Submitted by Anne U., Secretary
*Please pardon the late posting of this – webmaster issue – Sorry!
Meeting Recap, August 22, 2017
Another fun B-N Modern Quilt Guild meeting! We started off with announcements; firstly, with Kathy thanking our refreshment providers – this time LeeAnne Fritz. LeeAnne has led the Hospitality Committee this year and will be turning it over to Paula Meinert in September. The snacks encourage us to come early and socialize, which is one thing we all seem to enjoy! Please see Paula to help out! Second, Kathy reminded members to cast their ballots for the new slate of officers. More information on that below.
Donna Lee reminded us about the Modern Maker Vendor Fair that is coming up at the September meeting. If you long-arm quilt, make labels, bind or offer any other service or items that would be of interest to modern quilters, you can set up a small display or sell. Each vendor will be allowed a half table of space, so you can show off your stuff! Let Donna know if you’re planning on setting up – that way we can have enough tables set aside.
Car Pooling is available to those wanting to go to the Gems quilt show in Peoria – See Betty about that.
Ann G told us we had 36 members in attendance, and that we had three guests and one new member. Sadly, Ann also announced that she will be leaving us – her family is moving to San Diego sometime this fall- so she is stepping down from her duties as Treasurer and Block Lotto Leader extraordinaire. We will miss Ann’s creativity and energy and, well, we will just miss HER! We wish her all the best in her new adventure.
As for the new slate of officers, Ann Powell has agreed to be Treasurer, and her name is on the ballot. Also, Teresa Arendell will serve as Secretary, replacing me, Ann Unes. Kathy Cook will continue as President, and Donna Lee as Vice President, once the vote is tallied and the members approve the slate of officers.*
*Author’s note: The ballots were counted after the meeting and the members approved the slate of officers. Congratulations! We can all look forward to another fun, inspiring year at BNMG!
Kathy reminded us that the sign up cut off date is approaching for the meet-up with the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild on September 23rd. We will meet in DeKalb for breakfast then tour the Pick Museum’s quilt exhibit and get a behind the scenes tour of their textile collection. The caravan will leave the Schnucks parking lot in Normal at 7:30 am. After the tour, the plan is to stop at Quilters Destination in Arlington Heights and Quilters Quest in Woodridge. Both have a selection of modern fabrics! See Kathy for more info. Barb Baumann is looking for a ride or carpool from Minonk.
Vickie Alsene will teach a short workshop on Ice Dyeing before the September meeting, starting at 4 pm. Please contact her if you are interested, and she will give you a supply list.
Sign ups continue for the retreat. Tonight was the deadline for a “swag bag” of goodies to be given at the retreat. Also, those who are planning to attend need to sign up for the food they will bring. I mean, what’s a quilt retreat without food!?? ( Hopefully, someone signs up to bring chocolate.) See Donna to sign up for the retreat, and Betty to sign up for food.
Sewing Days are coming up. These are fun days to work together on our community service project, the HeartBeat quilts that are given to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The quilts add color and cheer to families whose babies need extra care. Sewing Days are September 20th at Bolines, and October 18th at the church, from 9-3. We hope you can make it!
This month’s block lotto were modern Squash Blossom blocks featuring a focus fabric and fabrics that coordinate with it on a white background. There were three winners: Teresa Arendell, Sue Kaiser and Lori LeVar. 
Next month’s block is a U-shape with colors drawn from but not using an inspiration fabric. Click here for specific instructions.
Our member survey asked about techniques often found in modern quilting – which would members like to learn more about? We could choose an many as we wanted. The results: Eighteen of us would like to learn about improvisational piecing, twelve for slicing in fabrics, twelve for curved piecing, ten for paper piecing, seven would like to learn more about surface embellishments, and twenty-one would like to learn new binding techniques such as facing. Winner of the door prize drawing was Lisa B.! And the winner of the Fabric Raffle was Pam Laws.
Show and Tell pics:
After another inspiring Show and Tell session, and a short break, our program led by Ann Groonwald taught us how to cover our member nametag lanyard with modern flair! Sewing machines were available, and some lanyards were made, others planned to cover theirs at home.
The next BNMQG meeting is September 26th. Hope to see you all there!
Bloomington/Normal Modern Quilt Guild 