Lynne Harrill made Blankie for Leslie for a Christmas gift using 9.5" strips. She placed the lighter blocks in the center, which gradually became darker as it radiated out. She started it on Dec. 1st and finished on Dec. 24th!
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| "Blankie for Leslie" by Lynne Harrill |
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| Lynne's process of cutting strips... |
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| and more cutting... |
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| and plotting on her design wall. |
GMQG MEETINGS:
Thanks again to the Modern Quilt Guild for the use of their Zoom account. We have the following two months of 2021 reserved to continue meeting via Zoom. At the end of March, we will reassess where we are in terms of social distancing and determine if we are able to move forward with hybrid meetings in person combined with Zoom later on this year.
If any member would like a recording of today's meeting, please email greenvillemqg@gmail.com or Dana Blasi within 14 days of the meeting date and we will email it to you. Dana's contact information may be found in the GMQG Directory.
Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Log on between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. to visit prior to the start of the meeting. Members will receive an email notice containing the Zoom meeting code and password prior to the meeting.
GMQG DIRECTORY PASSWORD:
If you have forgotten the password to get into the Directory file, please email us at greenvillemqg@gmail.com to request it.
MEMBERSHIP:
We welcomed 35 members to our Zoom meeting this month.
2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS:
Today we enjoyed hearing from our new Board members and Committee Chairs who include:
Contact information for each of the Board Members and Chairs may be found in the GMQG Directory.
THEME FOR 2021 - "INSPIRATION"
Our new VP of Programs, Rita Sassone, has been putting a lot of time and energy into creating and organizing programs for 2021, many of which are already scheduled. Whether in person or virtually, we are excited about what we have in store for 2021.
Rita's theme for the year is Inspiration, which was jump started today with Johnnie McKenzie's presentation tying in to our goal of looking at taking any kind of style and making it modern. Johnnie suggested learning the techniques and how to construct what you're making and then making it modern.
Rita also chooses a word to represent the year every January and this year it is Resilient, pushing through the struggles you are facing and persevering. We as a guild believe ourselves to be resilient and know we can persevere through this difficult time. We encourage everyone to continue to show up to meet virtually and go the distance until we can be together again!
Looking forward, Rita asked us to be dusting off one of our favorite quilting books. Think about which one you have come to love and enjoy - we are going to do something special with it in April.
Also, if anyone has any ideas of things they'd like to see presented or perhaps has taken a class they'd like to share, for example, please get in touch with Rita. We want to encourage open communication from the members. This is your guild and we need you to speak up to let us know what you're thinking. Many modern quilt guilds are posting what they are doing virtually on Facebook and Instagram and we are open to hearing about how they are dealing with the "new normal" of meeting online.
JANUARY PROGRAM: JOHNNIE MCKENZIE - CREATING ORIGINAL QUILTS
Many thanks to Johnnie McKenzie for sharing how one captures an inspirational idea, develops it, and executes it to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece in her program titled "Creating Original Quilts." Johnnie feels it is important not only to learn from experts but to share what you know as well. Her goal this year is to help our members increase their abilities as designers.
Johnnie believes that each of us is an expert quilter in one way or another. What she would love for you to do is to participate in "10 Minutes of Inspiration." Brooke and Rita agreed in future we can spend ten minutes of each meeting to share the inspiration for our original designs and the processes we go through. Why? Because no matter how long you've been quilting, you can always learn something from somebody else and knowledge not shared is wasted. Johnnie invites each of you to reach out to her at johnniemckenzie@att.net to share what you are doing and ask any questions you would like.
Johnnie was recently selected as Artist in Residence by the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association Her exhibit is titled "Maraki" and has over 25 pieces in it, which are also for sale. Their website has not been updated quite yet with Johnnie's bio and details of some of the pieces, but will be by Jan. 16, the official date of her opening and Opening Reception. You can see her beautiful collection of work at the Art Center located at:
FEBRUARY PROGRAM:
Quilts Made by Men - The Men Who Quilt: A Presentation by Travis Seward.
