February 2016 Meeting Minutes

Natalie called the meeting to order at 10:19 am on Saturday, February 6.  She asked for a moment of silence and positive thoughts for those who may need it.

Eleven members celebrated birthdays in January and February and received a rousing rendition of "Happy Birthday, dear quilters" and a birthday {fabric} lollipop.

Cindy discussed the details of the Chautauqua Quilt Show, which takes place the weekend of February 11-12, 2016.  Forty quilts made by ECMQG members will be displayed at the show! Coupons are available for $1 off admission.  Cindy will need help setting up, manning the booth, acting as quilt ambassadors, and closing up the show.  A sign-up list is available.

Consignment items for the Chautauqua Quilt Show booth should be turned in to Natalie.  A fee of 10% will be remitted to the guild for each item sold, and proceeds will be paid via PayPal or by check within 10 days of the close of the show.  We will charge 7% sales tax.  Unsold items will be returned to the makers at the March meeting.

Laraine, our Swap Captain, announced our first swap for 2016 - a F8 text (or typography) fabric swap.  Each member may swap up to three different 1-yard cuts of text fabrics.  Each yard is to be cut in fat eighths (directions are on the blog.)  Fat eighths should then be folded individually and all 8 pieces placed in a zip lock bag labeled with the member's name.  You will then receive fat eighths of 8 different fabrics for each yard.  Please upload a photo to the Facebook album of the fabric(s) you choose so we can reduce the number of duplicates.

Laraine then gave a preview of future swaps:
June:  Mini quilt swap
September:  Anniversary scrap swap
November:  A yet-to-be-determined fabric designer swap
December:  Handmade ornament swap

Natalie announced that our annual April field trip will be a Shop Hop.  She asked for a committee of members for planning purposes.  It was suggested that we go to TJ's Quilts in Opp, Alabama and Front Porch Quilt Shop in Ozark, Alabama.  Pam, Diane, and Beverly agreed to plan the Shop Hop.

QuiltCon West will be held this month in Pasadena.  A few of our members will attend.  QuiltCon East, scheduled for February 2017 is a lot closer to home - Savannah, GA!  Wendi told us she had tried to make reservations for a block of 10 rooms but the website does not allow multiple reservations.  She requested that 10 members each reserve a room now.  A number of members agreed to make reservations.  QuiltCon East classes have not been announced, but the keynote speaker is Angela Walters.

Elaine noted we had 11 arrow blocks for this month's block lottery.  Jennifer was the winner!  March's block will be a wonky wedge block.  Details will be on the blog.

Natalie announced that ECMQG had been asked to make a memory quilt for Emerald Coast Hospice to commemorate the people hospice served in 2015.  

Wendi agreed to be the point person and organize this endeavor.  As you can see from her design, it's a beautiful modern quilt using the soothing colors of the Gulf Coast and ECMQG.

Approximately 300 name were typed which Nona printed onto printer ready fabric.  Wendi asked members to stay for Sew Day and help assemble the blocks.  

Our 2015 QuiltCon quilt will be our charity quilt.  It will be on display at the Chautauqua Quilt Show.  The quilt will be auctioned and proceeds donated to Families First Network.

Wendi and Cindy have an idea for our next group Project Honor quilt and will provide details at a later date, while Jennifer and Susan currently have a PH quilt in progress for a wounded soldier from our area. 

Nona gave the treasurer's report.

Cindy talked about pixelated heart quilt along which Kelly had begun over on Instagram.  

Wendi's colorful pixelated heart

Jennifer's saturated and low volume pixelated heart

This would be a great introduction to social media.  Hashtag your quilts with #quiltnon #ecmqgnotatquiltcon and #ecmqg on Facebook and Instagram.  

For our program, Natalie played a portion of the MQG Webinar hosted by Jacquie Gering titled "What is a Modern Quilt?"

Several members shared quilts during Show and Tell.

Lunch and Sew Day followed.