Hi Modern Quilters,

Welcome to the 2019-2020 year of the Bloomington-Normal Modern Quilt Guild where we will focus on supporting and encouraging the growth and development of modern quilting through education, art, and community.” There are many activities, speakers, and challenges planned for this year.  So, don’t let your membership expire.

Renew your membership this month!  Make sure your dues are paid by the October meeting.  Member dues are $35 and a renewal form can be downloaded in the member area of the blog  or the Closed Group – BNMQG on Facebook so you can fill it out, attach your dues, and bring to the October meeting.  Keep current with your dues to continue enjoying guild meetings, special speakers, information, and activities as well as the member area of The Modern Quilt Guild website.  Your dues cover your membership from September, 2019 – August, 2020.

October Meeting – Modern Mythbusters.  Do you think you know what it means to quilt modern?  This month’s program will challenge your thinking.

Retreat Update – This year’s retreat was held at Camp Cilca in Cantrall, IL just north of Springfield.  22 members attended.  The laughter, sewing, and food were amazing as always.  Cindy Reynolds held a mini class, showing us again how to make the October 2019 block for block lotto.  Door prizes and swag bags were given to participants.  Thank you to Kathy Merrick for your hard work coordinating the retreat and Cindy Reynolds for our swag bags.  Many beautiful projects were started and completed!  Plan to join us over Columbus Day weekend, 2020!

Block Lotto – Please bring your blocks for the October block lotto and items for show and tell.  You won’t want to miss a meeting this year.

• Be earth friendly and bring your own drink for social time, eliminating the need for beverages and plastic cups to be provided by monthly snack providers.
• Again, we will have Cathie Haab highlight special areas on the MQG website. The Improv webinar from The Modern Quilt Guild was very good.  Thanks for letting us know about that in September.
• I will have a 5 minute tip this month and I am looking for members to present their favorite 5-minute Quick Tip each month. Do you have a favorite tip you could share quickly?  Please email me at:  nancynpowell@gmail.com so we can get it scheduled to present.

The Church Bazaar – The church will be having a craft sale in November so make and bring items to this month’s meeting.  This is our way to thank them for allowing us to use their amazing facility every month!  Items will be accepted at the October meeting.  So craft fast!

Laura Hartrich is coming to BNMQG on November 26.
Laura is a member of the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild and will be presenting “My Quilting Story”.  Members are free.  Guests are $10.  Laura started “Quilt Stories” on Instagram as a “place to be reminded why we quilt.”  See her interview on the Quilt Alliance.

Make sure to come and bring a quilting friend.

BNMQG Library
In case you were unaware, our guild has a library.  For $5 you can check out a book till the next guild meeting and then return your book and your $5 will be returned.  There are several great selections to choose from, so take a moment at the next meeting and check out the selections sin person or check the member area for a complete list of books.  If you any questions, please contact Carol B.

QuiltCon 2020 in Austin, TX

• Planning your trip to QuiltCon? Don’t forget to register for your free admission before November 30.
• Enter your quilts for QuiltCon 2020. Submit your quilts now through November 30!
• MQG Challenges: Me & You Indah Batik Challenge and Stripes Quilt Challenge, both open to all members.  For more info visit quiltcon.com
• Volunteer at QuiltCon – Volunteering is a great way to fully experience QuiltCon, meet new people, and have fun! We have many returning volunteers every year, dedicating their hours over and over again because they have such a great time, but we are always happy to welcome new volunteers! Volunteer signups for QuiltCon 2020 are now open!
• Call for MQG Swap Fairies
  • Who’s ready for the next MQG Mini Swap? Mark your calendars for these important dates:
    Oct 4-25: Swap signups open
    · Nov 4: Partner notifications sent
    · Feb 7: International shipping deadline
    · Feb 14: Domestic shipping deadline
    · Feb 21: QuiltCon Swap Meetup
    Interested in being a Swap Fairy? Sign up now!

BNMQG updates…

• During the past year, we’ve become aware that our guild is growing and therefore to keep things running smoothly, the 2018-2019 Board worked on defining roles and duties for very much valued guild volunteers. These roles and duties can be found in the member area of the blog and in the new MEMBER ONLY area on Facebook.
• You don’t know about the member only area on Facebook? If you are a current member of the guild and can answer a question about Modern Quilting, you will be able to join this group. It is a closed group on Facebook found at:https://www.facebook.com/groups/BNMQG/ .   If your membership is not current as of the October meeting, you will lose your access to this area.  In this area, you will be able to download files that include renewal forms, information for workshops and other meetings, and you will be able to start your own conversations and share your pictures.  Please keep the conversations to things quilting related.  Need a friend to go to a lecture or workshop, ask here.  Need help with colors for a quilt, post some photos.  Want information on where or how to enter quilt shows, I’m sure someone will have that info.  So, request to join BNMQG on Facebook today.

Pencil in our May15-16 meeting for a famous guest quilter and another fantastic BNMQG workshop.  Note the meetings in May are on a Friday and Saturday to accommodate our speaker and to provide a Saturday workshop for all of you.  Stay tuned for more information on that.

Enjoy Fall and getting your UFO’s completed.  Happy Modern Quilting!  I’m looking forward to quilting with you!

-Nancy Powell