In 2003 The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum held its first show featuring quilts made by men. Novel at the time because quilting had been considered women's work and few men were known to quilt. Since 2003, more men have emerged and are participating in the art and craft of quilting. Travis will highlight the work quilts made by men and discuss the community of male quilters today in our February meeting.
ANNUAL DUES - NEW PAYPAL OPTION:
We now have a new option to pay annual dues through our charitable account with PayPal. A "heads-up" email will go out to the membership explaining that those of you who have not yet had a chance to submit your dues will be receiving an invoice directly from PayPal as an option to pay electronically. The PayPal invoice will come directly from PayPal the day after the heads-up email. In order that you would know it is not a scam, we are sending the heads up email with a picture of what the PayPal invoice will look like. It is not mandatory to pay this way. If you are paying by check, please mail it to Treasurer Cindy Lange. Her contact details may be found in the GMQG Directory.
WANTED: CLASSIFIED ADS SUBCOMMITTEE
We are looking for volunteers to chair and/or participate in a new subcommittee we are proposing to review procedures for adding classified ads to our blog for members to sell their quilty items and for quilt related businesses to advertise on the blog, in the Directory, and possibly on Facebook. Contact Brooke Stambersky to volunteer to participate in the Classified Ads Subcommittee. Brooke's contact information may be found in the GMQG Directory.
LIBRARY BOOKS:
Should you have any books you checked out from the library, please contact Darleen Sanford to make arrangements to return them. Darleen's contact information may be found in the GMQG Directory.
BLOCK OF THE MONTH:
The Board and Committee Chairs decided to table Block of the Month for the time being until such time as we can meet in person again (hopefully soon!).
SHOW AND SHARE / QUILT QUARK GALLERY
Please go to the Quilt Quark Gallery to see the beautiful quilts made for Show & Share this month.
> Jean Gardiner made a throw-sized quilt using the Zipline pattern by Bear Hug Quilt Works and hand quilted it in large stitches.
OTHER NEWS:
Gees Bend Retreats is going to open up registration in April 2021 for the next retreat to occur in 2022. For further information, contact past attendees Faye Jones or Rita Sassone (see GMQG Directory) and/or go to geesbendquiltingretreats dot com and sign up to be notified. We are told it fills up fast.
Check out the GMQG Instagram account at @greenvillemqg (#greenvillemqg).
The Modern Quilt Guild website (themodernquiltguild dot com) has a plethora of free webinars and patterns available to all its members.
Skillshare dot com has a myriad of inexpensive classes to take.
If members come across a link or other information they would like to share, they may forward it to President Brooke Stambersky (see GMQG Directory) to be shared at the next meeting.
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| "Variation on an Irish Chain" by Travis Seward |
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| Close up of piecing in "Variation on an Irish Chain" |
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| Quilted arcs in "Variation on an Irish Chain" |
Jean Gardiner made this quilt using the Zipline pattern by Bear Hug Quilt Works and hand quilted it in large stitches.
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| "Zipline" by Jean Gardiner |
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| Close up of Jean's Hand Quilted Stitching |
We look forward to seeing you this month on Saturday, January 2, from 1-3 (Zoom access to start early at 12:30 if you want to socialize before the meeting that begins at 1:00).
Welcome to the first GMQG meeting of 2021! We hope you had a wonderful and restful holiday.
Covid has had quite an impact on us this past year. That being said, we are all pressing forward and hopeful for a healthy, healed and prosperous new year! We as a Board have met and are excited to be a part of this MQG!! Our first quarter is already planned and we are thrilled to have you be a part of our meetings.
We have been working diligently to create a new and interesting program for 2021. We will be meeting this Saturday, January 2nd, and sharing some of the ideas for future programs. Our theme for the year is "Inspirations." Join us as Johnnie McKenzie shares with us a program titled "Creating Original Quilts." In this session, she will share how one captures an inspirational idea, develops it, and executes it to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.
