Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Meeting Recap (December 12th, 2020)

Did everyone leave the meeting and immediately start refolding your quilts? HA! For those of you that missed out please read through the summary below to see if you, too, need to refold all of your quilts. :)

Guild Business: 

  • Tess, our Treasurer, covered our financials. Just a reminder that at the November meeting we announced that the P&L statements for 2019, 2018, and 2017 as well as summaries of our big events (speakers/workshops, quilt show, and SewMe) have been added to the Member Google Drive. 
  • Pam, our VP, shared several quilt-a-longs coming up in 2021 and a few members chimed in with additional details. 
  • Lilo, our Secretary, mentioned that membership numbers are looking down for 2021, which is to be expected, and reminded everyone interested to pay their dues by the end of the year. 
  • January Meeting: A fun scavenger hunt from right in your chair as well as a collective list of member recommended online quilt activities. Please see the recap email for the link to share your recommendations with us!!
Items Covered:
  • Committee Sign Ups: Last Call! 
    • See the Member Drive or the recap email for the online sign up form and details of the committee responsibilities. You may also email stlmqg@gmail.com with your preferred committee.
  • Dues: Due by the end of 2020. 
    • Still $40 for the year. (Yay!)
    • Collecting now through December 31st. After that folks will be removed from the STLMQG and MQG rosters as well as the email list. 
    • Pay via the website, PayPalor mail a check to Tess. Please contact Tess directly if you intend to mail her a check so she knows it is coming. Cell:  314-440-6300.
  • Recap: November and December Sewcials - Orphan Blocks and References and Resource Material: 
    • Tess gave a quick recap of the two discussions had in November and December. A robust list of References and Resource Materials has been posted on the Member Drive, see your recap email for the link!
  • Zoom Use: 
    • Please remember the STLMQG Zoom account is available to any guild member wishing to have a quilt related gathering! Just email stlmqg@gmail.com to get things set up. 
  • Update Your Information!
    • Be sure to check the Member Drive Roster to make sure your information is up to date!
  • LEO Quilt Drive: 
    • Terry Darling gave us a heartwarming summary of the guild's charity quilt efforts: we collected 80 quilts to donate to our local law enforcement officers' trunks for folks in need. What an incredible accomplishment during such a crazy year! Well done, STLMQG! Terry also drew Marianne B as her winner for some lovely charm packs. Thanks to Marianne, and everyone else who donated! 
  • Raffles and Prizes
    • BOM: To wrap up this year's BOM, Pam drew 4 winners for our remaining color cards. Congrats to our winners!
    • Fabric Raffle: Another killer batch of fabric donated by our sponsor, Cotton Cuts! Tess M and Katie M, we can't wait to see what you do with them!
    Main Event: 
    Cindy Stuart, a certified quilt appraiser, gave us a WONDERFUL presentation that covered some insider information on the appraisal process as well as some excellent tips for how to care for your quilts, both old and new.  We learned several interesting facts like when you are finishing an older quilt top, it is best to finish it in the manner and with materials that represent the time in which it was started. We also learned that quilts are like grandmothers, and you should treat them as such. We don't put grandmas in attics, the washing machine, or in the direct sunlight, so we shouldn't do the same with our quilts. Tips on how to store, fold, and clean you quilts have likely got many of us busy at work making adjustments in our own homes. Thank you so much, Cindy, for such a lighthearted and informative presentation!



    2020 Wrap up:

    During the meeting, the board publicly thanked the folks who were so instrumental in keep us going strong through 2020. These folks stepped up when others were unable and the entire guild is better for their efforts. Another thank you to the committees and their chairs, particularly Robyn Passig, Jenn Deck, and Terry Darling. Also to the QuiltCon Charity Quilt group and their volunteers, specifically: Jessica Schunke, Marianne Belcke, Annie Cook, and Susan Muszynski. Three additional outstanding individuals throughout the year were Nancy Dlugosz, Kim Moos, and Susan Muszynski. We also want to make sure to thank Emily Amizich for all her work this year, and Pam Hartig and Tess McMahon whose board terms are complete. Because of all of you, members who could not step up did not have to yet the guild is a thriving organization for the benefit of all who chose to return in 2021. Thank you. 

    Well, that's a wrap on the unforgettable 2020. We would love for everyone to rejoin us in January for a brand new start to a brand new year. Keep an eye on the tabs to the right for updates on Zoom Sewcials, BOMs, HSHHs, and all the other activities and events we can't wait to bring you. 

    Take care, stay safe, wear your masks, and we will see you when we see you!

    Tuesday, December 8, 2020

    Meeting #105 (December 12th, 2020)

    We have made it to the end of 2020! Many of the challenges we have seen as an organization and community will continue into 2021, but it's been a joy to figure them out with you all. Your patience, enthusiasm, and support are the things that have kept us moving forward. Thank you!

    Please see the 'How to Join' tab to the right if you are not a member but would like to join the meeting and see what we are all about. Please note that we have a special guest speaker for this meeting and a $5 ticket is required. You can purchase it by clicking on the 'Upcoming Speaker' tab to the right. 

    Quick Announcement:
    The last Zoom Sewcial of the year really crept up on me. It is actually THIS THURSDAY (December 10th). You will get the usual email reminder with the link the night before. The topic is Reference Materials and we anticipate talking about books, websites, blogs, and more! My apologies for the late notice!

    This meeting will include:

    -Welcome & Guild Business:
      :: Membership Information
      :: Financial Information
      :: Quilting News / Around Town

    -Announcements/Reminders
      :: Committee Sign-ups
      :: What to expect in 2021.
      :: Last call for 2021 dues. 
      :: 2020 BOM raffle drawings!! 
      :: December Fabric Bundle Raffle - online now! See your email for the link. 
      :: Member Announcements

    - Special Topic
      :: We are excited to welcome Cindy Stuart, a quilt appraiser, who will tell us about the appraisal process as well as how to properly care for and store your quilts. Click on the 'Upcoming Speaker' tab to the right for more information. 

    - Show & Tell (time permitting)
    - December Bundle Raffle Drawing

    -------------------------- Reminders/Items Due ------------------------------

    :: 2021 Dues. Still $40, must be paid by 12/31 to stay on the STLMQG and MQG rosters into January 2021.