Our Purpose

Established September 2014 through our shared interest, appreciation and desire to educate and promote all quilting styles including traditional, modern and art for future generations.

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

Nancy Crow 2016 workshop - SETS AND VARIABLES III, USING A LINEAR MOTIF

Open yourself to the world of art quilting and inspiration by award winning quilt artist Nancy Crow.  West Michigan & Muskegon Museum of Art is honored to have Nancy return to Muskegon again in 2016.  Registration is now open for her SETS AND VARIABLES III, USING A LINEAR MOTIF workshop. Nancy's workshops are deeply embedded in classical art/design concepts. Figure/ground composition will be emphasized.  To get the most out of the workshop come prepared with all recommended supplies and fabrics (see her link below) 
 

Dates - August 22-26, 2016 (5 days)
Level - Advanced
Prerequisite - Free-hand cutting skills/very good machine-sewing skills
Description - complete supply list, fabric requirements and class description available on Nancy's website http://www.nancycrow.com/artworkshops.html 
Class fee - $675 ($500 is non-refundable) required at registration 
Class hours - 9:00 am-noon and 2:00-5:00 pm Monday thru Friday
Classroom hours - 7:30 am to 10:00 pm daily to complete your assignments
Location - Century Club Ballroom

To secure your space and register contact Catherine Mott at 231.720.2587. (Note: Catherine will be out of the office from Nov 2-9, 2015

Barb Schippa

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Welcome Quilt Artist Sue Holdaway-Heyes


Janet Steinke opened the meeting at 7:05 with the following business:

·        Membership renewal - 60+ people came tonight, including several new members and guests. This is renewal month (October to October), be sure to turn in your form and $30 annual dues.  Congratulations on our first year, which officially began with the startup team in May 2014!! The guild DOES NOT work or exist without hard working Board members, members, and volunteers. 

·        Upcoming Programs & Events –
o   November 23, 2015 – sew in at the adjacent Beechwood lodge
o   December 28, 2015 – New Year’s Celebration, a time to haul out the UFO’s more on this to come!
o   April 25, 2015 – ArtPrize 2x winner Ann Loveless program.  12+ hands would be interested in a half day workshop, roughly $55/pp to be held Monday afternoon.  If we don’t have enough sign up the workshop would be cancelled and money refunded.
o   June 27, 2016 - “Red & White” challenge quilts due – We have 2 size and 2 style categories:
Small – anything below a total of 216” total (outside dimension)
Large – anything above 216” total (outside dimension)
The two style categories remain the same – Traditional and Art/Modern
This means you can enter 4 quilts, a small and large Traditional style, and a small and large Art/Modern.
Entry forms will be made available later, and turned in at our April 2016 meeting.  For now…….get quilting!

·        Guild Fundraisers
Our garage sale earned $476, and since Beechwood Church has been so generous with their facility the board suggested we donate 50% to their food pantry. Membership voted YES to support the donation.

·        Financial update – Treasurer Vicky Gray
The board has acted very cautiously using the guilds funds, in good faith putting their membership dues up front last summer as seed money to get the guild off the ground.  Keep in mind, high quality speakers are expensive, and we built this past year from nothing. Fundraising to date include member dues, guests, garage sale, member pins, and IQF bus trip.  Financial summary (thru 10.19.15):
          Income -                                                                                       $3695.67
          Expenses -                                                                                    $2946.22
          Total net income for fiscal year ending 9.30.15 -                 $  749.45
          *A complete detailed summary of income and expenses can be seen or requested at any time by contacting your Board Treasurer Vicky Gary.

·        Election of Officers – Janet thanked all previous years’ board members for their hard work, and really creating a guild out of nothing, recognizing those stepping down Marie Yutendale (VP), Barb Walsh (Programs), Char Litwinski (Membership) and Janet Steinke (President).  She asked new board nominees to come up front, asked if there were any new nominees, and a member asked that the nominations be closed, and it went for a vote. Your 2015-2016 BRQG Board: 
o   President – Pat Navis
o   Vice President – Barb Bredemeier
o   Treasurer – Vicky Gray
o   Secretary/Blog – Barb Schippa
o   Membership – Sally Leep
o   Programs – Kathy Mueller

·        At this time the program was turned over to new President Pat Navis.

·        October 26 Program Welcome – Quilt artist Sue Holdaway-Heyes presented over 140 photos of her step by step process, various technique of fusible, painting, drawing and thread work as well as sources of inspiration. She followed with a trunk show of 12 of her stunning art quilts. Members were treated to up-close and personal looks at her work for further inspiration. Sue has won many awards including the American Quilt Society Show, the Ella Sharpe Museum, and the Ann Arbor Art Center.  Her work has been published many times, and is represented in many public and private collections including a doll in the White House Collection.




