We hope to see you this weekend!
In lieu of our annual Holiday Lottery Auction party, several member elves signed up to create something lovely to gift to another elf in the Elf Swap organized by Faye Jones.
Faye made a 20” x 20” modern minimalist, paper-pieced depiction of the Three Wise Men on a navy-blue Kona cotton background of her own design for Valorie. Faye left it unquilted to give Valorie the choice of quilting it herself or having Faye do so. Valorie happily accepted the challenge!
Dana machine embroidered two large thimbles in silver metallic thread on a black cotton background, layered over batting and wrapped around a 12” x 12” canvas frame for Dagmar with an embroidered label on the back featuring a Dala horse.
Dagmar made a 20” x 20” table topper/wall hanging of a modern snowflake in glittery white fabric on a background of turquoise for Susan with a machine-stitched salutation on one edge of the binding.
Susan pieced and hand-quilted a white Snazzy Snowflake block by Highway 10 Designs on a cobalt blue background with a hand-stitched binding and custom ‘Elf Swap’ label featuring the Elf himself for Sandy.
Sandy made a roomy zippered, six-pocketed Barbados bag in Christmas holly fabrics with adjustable handles secured on the side with a swivel hook and D-rings using a pattern by Pink Sand Beach Designs for Cynthia that is even weighted at the bottom to facilitate standing up on its own.
MEETINGS:
Thanks again to the Modern Quilt Guild for the use of their Zoom account. We have the first three months of 2021 reserved to continue meeting via Zoom. If you would like a recording of today's meeting, please contact greenvillemqg@gmail.com or Dana Blasi at danabird57 @ bellsouth.net within 14 days from the meeting date and we will email it to you.
Our next meeting will be held on Saturday, January 2, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Log on between 12:30 and 1:00 p.m. to visit prior to the start of the meeting. Members will receive an email notice containing the Zoom meeting code and password prior to the meeting.
OUTGOING BOARD:
Our outgoing president, Dagmar Theodore, expressed her thanks to GMQG for the experience of being president for the year. She was happy to lend her support to the guild during what has proven to be an unsettling, topsy-turvy year. Her wishes that we are able to meet again in person soon for the fellowship was seconded by everyone. She thanked everyone for making it easy for her and wishes our incoming 2021 president, Brooke Stambersky, and new Board members the best of luck! Dagmar will continue to serve in 2021 as our new Outside Speaker Coordinator.
Special Mention: As Faye Jones steps down from Programs Chair after carrying the mantle for several years, the GMQG wants to extend its most heartfelt thanks to her for bringing and organizing such a great variety of interesting and informative presentations to our group. Faye herself wishes to thank the many members who have generously stepped up and shared their wealth of knowledge, some more than once, with the guild. Faye pointed out the members have a lot to offer and says don't be afraid to come forward to share what you know. Member-given programs are equally as, if not more, important as those of high-priced experts because it can be more meaningful for us to learn something from someone we know, and to whom we can come later with questions. Faye will continue to serve as Philanthropy Chairperson.
We also want to give a big thank you to Cheryl Brickey, who is stepping down as Outside Speaker Coordinator, for her dedication to bringing outstanding national speakers to us for the past two years (not to mention giving her own many program presentations) and who stood as president years prior. With so much to offer, we look forward to her continued teaching talents.
Sarah Snyder is stepping down as Membership Chair and Emily Pitman is stepping down as Co-Secretary. Many thanks to these two ladies for their work and devotion to the guild. We were most fortunate to have them on the 2020 Board.
PROGRAM: MYSTERY ELF SWAP - Please go to the Quilt Quark Gallery to see the Elf gifts!
In lieu of our annual Holiday Lottery Auction party, several member elves signed up to create something lovely to gift to another elf in the Elf Swap organized by Faye Jones.
> Faye made a 20” x 20” modern minimalist, paper-pieced depiction of the
Three Wise Men on a navy-blue Kona cotton background of her own design for Valorie. Faye left it unquilted to give Valorie the
choice of quilting it herself or having Faye do so. Valorie happily accepted the challenge!
