Friday, December 30, 2016

Meeting Recap (December 10th, 2016)

While we realize we say it all the time, we really do mean it when we Thank You for attending, participating and continuing to support our group.  December's meeting was fun-filled and a great way to cap off another great year.

  • Jessica, our Secretary, collected 2017 dues from those wishing to renew next year.

  • Krista, our guild's new Treasurer, stepped in and assisted us with the annual fundraiser.

  • Dottie reminded everyone about our guild's commitment to finish the QuiltCon Charity Quilt, which was started several months ago. If you are interested in helping to piece together the blocks that have been collected, or would like to assist with the quilting, please check your Inbox, as Jessica sent out information to members on how to sign up. 

  • Our annual fundraiser was an enormous undertaking and huge success as always.  Here are some photos that capture the atmosphere.




A photo posted by St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild (@stlmqg) on



A photo posted by St. Louis Modern Quilt Guild (@stlmqg) on



The Officers are getting together this coming weekend to put together the 2017 calendar, and with the expanded meeting space we will be able to host a lot more educational activities, demos and opportunities to collaborate with one another.  

Have a fun-filled New Year and we will see you in January!!

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Meeting #69 - December 10th, 2016

Hello Modern Quilters,

We hope you will join us this Saturday as we celebrate 2016 and look forward to 2017.  

Date: December 10th, 2016
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

*Childcare available, please see info here*

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
     :: Membership Information
     :: Financial Information
     :: Special Announcements/Quilting News

-Final Raffle Item Collection (Learn more HERE)
-Committee Sign-Ups
-2016 Crafty/Quilty Resolutions...How did you do?
-Fundraiser Event
---Break---
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

 
-------------------------- FYI ------------------------------

:: This month is your final opportunity to pay your 2017 dues, if you wish to continue with us next year.  It's very easy to do so...just bring $40 cash or check (made out to the STLMQG) and our Officers will ensure you are on next year's roster. If you will not be in attendance at either meeting; but would like to remain a member, please send us an email and we will provide you with further information.  Please note that your cash/check must be received no later than Saturday, December 17th so we can fulfill our responsibilities to The MQG.

:: Our annual December Fundraiser is always a blast and there will be ample time to participate; but don't forget a few things.  
         1. Bring a pen so you can write your name on your tickets --or--bring small return address labels to use instead.
         2. If you still have items you wish to donate, we will be collecting them at the beginning of the meeting.  Want to learn more about the items we are looking for, check out this link for a few years ago.  Just remember, this is not an opportunity to get rid of  super old items that belong on the Free Table.
         3. If you wish to purchase additional tickets, you can do so at the meeting.

:: Don't forget your Show & Tell items, we want to see what interesting and creative things you have been working on, new fabrics you have purchased, books that inspire you, etc.

See you Saturday!!

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Meeting Recap (November 12th, 2016)

Thank you to all who came out to our November meeting, read on to see all of the exciting things that occurred and what is coming up next.

  • Jessica, our Secretary, announced that we now have 107 members and reminded everyone that it was time to start thinking about and/or paying your 2017 STLMQG dues.  If you were not in attendance, you can still pay at our December meeting.  If you will not be attending, then please send the guild an email and alternate arrangements will be made.
  • 2016's SewMeSTL was a huge success and we are pleased to announce that 2017's event will once again be held at the Drury Inn & Suites.  Please mark your calendars for October 14th & 15th, 2017.  Information will be sent in the coming months regarding how to book your room, open call for Teachers, etc.
  • Dottie talked briefly about our guild's QuiltCon Charity Quilt inspiration.  If you missed the reveal, here is one of the "in progress" photo that Dottie shared. Thank you to all who made blocks, are still making blocks, coordinated the block packages, cut up the fabric, etc, etc, etc.


  • Robyn & Lynn, our Quilt Show Co-Chairs, shared with everyone all of the research they have been doing the last few months about the possibility of having a STLMQG Quilt Show. If you are interested in learning more and helping to get this off the ground, please consider signing up for the Quilt Show Committee.
  • Casey got our Crayon Challenge reveal going and we were all blown away by the work that the participants created. Congratulations to Laura, Lynn and Marianne who were each winners in their categories.  To check out some of the entries, please visit #stlmqg and #crayonchallenge on Instagram.
  • We held Part 2 of our MQG discussion and our members voted (nearly unanimously) to continue to be a part of the larger organization.  If you missed the benefits our members/guild receive, please check out the November Agenda to learn more.
  • As we prepare for our annual December Fundraiser, our members generously donated a lot of wonderful goodies.  We will be sharing some sneak-peeks on our STLMQG Instagram page in the coming weeks.  It's not too late to donate, as we will be collecting items at our December meeting.  Need a reminder of what to consider...check out this earlier post.
  • We are very pleased to announce that Krista Robbins will be our new Treasurer for 2017. Congrats!!
  • In addition, please be sure to say Thank You to Rene, who has been our guild's Treasurer for many years.  Her contribution to our guild will not go unnoticed and we do hope to see her now and again; when she's not peddling delicious bakery treats that is.
===============================================================

