church it is covered under our liability policy.  There was discussion if the guild has enough members to have a quilt show.  We usually have 100 quilts at the show.  The possibility of going to a bi-annual quilt show was discussed.  Sharon McCarthy moved to postpone the quilt show for this year.  The motion was seconded by Janeen Pearson.  The motion did not carry.  Debra Dickerson will draft a letter to be sent to the members for a vote to change the quilt show to every other year.  It will be reviewed at the next board meeting.  President Tamara has started a trivia question on the web site to encourage members to use the web site.  There will be a prize at the guild meeting done by a drawing with all who have the correct answer to the trivia question.  The board retreat is the end of January in Conrad, Iowa.  Eight – ten are planning to go.  Tamara wants to insure that everyone is safe.  She requests that if the weather is questionable, please call her to confirm our travel plans.  Quilt Show Chair Janeen Pearson shares that she has 2 classes lined up so far for the Quilt Show.  Kathy Sanders will teach wool appliqué and Heidi Keisand will teach English paper piecing.  She is working with Virginia Berger for a third class on antique quilts.   The next Friday night sew will be held on January 13th, with Platte Branch Designs acting as the sponsor for the event.  Program Chair Janet Neuschwanger says the January speaker will be Jan Patek. She is from Cameron, Missouri and designs quilt patterns.   February 11th will be the string piecing workshop with Shelly Burge.  In February our speaker is Stephanie Brandenburg from Fern Hill – Amana Colonies. Program title is “The Future of Quilting”.  March Program is The Woolen Needle Trunk Show. Program Chair Elects Anita Allwood and Marilyn Cory are considering a program with the next December’s pot luck.  Marilyn also suggested that anytime there is money to count, it should be done with two people to verify the amount.  Director at Large Elect Debra Dickerson reminds us the Fat Quarter lottery for January is white flowers, February is pink flowers, and that June is the Quilt Guild Challenge month.  Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady has eight members that have paid for the retreat so far.  There have been 11 total members that have signed up.  The retreat is April 19 – 22nd.  Connie is working with local quilt stores to have a shop hop during the retreat.  A copy of the finalized budged will be sent to the members. Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted, Kathy Evers

Tuesday nights dinner with Jan Patek is at Palmer’s Deli in Ankeny

Jan Patek will be joining us for the January 10, 2012 AAQG meeting. Jan is from Cameron, Missouri and has been quilting for thirty years. She designs primitive folk art quilts and I am sure many of you have made at least one of her quilts or wallhangings. Jan designs original fabric lines with Linda Brannock for Moda.  She will have patterns for sale at the meeting.

In February Stephanie Brandenburg will be joining us for our meeting on the 14th. Stephanie designs fabric for Camelot. She has been a vendor at our quilt show in the past and at the AQS show. She is from the Amana area and has worked at the Fern Hill quilt store.

On February 11, Shelly Burge will be teaching a class about string art quilts. We still have a few spots left for those of you who haven’t turned in your registration. January 10, 2011 is the last day for registrations!

January Treasurer’s Report

REVENUE

Dues                                                                $60.00

Retreat Fees                                                   400.00

Garage Sale                                                   486.00

QS Vendor booth fees                               1200.00

Total Revenue                                            2146.00

EXPENSES

Rent                                                                   125.00

Mail Box rental                                               42.00

Total Expenses                                              167.00

Starting Balance                                           7117.36

Ending Balance                                              9096.36

Money Market                                                8646.61

Submitted by Jan Hart

The December meeting of the Ankeny Guild was the annual pot luck.  There were 39 members present.  We have a lot of good cooks in our guild, and they did not disappoint us. There was lots of delicious food!  Everyone had plenty to eat.
The Dutch auction was such a success.  There were over 60 items brought to the meeting for bidding.  There were a couple of items that had lots of attention.   As usual, our members were very generous with the items that were donated.  The final amount raised will be shared in the next treasurer’s report.
Deb Pierschbacher conducted the business meeting in the absence of the President.  We all enjoyed the fat quarter lottery, birthday celebration and show and tell.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Evers

Trivia Question:

Who was the very first President of the Ankeny Area Quilters Guild?

Write your answer on a piece of paper; along with your name. All correct answers will be placed in for a drawing. The winner will receive a wonderful prize!

Bonus question:

Can you name the four people elected as the first president, Vice president, secretary and Treasurer of the Ankeny Area Quilters Guild?

Merry Christmas everyone!

I’m a little late getting my ‘column’ out on the website. Where has the month of December gone? I feel like it is wheezing right by me, but yet, I don’t feel like it should be time for Christmas! Guess it must be the lack of snow! (Don’t get me wrong, I’m not wishing for any snow. I’m not up for any shoveling!) J

Thanks so much for the wonderful potluck we had in the December meeting and for the competitive bidding on the Dutch auction. I heard some amazing stories about how some people were not going to give up on take some precious items home with them! Thanks again to Deb taking over the meeting for me.

