May 2023 Meeting Recap

Submitted by Barb S., Secretary

The meeting of the BNMQG was held both virtually and in person on May 23, 2023. President Lisa B. opened the meeting thanking the refreshment committee for the evening: Nancy P., Ann C., Debbie P., and Mary Jane B.

Co-chairman, Mary Rose H. noted that we still need a volunteer for the July meeting and one volunteer for the August meeting to help with refreshments. Our Sign Up Genius for hospitality is linked on our Member’s Only page.

Lisa reported that the Modern Showcase at the Hand All Around Quilt show was a success and sparked interest in modern quilting.

Laurie S. then presented an interesting program on the Basics of Bagmaking. She explained the various types of supplies used in making bags including interfacing and tools. She showed several different bags and members were allowed to vote on which one they preferred to make at her upcoming workshop on July 8th. The overwhelming choice was the Amethyst bag by Sew Sweetness from the organizational category. Sign up on our Events and Workshop Tickets page.

Quilts were turned in at the meeting for the Mattoon Outdoor Quilt Show that is on June 10th. Jamie W. talked about the quilt show and the park. Lytle park is a great park to bring the family and have a fun day. The BNMQG Kona mini quilts will be displayed together, but there are also lots of other quilts to view. Many of our BNMQG members are displaying quilts other than their Kona Mini Challenge quilts.

Following the program, Noemi B. reported that we now have 130 members as of this meeting.

The nominating committee announced that we have a slate of officers which will be announced at the June meeting

Anita T. reported to date we have sold $1200.00 in tickets for the Community Quilt raffle. The quilt has been on display at the Sewing Studio and the ARC. It will be on display at several quilt shops and other quilt guild meetings over the next few weeks. Members can turn in paid tickets up to the August meeting and can pick up more raffle tickets at the June and July meetings.

Lisa reported that we took in over $700.00 at the destash sale. Thank you to those who donated items and to those who went shopping! Those funds help with our speaker and other event costs.

Valerie S. then explained the Guild library and how it works. There is a $5.00 deposit to check out a book which will be returned when the book is returned. Our library inventory is available on our Member’s Only page.

The upcoming shop hop was explained. The “passports” will be passed out at the June meeting and will be turned in at the July meeting. There will be a prize drawing from BNMQG – you will receive an entry for each shop that you participate in the shop hop. This is a fun way to support the many shops within 100 mile radius of Bloomington-Normal. If you are an online shopper, please indicate in comments that you are from BNMQG. More details will be in your passport. Our Shop Hop Sub-Committee members are Noemi B., Karen G., Stormy H. and Carol B.

Vickie A. showed examples of her fabric dyeing she will teach at the two June 10 workshops. There are still a few spaces available for each workshop. Morning and afternoon sessions are focusing on different techniques. This is a great way to try out fabric dyeing – you will have an expert on hand and less expense and less cleanup! Sign up on our Events and Workshop Tickets page.

Danna M. reviewed the survey question for the night. In keeping with the program, the survey question was the number of bags a member has created. Maria C. was the winner. Since Maria C. was also our photographer for the night, we had some fun with her taking her own picture!

The fabric raffle winner was Mary Jean B. – who was very happy to be the winner!

The September retreat was reviewed. The spaces have been filled, however, there is a wait list. The waitlist is a Sign Up Genius that is linked on our Member’s Only page.

Nancy P. reported that the pictures of quilts have been sent to the Decatur Art Show committee Members whose quilts are accepted in the show will be notified after the first week of July.

As always, we had lots of fun and fellowship during the meeting.

Pat S., Vice President and Community Outreach chairman, announced that 53 completed quilts have been delivered to the Cancer Center. The project will be completed by the June meeting. There will be a drawing for a prize. For everyone completing a quilt top, quilting a quilt top or binding a quilt top their names were entered into the drawing. If you still have projects, please get with Pat S. to be able to be in the drawing at the June meeting.