Here are some things that you may want to know:

   :: Starting in January 2017, our meeting space at The Heights has been enlarged and will now be double-rooms, allowing us to more easily do activities, demos, and the like.  

   :: It's not too late to finish that quilt and enter it into QuiltCon.  Entries are due by midnight CST on November 30th.  

   :: Thanks to Susanne at Lucky Spool, our guild library will be expanding to include 9 new books in 2017.  

*Giveaway* What!? It's been a year since I made this offer and I've loved hearing about what your guild members learned from our last book library giveaway, so here it is again!! As a Board Member of @themqg I am passionate about our organization and as a Publisher, I always seek to educate and inspire. Look what Lucky Spool has been up to just one year later!??! I'm honored to make the same offer again: If your #themodernquiltguild has 50 or more members, I'll send the first 30 guilds who send me an email (Susanne at luckyspool dot com), this collection of our latest books to either add to or to begin their own loaning library for their members. At #luckyspool we don't publish many books a year, but we hope your members find something to love in each (honest Amazon reviews are appreciated, but not required, of course 😊). Titles include #bohoembroidery #thequiltblockcookbook #beyondcottonbook #bythebundlebook #scrapsinc2 #intentionalpiecingbook #simplycolorbooks Purple #quiltersyearbook and #WALKbook So quickly, tag your guild librarian or president and the first 30 qualifying guilds who send me an email (above), not a comment, will each get sent a little library from me to you 😘🙌😘 Ready, set, GO!!!!! #justbetterbooks
A photo posted by Susanne Woods (@craftyeditor) on



That is all for now.  
Please have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving holiday.  











Monday, November 7, 2016

Meeting #68 - November 12th, 2016

Hello Modern Quilters,

We hope to see you on Saturday where we will be inspired, have some healthy discussion and hopefully lots of fun.

Date: November 12th, 2016
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

*Childcare available, please see info here*

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
     :: Membership Information
     :: Financial Information
     :: Special Announcements/Quilting News

-SewMeSTL Recap and 2017's event
-Charity Committee Update
-Ticket Raffle Item Collection (Learn more HERE)
-Quilt Show Committee News
-Crayon Challenge Due (Rules HERE 
---Break---
-STLMQG Officer Elections
-The MQG discussion cont'd
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

 
-------------------------- FYI ------------------------------

:: This month we start collecting 2017 dues, so please do not forget your $40 cash or check (made out to the STLMQG) if you are interested in continuing with us next year.  We will also be collecting them at our December meeting as well.  If you will not be in attendance at either meeting; but would like to remain a member, please send us an email and we will provide you with further information.

:: We will be collecting items for our December Fundraiser, want to learn more about the items we are looking for, check out this link for a few years ago.  Just remember, this is not an opportunity to get rid of  super old items that belong on the Free Table.

:: Don't forget your Show & Tell items, we want to see what interesting and creative things you have been working on, new fabrics you have purchased, books that inspire you, etc.

:: We will be finishing our discussion on The MQG and deciding at the meeting whether or not to continue our partnership with them in 2017.  Check out these benefits which you and/or the guild receives by being a part of the larger organization.
As provided by The MQG in November's Member Newsletter



See You Saturday !!

Sunday, September 11, 2016

Meeting Recap (September 10th, 2016)

We were pleased to see so many people at yesterday's meeting, and while it seems we covered a lot of ground, the discussions were worthwhile.  Please take a few minutes to make sure that you didn't miss anything that was discussed.

