Support for Boston

As you look out your window tomorrow morning, it's hard to imagine that just over a week ago, on a similarly beautiful day, thousands of lives were changed in an instant as a result of the violence at the Boston Marathon. 

We all respond to such tragedy in our own unique way.  For some, that means furtively checking the news for the latest developments in the investigation.  For others, avoiding the news, offering up a silent prayer, hugging our children close.  Despite these many differences, we think it's safe to say that at some point in the past few weeks, we've all felt a small tinge of helplessness.  That the thousand miles between Boston and the heart of the Midwest might prevent us from doing what we quilters naturally do:  comforting others by lending a hand.

Thankfully, there is something we can do to help.  The Boston and Vancouver Modern Quilt Guilds have each asked for our assistance in the recovery effort by contributing pennants or quilt blocks in support of those affected by this tragedy.  The Boston guild is also collecting coordinating fabrics to use as sashing, binding and backing in assembling these quilts for the victims and their families. 

 

Although the information has been available on Flickr and Facebook for the past several days, we wanted to make sure the call went out to all of our generous members in time for everyone to get involved and make a difference.   

 

   

 

If you are interested in participating in either of these charitable projects, you can find all of the guidelines and inspiration you need by visiting the websites listed below.  The due dates for the pennants and the quilt blocks to arrive in Boston are May 21st and 24th respectively, so Lynne (our VP) will be collecting pennants and quilt blocks at our May 11th meeting.

 

Although this is a relatively short turnaround time (and we're already busy working on our Room-by-Room swap), we hope you'll consider sharing a small piece of your time and talent to help comfort those affected by this terrible tragedy.  Help us fill the world with beauty 'till there's room for nothing else.  

 

To Boston with love, from the heart of the Midwest.

 

---The St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild

 ===============================================

 

Flag Bunting as organized by the Vancouver MQG

Details:

http://vancouvermodernquiltguild.ca/blog/2013/04/to-boston-with-love/

Flickr Group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/tobostonwithlove/

Due Date: May 21st, 2013    (Mailing address in the USA if you wish to send separately)

*************************************************************

Quilts for Boston organized by Boston MQG

Details:

http://bostonmqg.blogspot.com/2013/04/quilts-for-boston.html

Flickr Group:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/quiltsforboston/

Due Date: May 24th, 2013 

**We will be collecting both the pennants and quilt blocks during our May 11th meeting; yet you can also mail them directly.  Info can be found on the above links **

 

Thanks to Lynne for coordinating this effort and writing the above post.

Meeting Recap (April 13th, 2013)

We want to thank everyone for a great meeting yesterday.  Here's a recap in case you missed any of it.

• We now have 70 due-paying members, as a few "new to us" visitors joined yesterday...WELCOME!
• If you missed the Sew In Saturday that was a few weekends ago, you have another opportunity to get together with you fellow quilters this coming Saturday, April 20th in a much smaller and low-key event held at the Webster Groves Library.  Space is limited, so if you would like more info or want to sign up, please visit our Flickr page.
• The Photography 101 presentation is on hold until further notice.
• The Batting 101 discussion was a jolly good time and we hope that you learned alot about the options that are available to quilters.  Thanks to Quilter's Dream Batting and The Warm Company for providing samples for today's events, and a big Thanks to our members who kept the discussion lively, informative and even brought samples of their own.
• The Member's Swap/Challenge committee announced it's first swap which is called "Room by Room".  All items are due at the May Meeting and we encourage you to create an inspiration mosaic using BigHugeLabs, add some items to your Flickr Favs, etc.
• We made our first big speaker announcement at the meeting and will do an Official Blog Post here later in the week in case you missed it...stay tuned.

Here are some links to things that were discussed during the meeting:

• Are you up for the challenge?  Consider participating in the Modern Quilt Challenge sponsored by AQS (American Quilter's Society).  There are $6000 worth of cash and prizes up for grabs.  Check out this link for more information and the deadline is August 2nd.
• It's not too late to enter the HMQS Modern Quilt Contest either.  The deadline has been "secretly" extended to April 20th, as they are trying to seek out lots of wonderful modern quilts.  To learn more, check out this link on the Modern Quilt Guild homepage. 

=============================================

Finally, our last bit of housekeeping for this month's recap is a final reminder that each member who wants to participate in the monthly Door Prize raffle needs to have a uniquely handmade nametag.  We have been lenient for way too long allowing work namebadges, other quilt guild badges or even random scraps of paper pinned to one's shoulder now and again.  This will no longer be the case.  You will hear the words "Sorry, try again next month" if you wear any of the above.

While you might be questioning why something so trivial matters, it actually matters quite alot.  It shows pride in our guild, and friendship with your fellow member.  It's about being part of the community and being excited each and every month when you walk through those doors. 

We want you to be an active member, the kind that would be missed...

not just another name on the list.

There are no restrictions on the size or shape of your namebadge, and we definately encourage creativity.  Your name can be embroidered, cross-stitched, stamped, paper-pieced, or cleverly made using all sorts of things.  Just keep it fresh, funky and uniquely you. 

Meeting #32 - April 13th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,

It looks like Spring is finally here to stay and while that generally means less time inside your house quilting, we hope that you'll still continue to find time to visit us each and every month as our calendar just keeps getting better. 

New to our group, Welcome! Bring a friend, the more the merrier.

Date: April 13th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: The Heights

=================================================================
Agenda:

-Welcome & Guild Business
   :: Membership #s for 2013
   :: Financial Information
   :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Monthly Fabric Raffle
-SewInSaturday FQ Winners to be chosen
-Photography 101 Presentation
-Member's Swap/Challenge Committee (Swap Announcement)
-Batting 101 Discussion
-Lecture/Workshop Announcement
-Show & Tell
-Next Meeting Date (May 11th)
-Remaining Questions/Comments
-Mix & Mingle

***Please be sure to bring a few extra $$ if you want to take a chance at winning this month's Fabric Raffle.  This is what is up for grabs:

10 piece FQ bundle of Color Me Retro by Jeni Baker

***Make sure that you wear your modern quilting nametag each and every month.  Not only does it show your appreciation for your fellow member and the guild; but it's a simple way to enter yourself into our monthly DoorPrize drawing.

***We want to see your modern Show & Tell projects, fabric, books, etc. Let's limit this to 3 pieces/items a member please.

See you Saturday!!