Meeting Recap (March 9th, 2013)

Thanks to everyone for braving the miserable rainy conditions to visit our meeting yesterday, we were glad to see that by the time our meeting was over the skies cleared and the sun was shining.

Second, we want to Thank You for an AMAZING meeting.  While we create the programming, it's not the same without audience participation and you all definately made this one a great one. 

Now onto the day's events, things you may have missed, links and dates you need to know:

• We now have 67 due-paying members, as 4 "new to us" members joined yesterday...WELCOME! 
• All due-paying members should have received an email from Kelly, our Secretary, about our 1st Sew-In Saturday (March 30th, 9am-9pm).  This is now "Sold Out" and there is a waitlist already.  Please mark your calendars for the other Sew-In Saturday dates (June 29th, August 31st and November 30th)...all of which will have corresponding workshops as well.
• The Thimble & Thread bi-annual Quilt Show is next weekend (March 16th-17th) in Queeny Park.  Check out this link for more information.
• The Modern Quilt Guild Call for Quilts is now open.  If you have ever considered entering one of your modern quilts in a show, now's a great time to do it.  You have until April 26th to enter.
• The STLMQG Charity Committee is looking for feedback from the membership.  Head on over to Flickr if you haven't already done so and leave your thoughts/comments.  Link Here.

• Big round of applause for our VP, Lynne, who created the Name This (*) game; which showed how classic traditional blocks can be "modernized" thanks to fabric, color and placement choices.  Remember folks, it's not all about Improv and Wonky Blocks...sometimes it's the little choices one makes that determines whether or not a quilt is Modern, Contemporary or Traditional.  If you would like to see ALOT of really inspiring modern quilts, head on over to Fresh Modern Quilts for a dose of inspiration.
• We hope you enjoyed the QuiltCon Recap led by Casey York and Kristy Daum.  To watch the Craftsy's QuiltCon Lecture Series just click on the previous link.

• Have you seen the Modern Quilt Guild's brand new website which launched a few weeks ago, it's super clean, easy to navigate and includes lots of information including the dates and venues for the SewDowns (all inclusive weekends) if you are interested in learning more about them.

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Finally, just a few words about our programming, as many of you know we are in our 3rd year here in the STLMQG.  We continue to listen to our members who told us that in Year One we did way too much, in Year Two we overcompensated and did too little; now that we are in Year Three, we have a great assortment of activities which include; but are not limited to the following:

• Members Swap/Challenge Committee (2 Swaps and 1 Challenge)
• Discussions & Presentations (Batting 101, All About Binding, Modern Handwork and much more)
• Speaker & Corresponding Workshop (Dates and More Info to Come)
• Quarterly Sew-In Saturdays w/Workshops, along with smaller and more intimate sewing opporunitites throughout the year
• Bigger & Better Ticket Raffle
• And Much Much More

 

Don't forget that the fun doesn't have to end once you leave our meetings, you can keep the conversations going and inspiration streaming by visiting us on social media.

Meeting #31 - March 9th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,

I don't know about you; but I cannot wait for Saturday.  Not only is it our March meeting; but the weather is supposed to be in the 50s...WooHoo!!!

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

Date: March 9th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: The Heights

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Agenda:

-Welcome & Guild Business
  :: Membership #s for 2013
  :: Financial Information
  :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Monthly Fabric Raffle
-QuiltCon Recap and some prizes
-MQG Big Announcement
-2013 Activities/Demos/Presentations
-Show & Tell
-Next Meeting Date (April 13th)
-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:

Fat Eighth Bundle of Constellations by Lizzy House

***Have you made your nametag yet? Have you been wearing it to the meetings? Let's not forget that a nametag enters you into the 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!!

Meeting Recap (February 9th, 2013)

It was great seeing everyone on Saturday, new faces and old friends.  We have lots to cover, so let us get right to it.