  • Jessica, our Secretary, announced that we have 106 members...YAY!! She also announced the dates for the next Hand-Sew Happy Hours; which will go out again in a separate email in the next few days.
  • Are you participating in our Crayon Challenge?  The due date is our November meeting, so you have lots of time to get working on your idea.  Rules are here (Crayon Challenge).
  • SewMeSTL will be here before we know it, and the Member's Swap/Challenge Committee announced an exciting swap for attendees.  Check out the official announcement here (SewMeSTL 2016 - Announcement)

  • The first of our Show & Tells for the day was our Quilting Bee Showcase; which provided lots of inspiration to those in a bee, or looking to start one.  You can find most if not all of the quilts shown on our STLMQG Instagram page.
  • We discussed The MQG and the recent stumble, what's next, how our members can and should get more involved, etc.  If you would like to reach out to The MQG, this link will provide you with multiple ways to get in touch. 
    • If you would like to get in touch with our Region 3 Rep, Andrew, you can do so here.  In all situations, we just ask that you "play nice", and provide constructive opinions that will create helpful dialogue for the betterment of our guild, The MQG, and the modern quilting community.  We are all in this together!
The Modern Quilt Guild

  • Our second Show & Tell for the day was titled First & Last: which was an opportunity for our members to show how they started, how they have grown, how their aesthetic has changed, etc. Just as before, most if not all of the quilts shown, can be found on our STLMQG Instagram page.  
  • It is that time again to start prepping for 2017 as it relates to Officer Elections.  If this sounds like something you would be interested in pursuing, please take a few minutes to read through the responsibilities.  If you are interested in being a candidate, please send an email to stlmqg@gmail.com
    • Our election is held every November, when there are candidates available to vote on. While we will accept candidates for all of our positions (President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer), please note that the Treasurer position will be vacant next year as Rene is stepping down to pursue her position at Nathanial Reid Bakery.
  • Our final Show & Tell for the day was our normal, bring what you have recently completely, what excites you, etc.  Those photos can also be found on our STLMQG Instagram page.

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

Finally, there were several other important; but side discussions or announcements that were made, and we want to be sure that you have the information and links, so please see below.

  • Tech Shop: As Casey announced, this new venture for St. Louis is an opportunity for Makers of all sorts to get together and work on machinery they may not usually have access to, including things from a long-arm and sewing machines, to laser-cutters, 3-D printers, a wood-working shop, etc.  If this is of interest to you, check out their website (TechShop). 

Remember, we do not have a meeting in October, as it is our annual in-town retreat...SewMeSTL.
We hope to see you there!!


SewMeSTL 2016 - Announcement

Sew Me St. Louis logo

Please join your fellow St. Louis MQG members at the third annual Sew Me St. Louis weekend, where there will be lots of laughs, lots of quilting and lots of opportunities to make some memories.

Saturday, October 8th 8am – Midnight
& Sunday, October 9th 8am – 5pm

Drury Inn & Suites Brentwood
8700 Eager Road
Brentwood, MO 63144

:: All Day / All Night Open Sew ::
:: Workshop Opportunities ::
:: Swaps, Raffles & More ::

This event is open to current St. Louis MQG members and registration is a courtesy, so we know how many to expect. The link was sent out via email on Wednesday, September 7th; but please note that there is room for all of our members.

The cost is $40 a person; which helps to cover the rental cost of the ballrooms and our Teacher's fees. Payment is due at the door via Cash or Check, so please come prepared.

And as always don’t forget to use #SewMeSTL and #STLMQG on social media.

New to our guild and interested to see how much fun we have had in the past, check out the hashtag #sewmestl on Instagram.


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

Your registration secures a place for you in the All Day/All Night Open Sew Room. It’s a large ballroom fitted with standard-size tables, chairs, access to electricity, and way more fun than you can imagine. This communal room is where everyone will be hanging out, chatting, quilting, hand-sewing, knitting, etc. until midnight on Saturday and then again until 5pm on Sunday.

We are happy to report that food and drink is allowed in the large ballroom, so as before we would like to encourage our members to consider bringing something to share with the group, whether it is a batch of brownies, veggies, fruit, etc. Otherwise for your main meal, consider ordering a pizza, or checking out any of the fabulous restaurants in the surrounding area for lunch and/or dinner.

Basket Raffle:: We will have at minimum 3 baskets of goodies, so bring a few extra $$ should you wish to take a chance.

Scrap Swap:: The rules are simple, bring in a Quart or Gallon bag filled with scraps and take home an equal share from the large pile. Just remember…we are a modern guild, so this is not a time to unload your upholstery and/or traditional fabrics.

Social Media Prep:: Are on Instagram? Be sure to follow along with us @STLMQG starting Monday October 3rd, as we will be posting prompts each day encouraging you to play along. Things like “Show Us Your Machine”, “Packing Up”, etc.


