Thursday, March 21, 2013

Retreat! Last chance to sign up coming soon!


This year's retreat is coming up May 17-19.  We are opening up registration to our friends in the North, East, and South Bay MQGs, so pipe up if you can make it 'cause it's going to be A-mazing!  Now, we know that as a retreat committee members, we are biased on that, so we'll stick to facts.

FACT:  We know what we are doing.  This is going to be our second guild retreat - and last year's was a blast.
 
FACT:  This year's retreat is all-inclusive and will take place at the Presentation Center in Los GatosThat means your room, meals, and everything for the retreat is included in the $260 for a double occupancy room.  The Presentation Center offers a vegetarian and a gluten-free option for meals.  If your needs are more specific, there is also a kitchen in each of the cottages (houses) where we will be staying.  

FACT: The goodie bags this year are going to be bigger and goodie-r.  Ruth has a Pile of Awesomeness growing in her office thanks to some smart ladies on the retreat committee who thought to solicit sponsors for the retreat.  (Sponsors are people who give you free fabric!)  

Single rooms: $300/person All single rooms taken at this time
Double rooms: $260/person (please indicate who your roommate will be, OR we can help you find one)
Commuter: $140/person (lunch included)
   
      Final payments are due at the April meeting (April 13th). We will stop taking sign-ups at that     time.

Bring your UFO's, sewing machine, and pajamas along and join in the fun! We currently have 21 people signed up, and a limit of 30.

To receive a sign-up sheet, please contact: cheryl_strong at hotmail dot com or leave a message on the forum. A deposit of $85 (double roomers) or $45 (commuters) is required to reserve your spot.





Previous post regarding the 2013 retreat: here.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

March Show & Tell

Better late than never! Enjoy!

Thanks to Jennifer for taking the photos.

Monday, March 18, 2013

March 2013 Meeting Notes

(blog entry edited 23 March)
The meeting was jam packed.
Photos from the meeting, Madrona Road Bag Challenge, and Show and Tell can be seen here and  here. Thanks Jen J for taking photos!

Charity
Kits were available for the new blocks. There are two: scrappy Trip Around the World and postage stamp. April 20 is the Charity Sew Day. 10-5 will be charity sewing and after 5 people can work on their own projects. It will be held at the Los Altos Public Library.

April Meeting
The April Meeting will be held at the Main library. Look for a more detailed blog post with the exact address, times, etc. The April meeting will include a destash party. You should bring new or gently used stuff you no longer want. People should bring fabric, notions, patterns, magazines, scraps (organized in ziplocs only).

People who did not bring anything will organize all of the bags of stuff. The members who brough stuff will line up at the starting line. The starting judge will yell "Ready Set Go!" and there will be a big scramble to get to the stuff first. Members should not to bring stuff they would throw out (no stains, stuff beyond repair). Upholstery fabric is ok.

Klippies
The group is doing Klippies in a new way. There are teams. There were a lot of opportunities to collect Klippies at this meeting and there will be going forward. It is not too late to create a team.

Modern Quilt Guild Membership
The MQG has opened up memberships to local groups/chapters. The Board is going to review  the materials sent out and do a cost benefit analysis on what the MQG is offering for the fee.  The Board will, then, prepare a presentation for the June or July meeting so the group can vote. Ruth didn't want to start a discussion before all of the information was in and the Board had a chance to review it. She didn't bring a link to the presentation, but will provide a link to the original presentation for those who request it. The only detail Ruth provided was that the cost would be a significant part of our budget for the year. We have to pay attention to this issue and work together as a group to make the right decision.

Retreat
The retreat is coming up. There are double rooms and commuter tickets available. Cheryl has done a great job organizing the Retreat. For updated info, see here.

Activities
Swap: Joy-Lily organized a fabric swap and people exchanged bags of fabric.

Color Group: Ruth had asked people to bring colors to the meeting. Ruth organized it so that everyone, even those who didn't bring anything, could participate. There are about six groups who chose different colors, though that wasn't organized, so there may be some overlap. Next month we need to bring fabric scraps in the colors we chose. Then the groups will decide what project to make next. The project/activity has the potential to go all year. Sounds interesting.

