Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild

Hello everyone!

Thanks so much for braving the weather and attending our March membership meeting!  :-)  The Woolen Needle had a wonderful program that told us about their history and brought some great things for us to purchase.  Hasn’t Janet has done a wonderful job with programs this year?!

I hope you are enjoying this wonderful spring that we have been having.  It’s been difficult to work on any quilting projects with all my outside projects just calling to me!  But now is a good time to start thinking about your Window to the East Quilt Show entries.  Janeen has the entry forms so contact her if you have any questions.  Let’s make this quilt show the best yet!

At our April meeting we will be voting on this year’s Mary Conkel Award Winner.  The nominees are Sharon McCarthy, De Tapper, and Deb Pierschbacher.  Please plan on voting for one of these dserving ladies at the April membership meeting.

As always if you have any questions, please let me or any of the board know and we’ll do our best to answer your questions!

Take care and enjoy all this wonderful weather

Tamara Watts-McPhail

What is the theme for the 2012 Guild Challenge?

Please write your answer along with your name on a piece of paper and bring it to the April guild meeting for a drawing of the correct answers.  The lucky winner will be awarded a wonderful prize!

The meeting was called to order by President Tamara Watts-McPhail. There were 53 members and 3
guests present. New members and guests were recognized. Tamara informed members about:

The Going Out of Business Sale at Prairie Star Quilts in Elkhorn, IA. She stated that
bookmarks for the sale were available at the sign-in table.
Lanae’ Rowher’s mother has passed away. Members may want to send her greetings.
There are two baskets for the Eastern Market available for filling and sale! One basket
has been adopted.
The winner of the web site trivia question, “Who was the first winner of the Mary
Conkel Award?” (Ruth Chitwood) was won by Donita Link.
Nominations for the 2012 recipient of the Mary Conkel Award are to be made at the 3-
13-2012. The top three vote getters will be on a ballot for election at the April Guild
meeting. (Directors-at-large passed out and collected nomination forms.)
The final Sew Nite will be Friday, March 16 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Adel Quilting and
Dry Goods will be the sponsor.
The Guild Board decided to make a $100 donation to the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon
Commission to fund a three inch block to be included in a tile installation of a quilt in the
Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The Guild Name
will be engraved on the tile.
Deb Nelson has resigned as co-chair of the Communications Committee.

Vice-president Jenna Ingle announced that eleven (11) charity quilts were donated this evening. This
raises the total received thus far to forty-one (41). The quilts will be donated to Youth Homes of
MidAmerica and to Iowa Children and Families. She also announced that she would like donations of
gently used suitcases to given to ICFS. The donation quilts will be displayed at the quilt show.

Quilt Show Chair Janeen Pearson announced that advertisements for the show have been
created and are out. Copies of the Country Register were available at the sign in table. The
ad for the show is on page 14. She also informed members that the show is being advertised
through the Quilt Shop Navigators web site. She invited members to take posters developed
by the web site for the show to distribute them. Bookmarks for the show will be available next
month.
She announced that entry forms for the show will be available next month and on the web site.
They are due June 1.
She and President Tamara showed some items that have been donated for the Eastern Market.
Next month she will have sign-up sheets for volunteers at the show and for classes. The two
classes are: Wool Applique taught by Cathy Sanders and English paper piecing taught by Keidi
Kaisand. She displayed the design Cathy will use in her class – A Lotus Blossom.

Quilt Retreat Chair Connie Lovelady reported that thirty-three (33) people have signed up for the
quilt retreat April 19-22. There is room for a few more people. She announced that she has packets
of retreat information available people who are attending. She reminded members that a massage
therapist will be available at very reasonable cost.

Program Chair Janet Neuschwanger announced that the April program will be Amy Barickman who
founded Indygo Junction and Vintage Workshop. The May program is Julie McCullough, Magic Threads.
She will also conduct a doll making workshop May 12, 2012. Janet will have registration forms for the
class posted on the web site and will have some available at the April meeting. The class cost will be $50
plus a $10 kit fee.

Janet Introduced the program for the evening: Carla Brinkman and Annette Boland co-owners of The
Woolen Needle in Williamsburg, IA presented a lovely trunk show of their work and patterns. They
spoke about the history of their involvement with wool appliqué and the development of their shop.
They had many beautiful items for purchase after the meeting.