GMQG BLOCK OF THE MONTH:
We
would like to thank Cynthia Steward for a year’s worth of superb blocks based
on her chosen theme of Modern Quilting Influencers accompanied by thorough, easy-to-understand
instructions. Each month was as
informative as the last as she introduced creative modern blocks from a variety
of nationally known quilters.
Next
year we are going to take turns each month doing a block. We have 3 months covered so far and need
eight more volunteers to take on one or two blocks. While we loved her presentations, don’t let Cynthia’s technical prowess
intimidate you! Think of it as a small
show and share, no special effects required.
Email incoming president Brooke Stambersky at brooke.stambersky @ gmail.com
or incoming 2021 VP of Programs, Rita Sassone at ritajimenez04 @ gmail.com to
volunteer.
MEMBERSHIP:
We
currently have 80 members and welcomed 19 members to our meeting this month.
2021 MEMBERSHIP DUES:
Please
forward annual dues of $50 to Treasurer Cindy Lange. You will find her postal address in the GMQG
Directory and/or you may reach her at Lange.Cindy @ gmail.com.
What do you get as a GMQG member? Access to all our monthly programs, annual national speaker and workshop (2021 may see two), local workshops, Block of the Month patterns, Spring Retreat, Sew-ins, and quilt challenges are just a few of the things you will find at the GMQG. Part of your payment goes to the Modern Quilt Guild giving you access to new monthly patterns, national quilt challenges, free webinars, Zoom, and as Leigh Ann once said, “all sorts of modern quilty goodness!”
PHILANTHROPY:
Faye delivered twelve quilts to Pendleton Place for the Julie Valentine Center. We are out of small quilts and have two or three twin size remaining. Pendleton Place homes ten teenage girls at a time and Faye will be asking them if they would like to have the twins and what their needs are. Faye also plans to start an art program there and we look forward to hearing more about it.
We can use more small "comfy" quilts in the 40"/45" range (usually one fabric width works well) up to 55"/60" but there are no restrictions on sizes. If you enjoy doing one part of a quilt but not another (top vs. quilting vs. binding), we can find people to do the part you don't like to do! Just contact Faye at birdie1345 @ aol.com.
QUILT QUARK/SHOW & SHARE:
Thanks to those of you who sent in your quilts to greenvillemodernquiltguild.com to share.
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Improv Amish Diamond in the Square - Cindy Lange 63" x 63" |
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| Back of Improv Amish Diamond in the Square |
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| Aqua Velva by Cynthia Steward 52" x 60" |
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| Back of Aqua Velva |
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| Pat Davies' 2-Sided Table Runner |
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| Back of 2-sided Table Runner |
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| Quilting Detail of Table Runner |
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| Table Runner on Display |
SEW-IN: We anticipate the next
Sew-in to be held in February 2021. Further
updates will be forthcoming.
OTHER NEWS:
Gees
Bend Retreats is going to open up registration in April 2021 for the next retreat
to occur in 2022. For further information,
contact past attendees Faye Jones at birdie1345 @ aol.com or Rita Sassone at ritajimenez
@ gmail.com and/or go to geesbendquiltingretreats dot com and sign up to be
notified. We are told it fills up fast.
The GMQG has a
Facebook page (greenvillemodernquiltguildbulletinboard) for those members who would
like to share photos, links, and info.
No official business will be conducted there since not everyone
subscribes to FB.
Check out the GMQG Instagram account at @greenvillemqg (#greenvillemqg).
The Modern Quilt Guild website has a plethora of free webinars and patterns available to all its members. For information on its current challenges go to themodernquiltguild dot com.
Skillshare dot com has a myriad of inexpensive classes to take.
If members come across a link or other information they would like to share, they may forward it to incoming 2021 President Brooke Stambersky at brooke.stambersky @ gmail.com to be shared at the next meeting.
