July meeting recap

Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

President Noemi B called the meeting to order at 6:03 pm, and welcomed everyone to our Christmas in July night. She introduced Nicole M, chairperson of the Community Outreach committee, who planned our program. Four demonstrations on making Christmas ornaments for the BNMQG Christmas tree at the Baby Fold’s Festival of Trees. These included Foundation Paper Pieced trees, wreaths and gifts, Folded Fabric Stars, and Fabric Pinecones. Marilyn B also explained how she made the garland for the tree out of fabric circles. The members divided themselves into four groups and moved from table to table to learn how to make each item. We were all encouraged to take a kit home to complete and return to the August meeting.

BREAK – During the break members could deposit their ballots for the Election of Officers, check out library books, sign up to help on committees for next year, and answer the survey question.

As the business meeting began, Noemi thanked the hospitality volunteers Michelle S, Danielle S, Kristi G for the treats tonight. Noemi B also helped by bringing food.

Committee Updates: As the committee reports began, Noemi noted that new sign up sheets are available for the next guild year, and encouraged members to sign up.

Programs- Nancy P said the August meeting includes the Potluck dinner and BNMQG’s 14th year birthday celebration. She told us the guild will provide chicken this year, with the rest of the food assigned as follows by last name:

A & B – Vegetables or Vegetable Salad
C-E – Pasta Salad
F-K – Fruit or Fruit Salad
L-Q – Dessert
R-S – Bread or Crackers
T-Z – Appetizers

The meeting will also feature our 10-Year Pin Presentation

Your Upcycle Challenge is due and we will have Voting and Awards. The deadline to enter is August 24, and the cost is $1 per entry. The entry fees paid in each category will be added to the first prize winner, in addition to the $25 for first place. Other prizes are $15 for second place and $10 for third.

Entry forms are available on the Member’s only page Please also sign up on Sign Up Genius. Each entry is to be brought in a paper bag, with your name only on the back of the sheet for anonymity. Winners will be announced and prizes given.

In September we welcome former BNMQG member Julius Rempe-Night ,@juliushandmade, who will give a lecture and trunk show. The following Saturday, September 26, Julius will offer a workshop entitled Scrappy Star. Sign up here. Fee is $60. More details available here.

The October program is to be determined, watch for information.

On November 24, we will begin our Zoom Only meetings with a presentation by Julie Reuben with “Confessions of a Thread-Centric Quilter.” Julie is a hand quilter who has had quilts at QuiltCon.

Community Outreach– Nicole M said all HeartBeat Quilts should be returned at the August meeting on the 25th. All 35 kits have been checked out to complete. She noted all the ornament kits were taken, and should also be returned at the August meeting.

Kathy C has renamed the Quilting Bees to “Giving Bees.” There are three bees working on their first quilts. We can still make another Bee if there is enough interest.

Sew Days– There is a change to the schedule for Sew Days. For September, the Sew Day is canceled since we are having a workshop. The retreat on Oct 9-12 will take the place of the October Sew Day. The November 14th Sew Day will be the last in-person sew day for this year.

The August 8th Sew Day will be held as scheduled at the church and will include work on the community outreach Quilt for QuiltCon, or you can work on your own project. Sign up here.

Sip and Sew- the remaining dates for 2026 are Aug 18th, Sept 15th, Oct 20th and Nov 17th.

Exhibits- Nancy P said our Kona Nocturne minis will be exhibited at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Dallas July 30- Aug1, Kansas City Aug 6-8, and in Fredericksburg, VA on Sept 24-26.

Membership- Tonya K reported that we have 102 members. The count for tonight’s meeting was 46 in person, and 8 on Zoom. She welcomed new members Ileen G, Kathy R, Nikki M, and Laura S. Our guest was Andrew (Combat Quilter).

Treasurer’s Report– Erin H noted that the report is posted on the members-only section of the website.

Nominations- Members were given their ballots upon entry to the meeting, and the ballots were deposited in the ballot box and counted by the nominating committee during the break.

The Slate of Officers are:

President- Noemi B
Vice-President – Sheila R
Treasurer – Erin H
Secretary – Ann U;
Member at Large – Paula M
Member at Large – Kathy C.

The Slate of Officers was approved in a unanimous vote. Ann U thanked Nominating Committee members Marge E, Anita T and Lisa B.

Fall Retreat- the dates are Friday, October 9- Monday October 12 at noon. There are several spaces left. For those who paid a deposit, the balance is due at the August 25th meeting. There are links to the sign up genius for both signing up for the retreat itself and for a job during the retreat on the Member’s only page.

QuiltCon– The schedule of events for QuiltCon is on the MQG website. Registration for classes and lectures begins Wednesday, August 19th at 9 am CDT. If you are planning to go and want to sign up for a class, Noemi recommended that you be logged into the queue before 9 am, as classes fill up very quickly! She noted that quilt submissions, including all challenge quilts, begin Sept 1 and are open until Oct 31.

QuiltCon challenges this year include the Community Outreach quilt using Half-Square Triangles. BNMQG is participating in this challenge; the committee is working on construction and will be working at the sew day Aug 8, if you’d like to help. Other challenges include the American Patchwork and Quilting Pick a Color Scrappy Challenge, and the Windham Fabrics Handloom Challenge. More info on these are on the MQG website.

Survey Question and Drawing- “What committee are you signing up for?” The most chosen was community outreach. The winner of a $20 gift card to Sewing Studio was Sheila R. 50/50 drawing- Nikki M won $9.

Show and Tell- Those sharing their work tonight included Laurel B, Tonya K, Kathy C, Marge E, Judy M, Sue W, Laurie S, Nancy P and Sheila R.