WOW (War on WIP)

Many quilters have a Love/Hate relationship with their Works in Progress.  We stuff them into plastic bags or tubs, hide them in drawers or behind our fabric stashes so we don't have to look at them.

This year the St. Louis MQG is challenging it's members to participate in the War, the War on Works in Progress that is...cleverly named WOW; by our friends in the Austin MQG, who came up with this idea. So, how can you participate...it's fairly easy; but involves a painful first step.

You have to take inventory of your Works in Progress...so take a deep breath and let's begin

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February Meeting

• Each member is encouraged to bring 1-3 WIP to show to the group
• Group discussion - How many do we have?  What's our oldest? Is there a strategy we have used in the past to complete those WIP? Etc?
• Members take an index card, write their name (First & Last) at top, followed by the WIP they expect to finish by December.  Kristy, Guild President, collects the cards and will bring them back each meeting, thru September.

Throughout the Year

• Each WIP you have listed on the card, finish and show to the group at a meeting enters you into the WOW drawing in December. 
• Update your card as needed, thru September, removing items you have given up hope on, adding items you want to tackle instead.  
• Bring a WIP to a meeting and ask that question which is keeping you from finishing.
• Encourage and support one another on social media.  If you are a Blogger, consider writing a post about your WIP and show your readers your progress throughout the year.  If you are on Instagram, use the hashtag  #stlmqgwow to ask questions, get feedback on layout ideas, etc.  

WIP Definition:  We really want to encourage our members to finish those quilts (we are a quilt guild) and complex projects that have been sitting around, so for the purposes of this challenge, the following applies.

• Must be a quilt larger then 24" x 24", and should not be something that you just have to put a binding on...that's just cheating.
• Can also be a complex non-quilt item like a Weekender Bag, etc.
• Please keep napkins, pajama pants, curtains, etc off of your WOW index card, as they won't count towards your chance at a prize come December.

So whose ready to play ?  

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!

Meeting #41 - January 11th, 2014

Hello Modern Quilters,

Okay, let us try this again shall we? 
We hope that you will join us on Saturday to help ring in the new year.  It is sure to be a fun-filled day, so don't miss out.  

Date: January 11th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
   :: Membership #s
   :: Financial Information
   :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Charity Committee Update
-Member's Swap/Challenge Committee (Fat Quarter Swap)
-Volunteer Opportunities
-Ticket Raffle
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

***Don't forget to pay your 2014 Membership Dues, as renewal memberships absolutely must be completed this month.  There are lots of perks including Sew-Ins, sponsored fabric challenges, etc.  All members will also receive a pretty cool MQG membership pin.  $40 gets you all that and more...cash and check are accepted. 

***This month's BIG event is the Ticket Raffle; where you can buy tickets or use the ones provided in exchange for your donation back in November.  There are lots of amazing items up for grabs including books, fabric, notions and more.  Want to know more about how this works, check out this link.

***Did you take a name at November's meeting for the Fat Quarter Swap?  Don't forget to bring your Fat Quarters for your Secret Swap Partner, we will be exchanging those at the meeting. 

 ***It is likely we will not have much time to do Show & Tell; but if you have something and want to put it up on the wall anyway, that is fine.  Should we have time, we will open the floor accordingly.

***We will be collecting finished pillow covers, and new pillow forms for our STLMQG Cares "Pillow-Bomb" project.  Please remember that we are nearing the end of our project (February), so it is important that we put forth our best effort to help those at the Siteman Cancer Center.

 

See you Saturday!!

December 14th Meeting --Cancelled--

 

 

Saturday, December 14th meeting is Cancelled

 

 

Members, an email has been sent to you with more information. 

 

Friends, Guests and Interested Parties...we look forward to seeing you on January 11th, 2014.

 

 

Please stay warm and stay safe!

Meeting #40 - December 14th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,

We hope that you will join us on Saturday to help bring 2013 to a close.  It is sure to be a fun-filled day, so don't miss out.  

Date: December 14th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm 
Location: The Heights

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
   :: Membership #s
   :: Financial Information
   :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Charity Committee Update
-Member's Swap/Challenge Committee (Fat Quarter Swap)
-Volunteer Opportunities
-Ticket Raffle
-Show & Tell
-Mix & Mingle

***Don't forget to pay your 2014 Membership Dues, as renewal memberships must be completed this month.  There are lots of perks including Sew-Ins, sponsored fabric challenges, etc.  All members will also receive a pretty cool MQG membership pin.  $40 gets you all that and more...cash and check are accepted. 