Directors –at-large Debra Dickerson and Sharon McCarthy awarded door prizes to Barb Pighetti, Cathy
Demitt and Martha Coil. Sharon announced the officer’s challenge:

Step out of your home. Look to the east and take a photo. Make a quilt no larger than 24”x24” that
represents the picture. Use your imaginations!! You may useany quilting/design method you wish.
Your photo must be included with your finished item. Finished quilts are due at the June meeting.

Debra announced that Raffle ticket packets are ready to be picked up. March birthday person was
Louise Whitlow. Louise also won the March Fat Quarter Lottery!

The meeting was adjourned following Show and Tell. Members then enjoyed treats, fellowship and
shopping with the Woolen Needle presenters.

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Allwood, Secretary pro tem

3-7-2012  AAQG Board Meeting

Members present:  Tamara Watts-McPhail, Connie Lovelady, Jenna Ingle, Janet Neuschwanger, Janeen Pearson, Debra Dickerson, Jan Hart, Marilyn Cory, Anita Allwood, Denette Stoll

The meeting was called to order by President Tamara at 6:30 p.m.  Members present reported they had reviewed the minutes of the previous meeting and had no corrections or questions.

Treasurer Jan presented the treasurer’s report.

Treasurer’s report – March, 2011

REVENUE

Guest fees 2/14                                               40.00

Workshop fees 2/13                                      250.00

Shelley Burge Workshop

Retreat fees                                                    840.00

Vendor booth fees                                          350.00

Total revenue                                               1480.00

EXPENSES

2/14 Rent – Holy Trinity                                 125.00

2/12 Tamara Watts-McPhail                                   8.04

lunch – Shelley Burge workshop

2/14 Stephanie Brandenburg  program            527.00

2/14 Janet Neuschwanger                                  21.84

dinner – Stephanie Brandenburg

2/8 PIA Printing                                                 27.88

bookmarks  14.31

directory  13.57

2/9 American Solutions for Business                29.50

printing membership cards

2/19 PIA Printing                                              95.40

bookmarks

Total Expenses                                                834.66

Checking Account balance                         11,764.23

Money Market                                              8,647.34

Submitted by Jan Hart

Treasurer Jan also reminded members that she had sent a copy of the budget that included this year’s spending per category for review.   President Tamara asked members to review these figures to determine if their spending is within budget.  Connie Lovelady moved and Denette seconded a motion that the treasurer’s report be accepted.  Motion carried.

Vice President Jenna reported that she now has 27 donation quilts.  The goal for the year is 100.  Several board members reported that they are working on donation quilts.

Communications Chair Denette Stoll had no report.  Tamara  asked if Denette knew how many hits the AAQG web site has had.  Denette stated she would look into the possibility of tracking that information.  She also reported that she has been sending the newsletter to an updated list of current members since January.  She proposed that the guild establish a Pinterest account.  She stated that members would be able to access the Pinterest site via the guild’s Facebook page.  Janeen Pearson made and Jenna Ingle seconded a motion that the guild establish a Pinterest account.  Motion carried.  Janeen also suggested that responsibility for the Facebook account be passed to the communication committee from the Quilt Show committee.  Denette will talk with Linda Schlenker about assistance with posting on Facebook and Pinterest.

Quilt Show Chair, Janeen Pearson, distributed Quilt Show posters produced by The Quilt Shop Navigator web site.  Connie Lovelady reported that nineteen(19) vendors have agreed to vend at the show thus far.  Janet Neuschwanger reported that ABM International has not responded as yet.

The last UFO/sew night will be held Friday, March 16th at the Church.

Program Chair, Janet Neuschwanger, reported that the March program will be presented by The Woolen Needle from Williamsburg, IA.  Members interested in dining with the presenters will meet for dinner at the Okoboji Grill at 5:00 p.m.  The April program is Amy Barickman, Indygo Junction & Vintage Workshop founder.  The May program is Julie McCullough, Magic Threads.  She will also provide a doll making workshop, May 12.   Program Chair Elect, Anita Allwod, asked for members’ feedback re a program idea for the 2012-13 year.

