Modern Quilters:  Love Quilts!  Love Color! Design Quilts! Make Quilts!

The March meeting had all of that! And fun. Don’t forget the fun!

Started off by delicious goodies brought by Sue Kaiser, Cheryl Adam and Kris Zimmerman, President Kathy Cook thanked them, Becky Boline (for hosting our charity sewing day and for vending at the meeting), and Lori LeVar (for teaching the Sew Together Bag workshop).  Kathy also thanked Lisa Baermann for her work on designing a new calendar and directory page on the BNMQG blog. Check it out!  It takes the work of many to keep our guild so fun and vibrant!

Treasurer Ann Groonwald reported that we had one visitor, and two new members, Peggy and Deborah.  Financially, the guild has $4,525.02 in savings and $112.31 in the checking account.

Ann also announced that the 2017 retreat will be October 6, 7 and 8 at Camp Cilca in Cantrall, IL. Put the dates on your calender NOW!   It will run from Friday at 3 pm until checkout time at noon on Monday. The cost is $45 per night; three people to a room with an ensuite bathroom. Linens and towels provided. The food will be planned and brought by attendees like last year.  Two classes will be given, to allow plenty of time to work on other projects. All who went last year had a great time! What a great opportunity to whip up those Christmas presents or finish that project that you can’t find time to work on, while having fun and getting to know other guild members.

To make sure our guild is in compliance with the national Modern Quilt Guild, Betty Woodruff updated the bylaws and posted them on the website for members to read.  They were approved by a unanimous vote.

Donna Lee announced that the Charity Quilt made by the BNMQG committee to be shown at this year’s Quilt Con will be donated to the Community Cancer Center in Normal.  The center is a partnership between OSF and BroMenn to treat cancer patients and assist them and their families.  The quilt will be donated to be displayed in a place where it will add comfort and cheer to those in the center.

Donna also announced another workshop!  The Poolside Bag will be taught Saturday, June 10 from 9-3.  Earlybird registration at the April meeting will only be $32, which includes the pattern.  Members who register after that will pay $37.  See Donna for more details.

A “De-Stash” sale to benefit the guild will be held at the May meeting.  Lori LeVar and her committee will collect donations and price them to sell.  Here’s a good reason to dive to the bottom of those fabric bins and donate pieces you no longer love or know you won’t use! Your UFO’s might be just the thing another member would love to make. Donate any notions, rulers and books, too!  Finish that New Year’s resolution to clean out your sewing area! Bag up any items you don’t need and bring them to the April meeting.

Member announcements:

• The Gems Bus Trip to the International Quiltfest on Thursday, April 6 still has seats available. Pick up will be at the Schnucks just south of I-55.  Dinner may be ordered that morning for $7 or $8 and will include a Subway sandwich, chips, a bottle of water and a cookie.  Contact Viv Browning for more details.
• Gems of the Prairie will have a lecture and classes by nationally-known modern quilter and author Christa Watson on April 5 – 8^th. Classes include Modern Logs, Structured Improv- Facets, and Modern Machine Quilting – on your domestic machine.  More info at gemsoftheprairie.com.
• The Clinton guild will have their quilt show on April 1 &2, at the Clinton Elks Lodge. Contact Cindy Reynolds for more information.
• Vickie Alsene thanked everyone for their concern and prayers for Ottawa during the recent tornado. She reported that though two people were killed, there were many positive miracles too!

And… the winner is:  The winner of the fabric raffle was Deanna Creelman. The door prize was won by Joan Krogman.  To enter the door prize drawing, members simply participate in the survey.  This month, we found out that many of us use a design wall or floor, some use a design bed or table and a few just grab and sew!  We are an interesting bunch, aren’t we?

Block Lotto – This month’s block turned out beautifully. The slim stripes in one color family looked great.  Lucky Sue Kaiser won the blocks. Ann has done it again- she does such a great job of coming up with blocks for us to try.  For April, we will be making 10 x 20 inch blocks made of two fabrics in warm colors – red, yellow or orange.  For instructions, click here.

The March program was “hands-on” and a lot of fun. Through member donations and work at the charity sewing days, many half square and heart blocks have been made for our charity project HeartBeat Quilts.  Kathy had them laid out on a table.  We divided into groups of 3 or 4, chose our blocks, and then designed HeartBeat Quilts!  The colors and designs were bright and cheerful.  Many members volunteered to put the quilts together, and took batting and backing home to finish the quilts.  By April, we should have some beautiful quilts ready to donate. What a fun way to work together – enjoying modern quilting and  contributing to our community!

Plan now to attend the April 25^th meeting for your dose of excitement, fun and creativity!  The friendship of fellow quilters can’t be beat!

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