You will notice something new on the website; a trivia contest. If you have the answer for the trivia question; please write your answer on a piece of paper, along with your name and all the correct answers will placed in a drawing for a wonderful prize! Good luck!

Don’t forget the President’s challenge is due in February, 2012. This must be an finished project that is an original design and uses some type of embellishment….no size limitations! The possibilities are endless!! I hope inspiration strikes you!

It isn’t too early to start thinking about your entries for the 2012 Window to the East Quilt Show…what will you enter??

Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family and friends and we’ll see you in 2012!

Tamara Watts-McPhail
President

Members present were:  Tamara Watts-McPhail, Janeen Pearson, Kathy Evers, Deb Pierschbacher, Denette Stoll, Debra Dickerson, Sharon McCarthy, Connie Lovelady, Janet Neuschwanger, Anita Allwood, Jan Hart and Jenna Ingle.
Meeting was called to order by President Tamara.  Secretary Minutes were read.  A motion to approve the secretary minutes was made by Connie Lovelady and seconded by Sharon McCarthy.   Motion carried.
Communication Chair Denette Stoll will do an email to the members for the upcoming guild meeting.  January 13th is the next Friday night sew.  February 11th is Shelly Burge’s workshop.
Quilt show Chair Janeen Pearson advised that she has sent emails to the vendors this week.  She is considering options for thank you gifts to the members that volunteer at the quilt show.  One option is shirts.  She would like the board to take a look at some shirt possibilities.
Treasurer Jan Hart presented the treasurer’s report.
Treasurer’s Report December, 2011
Item                                                          Category                                            Amount
REVENUE
Dues                                                   Dues and Guest Fees                               $330.00
Retreat Fees                                         Retreat Fees                                             460.00
Booth fees Iowa Falls Sewing                QS Vendor Booth Fees                       300.00
Total Revenue                                                                                                       1090.00
EXPENSES
Holy Trinity Church 11/8                          Rent                                                     125.00
Darlene Zimmerman                              Programs/Workshops                          534.60
Treasurer – State of Iowa                       QS Sales tax                                           130.00
PIA Printing – directory                           Printing                                                     81.41
Total Expenses                                                                                                          871.01
Starting Balance                                                                                                      6898.37
Ending Balance                                                                                                        7117.36
Money Market                                                                                                         8646.25
Motion was made to approve the Treasurer’s checks and report by Denette Stoll and seconded by Janet Neuschwanger.  Motion approved.
The guild’s liability insurance is due in June.  The question was raised whether small groups are covered under the guild’s liability insurance policy, particularly if they have their meetings at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.  We will check with our insurance agent to find out the answer.
Director at Large Sharon McCarthy tells us the December fat quarter is red flowers; January will be white flowers.  June will be the month for the guild challenge project.
Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady has posted all prices and registrations forms for the retreat on the web site.  She continues to work on getting prizes for the retreat.
Vice President Jenna has decided to add Youth Homes of Mid-Iowa to our places that we will place our donation quilts. The home is formerly known as YMCA Boys Home.  The purpose of the home is to provide troubled youth and their families a part to independence.  The home presently has 18 youth in the program.  One is pregnant.  Her plan is for each youth and the baby to receive a quilt.  We will continue to donate to Children and Families of Iowa.
Program Chair Janet reminds us that the December pot luck will start at 6:30 pm.  At the January meeting will be speaker Jan Patek.  The February speaker will be Stephanie Brandenburg.  On February 11, 2012 we will have a workshop with Shelly Burge.  She will teach about “String Piecing.” The cost is $25.
President Tamara discussed the Board retreat in January at Conrad.  Each board member will pay for their own expenses.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  We look forward to the President’s Challenge in February.  Tamara thanked all the board for their help with what they do.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Evers

The Ankeny Quilt Guild Retreat for 2012 will be held Thursday, April 19 – Sunday, April 22, 2012.  The retreat will be held at the Twin Lakes Christian Center in Manson, Iowa.  We are excited to bring the retreat to this venue.  Highlights of this facility include:

• 8 foot table for each quilter
• Power for your sewing machine, light and iron at your table
• Elevated tables around the perimeter of the sewing space for cutting and pressing
• 4 foot ironing mats
• Great ‘show and tell’ space with a cork strip around the perimeter of the room to display finished tops
• Walking trail around the lake
• Great food

The theme for this year’s retreat is ‘Tool Time’ with a focus on learning about various rulers, notions, and techniques.  There will be instructor led training as well as a library of quilting instructional DVDs to watch at your leisure.

Details about the retreat pricing and registration will be announced at the November 2012 guild meeting.  Save the date.  This is an event you don’t want to miss.

2012 Quilt Guild Retreat