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.

December 22, 2014 Program Reminder

Yes, we plan to meet. Join us 7:00 PM at Beechwood Church in the flurry of holiday plans and activities.  We’re told Ottawa Beach Road is finally open!  Bring a $10 quilt gift exchange, an appetizer or treat to share, and quilts for SHOW & TELL. 

Looking to join a quilt bee?

Calling all quilters!  Are you looking for inspiration?  Can’t make any of the day time bees? Are you looking for a bee that meets in the evening?  Pumpkin Patchers is an open bee.  We meet the first and third Thursday each month, 6:00-9:00 PM at The Howard Miller Public Library, 14 S. Church St. in Zeeland.  Whether you bring a machine or hand work, come check us out.  For more information contact Sally Leep 772-2041, Barb Schippa 566-0261 or Joan Breuker 748-8318.
   

Sew In reminder

Calling all Big Red Quilter's Guild members.....A quick reminder of our "SEW IN" (sit and stitch meeting), opposite months of our general meetings.  Those interested will meet at Beechwood Church in the Lodge (located on the left of the entrance to the main building) on Monday, November 24, at 7:00 PM.  We will have a group working on reusable sanitary pads and diapers.  Flannel and elastic donations would be much appreciated.  You are also welcome to bring a project of your own to work on.  There are electrical outlets for your sewing machines.  Hope to see you there!

Char Litwinski
Membership Chair