Monday, November 29, 2010

Website Changes

As some of you may know, we had mentioned that we would eventually have a brand new webpage.  Because of that news, we have maintained; but not enhanced this webpage because another was being built.  Today I received word that due to matters out of our control, we are moving to Plan B.

Instead what you will see is a new shiny upgraded site here where our home has been all along.

I just wanted to give everyone a heads up that if you visit and see some things moved around, we are just doing some renovation and hope to have things completed by January 2011.

Thanks for your understanding during our construction.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

11-25-2010

I would certainly like to thank everyone for helping to make the STLMQG a success.  While we are only 4 months old, we have grown by leaps and bounds and I look forward to all the amazing things we will do together in the years to come.

Your friendship, continued enthusiasm and support of the guild is what makes me proud.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

STMQG Co-op

Do you have fabric, quilting books, magazines, etc that you'd love to get rid of but holding a garage sale is too much trouble?  Would you like to offer the items to your fellow STLMQG members instead?
Then, you might be interested in the STLMQG Co-op. 

Originally this co-op was on Flickr; but has recently moved to Yahoo! Groups. 
Brige (Flickr Name: Brige 66) is managing the co-opand will be your contact.
If you'd like to join or learn more, please see the below information.  The only requirement is that you are a due-paying member.  So start pulling those items that are hogging valuable space and get them listed on our Co-op site.

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STLMQG Co-op  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/stlmqg_coop/ and find the Join This Group button.
Information can also be found on Brige's blog in a special section she has devoted to the Co-op.

Once you are cfmnd as a due-paying member you can start listing items.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Meeting Recap (November 13, 2010)

Can you believe that we already have 3 meetings under our belt?  It's amazing to think how far we have come and of course how much more fun we have to look forward to...we are just getting started, you ain't seen nothing yet.  I can assure you.

You can find a recap of our meeting here.  I've also sent out an email to everyone, so if you haven't received it yet, please let me know.

As promised I also wanted to include some basic things you need to know in order to navigate and do some basic things online so your Modern Quilting experience can be a little more interesting. 

This website you are on now is our big "billboard" to the world.  Everyone can view this site, leave comments, and learn about what our group is doing.  At the top of the page you'll see several tabs, those will take you to separate pages where you can find out when our next meeting is (Meeting Info), what exactly is modern quilting (About Us/Contact Info), and even a page to highlight our members blogs and other important sites (Links We Love). 

Our 2nd home is Flickr.  It's http://www.flickr.com/.  While Flickr was traditionally a place to post photos, it now offers millions of people the opportunity to get together and join groups.  This is where you will find the STLMQG.  If you are not already a member of Flickr, I encourage you to sign up.  It's free and includes a lot of basic features.  Here's some simple navigation things for that site:

-Once you are signed up as a Flickr member, visit our STLMQG page and click the "Join This Group" button near the top.  It will send me a message and within 1 day, I'll usually be able to approve your entrance to the site.

-If you want to start a discussion thread, just click on the “Post a New Topic” button near the Discussion section. If you want to participate in a conversation that is already going on, click on the conversation and at the bottom you’ll find a box next to your pic (or grey smiley face) where you can type and then post.

-Make sure that you read some of the older posts too, by clicking on the More button found on the right side of the screen under the discussion thread.

-If you’d like to send someone FlickrMail, find the person’s pic (or grey smiley face) and hover. An arrow pops up where you can then “Send FlickrMail”.

-If you find a picture anywhere on Flickr that you really like and want to remember it as a Favorite, click on it. You’ll be taken to a photo specific page where you can add it to your Favorites by clicking the little star above the photo.

-If you want to upload photos, just go to the top of any page and find the You tab, click the arrow and you will then find the “Upload Photos and Video” link.

-If you ever post anything and then want to edit it, just click on the edit link under your post. You can only edit items you have posted, not others’.

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Hopefully this will get you started on the path to having an online presence; which is essential to the Modern Quilting community. 

If you have any questions, or are a member and have a blog that I have not listed, send me an email and I'll get things updated.

Monday, November 8, 2010

Meeting #3 November 13th, 2010

Welcome STLMQG Members and Fellow Quilters,

Is everyone ready for November's meeting, I know I am.  I can't wait to catch up with everyone, as it seems like it's been forever. Here's what you need to know.

