Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

President Noemi Bowers called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm. She called on Nancy P.
who introduced our speaker Sheila Frampton Cooper, who spoke on “Spontaneous Creation
and Inspiration.” She recounted her artistic journey that eventually led her to quilting, and
shared many of her quilts. She first learned to quilt in 2009 at a Project Linus MLK day service
project, and has done whole cloth painted quilts, improv quilts, and Appli-Piecing quilts, based
on the technique Caryl Bryer Fallert Gentry pioneered. She stressed that the Appli-Piecing
technique requires planning and is very different from Improv. She has a You-Tube channel
where she explains where she finds inspiration for her quilts. She offers online workshops and
BOMs, and is beginning a new online program called Composition Lab. Here is the website
Sheila shared in the Zoom Chat: https://mailchi.mp/zoombaby.com/big-news-new-workshop-for-2026-holiday-event-12895313?e=c72ac26112

After a short break, during which members answered a survey on appliqué techniques, the
results showed that 79% of members have done raw-edge appliqué, 67% have done turned
edge appliqué, 40% have done reverse appliqué, 45% have done hand appliqué, 69% have
done machine appliqué, and 2% multimedia. The survey for Sip and Sew Zoom sewing nights
showed members preferred Tuesday over Thursday, 69% to 45%.

Programs- Nancy gave an update on upcoming programs and workshops.

• The January 27th Zoom meeting features Bernadette Kent of Wonderfil Threads speaking on “Your Quilts with Hand Embroidery and Embellishments.”
• On Saturday, January 31, Bernadette will give a Zoom workshop on Hand Embroidery called Larch Treescape. This workshop is sold out.
• On our February 24 zoom only meeting, Charles Cameron of @FeltLikeSweets will talk to us
  about Color and Value in our Quilts.
• The March 24 meeting focuses on “What is Modern Quilting?” in a presentation by guild
  members with QuiltCon 2026 highlights.
• On April 28, we will design the HeartBeat quilt blocks into quilts and show our 2026 Kona
  Color of the Year Quilt Challenge Mini quilts.
• At the May 26 meeting we will hear Rhada Weaver of @SewingThroughFog talk about
  Upcycling Fabric, and kick off an Upcycling Challenge.
• June 23rd features Daisy Aeschehoug in person.
• June 24th will be an in person workshop with Daisy Aeschehough on Giant Nested Circles. Sign ups for this will begin in March, Nancy P will notify members by email when and how.
  

Membership– Tonya K said we currently have 90 members, and had 55 attending on Zoom
tonight. She welcomed new member Jeanette W of Champaign.

Community Outreach – Nicole M reported that our goal is to make 35 HeartBeat quilts to be
donated to the NICU. Some blocks have been made, and she has fabric at her home that can
be picked up if anyone would like to work on blocks over the winter. She will also bring the
fabric to the spring retreat. Nicole also attended the Festival of Trees in November, to learn
more about how we could participate next year. More info is coming soon.

Sew Days– Marilyn B said the next four Sew Days will be on Zoom, from 9-3 pm. The dates are
Dec 13, Jan 10, Feb 14 and March 21. Starting in April they will be in person and on zoom for
the rest of the year. A Zoom link will be sent to all members, who can log in and out at any time
and work on their own projects.

Retreat-The BNMQG Board is in charge of this workshop. It is “No-Frills” meaning that there
are no swag bags or meals included. The cost is $75 for sewing space in the Holiday Inn
conference room from March 12-15. Sign ups are ongoing. You can hold your space with a $35
deposit (by mail or PayPal) and sign up on this Sign-Up Genius link It is also available on the members only section of the website. Payment in full is due by the January Meeting, by mail.

Exhibits– Nancy P is still looking for more entries for the Bloomington Public Library Exhibit in
March 2026. An entry form is on the website. Please enter your minis from any year! There will
be a reception on March 7th from 1:30-3:30. A new brochure for BNMQG will be created with
help from Theresa A, and a power point exhibit is also in the works with help from Sue.
Our traveling Mini exhibit with the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo will be in Atlanta-Duluth,
Georgia from March 12-14, 2026, Lakeland, Florida from March 19-21, and Cleveland, Ohio
from April 23-25.

When the new Kona color of the year for 2026 is announced, Nancy will let us know. Kona Color of the year 2026 was announced after our December meeting – it is Wander! Please play along and get to creating a 20 inch mini quilt – use as much or as little of the color of the year in your quilt.

Treasurer’s Report- Erin H reminded us that it is posted on the website.

MQG News- QuiltCon 2026 will be in Raleigh, NC. Registration may still be available for some
workshops and lectures. Volunteer spaces are still open for Sunday. Quilt entry notifications will
go out by Dec 7th. Let Nancy P know if you will be attending.

Webmaster- Lisa B reported that the email with the new password was sent out November 1.
Please make sure you can log into the members only area at BNMQG.org. You may have to
enter the password again as you move between pages.

BNMQG Merchandise- Lisa reported that the merch store is open until Dec 15. The link is on
the members only page of the website.T-shirts (both Long- and short-sleeved), Polo shirts,
Sweatshirts (crew neck and hoodie), Zip up Sweatshirts, and a screen printed tote bag. You
can opt to pick up your gear at a TBA time and place in Bloomington-Normal, or have it
shipped directly to you.

After Show and Tell, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 pm.