• As of Saturday, we have 56 dues-paying active members.  If you are a returning member and haven't paid your 2013 dues yet, March will be the last month you can do so before you are removed from all Rosters, Directories, etc.  For those who are active, keep a lookout in your mailbox this month for your Membership Roster.
• The STLMQG is being spotlighted in the Spring issue of Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine.  Thanks to everyone who participated in the photo shoot at the end of the meeting.
• We are so impressed with the level of excellency and "modern-ness" during the Madrona Road/Michael Miller Challenge reveal.  Make sure that if you are a member of our Flickr page and haven't uploaded a photo of your work yet, that you do so.
• We discussed bringing in Jacquie Gering of TallGrass Prairie Studio, and co-author of Quilting Modern, to present a lecture and workshop this year.  Thanks to everyone who participated in the question/answer session...more info coming soon.
• To celebrate Mardi Gras and the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday, we did a quick Seek & Find activity, Congrats to the winners.  You all are an enthusiastic bunch and we love you for that. 

Here's a few links to things that were discussed during the meeting.

• Jamie Mueller is looking for quilt donations that will be auctioned off to help support Women's Cancer Research.  To learn more, check out her blog. 
• Chrissy O. discussed a story by Mary Fons about getting a quilt into the White House.  If you would like to read her story and sign the petition, check out these links.  Story  Petition . No matter your political views, you have to agree that it would be lovely to see a quilt draped over a chair in the highest office in this country?
• If you are interested in making a zippered pouch similiar to the one that Mary Claire showed during Show & Tell, head on over to our Pinterest page to find the link, or just click here.

Additionally, Drea, our Charity Committee Chairperson, posted a question on our Flickr page about what our group should do for the Spring Charity Project, make sure you head over there and check it out and leave your feedback. 

Looking forward to seeing you in March, until then make sure to check out what's happening on Facebook and Pinterest.

Meeting #30 - February 9th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,

Don't forget that we are back to our normal 2nd Saturday meetings.  There is lots of stuff to share and discuss with you all, so we hope to see you this weekend.

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

Date: February 9th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: The Heights

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
   :: Membership #s for 2012/2013
   :: Financial Information
   :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Monthly Fabric Raffle
-Madrona Road Challenge Reveal & Prizes
   ---Break---
-Speaker Discussion (When? Workshop?)
-Show & Tell
-Next Meeting Date (March 9th)
-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:

Timber & Leaf FQ Bundle

***Our very own STLMQG will be featured in Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine this Spring...YAY!  We'll be taking a group photo, so show us your pearly whites.

***Have you made your nametag yet? Have you been wearing it to the meetings? Let's not forget that a nametag enters you into the DoorPrize drawing.

***We'll be collecting 2013 dues this month if you haven't already paid them.  If you want to be included and receive a Membership Roster, you must pay by this month.  Yearly dues are $30, checks made payable to the STLMQG are accepted as is cash. 

***Don't forget to bring your modern books, fabrics, projects for Show & Tell.   We all love seeing what you are up to.

 

See you Saturday

 

 

 

Randomness #8

Grab your paper and pencil, we have some announcements to make and things to share with you that are happening around the web.

• While our Madrona Road Challenge deadline is Feb. 9th, it was announced today by the MQG that there is an additional element to the national challenge.  If you finish and upload your project to the Challenge Flickr pool by January 31st, you not only have the opportunity for your item to be reviewed and possibly selected by Michael Miller Fabrics to show in their QuiltCon booth; but Violet Craft herself will select her personal favorite and send that winner a "care package". 

• Have you heard about the ScrappyTripAlong?  It all started in late December when some quilting gals got together and decided to start making a quilt using their scraps and this tutorial.  Mania struck and practically overnight blocks started popping up all over.  A Flickr group was formed which now has over 780 members. 

• Looking for a quick charitable activity?  Val from PinkPlease! is looking for volunteers to make one 14 1/2" x 14 1/2" block by the end of January.  The resulting charity quilt will be donated to a silent auction for The Heroes Foundation, which is a cancer philanthropy located in Indianapolis, IN.  The quilt that was made last year (as pictured below) raised $1000.  It's not too late to get involved.  Head on over to her blog to sign up.

Photo borrowed from Val at PinkPlease!

 

 

 

• The official Sew-In Saturday dates have been confirmed...WooHoo!!!  If you haven't been to a Sew-In Saturday, you are missing out as it's a solid 12 hours (or 6 if you choose a 1/2 day) of sewing, friends, food and fun.  This year we are upping the excitement and offering an optional workshop at each of our Sew-Ins.  While you do have to be at the Sew-In to participate in the workshop, it's not a requirement that you do participate. 