Date: Saturday, November 13th

Time: 9:30am-Noon

Location:
Bindings, Borders & Squares
325 Droste Road
St. Charles, MO 63301
**Please make sure that you Google directions if you are unfamiliar with the area. Here is a general map.
If you have not visited the shop before, please note that it is actually located on the backside of the shopping-center.  From the front, I believe the only thing you'll see is a sign on the window that says Quilt Shop.

**The team from Bindings, Borders & Squares are providing refreshments (Coffee, Water, OJ, Bagels)

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Agenda:

-Welcome & Brief Introductions
-Guild Business
      • Membership #s, and $$ collected to date
      • Business Cards
      • General Quilting News ( STLMQG Co-op)
      • STLMQG Website Update (Julie?)
      • Guild Leadership Elections
-Committees
      • Art/Quilt Show 2011 Julie
      • Any Other Committee Ideas
-Show & Tell
-Project: Brown Bag
-Next Meeting Date (December 11th), Location (Bindings, Borders & Squares)
      • Workshop/Agenda Ideas
-Remaining Questions?
-Closing Remarks
-Door Prizes
-Mix & Mingle

**Please remember to bring your Show & Tell item, your nametag, $15 cash for dues (if you have not already paid) and most importantly your smiling face for lots of fun.

**If you are participating in our activity Project: Brown Bag, here is a reminder of the rules.  You must be a due-paying member to participate, so please bring your $15 with you if you haven't already paid and want to get in on the fun.

**And finally, if you would like to run for office, the last day to be included on the ballot is this Wednesday.  Please send me a FlickrMail or email


See everyone there!!!

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Randomness #1

I came across this YouTube video today and I thought it was worth sharing with all of you.

This video was taken during the International Quilt Market, Spring 2010 and features Lizzy House.
Lizzy is a fabric designer for Andover fabrics, who is responsible for the popular fabric line Castle Peeps.

During this presentation, Lizzy talks about how to attract and keep young quilters.  I think this also applies to modern quilters (of all ages) as well.  Plus, as an added bonus she mentions the Modern Quilt Guild.



This is part 1 of a 2 part presentation.  If you wish to view the second part, I'm sure you can find it on YouTube.

This post was also created to let you all know that I've started another tab (Local Quilt Shops); which can be found in the header of this blog.  I'd like to make sure that we show some love to those shops which cater or offer services which would be of interest to a Modern Quilter. 
As our new homepage is built and evolves, this information will also be housed there too.

Monday, November 1, 2010

November News

I hope your November is starting off on a good note and you are trying to enjoy the Fall weather before Mother Nature decides to kick us into Winter.

I wanted to remind everyone of a couple of things in preparation for November's meeting; which is on November 13th at Bindings, Borders and Squares Quilt Shop in St. Charles.

---During November's meeting, all those who have paid their dues as of that day will be allowed to vote on Guild Leadership for 2011.  This includes positions such as President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.  If you are interested in taking on a leadership role and would like your name added to the ballot, or you have a suggestion for another office I may have forgotten, please send me an email at stlmqg@gmail.com or Flickr Mail me at (Love Old Houses) NO LATER THEN Thursday, November 11th.  

I don't pretend to know everything about running a quilt guild, so there are probably some offices or committees I forget, so if you think our group needs a particular office, please let me know.  I will be posting the names (first name, last initial) I have received when they come in.  Please remember that in order to run for office, you need to have paid your dues before or during the November meeting.  We will not accept write-in candidates during the meeting.  The responsibilities of each office can be found on our By-Laws; which are here.  In the event, we do not have candidates for each office, Leadership may be asked to assist where needed.

---If you plan on participating in the Project: Brown Bag activity which was mentioned during the October meeting, and submitted by Mary Claire please find the rules here.  In order to participate you must be a due-paying member before or during the November meeting.  Participation in these sorts of activities are part of the perks of membership.  It's sure to be alot of fun, so I encourage you to participate. 

Also remember, if you have an idea for a group activity, block swap, etc...please feel free to present it during the November meeting.  While it's not necessary, if you'd like to pitch your idea ahead of time, just let me know and we can talk about it.

I'll be posting the November 13th agenda sometime this week.  As always, remember to wear your nametag and bring an item you'd like to show during Show & Tell.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.