·        Other future programs:
·        November 23, 2015 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        December 28, 2015 – New Year’s celebration
·        January 25, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        February 22, 2016 – Schoolhouse night, volunteer teachers share their talents and expertise in a round robin evening event.  We are looking for 2-4 more teachers……come forward and share your knowledge!
·        March 28, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        April 25, 2016 – Ann Loveless, 2013 & 2015 Art prize winner and quilt artist
·        May 23, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        June 27, 2016 – Red & White Challenge Quilts – Show & Event
·        July 25, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        August 22, 2016 – (Tentative) Garage Sale and ice cream social

·        Door Prizes – This month sponsored by Pressing Matters & Sue Holdaway-Heys, congratulations to winners Judy Zivick, Char Litwinski, Sheryl Lunn, Debra Long, Myrna Duthler, and Becky Baumgartner.  Board members work hard soliciting donations from west Michigan quilt shops. If you have something you’d like to offer please see your Board.

·        Pat adjourned the evening at 9:00 PM

Barb Schippa

Thursday, October 15, 2015

October program - Susan Holdaway-Heys

Join us Monday October 26, 2015 at 7;00 PM.  Big Red Quilters Guild is pleased to present works by award winning studio quilt artist Susan Holdaway-Heys.  Susan's work has been shown in AQS, IQA and Visions: The art of the Quilt and Visions: Quilt Expression and many other prestigious shows. Her work explores mood and atmosphere through the use of space, light, color and movement. Susan's art quilts can be found in many public and private collections including a doll in the White House collection, and numerous publications.  Her work can be seen at Button-Petter Gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan or Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA.com) professional gallery.

Please join us for an inspirational evening. Members are free, non-members are $5.00. We hope to see you!

Saturday, October 3, 2015

A HUGE success!

Our first ever, hopefully often, but not necessarily annual BIG RED QUILTERS GUILD Garage Sale was a HUGE success!  The line formed outside at 5:30 waiting for the doors to open promptly at 6:00 PM.  Thanks to the many folks that stopped by and made purchases.  Remaining books will be sold at reduced prices at Monday, October 26 Guild meeting. 


Thank you to the many members that donated items to be sold, Marie Yutendale for her enthusiastic leadership, and her volunteers that worked endless hours to organize, communicate, set up and market, check out, and tear down. A guild is only as strong as its volunteers.  Great job!!








Barbara Schippa
BRQG Secretary

Monday, September 21, 2015

HUGE Quilters Garage Sale!!!!!

Huge quilters garage sale!!!!! Quilting books, quilting patterns and fabrics plus other related items for sale. Many wonderful treasures await you. 

Grab your quilting friends and stop in Monday, September 28, 2015 6:00-9:00 PM at The Lodge at Beechwood Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Road, Holland 49424. Sponsored by Big Red Quilter's Guild. 


NO EARLY SALES

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Hands All Around Bee from Downers Grove presents "challenge ideas" trunk show

7:00 PM Monday, August 24, 2015

Janet Steinke opened the meeting at 7:00 promptly with the following business:

Budget: Without your dues, and money in the bank, we would not be able to book the great speakers we’ve been able to, like Sue Nickels. Our prudent budgeting (thank you Vicky!) allowed us to book several great quilt artists Sue Holdaway-Heyes and Ann Loveless in the upcoming months.

Membership renewal is next month. Be sure to turn in your form and $30 annual dues at our next meeting. 

Election of Officers – this is our last official meeting of the year….Congratulations on our first year!! The guild DOES NOT work or exist without hard working Board members/volunteers.  Newly appointed officers will start in October.  Three board members are needed to rotate in/out each year to maintain continuity (so the entire board is not new). Thank you to Marie Yutendale, Char Litwinski and Barb Walsh for all their work this inaugural year. Possible positions are:
·        President (key) – Janet Steinke would like another member to step up
·        Vice President – nominated Barb Bredemeier/Betsy Muir as co-chairs
·        Treasurer – Vicky Gray volunteered for an additional year
·        Secretary/Blog – Barb Schippa volunteered for an additional year
·        Membership – nominated Sally Leep
·        Programs (Key, 3 people needed to search presenters, hospitality, set up) – nominated Kathy Mueller, and support team members

We are looking for 2-4 more volunteer teachers for our February 22, 2016 SCHOOL HOUSE PROGRAM.  Do you have a technique or skill (or know someone) you can share with other guild members?  Guild members will tour each of the teachers for mini sessions learning different techniques. 

