Next Guild Meeting - Tresa Keys, "Gramma, Gracie and me"

Greetings everyone! This is a friendly reminder that our next guild meeting is this coming Monday April 27, 7:00 PM at Beechwood Church.

Tresa Keys will present a trunk show titled “Gramma, Gracie and me” highlighting antique quilts as well as quilts constructed using reproduction fabrics.  Her program will focus on depression era quilts which she considers an enduring tribute to the resourcefulness of the quilt makers of that time.

We hope you can join us. The presentation is free to all members, and just $5.00 to non-members so invite your friends, family, and fellow quilters for an enjoyable evening looking back at this beloved era of quilting.

INTERNATIONAL QUILT SHOW OR BUST!!

43 eager quilters joined the fun on a FRIGID (and I mean frigid at 14 degrees F before wind chill at 7:00 AM) Saturday, March 28 traveling to the INTERNATIONAL QUILT SHOW at the Rosemont Center in Chicago.  The day went off without a hitch, returning promptly at 11:00 PM.  We played games on the way down for cash to spend at the show.  We watched “How to make an American Quilt” on the way home. By the end of the day we were all tired, sore feet, but well satisfied that the day was well spent viewing the many wonderful quilts and shopping at a wide range of vendors.  One person on our bus even won a new sewing machine!  Here’s a snippet of the day, including a little inspiration for our upcoming guild challenge RED & WHITE:

Saturday, March 28, IQF Bus Trip Reminder:

IMPORTANT – please arrive at the bus no later than 6:45 AM (EST) for check in, as we will depart at 7:00 a.m. SHARP!

·        Our bus is #10, look for hot pink signage in the window.

·        The bus leaves from Holland Sam’s Club park lot (2190 North Park Dr., NE corner of the lot near Steak-n-Shake) US 31 and James St.

·        Food and beverages are allowed on the bus so feel free to bring snacks, coffee and/or soft drinks.

·        Donuts and water will be provided on the way.

·        Be sure to bring a pen along for games.

·        Wrist bands for entrance into the show will be distributed on the bus. (For those who need to purchase a ticket, you can either go on-line to Quilts Inc. at www.quilts.com to buy and print your ticket or you may purchase your ticket at the door).

·        Bus will depart from the quilt show at 6:00 p.m. sharp.  Plan to be at the drop off location with our group to catch the bus by 5:45 p.m. (CST), as the bus will be parked off site, and only come once everyone is ready.

·        We will stop for a quick ‘grab and go’ fast food dinner (choices include McDonalds, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, Little Caesars, Jimmy Johns) on the way home.

·        All-star cast movie “HOW TO MAKE AN AMERICAN QUILT” will be shown on the way home for those that can keep their eyes open.

·        Estimated return approximately 11:00 p.m. EST.

·        Questions – contact Barb Schippa (616)566-0261 or Vicky Gray (269)967-8300

See you Saturday!

Sue Nickels of the Holly Girls presents at February guild meeting

PROGRAM - Despite the artic weather conditions we’ve had recently, we had a fantastic turnout last night with a warm welcome for award winning quilter and author SUE NICKELS of the HOLLY GIRLS duo as our program speaker.  Sue shared her quilting journey and inspiration, including humble beginnings of her 89 year old mother sewing elaborate dresses complete with bows and petticoats for the two young sisters using very simple tools.  After the program members inspected the amazing intricate machine quilting up close, all done on their home machines, their trademark.  Their quilt TWO OF US won Bernina of America Best Home Machine Workmanship Award at Paducah 2014.  The duo was featured in AQ American Quilter’s magazine January 2015 issue.  Thanks to Sue Nickels for generously providing books for as our program prizes this evening. 

STUFF THE BUS - seats are still available for the International Quilt Festival in Chicago Saturday, March 28.  The $55.00 ticket cost includes transportation (via a B&W 56 passenger coach, free wi-fi, on board restroom), show entrance, donuts, bottled water, plus a movie on the return trip. We will make a food stop on the way back (cost not included in ticket) or you may pack something that doesn’t need refrigeration. The bus will depart Sam’s Club/Holland parking lot at 7:00 AM SHARP and return roughly 11:00 PM.

RED & WHITE QUILT CHALLENGE – Honoring our new BIG RED Quilt Guild, we are pleased to announce our upcoming challenge.  We will cover this in depth at our April meeting when most snowbirds have returned but here are some important things to get you started:

·        2 categories - Traditional and Modern/Art

·        Quilt must be completed during the challenge period

·        Quilts must be completely finished, no tops accepted

·        Quilts must have 3 layers – top, batting and backing

·        Any shape (bed size, table runner, oval, etc) equaling 216 inches minimum (total) up to 352 inches maximum (total) of the outside edges

·        Limited to the Red and White colors families only (must read ‘red’ or ‘white’, for more information web search Infinite Variety three centuries of red and white quilts, the Joanna S. Rose collection or Pinterest Infinite variety three centuries of red and white quilts)

·        Entry form submitted at the April 2016 meeting with completion deadline by the June 2016 meeting when they will be judged

·        Prizes award for both categories

·        You may enter multiple quilts in both categories

UPCOMING PROGRAMS – Be sure to mark your calendar for our April 27, 2015 general meeting.  We welcome Tresa Keys, famed 1930’s style quilter and her presentation and trunk show.

