August - Yes August - Meeting Minutes

Our regular meeting was held August 8, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Crestview.  It was well attended.  Kira brought the meeting to order at 10:00 am.  She welcomed everyone and introduced visitors and 1 new member.

Kira announced that it was Melissa's last meeting.  Melissa is moving to Pennsylvania.  She was a founding member and her creativity was a great inspiration to all.  She will be greatly missed.

Two of our members celebrated birthdays in August.  Bev and Susan received birthday lollipops and a hearty round of Happy Birthday.

Kira talked about the benefits of being a member of the guild.  Benefits include:

• programs
• swaps
• block lottery
• friendship and quilty associations both in meetings and online
• membership in the MQG
• free monthly quilt patterns
• webinars
• fabric challenges and free fabric

The national guild is looking for 2016 pattern submissions.  You only need to submit a concept - not a completed pattern.

The MQG should announce Riley Blake challenge winners soon.

Maureen Howard presented a $300 check to the guild from her friend Kathy Tanner to be used toward Quilts of Valor.

Kira introduced Kathy, Alice and Leesa from the Chautauqua Quilter's Guild.  They have invited ECMQG to be the guest guild at the Chautauqua Quilt Show that they host in February, 2016.  The theme of the show is "Quilting With the Stars," (quilts do not have to be stars.) They explained the details of the show and presented some lovely quilts that will be displayed at the show.  They hold the show every two years.  In 2014, they had between 500 and 600 people attend during the 2 days.  They invite a different guild as their guest each time.  Details of requirements to display quilts in the show will be emailed to ECMQG members later in the year.  For now, be thinking about quilts to display.  We would like every ECMQG member to display a quilt.

Twenty blocks were submitted for the Block Lottery.  Donna was the winner of the "instaquilt."

The September block is the woven chevron block.  Details will be on the blog.

Since September is our Sew Modern Quilt Lab, our October block, called the "zig-zag path" was presented as well.  Elaine reminded everyone that any of these blocks could be made in red/white/blue for Quilts of Valor.

The Executive Board is proposing a change in the by-laws which will be presented at the October 10th meeting.  An email will be sent out two weeks prior to that time explaining the proposed changes.

Our program for October will be "15 minutes of Play" with Natalie and Cindy.

There will not be a regular meeting in September since we will be holding our first ever "Sew Modern Quilt Lab."  Marcy presented the etails of classes and costs is on the blog.  Classes are filling up!  There will be a "Sew-cial" on Friday evening.  Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.  The "Sew-cial" is free, so come join us and sew and socialize.  We will also have an open sewing room all day on Friday and Saturday.  It will be an exciting event.  Don't miss it!

 Susan M. presented the completed quilt guild members made for Fisher House.  Members made the blocks and the quilt was completed by Natalie.  The quilt will be auctioned in September to raise money for Fisher House.

Deb and Kristy reminded members of the St. Simon's Craft Fair which will be taking place the first weekend in November.  Members are urged to make items to donate and sell at the fair.  Members are are also able to sell commission items at the fair.  Commission items will donate 10 percent of the sales price to the guild.  For ideas on what to make to sell, see our Bazaar Ideas Pinterest board.  We were also reminded that we will have a craft booth at the Chautauqua Quilt Show and that members we would need items to sell there as well.

Marcy presented the program on how to machine bind a quilt.

Several members shared their beautiful creations with us during Show and Tell.

The meeting adjourned to a fun lunch and sew day.