Madrona Road Challenge: The group did the Madrona Road challenge. Your editor was mightily impressed with the bags that people created for this challenge. Really great work. Ruth did a great zipper tutorial at one of the recent meetings and people really used that new skill  to enhance their bags.

BOM: The Block of the month is still going strong. Joy-Lily demonstrated this month's block, the Snail Trail. Joy-Lily doesn't do matching of points, so she showed a method of putting on a larger piece and then trimming to the correct size and shape. This should really help beginners learn a new method.

SCVQA: Kelly has done an awesome job of organizing the exhibit of Modern quilts within the SCVQA show. She talked about helping out with hanging, entry and being available to talk about modern quilts with visitors to the show.

Sleeve demo: Jaye did the sleeve demo for a double-sided sleeve using the method from Robbi Joy Eklow's book Free Expression. It was a non-sewing demo, but she had step by step examples for each step of the process. She was pretty clear and there were a few questions during the rest of the afternoon.

San Mateo County Fair
It is coming up June 8-16, 2013. The postmark entry deadline is May 8 (though you can include a $100 late fee and enter up until May 15, which is the absolute drop dead date). Entry fee is $2 per entry. You can enter online; no photos required. There is a big reward for entering even if you don't get a prize: free entry passes and a parking pass. That is at least $35 for entering. Rhonda will coordinate entries. The A-B-C Challenge people need to get their quilts finished in time to enter.

If you are not local, look into entering in your local county fair. You do great work and people want to see stuff like you make. Trust me.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Upcoming Color Class

This is a quick turnaround, but some of you may be interested in a color class.

Mary Carroll, will be teaching a Color Class  called COLOR MATTERS on March 22, 2013 at QUILTERS QUARTERS 4343 PACIFIC AVE., STOCKTON (209-462-0161).

Description: Learn how to get away with almost anything in color! Using the five primary color system developed for fabric and yarn make your quilts zing! Mary is an artist, quilter and teacher who recently relocated from the Bay Area. Join her in making a colorful wall hanging which you design yourself!

Call now to sign up! 209-462-0161. It is a haul, but go with a friend and stop at some quilt shops on the way back.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

National Quilting Day TODAY

Yes, it is that time again: National Craft Month/National Quilt Month, depending to whom you talk. Today is National Quilting Day! Let's add some modern into it!

The following post was originally posted on the  Quiltin' Jenny's blog. Thanks to Jenny for letting me repost it and share the information with you. I have edited it a bit to make it appropriate for BAMQG.

It's that time of year again! Yes, March 16 is National Quilting Day, and there are events all month to celebrate.

The National Quilting Association has chosen the 2013 theme - "Celebrate America" - and the free pattern to go with it is suitable for donation to Quilts of Valor.

Of course, we should have a National Quilting Day Sew In on March 16.  Who's with me?



If you haven't joined us for a sew in before, it's easy! We post messages on Twitter with a specific hashtag, in this case #NQDSI.  If you do not have a Twitter account, just sign up.  It's free.  Once you have an account, join us using the hashtag, #NQDSI. There is also a #NQDSI room on Tweet Chat. You don't need a Twitter account to read those posts, but you do need one if you want to post.

To follow happenings, go to your Twitter feed and click on one of the tweets with the #NQDSI hashtag.  If I don't see one, go to the search feature and type in #NQDSI.  The Twitter search engine will then bring up all the tweets with that hashtag.  Just refresh frequently to see the conversation.

Other National Quilting Day/Month Events:

There are many other events, including:
  •  our own BAMQG meeting. 
  •  The Quilt Show is celebrating by offering free access to all their shows on their site from March 15 through March 17. That includes Jinny Beyer's two shows, episodes 313 and 601 which feature a tour of her home and some detailed hand-piecing instruction. Visit The Quilt Show.
  •  Visit your local quilt shop (and get a badge here!) after the meeting, of course. ;-) The Intrepid Thread and Always Quilting, as well as all the other Bay Area Shops will thank you.
 Join in the fun! Thanks again, to Jenny for letting me use parts of her post.

Friday, March 15, 2013

March Meeting Tomorrow!

We can't wait to see your smiling face!