SEW-IN – hope to see you 6:00-9:00 PM Monday, March 23, at the Lodge at Beechwood Church on Ottawa Beach Road.

Our meeting was adjourned shortly by 9:15.

Sue Nickels & IQF bus trip

Greetings!  In the midst of our winter, it’s fun to look forward to things that don’t include snow shovels and frigid temps…like quilting.  We want to be sure you’re thinking about a couple upcoming important guild events. 

First up, we are so excited to welcome award winning quilter and author SUE NICKELS of the HOLLY GIRLS duo as our program speaker next Monday, February 23, 2015.  Their quilt TWO OF US won BERNINA of America Best Home Machine Workmanship Award at Paducah 2014. They are featured in AQ American Quilter’s magazine January 2015 issue, so we are very honored to have Sue next Monday.  Be sure to join us, and invite non-members (for $5.00).  Our business meeting and Show and Tell will follow as well.  Please be sure to join us Monday!

Second, reserve your bus seat for the International Quilt Festival in Chicago Saturday, March 28.  The $55.00 ticket cost includes transportation (via a B&W 56 passenger coach, free Wi-Fi, on board restroom), show entrance, donuts, bottled water, plus a movie on the return trip. The bus will depart Sam’s Club/Holland parking lot at 7:00 AM SHARP and return roughly 11:00 PM.  Space is limited so send payment soon.

Hope to see you!

Barb Schippa

BUS TRIP - International Quilt Festival, Saturday, March 28, 2015

Calling all quilters……..Would you love to go to the International Quilt Festival in Chicago Saturday, March 28, but don’t want to hassle with driving and parking? 

BIG RED QUILTERS GUILD has made it easy peasy, we’re chartering a bus!  The bus will depart Sam’s Club/Holland parking lot at 7:00 AM SHARP and return roughly 11:00 PM. 

The $55.00 ticket cost includes transportation (via a B&W 56 passenger coach, free Wi-Fi, on board restroom), show entrance, donuts, bottled water, plus a movie on the return trip. 

Space is limited, and offered to BRQG members first so send payment and the attached form by January 26 to ensure your space.

For more information about this event contact:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/988849431132488 or

http://bigredquiltersguild.blogspot.com/

President – Janet Steinke 616-928-8992

Vice President – Marie Yutendale 616-298-7034

Secretary – Barbara Schippa 616-335-2771

Treasurer – Vicky Gray 269-967-8300

Programs – Barb Walsh 616-796-8032

Membership – Char Litwinski 616-994-6460

 

(to print, save form to your computer or tablet, then print)

Monday, December 22, 2014 General Meeting

A small but very enthusiastic group showed up ready to have fun and celebrate the holidays.  

• Marie Yutendale opened the meeting with guild business news:

• An apology to all guild members that came to the first STITCH IN only to find the doors shut.  There was confusion on the actual start time.  This has been corrected, and confirmed with Beechwood Church. Going forward the new start time will be 6:00 PM.  Efforts will be made to warm up the barn a bit beforehand.  Hope to see everyone on January 26.

• FUTURE PROGRAMS were announced:

February 2015 - Sue Nickels, award winning quilter and author from Holly, Michigan

April 2015 - Tresa Keys, famed 1930's quilter presentation and trunk show from Petoskey, Michigan

June 2015 - Nona Jones, from Downers Grove, doll quilt collection, presentation and trunk show

August 2015 – Hands All Around bee from Chicago area, presentation of various bee challenges and quilts

• FACEBOOK - our page is now an "open group" and available, check it out along with our blog.

• RED & WHITE quilt challenge was announced.  Details (categories, sizes, timing) are being ironed out, and will be announced at upcoming meetings.  

• INTERNATIONAL QUILT FESTIVAL Bus Trip - Barbara Schippa shared information on a possible chartered bus trip to the IQF show in Chicago on March 28, 2015.  Cost estimated is $50-60 including transportation and show entrance at this point (based on full 56 pass/bus). There is enough interest to proceed.  We will open to our guild first, then general public. Final plans will be announced shortly. 

• Pat Navis has instructions and patterns for the DIAPER CHARITY project.  See her for more information.

• The group moved to play LRC (left right center).  Grand prize winners were Pat Navis, fat quarters and gift certificate to STITCHED STUDIO in Grand Rapids and Barbara Schippa, set of 3 titanium scissors. Refreshments were served then we did our gift exchange to Marie's poem.  The meeting finished with a fun show & tell consisting of lots of Christmas themed quilts. 

• The meeting ended shortly before 9:00 PM.