----------  Just Added  ----------

Paper Bag Swap:: The Member's Swap/Challenge Committee has created an excellent "Blind Swap" for us this year.  All SewMeSTL attendees can participate, just grab a standard brown lunch bag, or bring the below items to the event and we will have bags on site.
  • Each participant will put together a "mini-bundle" of four coordinating fat quarters (so everyone knows a least a little about what they are getting).
  • Each participant will also include a small item ($0-10) that they Can't Live Without when sewing: chocolate, tv or music recommendations, small notion, etc.--no need to spend additional $ on this, the point is to be creative and share with the rest of the group something fun about your own sewing habits. Participants will include a little note with their name and their reason for choosing the secret item they did.
Participants can drop off their sealed bag of goodies when they arrive, and choose another bag at their leisure during the course of the event.  This will be done via the honor system, and we ask that members Do Not Peek and/or swap out the bag they choose for another (unless of course you accidently grab your own again...they will all look the same).
 
See You There!!!


Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Meeting #67 - September 10th, 2016

Hello Modern Quilters,

This Saturday's meeting will be our last before our annual in-town retreat, SewMeSTL.  We hope that you'll join us on Saturday where we will be showing off lots of quilty Show & Tell.

Date: September 10th, 2016
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

*Childcare available, please see info here*

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
     :: Membership Information
     :: Financial Information
     :: Special Announcements/Quilting News

-Crayon Challenge Continues (Rules HERE
                *It's not too late to play along, you can pick up crayons at the meeting.
-Quilting Bee Showcase : Please read below to see how to participate
---Break---
-The MQG discussion
-First and Last Show & Tell : Please read below to see how to participate-Event News
-Regular Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

 
-------------------------- FYI ------------------------------

:: Quilting Bee Showcase -- As a continuation of our Quilting Bee discussion, this month we invite all of our members who have been or are participating in a Quilting Bee (either as part of the STLMQG, online, etc.) to bring up to 3 finished quilts and/or completed tops to show the variety of quilts that can be created as part of a bee.  

:: First and Last Show & Tell -- With each completed block, finished quilt or swipe of that seam-ripper we are continually learning and growing.  This month we want to see just how far you have come.  Participation is easy, please bring in an early example (possibly the first quilt you made) of your work, and a more recent example that you are proud of.  Let us share in your growth, hear what tricks you have learned and what you still want to improve upon.  

:: If you do not wish to participate in one of the Show & Tell's above, we will definitely still have time to have a regular Show & Tell.  

See You Saturday !!

Monday, September 5, 2016

Meeting Recap (August 13th, 2016)

I honestly don't know how we fit everything into August's meeting; but we did it.  Just in case you missed something, read on.

  • Our Crayon Challenge is well underway, if you need to check out the rules again...here is an easy to find link (Crayon Challenge).
  • The weighted lap pads were all collected by the Charity Committee and will be distributed accordingly.
  • The members who participated in the i70 swap received their items from our sister-guild in Kansas City.  Missed the reveals, be sure to visit the hashtag #i70swap on Instagram.
  • Our Member's Trunk Show showcased the talents of Laura Cox.


  • Four of our members (Jamie, Chrissy, Gina and Jessica) participated in a panel discussion on Quilting Bees 101.  Thank You Ladies!
  • The QuiltCon Charity Quilt Committee showed off the inspiration for our entry into QuiltCon 2017 and will be looking for assistance to help with piecing the blocks.

And all of that fit into 2 1/2 hours...barely!

Our September meeting isn't very far off, we hope to see you there.

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

Meeting #66 - August 13th, 2016

Hello Modern Quilters,

Saturday will be a jam packed meeting so we hope to see you there.

Date: August 13th, 2016
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

*Childcare available, please see info here*

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
     :: Membership Information
     :: Financial Information
     :: Special Announcements/Quilting News

-Crayon Challenge Continues (Rules HERE
                *It's not too late to play along, you can pick up crayons at the meeting.
-Charitable Project: Weighted LapPads are due this month
-i70 Swap : What did KCMQG send our way?
-Member Trunk Show = showcasing the talents of Laura Cox
---Break---
-Quilting Bees 101 panel discussion
                *What are they?
                *How do they work? 
                *How to get one started?
                *Friendship
                *Hiccups along the way
                *Etc.
-Event News
     :: SewMeSTL Teacher Announcements & Event Info
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

 
-------------------------- FYI ------------------------------

:: Let's see what fun modern quilty/sewing related things you have been working on, what fun fabrics you have purchased recently, and what books you are excited to dive into.  