When: Saturday, 3/16/13 Redwood Shores at 1:30 - NOTE: new start time
Where:
Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740
Have you paid? Dues are Due! $30 for the year. Bring your checkbook!
Email bamodernquilt@gmail.com, if you need further instructions, want to pay via PayPal or want to join for the first time.

AGENDA (subject to change)



Meeting 1:30-3:30pm
Announcements: 
  • At this venue, get your snacks before the meeting if you want them - cart closes at 2. 
  • Upcoming sew day: Saturday, April 20 (charity sew day). 
  • Next month:  Destash party!

Klippies this month: 
  • Meeting attendance - 1 each person 
  • Sew Day March 3 attendance - 1 each person 
  • Pieces of color - 1 either person 
  • BOM - 1 for either person 
  • Madrona road - 1 for either person 
  • Scrap swap - 1 for either person 
  • Charity work - 1 for either person 

Show & Tell  Our guild is growing & growing but our time slot just got shorter.  :(  This year we ask that you bring finished projects only for show & tell, unless it is something you need help with, or a top or other nearly finished project that you will not be able to show at a later meeting. 

Madrona Road challenge projects


Events to Anticipate

Destash Party Details for April:
Participation is encouraged but optional.


Sewcial time  3:30-5pm  
During the sewcial time, we will demo attaching a hanging sleeve and the Snails Trail block for our Block of the Month.  If you are joining in the Intermediate/Advanced Round Robin, we will also be exchanging our starting pieces this month.



WHAT TO BRING

-Name Tags (Don't have one? Here's a modern tutorial)

- Finished Quilts for Show & Tell
-Charity blocks, tops and finished quilts

-Madrona Road Challenge bags
-Pieces of color
-Bag of scraps for the swap
-Finished feather blocks for Block of the Month
-Cat beds

-Projects, tools and fabric to work on

NEW MEMBERS
If you’ve never been to a meeting before this will be a great meeting to see a lot of new projects and meet our members. Your first meeting is free and you can read about becoming a member here. We want to see your projects too, so bring them along! If you have any questions, ask any officer. We’re happy to talk with you.



On the fence about attending? Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaModern or the notes and pictures of the great work our members create.

See you Saturday!



Locations for Upcoming Meetings:
In order to help you plan for future meetings, see the locations below: 

The future dates: 


Saturday, 4/13/13
Saturday, 5/11/13
Saturday, 6/15/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 7/13/13
Saturday, 8/10/13
Saturday, 9/14/13
Saturday, 10/12/13
Saturday, 11/9/13
Saturday, 12/14/13

Redwood City Library (most meetings)  Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
tel: 650.780.7018

Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740

Check the meeting announcements posted the week before each meeting for changes to the schedule, more information and other details.

Monday, March 11, 2013

March Meeting Saturday!

We can't wait to see your smiling face!


When: Saturday, 3/16/13 Redwood Shores at 1:30 - NOTE: new start time
Where: W
Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740
Have you paid? Dues are Due! $30 for the year. Bring your checkbook!
Email bamodernquilt@gmail.com, if you need further instructions, want to pay via PayPal or want to join for the first time.

AGENDA (subject to change)



Meeting 1:30-3:30pm
Announcements: 
  • At this venue, get your snacks before the meeting if you want them - cart closes at 2. 
  • Upcoming sew day: Saturday, April 20 (charity sew day). 
  • Next month:  Destash party!

Klippies this month: 
  • Meeting attendance - 1 each person 
  • Sew Day March 3 attendance - 1 each person 
  • Pieces of color - 1 either person 
  • BOM - 1 for either person 
  • Madrona road - 1 for either person 
  • Scrap swap - 1 for either person 
  • Charity work - 1 for either person 

Show & Tell  Our guild is growing & growing but our time slot just got shorter.  :(  This year we ask that you bring finished projects only for show & tell, unless it is something you need help with, or a top or other nearly finished project that you will not be able to show at a later meeting. 

Madrona Road challenge projects


Events to Anticipate

Destash Party Details for April:
Participation is encouraged but optional.


Sewcial time  3:30-5pm  
During the sewcial time, we will demo attaching a hanging sleeve and the Snails Trail block for our Block of the Month.  If you are joining in the Intermediate/Advanced Round Robin, we will also be exchanging our starting pieces this month.



