November 6, 2014

How fast the month goes! I apologize for the lateness of this blog. Time has definitely gotten away from me.

The bus trip to MSQC in Hamilton, Missouri was a great success. Don't know about everyone else, but I could have spent more time, and more money, at both sites we visited. The folks at Blue Top Quilt shop in Lamar were generous enough to open early for us, and they were excited for us to be there. Talk about customer service! A great blogger would have thought to bring her camera and take pictures, but my mind was too full of thoughts of all the gorgeous fabric instead. To those who were not able to make it - I hope you get a chance to visit both of these places at some point in the future. Definitely worth the trip.

A round robin / brown bag was started at this month's guild meeting. 7 people participated. For those who are confused, A round robin is exchanged around each member in the group. 7 people would mean 7 exchanges. A brown bag on the other hand is a shorter version. This one will only involve 4 exchanges, so not everyone will get a chance to work on every quilt. Should still be fun. I look forward to seeing what everyone does.

The BOM this month involves 16 pieces using 2 colors plus your background fabric.

The Christmas party will be held December 4th at 6pm. Smoked meat will be provided. Please bring a small dish of something yummy. If it's really yummy you'd better bring a big dish. :) If you would like to participate in the gift exchange bring a Christmas decoration or ornament. This does not have to be homemade - just something simple. Do not put your name on it. Let someone on the committee know if you will not be able to make it, or if you will be bringing a guest. This gives them a better idea of the number of people to plan for.

Tara took the pillows that were made to Freeman Cancer Center and reports that they were happy to receive them. 74 pillows were donated.

The Donation committee has chosen 2 families for us to sponsor this Christmas. These families were chosen not for their financial neediness, but for their contributions to the community. As before a quilt has been made for each family. Since there are no little ones, the committee is asking for money to be donated and used for a grocery card for each. Several people have helped to make the quilts using Jelly Rolls.

Our fundraiser (auction) meeting has been moved to March this year, so February will be a regular meeting. This gives you an extra month to save money for the auction. Be thinking of what you may want to donate to be auctioned off as well.

If you have been saving up Best Choice barcode labels, they need to be turned in by the end of the year. The guild receives a $30 gift certificate when we turn in 1000 labels. If you have not been saving them, this would be good time to start. Putting the labels in a baggie with a piece of paper showing the count will help whoever has to do the final count.

Ruth, Karen, Peggy and Betty all did a paper pieced Christmas tree. Karen wants to add lights to hers. Betty wants to add ornaments. Peggy did hers a year ago. They all look lovely.

Betty did the quilting for a top her sister-in-law pieced. She also pieced and quilted a quilt for her sister-in-law herself. What a lucky sister!

Betty also did paper pieced a stocking, some rug mugs and some ornaments. I think she likes paper piecing - but that's just a guess on my part.

Nita made a tablet cover and a block using the pattern for a tree skirt. She made the pattern smaller than called for so it could be used as a table decoration. The tree skirt was made using the go cutter to cut the pieces.

Julie and Peggy served refreshments.

See you at the Christmas party.