Meeting Recap (January 11th, 2014)

Excitement...is about the best word that wraps-up this past Saturday's meeting.  We are confident that it was a great way to kick-off 2014, so stay tuned as there is so much more to come.

Here are some things that you may have missed, or want to know about:

• The numbers are in, and we are excited (see there is that word again) to report that we have 88 members for 2014...YAY!!  Welcome back friends!  Everyone who is a member should now have access to The MQG community site; which is a great way to learn about things happening in The MQG itself, participate in the forums, meet other MQG members from across the country/world, etc. 

• Our Ticket Raffle was an enormous success, of course most of that is due to those members' who donated such amazing prizes, and those that bought chances to win.  We raised $1164; all of which has been deposited into our STLMQG account and will go towards paying for our room rental, future activities, etc.  

 

• So, how is your Riley Blake Challenge quilt coming along?  The big reveal is next month, February 8th.  While we will have a few prizes within our guild, if you want to be entered into the larger MQG prize opportunity, you must upload a photo of your finished piece onto the community site (Finished Forum) by February 17th or earlier.  Ten finalists will be announced on February 19th, and the final winners announced on February 24th.  Also, don't forget that if you are on Instagram or Twitter, you can use hashtag #mqgrileyblakechallenge to tag and find other's in-progress and finished photos. Check your MQG Newsletter for more information.

• Speaking of The MQG Newsletter, did you see that members will now be receiving a PoM (Pattern of the Month) in your newsletter this year, designed by 12 different MQG members...including two St. Louis MQG members.  The first quilt pattern is called Broken Bars, and was created by Austin MQG Member Rebecca Roach.  Please note that the newsletter, and now free patterns are just some of the benefits of MQG membership, as was the pin members received at this month's meeting.  

• Anyone fancy participating in the 2014 Pantone Quilt Challenge?  If you haven't heard, Pantone's color of the year is Radiant Orchid.  There is a challenge going on, co-hosted by Adrianne and Anne. You can learn more on their blogs.  

• Did you all have fun with the Fat Quarter Swap?  A big thanks to the Member's Swap/Challenge committee for that activity.  We hope that you all have a few more new-to-you fabrics to add to that stash.

• For those who signed up to participate in a Committee for 2014, emails went out today.

 

• Our Pillow-Bomb project is going strong; but we have a ways to go.  Thanks to everyone who brought in pillow forms, and made pillow-covers over the Holidays, your commitment to our project is very appreciated.  As Lynne mentioned during the meeting, our deadline for pillow-cover collection is our February meeting, so let's all give one last push and see how many we can collect.

• It looks like we have a hit on our hands with the upcoming WOW (War on WIP) event that will run throughout 2014.  We will be writing up a separate blog post detailing the directions on how you can participate in this activity.  In the mean-time, I know it's scary; but take a deep breath and consider taking stock of what WIP (Works in Progress) you do have.  

We can't wait to see what adventures are in store for everyone in 2014.  

Thank You!