WHAT TO BRING

-Name Tags (Don't have one? Here's a modern tutorial)

- Finished Quilts for Show & Tell
-Charity blocks, tops and finished quilts

-Madrona Road Challenge bags
-Pieces of color
-Bag of scraps for the swap
-Finished feather blocks for Block of the Month
-Cat beds

-Projects, tools and fabric to work on

NEW MEMBERS
If you’ve never been to a meeting before this will be a great meeting to see a lot of new projects and meet our members. Your first meeting is free and you can read about becoming a member here. We want to see your projects too, so bring them along! If you have any questions, ask any officer. We’re happy to talk with you.



On the fence about attending? Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaModern or the notes and pictures of the great work our members create.

See you Saturday!



Locations for Upcoming Meetings:
In order to help you plan for future meetings, see the locations below: 

The future dates: 


Saturday, 4/13/13
Saturday, 5/11/13
Saturday, 6/15/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 7/13/13
Saturday, 8/10/13
Saturday, 9/14/13
Saturday, 10/12/13
Saturday, 11/9/13
Saturday, 12/14/13

Redwood City Library (most meetings)  Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
tel: 650.780.7018

Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740

Check the meeting announcements posted the week before each meeting for changes to the schedule, more information and other details.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

National Quilting Day

Yes, it is that time again: National Craft Month/National Quilt Month, depending to whom you talk.

The following post was originally posted on the  Quiltin' Jenny's blog. Thanks to Jenny for letting me repost it and share the information with you. I have edited it a bit to make it appropriate for BAMQG.

It's that time of year again! Yes, March 16 is National Quilting Day, and there are events all month to celebrate.

The National Quilting Association has chosen the 2013 theme - "Celebrate America" - and the free pattern to go with it is suitable for donation to Quilts of Valor.

Of course, we should have a National Quilting Day Sew In on March 16.  Who's with me?



If you haven't joined us for a sew in before, it's easy! We post messages on Twitter with a specific hashtag, in this case #NQDSI.  If you do not have a Twitter account, just sign up.  It's free.  Once you have an account, join us using the hashtag, #NQDSI. There is also a #NQDSI room on Tweet Chat. You don't need a Twitter account to read those posts, but you do need one if you want to post.

To follow happenings, go to your Twitter feed and click on one of the tweets with the #NQDSI hashtag.  If I don't see one, go to the search feature and type in #NQDSI.  The Twitter search engine will then bring up all the tweets with that hashtag.  Just refresh frequently to see the conversation.

Other National Quilting Day/Month Events:

There are many other events, including:
  •  our own BAMQG meeting. 
  •  The Quilt Show is celebrating by offering free access to all their shows on their site from March 15 through March 17. That includes Jinny Beyer's two shows, episodes 313 and 601 which feature a tour of her home and some detailed hand-piecing instruction. Visit The Quilt Show.
  •  Visit your local quilt shop (and get a badge here!) after the meeting, of course. ;-) The Intrepid Thread and Always Quilting, as well as all the other Bay Area Shops will thank you.
 Join in the fun! Thanks again, to Jenny for letting me use parts of her post.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Forum on the Ning Network

This is the public face of the Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild. We thank you very much for reading and looking forward to reading your comments. You can also look at our Flickr stream and Facebook page to find out what we are doing.

As a benefit of membership, we also have a group forum on the Ning Network. Ruth set it up in the dark ages of the guild (HAHA - just kidding!). It serves as a member benefit where people can discuss guild business, details of events and where people can ask for help. It provides a spot for discussions in between meetings and helps to keep us connected. Each member also has their own page where they can post pictures, write blog posts, etc. The personal page is a great way to share your own work with other members. Again, you must be a paid member to join.

Ning offers some great features, but isn't perfect and there can be a little frustration when trying to join. Definitely ask for help from another guild member, either via this blog or to our email address. Remember to check your spam folder as the "confirmation of membership" emails often go there.

We meet once a month to talk about modern quilting, share projects, sew and inspire each other. If you've never been to a meeting, membership is $30 annually and your first meeting is FREE! Click here to visit our membership page.