:: Interested in starting a project; but unsure what to make.  Come and take a look at our Quilting Library. Members can check out one book a month, with the understanding that it will be returned the following month.

:: Remember the Freebie Table  rules have changed. Whatever you bring that is left over at the end of the meeting, you must take back with you, or dispose of accordingly (throw it out, donate to Goodwill, etc).


See You Saturday!!!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Meeting Recap (July 9th, 2016)

This past Saturday's meeting was our guild's 6th anniversary and we celebrated with a jam-packed meeting filled with info, lots of laughs and quilty inspiration.  To ensure that you didn't miss anything, check out the recap below.


  • Monica, our VP announced several art-related happenings around town, quilt show calls and more.

  • Jessica, our Secretary announced that our membership is now over 100.  Welcome to our newest members!

  • Casey announced the challenge for this year, created by the Member's Swap/Challenge Committee.  It's a fun one that already has our members talking on social media.  The announcement and official rules of the Crayon Challenge are posted on our Challenge tab at the top of this blog. If you were not in attendance, you can still participate at an upcoming meeting.


  • Our member's reviewed their Quilty/Crafty Resolutions for this year; made some edits, snapped some photos and were on their way to an inspiring second half of 2016.

  • The participants of the i70 swap showed off what they made using the blocks from our KCMQG sister-guild.  At August's meeting, we hope to have back the items they made from our blocks.

  • This month's Member Trunk Show featured the works of Krista Robbins, who shared her quilt journey with us.  Please be sure you check her out on Instagram @fourrobbinsdesigns

  • We celebrated our 6th anniversary by playing "Find Someone Who..." which got people up and moving, chatting and learning a little something about one another. 

Here are some things you might want to know about:

  • Are you going to QuiltCon East next February in Savannah, GA?  We learned at the meeting that there are several STLMQG members planning to attend.  Want to know more, check out the links below for the event itself as well as info the Quilt Show.

  • SewMeSTL, our annual retreat, will be here before you know it. It is Saturday and Sunday, October 8th and 9th.  The event includes an all day Open Sew area where members can sew until their hearts content, several workshops, a fabric scrap swap and some raffle opportunities.  An email with more info has been sent to our members.

  • Jessica announced the next Hand-Sew Happy Hour which is taking place on Monday, July 18th at Urban Chestnut in the Grove. Interested in attending, be sure to check your inbox as she sent an email out a few days ago with all the details.

Happy Quilting!!  


Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Meeting #65 - July 9th, 2016

Hello Modern Quilters,

The first half of the year was filled with interesting conversations, new directions and excitement.  We hope to see you this Saturday, so you can help us kick off the rest of the year in style.  

Date: July 9th, 2016
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

*Childcare available, please see info here*

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
     :: Membership Information
     :: Financial Information
     :: Special Announcements/Quilting News

-Challenge Announcement (Member's Swap/Challenge Committee)
-Quilty/Crafty Resolutions : A Second Look
-i70 Swap Reveal : Part 1
-Member Trunk Show = showcasing the talents of Krista Robbins
---Break---
-STLMQG Anniversary Celebration : 6 years...WooHoo!!
-Find Somewho Who Game
-Sign-Ups (Lots of ways for you to get involved)
    :: Member Trunk Shows
    :: Quilting Bees 101
-Event News
     :: SewMeSTL Teacher Announcements & Event Info
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

 
-------------------------- FYI ------------------------------

:: Let's see what fun modern quilty/sewing related things you have been working on, what fun fabrics you have purchased recently, and what books you are excited to dive into.  

:: Interested in starting a project; but unsure what to make.  Come and take a look at our Quilting Library. Members can check out one book a month, with the understanding that it will be returned the following month.

:: For those participating in the i70 Swap, your items are due this month, so please be sure that you bring them with you to the meeting. 

:: If making heart blocks for the #quiltsforpulse collection, be sure to hand over any you have finished to Kristy Daum during Saturday's meeting, or plan to mail them to her home by August 1st. Details are in your inbox, or here on our blog.

:: Remember the Freebie Table  rules have changed. Whatever you bring that is left over at the end of the meeting, you must take back with you, or dispose of accordingly (throw it out, donate to Goodwill, etc).

 
See You Saturday!!!