GUILD MEMBERS SURPRISE CHARLOTE

Congratulations Guild members for the hard work everyone put into getting the surprise quilt done for Charlotte. There were enough blocks brought in to make a queen size quilt. Frances B quilted it in record time and then the binding was put on and..............

Surprise, surprise, surprise!!!!!!

Charlotte was awed by everyone's thoughtfulness and could not believe that we all did this for her.

France B., Cindy K., Iowana F. and Vevia called ahead to find a day that Charlotte thought she would be feeling pretty well. Monday and Tuesday were not good days, but when Charlotte woke up Wednesday, she just knew she felt up to seeing the ladies from guild. Course she thought they were just coming by to say hi and show off some of the items they have been working on. After the mini "quilt show" that the girls gave for Charlotte, they showed their last item..........and told her that this project was very special as it was made by the guild members as a gift to her. Tears were just part of Charlotte's reaction.

We don't always realize how just a little bit of thoughtfulness can mean so much to someone that is going through a topsy turvey time.

The ladies proudly showed off the gorgeous front with the tossed 9-patch blocks from members, and then the back where Frances did an awesome job fitting in the extra blocks and the label that members had signed, making a cross which is also very special for Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't wait to put the quilt to good use and said it would be with her at nap times.

Charlotte wants to make sure that everyone in the guild knows how much the quilt means to her and to have her thank you's passed on to everyone. Great job ladies.

Remember - if you want to see what is going on in Charlotte's day, log on to caringbridge.org,

in the visit space type charlottekidwell and then it will prompt you for your e-mail and let you make a password so that you can go in and check out what is what. Charlotte also appreciates telephone calls and cards. Thank you everyone for making Charlotte's day, not only with the quilt, but also with all the well wishes everyone has been sending her way.

JAN. 18TH BLOCK PARTY SOCIAL - 1ST MEETING OF THE YEAR

The 2010 first meeting of the year greeted the members at the door with a sign in sheet, program books and membership cards. Then it was off to their designated tables to meet with the groups they will be in for this year. Each group is assigned a leader or chair and the Chair has a committee assignment that they look to their group members to help them with.

The largest group each year is made up of the board members, you can see the Rural Quilters studying their block books - top picture - trying to come up with a block that best represents their group. Next is the Home & Hearth group and next Quilting Believers.

Each groups table had pen, pencil, crayons, scissors, ruler, cardboard block to decorate and a catalog. "Material" was to be taken from the catalogs or crayons. Members brought their block books from home to help them decide on a block to create. During this time they also got to socialize and get better acquainted with the people in their group, and have a little time to talk about the committee assignments their chair had for the year. The ultimate goal was to design a block that to them best described their group's name.

WINNERS WINNERS WINNERS

Quilters by Profession and Quilters in the Wild kept their noses to the "grind stone" as they worked furiously to come up with their blocks for the Designing Deva Awards. The final results of all six (6) groups was astounding. Catalogs, glue and crayons are a great way to design your quilts before you start cutting up material.

As shown - top left to right: Home & Hearth Quilters presentation of the "Log Cabin", Quilters on Location presenting "Massachusetts Priscilla", Rural Quilters presenting a "Double Windmill", and Quilters in the Wild presenting their own creation of "Wild in the Woods".

Bottom left to right: Quilters by Profession present "Monkey Wrench" and Quilting Believers winning presentation of "Believer Block".

The Designing Deva Awards of home made pincushions were awarded at the end of the meeting. Until then, our secretary Erlene stood guard over the prizes. The five (5) winners got to take their pick so there was a mad rush to the table when they were given the go ahead.

Great job each and every guild group.

2010 Community Service Project Introduced

Deb M. introduced this years guild sponsored Community Service Project of making "Tummy Time" mats and baby quilts for Head Start.

She passed around cards that showed a mothers face and how a baby sees at what stages. The first picture was really blurred - reminds me of when I try to read without my glasses. It was interesting to see that color did not come into the pictures till later.

High contrast colors are the first that catch a babies attention - black and white or red and white. But babies eyes grow stronger very fast and before you know it at 6 weeks they are controlling the direction they are looking in and searching out shapes and 3-dimensional objects.

Deb had material precut to make the home visit floor mats and might still have some left if you are interested.

Our goal for this year is to have everyone in the guild present Deb with either a Tummy Time mat or a small baby quilt. Directions for the tummy mats are included here and if you need a larger copy, please let our president know. Deb is going to keep track of who donates and their names will go into a drawing at our December meeting. If you have any questions, please contact Deb or get with her at our next quild meeting.

2010 SHOW 'N TELL OFF TO GREAT START

Guild members are on the ball as some of them are already presenting their quilts from the 2009 BOM projects. Marilyn didn't think anyone would be interested in her pink version, but all ready it has a home. Erlene - you have got to hold your head higher above your work, I almost could not tell who's great BOM this belonged to. Nancy was given material last year so that she could participate in the BOM project and her finished work she is donating to our stores for emergency charity quilts - thank you Nancy, it is gorgeous. Congrats go out to Carol who is a brand new grandmother and has plans to make her panel into an heirloom baby quilt. Sure hope we get to see it before it goes off to the little one.

We never get enough pictures, Susie had brought in her crazy work done on a book cover and a Hussif - we have a shot of the inside, but it doesn't do it justice for all the work she put on the outside. Susie - please bring it back for those that missed it. And hats off to Bonnie who had the members all in tears of laughter as she explained the difference between males and females taking a shower. I imagine quite a few of us could visualize our own you know whos doing some of what she said.

SHOW 'N TELL CONTINUED

Wonders upon wonders continued as members showed off their work. Janet's was oohhed and ahhed for all the colors and the bright look that will bring spring to any time of year. Lisa K had finished the binding on our 2009 Charity Quilt, who would have imagined it would come out looking so striking? See - ugly one moment = finished beauty the next. Deb has gotten her 2009 BOM blocks set together and looking great, Verna Lee shows off her striking example of what starts as simple squares and rectangles and ends with wow. Ronda had everyone asking for directions on her project and Lisa showed how beautiful of a baby quilt you can make in no time at all. Thank you Lisa for donating your baby quilt to Head Start.

NEW 2010 BOM INTRODUCED

Susie R. introduced the BOM for 2010. With the

help of Barb C. and Iowana F. we have several

ways to do these blocks.

Iowana did her block in red work embroidery using quite

a few embroidery stitches. Barb did her block

in all recycled wool products. And Susie did hers

in applique'. Susie also did a sample showing the

different types of sewing machine stitches you

could use in lieu of hand sewing.

Lisa K. gave a brief demonstration of materials

you can use to embroider including the idea of

using a frame instead of a hoop.

The first month is called "A tisket a tasket" and

you have to include the basket and one star.

Otherwise you can add, subtract, design any other part you want. Think embellishments and add buttons, etc. Patterns for two sizes were

given out.

An additional incentive is to bring your block to next Month's meeting and have your name put into a drawing to be held that night. Anyone that does all 12 blocks will also have their name put into a drawing at the end of the year. This is a great opportunity to design your own distinctive block using the medium of your choice.

Susie also announced that she and others would be available at 6:30 before the February meeting to answer any questions anyone might have and to help those that need it. It's not often that you get instruction for free, so please avail yourself of this opportunity.

Tuesday - Jan 19th Sew

Four members were able to
attend our sewing project on
Tuesday.

They were able to work for three
hours and the end result will be
published when it is completed.

Thank you to Frances B., Cindy K.
and Susie R. for being able to help
out on such short notice.

Thank you to the rest of the
guild members for making this
day possible.