July 2015 Meeting Minutes

Our July 2015 meeting took place at the Niceville Presbyterian Church.  Before the meeting, there was lots of eye candy, as Marcy had created this fabulous display to announce our First Ever Modern Quilt Lab!

Welcome

Kira called the meeting to order and our five visitors introduced themselves.  One member had a birthday and received a fabric lollipop.

Riley Blake Challenge

The Riley Blake Challenge using "The Cottage Garden" fabric by The Quilted Fish was discussed and members showed off their creations.  Because the challenge ends July 31, 2015, all entries must be uploaded to the MQG Community Page by the deadline.


Chautauqua Quilt Show

We will be participating in the Chautauqua Quilt Show next February with all quilts completed no later than February 10, 2016.  A quilt show was one of our 2015 goals; joining with another guild allows us to "learn the ropes."  This is not a juried show, however, viewers will award "People's Choice" ribbons in several categories.  All entries are welcome.  We would love to have a fabulous representation of modern quilting.  

Individuals may enter as many quilts as they would like.  The theme for the show is "Quilting With the Stars."  There are many star quilt blocks and quilts  pinned to our Pinterest board for inspiration.  Our group quilt effort will be wonky stars.  

Some of the rules were discussed, such as large quilts must have a quilt sleeve on the back for hanging; each quilt must have its own "pillowcase" to keep it clean; all quilts must be labeled; etc.  A representative from the Chautauqua Quilter's Guild will attend our August meeting to answer questions.


Upcoming Meetings

"Her Light Within" made by Kira for Cindy in the 2013 Scrappy Swap

Our annual Anniversary Scrap Swap Challenge will begin at the August meeting, so bring a ziplock back full of scraps for your partner to make you something yummy.  Participants will know who they are sewing for and who is sewing for them, so they may ask what their partner might like.  Sewists do not have to use all the scraps, but they may only use one additional fabric.  Finished projects will be gifted in October.  Please ensure you can meet that due date.  

September will be our retreat, "The First Ever Sew Modern Quilt Lab," taking place Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12.  There will be NO regular meeting.

Cindy will do our presentation in October, "15 Minutes of Play," (improv quilting.)


Block Lottery

We had 22 Blooming Star blocks for this month's block lottery completed!  And the winner is...Jean Turner.  

The August block will be the Sticks and Stones block from the Missouri Star Quilt Company (who also happen to be one of our sponsors for the retreat) in either yellow or orange tones, and using either Kona or Bella white.


Charity Quilts

ECMQG Dutchman's Puzzle Quilt for Fisher House. Blocks by ECMQG members.  

Our current charity quilt projects were discussed.  We have nearly finished our second Quilt of Valor - it just needs to be bound.  

Members were reminded that we also collect Block Lottery blocks in red/white/blue fabrics for future QOV quilts. Many thanks to Jennifer and Bobbi, who often make them.  Everyone is encouraged to do the same, time and fabric stash permitting.  There are specific requirements for Quilts of Valor which can be found here.

Natalie finished the Fisher House quilt top.  It needs to be quilted and bound and presented in August prior to the September silent auction.  Several people (thank you) put their names in to finish it.  

As we were meeting, Melissa J completed the binding for the reverse rainbow baby quilt which we chose to donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

Membership

Four of our visitors became the newest ECMQG'rs!  Welcome Carmen, Jessie, Pam & Pat!  New ECMQG logo buttons were given to everyone present.  

Door Prizes

Lots of prizes were given to ten lucky ECMQG'rs!


The First Ever Sew Modern Quilt Lab

Marcy gave us the overview of the presentation she's given to other local quilt guilds about our retreat, The First Ever Sew Modern Quilt Lab.

Registration will open Monday on the blog.  The first week will be for guild members only.  After that, registration is open to all.  ECMQG'rs receive a discount; class sizes are limited.


St. Simon's Craft Fair

Kristy and Deb discussed ideas for the St. Simon's on the Sound Craft Show to be held in Ft. Walton Beach the first weekend in November.  Members are asked to make one or two items for the show which will be sold to support the guild. 

Members may also make their own items to sell with 10% of the proceeds being returned to the guild to cover the cost of the booth.

All items should reflect who we are as a guild and be made with a modern aesthetic.  Specifically, asked and answered, was a question about sewing with licensed materials (NCAA logos) for collegiate items.  You can not.   You can use the colors, but not officially licensed logos.  

Please bring all items to the October meeting.  The sign-up times for helping at the booth will be available then. 

Show and Tell

Several members showed their quilts and other items to the guild members.

After the meeting, we enjoyed a delicious "picnic" lunch and several members stayed to sew.

Respectfully submitted,
Wendi Mihalik