 

March 30th

June 29th

August 31st

November 30th

 

  **Cindy Lammon will be hosting the first workshop on March 30th; where she will be showing

us her techniques for Machine Quilting.  More info coming in early March.

 

 

• Finally, just wanted to remind everyone that we are back to our normal second Saturday meetings.  We hope to see you on February 9th, where we'll be revealing our Madrona Road Challenge projects.

 



Meeting Recap (January 5th, 2013)

Thanks to everyone who came out Saturday for our 1st meeting of 2013.  While the meeting was brief, I think it set us up for a lot of great things to come...so stay tuned. 

In the meantime, if you want to know more about what was discussed, check out the recap below.

• Mary Claire led our first monthly Fabric Raffle; which was a success.  We made $56 for the guild, $20 of which will be used to purchase next month's raffle item.  Don't forget your $$ next month...chances are $1/ticket.
• Kelly, our new Secretary, announced a free open-sewing opportunity at the Webster Groves Library next Saturday, January 12th from 9am-4pm.  Space is limited, so hop on over to our Flickr page to learn more and to sign-up.
• We can't wait to see what interesting projects you all have taken on in the Madrona Road Challenge.  Jackie showed us the quilt that she made today, wasn't it grand?
• Members continued to pay their 2013 dues, which are $30 for the year.  Being a due-paying member allows you the opportunity to participate in our Quarterly Sew-In Saturdays, take on guild Challenges, etc, etc.  Don't forget if you are a returning member, you must pay by February's meeting.
• Kristy discussed the comments/suggestions what were left in the Comment Box from December and asked members to offer suggestions for future activities.
• Show & Tell brought out some great projects and shook away some of the Winter-Blues.

Here's some of the opportunities you might want to know about.

• The MQG in collaboration with STC Craft/Melanie Falick Books is hosting an Essay contest, due January 25th.  The Question is... How has Kaffe (Fassett) influenced you in the past and how will that help you grown as a quilter in the new year?  The grand prize is 3 books and a 30piece FQ set.  Check out this link to learn more.
• Interested in having your modern quilt hang in a Quilt Show, then consider participating in the brand new "Modern" category opened by HMQS (Home Machine Quilt Show) held in Salt Lake City.  Entries are due April 13th and you can of course use a modern quilt that was made a few years back too.  Check out this link to learn more.
• Janie Lou Quilts (new shop on Manchester Rd) is having their Grand Opening next Saturday, January 12th.  If you haven't visited this new shop, what are you waiting for.  Let's continue to support Small Businesses!
• Are you interested in getting to know a little more about your fellow STLMQG member, want to learn some new piecing techniques and play with yummy fabric.  Consider being a part of the new quilting bee that is starting up in February.  Sign-ups will close soon.  Interested?  Drop us an email.

Thanks again for another great meeting.  We'll be back to our 2nd Saturday of the month meetings, so join us on February 9th and until then, make sure you check us out on Flickr, Facebook, Pinterest and here on the blog.

Happy New Year!!!

Meeting #29 - January 5th, 2013

Hello Modern Quilters,
Happy New Year!!!
Did you forget that our January meeting is this coming Saturday, the 5th.  This is due to a scheduling conflict at The Heights and was announced at December's meeting.  We'll be back to normal 2nd Saturday meetings for the rest of the year (except October).  Hope to see you all! 

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

Date: January 5th, 2013
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: The Heights

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

-Welcome & Guild Business
   :: Membership #s for 2012/2013
   :: Financial Information
   :: Special Announcements/Quilting News
-Madrona Road Challenge ongoing
-Open discussion of activities/events for 2013
-Dues for 2013
-Show & Tell
-Next Meeting Date (February 9th)
-Remaining Questions/Comments
-Mix & Mingle

***Have you made your nametag yet?  Have you been wearing it to the meetings?  Let's not forget that a nametag enters you into the DoorPrize drawing.

***We'll be collecting 2013 dues if you didn't pay them last month.  Yearly dues are $30, checks payable to the STLMQG are accepted as is cash of course. 

***Don't forget for those participating in the Madrona Road Challenge, your finished project is due at February's meeting.  Need the rules, you can find them here.

***Please bring your activity, demo and event ideas with you, as we will be having an open discussion of what you would like to learn in 2013. 

***Been busy sewing over the Holidays, or received some great modern fabric or books?  Why don't you show us what modern things you have been making or received during Show & Tell.