Director at large, Debra Dickerson, reported she will be responsible for distribution of the raffle tickets.  She requested 92 photos of the raffle quilt for member ticket packets.  She also reported that the fat quarter color for March is green; the color for April is yellow.  She also reported that Kelly Snyder receives large quantities of the Country Register because she is a previous quilt show chair.  She requested that a change of address be given to the publishers.  Janeen will contact them to make the change.  Discussion re the board challenge followed.  Debra will contact Director at large, Sharon McCarthy, to finalize a plan for the challenge so the challenge can be announced at next week’s meeting.

Retreat Chair, Connie Lovelady, reported that thirty-three (33) people have signed up for the retreat.  She has made arrangements for additional housing; so, there is room for up to 40 people to attend.  She is working on a packet for people who are attending.  She stated that a few people who are not guild members are attending.  Treasurer Janet requested information re how finances will be managed since she is not attending.  Connie will coordinate that with her.

President Tamara thanked the directors at large for their assistance with the President’s challenge at last month’s meeting.  She presented information re a solicitation asking the guild’s support to develop a quilt display in the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.  She showed a pattern of the quilt and explained the donor levels.  A $100 donation will purchase a 3” square block that will contain the Guild name plus the city.  Discussion followed.  Denette Stoll made and Janet Hart seconded a motion that the Guild make a $100 donation.  Motion carried.

President Tamara also reported that she had created nomination forms for the Mary Conkel Award to be completed by guild members at the March meeting.  Guild members receiving the top three numbers of votes will be placed on a ballot for voting at the April meeting.  The directors at large will oversee the nomination process.

Tamara also reminded board members to be preparing their notebooks to prepare for the transition to new officers next year.  She reviewed information from the Mississippi Valley Quilt Guild Newsletter that discussed their decision to raise dues.

Debra Dickerson made and Janet Neuschwanger seconded a motion that the meeting adjoun.  Motion carried at 7:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted.

Anita L. Allwood, Secretary, pro tem

REVENUE

Guest fees 2/14                                         40.00

Workshop fees 2/13                              250.00

Retreat fees                                              840.00

Vendor booth fees                                350.00

Total Revenue                                     1480.00

EXPENSES

2/12 workshop lunch                                8.04

2/14 Holy Trinity- rent                        125.00

2/14 Stephanie Brandenburg             527.00

(program)

2/14 program dinner                                21.84

Printing                                                           152.78

Total expenses                                          834.66

Checking balance                                     11,764.23

Money Market                                            8647.34

Submitted by Jan Hart, Treasurer

The Quilt Retreat registration is now open for non AAQG members.  We already have quite a few folks signed up – 33 to be exact, but still have room for a few others.  If you have quilting buddies in guild, or friends who want to join you, please have them send in a registration form with payment as soon as possible.

At the guild meeting in March I will be asking those of you who signed up to confirm your room-mates. I’ll also be bringing you packets with all the details of the retreat.  Dig out those un-finished projects and start getting your ‘retreat’ project list ready.

Trivia Question for the March, 2012 Membership meeting…

Who won the first Mary Conkel award and what was the year it was awarded???

Please bring your answer to the March meeting; written on a piece of paper along with your name and we will have a drawing for a wonderful prize from all the correct answers.

Can’t wait to see YOU at the march meeting!

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone came through the recent snowstorm without incident!  We had just enough snow that when Saturday came; I was ready for a road trip!  I managed to hit three quilt shops:  The Woolen Needle in Williamsburg, Rainbows and Calico Things also in Williamsburg, and Pine Needles In Cedar Rapids.  They were just what the doctor ordered and each were wonderful in their own way!  :-)  If you have some free time and want to take in a drive across this wonderful state of ours, do your own little shop hop and hit these stores.  They are so very fun!

As a reminder, Woolen Needle is coming to our Guild in March; so I’ll have an opportunity to spend even more of my money!  Can’t wait!  :-)

Time for you to put on your thinking caps and sharpen your pencils; it’s time for nominations of the Mary Conkel Award!  Each year we recognize a member in our guild as an outstanding volunteer for the Guild.  At the March meeting we will be accepting written nominations and at the April Meeting; the top three nominees will then be voted on the and the one with the most votes will be our winner!  So start thinking on who you would like to be recognized for all their volunteer efforts!   If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Hope to see all of you at our March meeting!

Take care and have fun quilting!

Tamara Watts-McPhail

President

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