Guild Fundraiser - Donations are still being taken for our quilty garage sale/guild fundraiser, September 28, the 4th Monday, in lieu of our sew in date.  All proceeds go to BRQG.  Items not sold will be donated to Gilda’s House. If you have donations or would like to volunteer, please see VP Marie Yutendale.  Be sure to grab your quilting BFF’s and stop by. Items will be organized and priced as follows: Books - $3, Patterns - $2, Fabrics – $1 a yard

Freedom Village Scholarship $5 raffle tickets will be available at their bazaar, Sept 10-11.
 “Red & White” Guild challenge – We have 2 size and 2 style categories:
·        Small – anything below a total of 216” total (outside dimension)
·        Large – anything above 216” total (outside dimension)
·        The two style categories remain the same – Traditional and Art/Modern
·        This means you can enter 4 quilts, a small and large Traditional style, and a small and large Art/Modern.
·        Your entries need to be complete by our June 2016 meeting.  Entry forms will be made available later, and turned in at our April 2016 meeting.  For now…….get quilting!

 BRQG Member Pins – are available to guild members for $12, with $2 going to the guild.  Please see the member table when you check in at the next meeting for a form.  Several pins were delayed, but will be available next general meeting (so very sorry!)

October 26 Program – Quilt artist Sue Holdaway-Heyes will present a power point presentation sharing her step by step process and sources of inspiration, followed by a trunk show of her beautiful art quilts. Sue has won many awards including the American Quilt Society Show, the Ella Sharpe Museum, and the Ann Arbor Art Center.  Her work has been published many times, and is represented in many public and private collections including a doll in the White House Collection. Clear your calendars, you don’t want to miss this!

Other future programs:
·        September 28, 2015 – Guild Garage sale, Beechwood Lodge
·        November 23, 2015 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        December 28, 2015 – Game night and social time
·        January 25, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        February 22, 2016 – Schoolhouse night, volunteer teachers share their talents and expertise in a round robin evening event.  We are looking for 2-4 more teachers……come forward and share your knowledge!
·        March 28, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        April 25, 2016 – Ann Loveless, 2013 Art prize winner and quilt artist
·        May 23, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        June 27, 2016 – Red & White Challenge Quilts – Show & Event
·        July 25, 2016 – Sew in night, Beechwood Lodge
·        August 22, 2016 – (Tentative) Garage Sale and ice cream social

Door Prizes – This month sponsored by FIELDS FABRICS, congratulations to winners Linda Carlson and Cynthia Lindsley!!  Board members work hard soliciting donations from west Michigan quilt shops. If you have something you’d like to offer please see your Board.


 Welcome The Bee from Downers Grove! – A warm and hearty welcome was given to “Hands All Around Bee”  from Downers Grove, five ladies that have quilted together FOREVER (est. 1983) including our very own Program Chair Barb Walsh, forming years of wonderful quilts and an unending bond of friendship.  They number 15 current members that meet monthly at rotating homes. Some have moved away, and some have passed away. They’ve shared personal joys and sorrow, pride, creative genius, and ‘silly flubs’ along their journey together. The group presented a trunk show and shared how they organized group challenges over the years.  They inspired us with challenge ideas including Ugly fabric, Over-Dye, 9-patch and Applique, Clue Word, Mug/Cup, and Cruise Mystery to name a few of over 16 challenges.  They supported and helped each other along the way, creating far more than quilts…..a strong and lasting bond of friendship.  Bee inspired!














Sunday, August 16, 2015

Summer is flying by! It's time again for our guild meeting, Monday August 24, 7:00 PM.  Please join us for "The Bee from Downers Grove" sharing their MANY years of friendship and trunk show.

You will also be voting for new Board members. You still have time to throw your hat into the ring.  And remember, your Guild does not exist without volunteers.  A diverse and well supported guild is our goal so please think of ways your skill sets can be used.  Don't be shy!!!  

Remember to bring your quilting donations for our Guild Fundraiser Garage Sale to this meeting.  The actual sale will be held September 28, the 4th Monday, in lieu of our Sew In date.  All proceeds go to BRQG.  Items not sold will be donated to Gilda’s House. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please see Vice President Marie Yutendale.  Items will be organized and priced as follows:
Books - $3
Patterns - $2
Fabrics – $1 a yard

See you Monday August 24, and be sure to invite a friend!