***This month's BIG event is the Ticket Raffle; where you can buy tickets or use the ones provided in exchange for your donation last month.  There are lots of amazing items up for grabs including books, fabric, notions and more.  Want to know more about how this works, check out this link.

***Did you take a name at last month's meeting for the Fat Quarter Swap?  Don't forget to bring your Fat Quarters for your Secret Swap Partner, we will be exchanging those at the meeting. 

 ***Bring your Show & Tell projects, fabric, books, etc.  Let's limit this to no more then 2 pieces/items a member please. Have a bee block or quilt top in progress, that counts too, bring it...we'll hang them up on the wall.

***We will be collecting finished pillow covers, and new pillowforms for our STLMQG Cares "Pillow-Bomb" project.

See you Saturday!!

Meeting Recap (November 9th, 2013)

Thank you to all of the members and guests that attended yesterday's meeting, we love seeing you each and every month.

• 10 Minute Tip - Carol shared lots of tips for how to prepare bias binding.

                  **If you would like to share with us a 10 Minute Tip, find the 10 Minute tip button along the right sidebar to sign up**

• There is so much going on with our STLMQG Cares "Pillow-Bomb" project, so be sure to check out the STLMQG Cares tab along the top to see how you can get involved.  We have our first big Pillow-Making marathon coming up next Saturday and hope to see you there.  A big Thank you to everyone who made pillow covers, and bought pillow forms to the meeting.  We have a long way to go; so let's not lose any steam.

• An enormous Thank You to everyone who donated items to our 3rd annual Ticket Raffle.  We were blown away by the response and are positive that you will be thrilled with all of the spectacular items up for grabs.  We will be posting photos in a few weeks to whet your appetite :-)

• We can't wait to see all of the exciting things that you make for the Riley Blake Challenge. While the quilts might not be due until February; don't forget that you can post sneak-peeks on Instagram using the hashtag   #mqgrileyblakechallenge

• Thanks for sharing all of your beautiful quilts and blocks during Show & Tell, it is always lovely to see what everyone is working on and has recently finished.

• Are you interested in learning more about SewDown: Nashville.  Be sure to check out the pevious link and don't forget that registration opens Monday, November 11th.  Visit The MQG Community site to learn more and for a discount code.

• The Member's Swap/Challenge committee issued their final swap of 2013.  It's a definite stash-builder, so don't forget that little piece of paper that you selected and remember to purchase 4 FQs for your secret Swap Partner. 

• Our final Sew In Saturday of 2013, will take place on Saturday November 30th from 9am-9pm.  Kelly, our Secretary, will be sending out an email over the next week or so with sign-up information.  This is a great opportunity to not only crank out some pillowcases, if you wish; but also for starting or finishing some of those handmade holiday gifts. 

• Have you heard about Janie Lou's first BOM (Block of the Month)?  Check out their newsletter, stop by the store or give them a call to learn more. 

Meeting #39 - November 9th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,

It is hard to believe that November is already upon us; but before we bring 2013 to a close we still have quite a few things planned, so don't miss Saturday's meeting

Date: November 9th, 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
-10 Minute Tip
-Charity Committee Update
-Member's Swap/Challenge Committee Announcement
-Discuss Election & Volunteer Opportunities
-Ticket Raffle Item Collection
-Show & Tell
-Riley Blake Fabric Challenge
-Mix & Mingle


***It is time to pay your 2014 Membership Dues.  In order to remain a member you must pay during November or December's meeting, $40...cash or check are accepted. 

 ***Don't forget that we want to see your modern Show & Tell projects, fabric, books, etc.  Let's limit this to no more then 2 pieces/items a member please. Have a bee block or quilt top in progress, that counts too, bring it...we'll hang them up on the wall.

***We will be collecting finished pillow covers, new pillowforms and any modern fabric you are donating to our STLMQG Cares "Pillow-Bomb" project.

***Did you hear the news about our Ticket Raffle in December?  We collect items this month, so please don't forget to bring them.  Have questions, check out our post.

See you on Saturday!!